I’ve been experimenting with my Shelly 2.5 device in Home Assistant, and I wanted to share my experience and solution for those who might be facing a similar issue. The goal was to create a delay when turning off the lights, which is especially useful for navigating stairs in the dark without immediately losing light. Here’s how I approached it:
The Problem:
I configured my Shelly 2.5 with a double rocker switch for two lamps in my staircase. The challenge was to make the lights turn off after a few seconds delay when the switch was pressed. This feature is crucial for safety, as it allows me to ascend the stairs comfortably before the lights dim out. However, achieving this through the default settings proved to be tricky.
The Solution:
After some research and trial and error, I discovered that while the Shelly 2.5 doesn’t natively support a delay for the turn-off action, it’s possible to work around this limitation using Home Assistant’s automation capabilities. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what I did:
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Set Up the Shelly 2.5 in Home Assistant:
- Ensure the Shelly 2.5 is properly integrated into your Home Assistant setup. I used the StyraHem/ShellyForHASS integration, which worked seamlessly for me.
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Create an Automation:
- Navigate to the automation section in Home Assistant.
- Create a new automation triggered by the Shelly 2.5’s switch being turned off.
- Add a delay action to wait for the desired amount of time (I set it to 5 seconds).
- Finally, add an action to turn off the connected lamps after the delay.
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Testing and Fine-Tuning:
- Test the automation by toggling the switch and observe the delay before the lights turn off.
- Adjust the delay duration as needed to suit your preferences.
Additional Tips:
- If you want to trigger this automation manually via the Home Assistant app, you can create a custom button or scene that activates the automation when pressed.
- Consider setting up similar automations for other areas of your home where delayed lighting could be beneficial, such as entryways or hallways.
Conclusion:
While the Shelly 2.5 doesn’t offer a built-in delay feature for turn-off actions, leveraging Home Assistant’s automation capabilities provides a robust workaround. This solution not only enhances safety but also adds a layer of convenience to your smart home setup. I hope this guide helps others facing the same challenge and encourages further exploration of Home Assistant’s powerful automation features!
Feel free to share your own experiences or tips in the comments below. Happy automating! 