Help with detecting state of 4 switches and only performing action if all four are off

[and023 (Kieren Anderson)]

I am having some issues coming up with a flow for my greenhouse zones.

I have 4 zones setup via smart solenoids and a master water solenoid, so technically 5 zones. If you turn on any of the four zones, the master will turn on.

If I turn off 1 zone but still have more than 1 zone still on, the master remains on, but if all zones are off than I want the master solenoid to switch to turn off.

At this stage, I am using the following but it does not seem to be giving me an accurate true/ false reading which makes me think I am probably doing this wrong.

This is the flow I have so far.

[{"id":"596aebd0.918ae4","type":"api-call-service","z":"812a8d9.718ce7","name":"water_off","server":"9444eca1.01d33","version":1,"debugenabled":false,"service_domain":"switch","service":"turn_off","entityId":"switch.button_toggle","data":"","dataType":"jsonata","mergecontext":"","output_location":"","output_location_type":"none","mustacheAltTags":false,"x":1320,"y":500,"wires":[[]]},{"id":"2797832b.219a5c","type":"server-state-changed","z":"812a8d9.718ce7","name":"zone1_off","server":"9444eca1.01d33","version":1,"exposeToHomeAssistant":false,"haConfig":[{"property":"name","value":""},{"property":"icon","value":""}],"entityidfilter":"switch.52087318e09806cb1d21","entityidfiltertype":"exact","outputinitially":false,"state_type":"str","haltifstate":"off","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","outputs":2,"output_only_on_state_change":true,"for":0,"forType":"num","forUnits":"minutes","ignorePrevStateNull":false,"ignorePrevStateUnknown":false,"ignorePrevStateUnavailable":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnknown":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnavailable":false,"x":120,"y":480,"wires":[["87b28952.8570a8"],[]]},{"id":"52a27c7c.256504","type":"server-state-changed","z":"812a8d9.718ce7","name":"zone2_off","server":"9444eca1.01d33","version":1,"exposeToHomeAssistant":false,"haConfig":[{"property":"name","value":""},{"property":"icon","value":""}],"entityidfilter":"switch.52087318e09806cbc52d","entityidfiltertype":"exact","outputinitially":false,"state_type":"str","haltifstate":"off","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","outputs":2,"output_only_on_state_change":true,"for":0,"forType":"num","forUnits":"minutes","ignorePrevStateNull":false,"ignorePrevStateUnknown":false,"ignorePrevStateUnavailable":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnknown":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnavailable":false,"x":120,"y":540,"wires":[["6b3d8d4e.dac3c4"],[]]},{"id":"87b28952.8570a8","type":"api-current-state","z":"812a8d9.718ce7","name":"Detection Zone1","server":"9444eca1.01d33","version":1,"outputs":1,"halt_if":"","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","override_topic":false,"entity_id":"switch.52087318e09806cb1d21","state_type":"str","state_location":"","override_payload":"msg","entity_location":"","override_data":"none","blockInputOverrides":false,"x":380,"y":480,"wires":[["9bf7a176.4169d"]]},{"id":"6b3d8d4e.dac3c4","type":"api-current-state","z":"812a8d9.718ce7","name":"Detection Zone2","server":"9444eca1.01d33","version":1,"outputs":1,"halt_if":"","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","override_topic":false,"entity_id":"switch.52087318e09806cbc52d","state_type":"str","state_location":"payload","override_payload":"msg","entity_location":"","override_data":"none","blockInputOverrides":false,"x":380,"y":540,"wires":[["8d618a9d.a0a838"]]},{"id":"33b4acf.7caaa54","type":"function","z":"812a8d9.718ce7","name":"","func":"var z1 = global.get(\"zone1\");\nvar z2 = global.get(\"zone2\");\nvar z3 = global.get(\"zone3\");\nvar z4 = global.get(\"zone4\");\n\nif (z1 == \"off\" && z2 == \"off\"){\n msg.payload = \"true\"\n}\n\nelse{ \n msg.payload = \"false\"\n}\n\nreturn msg;","outputs":1,"noerr":0,"initialize":"","finalize":"","x":880,"y":500,"wires":[["10a163b1.3c0f9c"]]},{"id":"10a163b1.3c0f9c","type":"switch","z":"812a8d9.718ce7","name":"","property":"payload","propertyType":"msg","rules":[{"t":"cont","v":"true","vt":"str"},{"t":"cont","v":"false","vt":"str"}],"checkall":"true","repair":false,"outputs":2,"x":1090,"y":500,"wires":[["596aebd0.918ae4"],[]]},{"id":"9bf7a176.4169d","type":"function","z":"812a8d9.718ce7","name":"Set Z1 variable","func":"global.set(\"zone1\",msg.payload);\n\nreturn msg;","outputs":1,"noerr":0,"initialize":"","finalize":"","x":640,"y":480,"wires":[["33b4acf.7caaa54"]]},{"id":"8d618a9d.a0a838","type":"function","z":"812a8d9.718ce7","name":"Set z2 variable","func":"global.set(\"zone2\",msg.payload);\n\nreturn msg;","outputs":1,"noerr":0,"initialize":"","finalize":"","x":640,"y":540,"wires":[["33b4acf.7caaa54"]]},{"id":"9444eca1.01d33","type":"server","name":"Home Assistant","legacy":false,"addon":true,"rejectUnauthorizedCerts":true,"ha_boolean":"y|yes|true|on|home|open","connectionDelay":true,"cacheJson":false}]

