I have a pretty basic HA setup where I have an IKEA Dirigera Hub with a bunch of lights connected along with my LG tv. I currently control my lights based on weather the tv is used or not along with time in order to determine if I need the lights on or not.
Now when fall is here that’s not enough as it’s dark even though the sun technically is up and therefore want a light sensor to determine the need instead of time.
What do you guys recommend? Do I need anything additional to make it work?
I’m very happy with the Aqara light sensor T1 (and it’s predecessor) but they are increasingly hard to find. They have very good sensitivity and report regularly - most light sensors inside motion sensors do not. Battery life is great.
I also have some of them outside for years. As a precaution I have cut the bottom of a small transparent flat plastic bottle, turned it upside down and put the sensor in it so it is shielded from rain. Battery life outside is over a year, inside it is way longer.
