I just wanted to share my recent success with setting up smart home automation for my garage lights and cameras. It’s been a journey, but the end result is truly amazing!
I have a standalone garage with three overhead doors and a side door with a lock. Each overhead door has a tilt sensor, while the side door has a Yale zigbee lock and a Lowe’s zigbee open/close sensor. The locks are paired to a different hub than the garage doors, which added some complexity to the setup.
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. The challenge was ensuring the lights stay on even if I leave the door open, which happens frequently when I’m working on my car.
The Solution:
I created a system with three main rules:
- Basic Automation: Lights turn on when any door opens and turn off 5 minutes after the last door closes. This uses a global variable to track if the lights should stay on.
- Double Tap Control: A double tap on my Zooz wall switch activates a light scene that disables the timed off routine. This is perfect for when I’m working in the garage with the door open.
- Nightly Cleanup: At 1 AM, the lights turn off as a failsafe. This also resets the global variable to ensure everything starts fresh in the morning.
The Results:
This setup has been a game-changer! I no longer worry about forgetting to turn off the lights or dealing with the timed off feature when I’m in the garage for an extended period. The double tap feature adds an extra layer of convenience, and the nightly cleanup ensures energy efficiency.
I hope this helps someone else looking to automate their garage lights and cameras. It’s a great example of how smart home technology can make our lives easier and more efficient!
SmartHome automation #GarageLights Cameras #HomeImprovement