Re-evaluate a temperature trigger

Configuration
1

Hi,

I need a bit of help, if you can.

Using a Cielo device to control an ac in the electric room.
It is set to turn on if the temp goes above 27 and off when it goes below 25 (°C if you did not guess already)

It works fine most of the time but every now and then the Cielo thinks it sent a command, or it did and the ac ignored it, or whatever. Point is it either did not turn on or off and the Cielo now has the wron ac state.

If it did not turn on, the room just keeps getting warmer and if not off, well… it gets pretty darn cold and uses a lot of electricety.

So I came up with an automation, two actually.

One that triggers when it gets too hot and one for too cold, but even here the Cielo at times messes things up so I would like to re-evaluate the trigger (temerature in this case) and trigger the automation again if needed.

For the moment I added extra temperatures to trigger it, just seems so clunky. Is there a better way you can suggest?

For too hot

alias: PV Temp high
description: ""
triggers:
  - trigger: numeric_state
    entity_id:
      - sensor.pv_temp_temperature
    above: 27.6
    for:
      hours: 0
      minutes: 5
      seconds: 0
  - trigger: numeric_state
    entity_id:
      - sensor.pv_temp_temperature
    above: 27.8
    for:
      hours: 0
      minutes: 5
      seconds: 0
conditions: []
actions:
  - action: notify.mobile_app_iphone
    data:
      title: Wake up!
      message: >-
        The PVRoom AC failed to start! {{ states('sensor.pv_temp_temperature')
        }}°
      data:
        push: null
        sound: null
        name: default
        critical: 1
        volume: 1
  - action: switch.turn_on
    metadata: {}
    target:
      entity_id: switch.pv_room_power
    data: {}
mode: single

For too cold
Before you ask, i have to send the ‘turn on’ command so the Cielo will accept the ‘turn off’ command, else it ignores it as it is already in the ‘off’ state

alias: PV Temp low
description: ""
triggers:
  - trigger: numeric_state
    entity_id:
      - sensor.pv_temp_temperature
    below: 24
  - trigger: numeric_state
    entity_id:
      - sensor.pv_temp_temperature
    below: 23.8
  - trigger: numeric_state
    entity_id:
      - sensor.pv_temp_temperature
    below: 23.6
conditions:
  - condition: state
    entity_id: schedule.pv_cool_timer
    state:
      - "on"
actions:
  - action: notify.mobile_app_iphone
    data:
      title: Wake up!
      message: The PVRoom AC is still on! {{ states('sensor.pv_temp_temperature') }}°
      data:
        push: null
        sound: null
        name: default
        critical: 1
        volume: 1
  - action: switch.turn_on
    metadata: {}
    target:
      entity_id: switch.pv_room_power
    data: {}
  - delay:
      hours: 0
      minutes: 0
      seconds: 10
      milliseconds: 0
  - action: switch.turn_off
    metadata: {}
    target:
      entity_id: switch.pv_room_power
    data: {}
2

Is the AC integrated in HA?
If not, can it?
If not can you add a power meter to it so that you can know if it’s running or not?

1 Like
3

I have a rather dumb AC unit that I control by sending IR commands.
Sometimes the IR gets blocked. So Home Assistant and the AC get out of sync.

I bought a vibration sensor: Vibration Sensor – ThirdReality

Which I leave on top of the AC unit, it’s not perfect, but if it stays on for a while (when it shouldn’t) or isn’t on when it should be, I send the power command again.

Since putting in the sensor and accompanying automation, I haven’t had the AC running away.

4

First thing is that will only trigger when it transistions from one state to another, E.G. when it goes from 26 to 27, it will trigger if its already at 28 it not trigger so use numeric state with no temp settings to trigger and condition with the temperature.

Although this is exactly what the generic thermostat is designed to do. and would be easier to use.

5

Or use a time trigger. Say every 60 mins trigger automation with temp condition test. If above then x and if below y

6

It literally just happened (IR got blocked) it fixed itself in about 1 minute - much quicker than monitoring the temperature.

Additionally when it’s really hot, the AC stays on constantly - it isn’t able to keep up, so I need an actually feedback mechanism to know that its really on.

In previous threads I have asked about monitoring the power consumption however, so far I haven’t found a smart plug for a 220V US socket (that the AC uses).

7

Is it using the same IR command for on and off?
Could you send multiple commands to spam it with the command?

8

Interesting suggestions.

Monitoring the power is not possible, wired straight into the breaker box and inside conduits.
I was thinking of using a power clamp but the breaker box is a mess and full, rather stay away

The ac does have a port for a wifi dongle but have not investigated that. Too many other projects. It would however be the best if it gives feedback on its state.

For mow, I think I will stay with what I have, it works.

Thank you all.

9

What is the make/model of the AC unit? What does this wi-fi port looks like? I recall seeing people doing some wi-fi dongle thing on their Midea or Toshiba or Panasonic units - you might get lucky searching Github.

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Specifically regarding this:

So if power monitoring means would not work for you, maybe… depends on the style of your AC unit, this might also help if your AC has a motorized cover that would flap open when on (common for those non-central AC setups). And then some regular door/window sensor could see whether your AC is on.