I think my logic might be wrong. I am still quite new to using NodeRed. Has anyone done something similar that they might be able to explain and share?

[sheminasalam]

Hi there, I think, you can do this easily by creating a group out of the 4 zones in home assistant and then using a simple automation. i,e if you are ok with using HA automations than nodered.

First make a group by copying this to HA config.

group:
  solenoids:
    name: Solenoids
    entities:
      - switch.solenoid1
      - switch.solenoid2
      - switch.solenoid3
      - switch.solenoid4

Now we have to make an automation.

alias: Solenoid control
description: ''
mode: single
trigger:
  - platform: state
    entity_id: group.solenoids
condition: []
action:
  - choose:
      - conditions:
          - condition: state
            entity_id: group.solenoids
            state: 'on'
        sequence:
          - service: switch.turn_on
            target:
              entity_id: switch.master_solenoid
      - conditions:
          - condition: state
            entity_id: group.solenoids
            state: 'off'
        sequence:
          - service: switch.turn_off
            target:
              entity_id: switch.master_solenoid
    default: []

You have to change the entity_id of each and every solenoid component in accordance to your system. If you need any more help please do ask.

[and023 (Kieren Anderson)]

Hey thanks for the suggestion. I just plugged that into HA, however I think line 22:

you can’t have off. I think it’s expecting a time maybe? I got this error, which I think is what it’s talking about maybe?

[samnewman86]

Yep I just saw that mistake.
Off should be in state: not for:

Also I’d make the default action off. Rather than having a second condition to check if it’s off.

[sheminasalam]

I have made a change to the code, please copy it now and see

[samnewman86]

alias: Solenoid control
description: ''
mode: single
trigger:
  - platform: state
    entity_id: group.solenoids
condition: []
action:
  - choose:
      - conditions:
          - condition: state
            entity_id: group.solenoids
            state: 'on'
        sequence:
          - service: switch.turn_on
            target:
              entity_id: switch.master_solenoid
    default:
      - service: switch.turn_off
        target:
          entity_id: switch.master_solenoid

[samnewman86]

I’m not sure how a group handles an entity going unavailable? Does the group then go unavailable?
If so using the default option to switch off gives you a failsafe.

[and023 (Kieren Anderson)]

That got it. Wow, that was easy… Thank you so much. I have been trying to figure this out for most of today… I cant believe how easy that was.

[jward101]

You can achieve this in NR with a template node too. Something like this logic would do the trick (Not live tested as I have mocked up the entity ids.

