I wanted to share my recent success in setting up a smart garage lighting system. My garage has three overhead doors and a side door with a lock. Each overhead door has a tilt sensor, and the side door has a Zigbee lock and open/close sensor. These devices are paired with a different hub, which adds a layer of complexity, but I managed to integrate everything seamlessly.
The Goal:
I wanted the lights to turn on whenever any door is opened and stay on for up to 5 minutes after closing. This is especially useful when I’m in the garage for extended periods, like grabbing items from the freezer or working on my car. I also wanted a way to keep the lights on manually without relying on the door sensors.
The Solution:
I created three main rules:
- Door Open/Close Automation: The lights turn on when any door opens and stay on for 5 minutes after the last door closes. This ensures the lights are always on when I’m active in the garage.
- Double Tap Switch Control: I added a double-tap feature to my wall switch. Double-tapping turns the lights on and disables the automatic shutoff, perfect for when I’m working in the garage with the doors closed.
- Single Tap Switch Control: A single tap turns the lights off and reactivates the automatic shutoff timer.
- Nightly Cleanup Routine: At 1 AM, the lights turn off to ensure they’re not left on accidentally. This also resets the automation in case I forgot to turn them off.
The Implementation:
- I used a combination of sensors and a central scene switch for manual control.
- I set up global variables to track the light status and ensure the automation works smoothly.
- The system handles both automatic and manual modes seamlessly, providing a user-friendly experience.
The Results:
This setup has been a game-changer for my garage workflow. The lights are always on when I need them, and they turn off automatically when I don’t. The manual override feature is especially handy for extended work sessions. It’s been a great learning experience, and I’m happy to share my setup in case it helps someone else!
I hope this inspires others to explore similar automation ideas. Happy tinkering! 