HOW TO: Simple timer based relay activation
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PREFACE: I have struggled to get some simple things to work, and I think I was plain and simply overwhelmed with the amount of options presented to me. So now that I have these simple things working, I hope that writing this guide helps other new users get their system up and running without pulling out any hair!
Simple timer based relay activation
This guide goes through the steps need to create a schedule to turn on and off a relay. In my case, the relay was to operate a sprinkler valve at 1:00am, for 45 minutes, so the values used in the following instructions reflect my use case, and may not suit your specific needs.
This first section, sets up the OPERATIONS used to turn the sensor (in this case, a relay) ON and OFF
Setting the DELAY on the OFF OPERATION, does exactly what it sounds like. Delays the activation of that OPERATION by however many seconds are entered. To activate the OPERATION as soon as it is called, enter 0 for the delay.
- Create an OPERATION to turn the RELAY ON
a) Click RESOURCES > OPERATIONS > "Add Operation"
b) Give your new OPERATION a name
c) Select ENABLED
d) OPERATION TYPE: Send Payload
e) RESOURCE: Sensor Variable
f) Select relay sensor from list
g) PAYLOAD: 1 (ON)
h) DELAY: 0
i) Click SAVE
- Create an OPERATION to turn the RELAY OFF
a) Click RESOURCES > OPERATIONS > "Add Operation"
b) Give your new OPERATION a name
c) Select ENABLED
d) OPERATION TYPE: Send Payload
e) RESOURCE: Sensor Variable
f) Select relay sensor from list
g) PAYLOAD: 0 (OFF)
h) DELAY: 2700 (45 minutes)
i) Click SAVE
The last step sets up the schedule as a TIMER. Select the options required for the day and time you want the SENSOR (relay) to operate, and add both of the OPERATIONS you just created to the timer.
- Create a TIMER to run the schedule
a) Click RESOURCES > TIMERS > "Add Timer"
b) Give your new TIMER a name
c) Select ENABLED
d) Select the schedule using the drop-down lists.
e) In my example, I have used a NORMAL timer, that runs DAILY, with every day selected.
f) Select the start time for the timer
g) If you only want your timer to run between specified dates, enter them into the VALIDITY fields.
h) Select BOTH of the OPERATION (ON and OFF) in the selection field and add them to the RIGHT column by clicking the single right arrow
i) Click SAVE
You now have a TIMER that will activate BOTH OPERATIONS, but as your OFF OPERATION has a delay of 2700 seconds (45 minutes) the sensor (relay) will remain active until that delay has passed and the OFF OPERATION is activated.
Hopefully this is simple enough, let me know if you'd like some pictures added to help
- Create an OPERATION to turn the RELAY ON