[{"id":"81203263.8e755","type":"tab","label":"Master + Child","disabled":false,"info":""},{"id":"63cfac18.d11a64","type":"server-state-changed","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"Zone 1 off","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","version":1,"exposeToHomeAssistant":false,"haConfig":[{"property":"name","value":""},{"property":"icon","value":""}],"entityidfilter":"switch.greenhouse1","entityidfiltertype":"exact","outputinitially":false,"state_type":"str","haltifstate":"","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","outputs":1,"output_only_on_state_change":true,"for":0,"forType":"num","forUnits":"minutes","ignorePrevStateNull":false,"ignorePrevStateUnknown":false,"ignorePrevStateUnavailable":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnknown":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnavailable":false,"x":160,"y":180,"wires":[["96a94460.0b61f8"]]},{"id":"96a94460.0b61f8","type":"api-render-template","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"If All Zones are Off","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","template":"{% if is_state(\"switch.greenhouse1\", \"off\") and\nis_state(\"switch.greenhouse2\", \"off\")\nis_state(\"switch.greenhouse3\", \"off\")\nis_state(\"switch.greenhouse4\", \"off\") %}yes\n{%-else %}no{% endif %}","resultsLocation":"payload","resultsLocationType":"msg","templateLocation":"","templateLocationType":"none","x":370,"y":260,"wires":[["ddc10266.b261e"]]},{"id":"39f66dd3.8526e2","type":"server-state-changed","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"Zone 2 off","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","version":1,"exposeToHomeAssistant":false,"haConfig":[{"property":"name","value":""},{"property":"icon","value":""}],"entityidfilter":"switch.greenhouse2","entityidfiltertype":"exact","outputinitially":false,"state_type":"str","haltifstate":"","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","outputs":1,"output_only_on_state_change":true,"for":0,"forType":"num","forUnits":"minutes","ignorePrevStateNull":false,"ignorePrevStateUnknown":false,"ignorePrevStateUnavailable":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnknown":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnavailable":false,"x":160,"y":240,"wires":[["96a94460.0b61f8"]]},{"id":"fa7a81c7.d975e","type":"server-state-changed","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"Zone 3 off","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","version":1,"exposeToHomeAssistant":false,"haConfig":[{"property":"name","value":""},{"property":"icon","value":""}],"entityidfilter":"switch.greenhouse3","entityidfiltertype":"exact","outputinitially":false,"state_type":"str","haltifstate":"","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","outputs":1,"output_only_on_state_change":true,"for":0,"forType":"num","forUnits":"minutes","ignorePrevStateNull":false,"ignorePrevStateUnknown":false,"ignorePrevStateUnavailable":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnknown":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnavailable":false,"x":160,"y":300,"wires":[["96a94460.0b61f8"]]},{"id":"7758c93c.4a44b8","type":"server-state-changed","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"Zone 4 off","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","version":1,"exposeToHomeAssistant":false,"haConfig":[{"property":"name","value":""},{"property":"icon","value":""}],"entityidfilter":"switch.greenhouse4","entityidfiltertype":"exact","outputinitially":false,"state_type":"str","haltifstate":"","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","outputs":1,"output_only_on_state_change":true,"for":0,"forType":"num","forUnits":"minutes","ignorePrevStateNull":false,"ignorePrevStateUnknown":false,"ignorePrevStateUnavailable":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnknown":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnavailable":false,"x":160,"y":360,"wires":[["96a94460.0b61f8"]]},{"id":"ddc10266.b261e","type":"switch","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"","property":"payload","propertyType":"msg","rules":[{"t":"eq","v":"yes","vt":"str"},{"t":"eq","v":"no","vt":"str"}],"checkall":"true","repair":false,"outputs":2,"x":550,"y":260,"wires":[["b3b4ed17.b0e64"],[]]},{"id":"fdbc3daa.6328","type":"comment","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"If No Then Do Nothing","info":"","x":720,"y":320,"wires":[]},{"id":"b3b4ed17.b0e64","type":"api-call-service","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"Zone 2 Turn off","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","version":1,"debugenabled":false,"service_domain":"switch","service":"turn_off","entityId":"switch.greenhouseMasterZone","data":"","dataType":"json","mergecontext":"","output_location":"payload","output_location_type":"msg","mustacheAltTags":false,"x":740,"y":220,"wires":[[]]},{"id":"f829599b.77efb8","type":"comment","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"If Yes Then Turn off Master Switch","info":"","x":740,"y":160,"wires":[]},{"id":"525b6e8f.855cf","type":"server","name":"Home Assistant","legacy":false,"addon":false,"rejectUnauthorizedCerts":true,"ha_boolean":"y|yes|true|on|home|open","connectionDelay":true,"cacheJson":true}]

[and023 (Kieren Anderson)]

@jward101

his in NR with a template node too

So I gave your NR flow a go. However I am getting a Status Code 400 when it attemptes to trigger the template.

[devastator]

You can put them in a group, or use boolean logic in NR: https://flows.nodered.org/node/node-red-contrib-boolean-logic-ultimate

[jward101]

Suggest troubleshooting it in your Developer Tools /developer-tools/template. I’ve also updated the template node that was missing a couple of and conditions.

