Automating My Outdoor Lights, PHASE 3 - If This Happens, Do That

Originally recorded April 29, 2023.

This is it! The moment of truth!

I could have used a plug-in timer. But I didn't.

I could have used that computer controlled circuit board. But I didn't.

I could have just used a smart plug. But I didn't.

I did it all! I heard about this thing called IFTTT, If This Then That, but after a few different settings you had to pay! What??? F that noise!

Right there, in the Smart Life app, you can control stuff based on the weather. It can be based on temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc. The weather also includes sunrise and sunset times. I found 15 minutes after sunset, and 15 minutes before sunrise, are a good time around here, to turn the lights on and off, respectively.

Since putting this into service, it has performed beautifully! The time the lights go on and off is automatically adjusted every day, I never have to reset the clock twice a year, there is absolutely nothing I need to do but sit back and watch the problem I have had for the last 17 years magically disappear!

For the first couple nights we'd ask Alexa the sunset time, then set an alarm a minute before and huddle around the window and watch, and sure enough, each night at exactly the right time, the lights would go on. Don't need to think about it or make a special trip up or down stairs to turn it on or off.

I am extrmely happy that I did this. I am not happy with how I left the wiring, so in the nect part, we'll reinvestigate and fix that.

Related videos:
Automating My Outdoor Lights, PHASE 1 - Discussion And A Quick Demonstration
https://youtu.be/mW1BoM41dSY
Automating My Outdoor Lights, PHASE 2 - Wiring It All Up
https://youtu.be/tKt8D1v0VE8

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