Hi, my parents want their existing light fixtures to automatically turn on at when it gets dark outside. They were going to pay a guy like $70 to install sensors on each one, and we have a lot that arent all connected. One option I considered is maybe I can put a smart sensor and then we can put smart light switches that are activated by them using HA. I also want something that will work without internet, not something that relies on a server somewhere. But does anyone else have any better ideas or recommendations? Thanks.
I’m using a Pi 3 Model B with the 32 bit hass.io from https://www.home-assistant.io/hassio/installation/
Edit: I know it might not sound like the best idea, but the reason i want to use something with home assistant control, is because I want to do things one day such as blink the lights when a motion sensor detects someone after 11pm, plus i can control with google assistant when not home.
I use spotlights wired to a either z-wave plug or even zigbee inline switch. I then have the automation to turn on the lights 15 minutes after sunset and then off at a set time each night.
In terms of motion, you have a couple of options:
1 (easiest) get some outdoor motions sensors (again, here either zigbee or z-wave) and then build a motion trigger based on conditions. (This will obviously require a z-wave/zigbee stick or appropriate hub)
2 You could get some cameras setup and then connect them to motioneye, and then if motion is detected, fire a webhook to tun on the lights…
I considered that, but they said they don’t want it to turn on only at the time of sunset because where we live thunder storms are pretty much a weekly thing, and we have clouds. Good idea though. Do you know a light detector that will work with HA?
The ones we were going to have installed for $70 for set of lights looked like this: https://amzn.to/2KMq8ya
We would’ve had to pay like $600.
The closest outdoor light sensor with wifi was this Phillips hue one: https://amzn.to/2KU7k0f
The problem is I need a hue hub and I don’t know if there is a work around.