MQTT trigger wont trigger timer

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1

Hi All

Recently with the changes made in Z2M I migrated my automation from node-red into HA automation. I am using sonff zigbee PIR sensors to trigger my lights for 10mins then turn off. I initially used the delay function but found that to be unreliable to am trying to move to timers.

I used the following code for a few WIFI PIR sensor that change state this worked fine however with MQTT trigger, it triggers the turn on automation but not the timer so never turns off. I understand that in my code there is no payload and I am guessing that is where the problem lies. I tried a number of variables with value_template but no joy. I have spent days on this with no luck so any help is greatly appreciated.

The MQTT payload is {"battery":100,"battery_low":false,"linkquality":43,"occupancy":true,"voltage":3000}
In MQTT explorer the message seems to trigger quickly then go back to false.

alias: Bedroom PIR Timer
description: ""
triggers:
  - trigger: event
    event_type: timer.finished
    event_data:
      entity_id: timer.bedroom_pir
    id: Timer finished
  - trigger: mqtt
    topic: zigbee2mqtt/Zigbee Bedroom PIR
    id: Motion Stopped
  - trigger: mqtt
    topic: zigbee2mqtt/Zigbee Bedroom PIR
    id: Motion Detected
conditions: []
actions:
  - choose:
      - conditions:
          - condition: trigger
            id:
              - Motion Stopped
        sequence:
          - action: timer.start
            target:
              entity_id: timer.bedroom_pir
            data:
              duration: "600"
      - conditions:
          - condition: trigger
            id:
              - Motion Detected
        sequence:
          - action: timer.cancel
            target:
              entity_id: timer.bedroom_pir
            data: {}
          - action: light.turn_on
            metadata: {}
            data: {}
            target:
              device_id: 9b51e60cd2e377dedcb57680b814a39f
      - conditions:
          - condition: trigger
            id:
              - Timer finished
        sequence:
          - action: light.turn_off
            metadata: {}
            data: {}
            target:
              device_id: 9b51e60cd2e377dedcb57680b814a39f
mode: single

Thanks again

2

Zigbee2MQTT should have modeled your Sonoff PIR as a binary_sensor entity in Home Assistant. Your automation ought to use a State Trigger to monitor the Binary Sensor’s state (on/off).

That’ll resolve the problem of not stopping the timer (because you currently have two identical MQTT Triggers so it only acts on the first one; the second one, that serves to cancel the timer, never succeeds to be processed).

Let me know if you need help to modify your automation to use a State Trigger.

3

Hi @123 thanks for the reply. I dont appear to have binary_sensors for the snoff pir’s. Is there a way to create them? I really like the idea of just seeing and on or off as i do with my wifi pir’s. If you could assist it would be greatly appreciated.

4

Which integration are you using for the WIFI PIR sensors?

It can’t be Z2M because that’s for Zigbee devices.

5

Sorry I mistyped there the WIFI PIR sensors work fine it the Zigbee ones that I had to change in the latest update of Z2M that has brought me to this situation, Apologies my mistake.

6

@123 I have found the binary Sensor you mentioned for occupancy on the PIR sensor so swapped to using that rather than the MQTT trigger and is now working like a charm. Thanks again for the advise is it was that put on the correct trail to find it and learn about it on the way.

7

You’re welcome!

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