[{"id":"81203263.8e755","type":"tab","label":"Master + Child","disabled":false,"info":""},{"id":"63cfac18.d11a64","type":"server-state-changed","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"Zone 1 off","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","version":1,"exposeToHomeAssistant":false,"haConfig":[{"property":"name","value":""},{"property":"icon","value":""}],"entityidfilter":"switch.greenhouse1","entityidfiltertype":"exact","outputinitially":false,"state_type":"str","haltifstate":"","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","outputs":1,"output_only_on_state_change":true,"for":0,"forType":"num","forUnits":"minutes","ignorePrevStateNull":false,"ignorePrevStateUnknown":false,"ignorePrevStateUnavailable":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnknown":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnavailable":false,"x":160,"y":180,"wires":[["96a94460.0b61f8"]]},{"id":"96a94460.0b61f8","type":"api-render-template","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"If All Zones are Off","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","template":"{% if is_state(\"switch.greenhouse1\", \"off\") and\nis_state(\"switch.greenhouse2\", \"off\") and\nis_state(\"switch.greenhouse3\", \"off\") and\nis_state(\"switch.greenhouse4\", \"off\") %}yes\n{%-else %}no{% endif %}","resultsLocation":"payload","resultsLocationType":"msg","templateLocation":"","templateLocationType":"none","x":370,"y":260,"wires":[["ddc10266.b261e"]]},{"id":"39f66dd3.8526e2","type":"server-state-changed","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"Zone 2 off","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","version":1,"exposeToHomeAssistant":false,"haConfig":[{"property":"name","value":""},{"property":"icon","value":""}],"entityidfilter":"switch.greenhouse2","entityidfiltertype":"exact","outputinitially":false,"state_type":"str","haltifstate":"","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","outputs":1,"output_only_on_state_change":true,"for":0,"forType":"num","forUnits":"minutes","ignorePrevStateNull":false,"ignorePrevStateUnknown":false,"ignorePrevStateUnavailable":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnknown":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnavailable":false,"x":160,"y":240,"wires":[["96a94460.0b61f8"]]},{"id":"fa7a81c7.d975e","type":"server-state-changed","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"Zone 3 off","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","version":1,"exposeToHomeAssistant":false,"haConfig":[{"property":"name","value":""},{"property":"icon","value":""}],"entityidfilter":"switch.greenhouse3","entityidfiltertype":"exact","outputinitially":false,"state_type":"str","haltifstate":"","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","outputs":1,"output_only_on_state_change":true,"for":0,"forType":"num","forUnits":"minutes","ignorePrevStateNull":false,"ignorePrevStateUnknown":false,"ignorePrevStateUnavailable":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnknown":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnavailable":false,"x":160,"y":300,"wires":[["96a94460.0b61f8"]]},{"id":"7758c93c.4a44b8","type":"server-state-changed","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"Zone 4 off","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","version":1,"exposeToHomeAssistant":false,"haConfig":[{"property":"name","value":""},{"property":"icon","value":""}],"entityidfilter":"switch.greenhouse4","entityidfiltertype":"exact","outputinitially":false,"state_type":"str","haltifstate":"","halt_if_type":"str","halt_if_compare":"is","outputs":1,"output_only_on_state_change":true,"for":0,"forType":"num","forUnits":"minutes","ignorePrevStateNull":false,"ignorePrevStateUnknown":false,"ignorePrevStateUnavailable":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnknown":false,"ignoreCurrentStateUnavailable":false,"x":160,"y":360,"wires":[["96a94460.0b61f8"]]},{"id":"ddc10266.b261e","type":"switch","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"","property":"payload","propertyType":"msg","rules":[{"t":"eq","v":"yes","vt":"str"},{"t":"eq","v":"no","vt":"str"}],"checkall":"true","repair":false,"outputs":2,"x":550,"y":260,"wires":[["b3b4ed17.b0e64"],[]]},{"id":"fdbc3daa.6328","type":"comment","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"If No Then Do Nothing","info":"","x":720,"y":320,"wires":[]},{"id":"b3b4ed17.b0e64","type":"api-call-service","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"Turn Off Master","server":"525b6e8f.855cf","version":1,"debugenabled":false,"service_domain":"switch","service":"turn_off","entityId":"switch.greenhouseMasterZone","data":"","dataType":"json","mergecontext":"","output_location":"payload","output_location_type":"msg","mustacheAltTags":false,"x":740,"y":220,"wires":[[]]},{"id":"f829599b.77efb8","type":"comment","z":"81203263.8e755","name":"If Yes Then Turn off Master Switch","info":"","x":740,"y":160,"wires":[]},{"id":"525b6e8f.855cf","type":"server","name":"Home Assistant","legacy":false,"addon":false,"rejectUnauthorizedCerts":true,"ha_boolean":"y|yes|true|on|home|open","connectionDelay":true,"cacheJson":true}]

Edit: Feel free to drop your template node syntax back in here if you don’t have any luck.

[and023 (Kieren Anderson)]

Got it. Trying the flow again. Stay tuned.

[and023 (Kieren Anderson)]

…and success!

Thank you @jward101 for your assistance.

[devastator]

If you need to add a zone later, you need modifications in 2 places. I would sincerely think about using a group or the boolean logic node.

[and023 (Kieren Anderson)]

Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. I’m working on that now actually now I have the logic. Also, think it will be useful for determining watering schedules based on rainfall as well. I can put the different schedules into a group too.

[jward101]

I’ve added a zone-based weather sensitive NR irrigation routine over here too: Its been updated to use the newer BOM integration but it should get you on your way as well.

MQTT based sprinkler control

Hi Tom, I was so impressed with that interface I extended the automations into Node-red and made some slight adjustments to some of the templating. Dropping back here in case someone is grappling with this in the future. There are probably better more effective ways of doing this in NR as I am still learning. My flow for a zone is below in case it is useful to anyone else: [{"id":"ab233bbf.7445b8","type":"trigger-state","z":"eab90dac.1ba15","name":"Zone 2 Time Trigger","server":"5d9df51f.c0…

[Kermit]

you can check the state of four switches from a single trigger-state node