Trigger during a sunrise/sunset interval

[bx10]

Hi all, I'm trying to write a device status change event that has conditions so that it will only fire from 30 minutes before sunset to 1 hour after sunrise.

I know how to write such an event using two groups, using exact sunrise and sunset, and I know how to do so based on absolute times, but is there anyway to define a sunrise-based interval as a trigger? Meaning that my event would firewhen the device trigger is true anytime from 12:00:01 am to Sunrise + 60 minutes, or from Sunset - 30 minutes to 11:59:59 pm?

Thanks.

[Uncle Michael]

This is a surprisingly common question. As far as I know there is no built-in way to do this. What I would do is create a virtual device and two events. In your case there would be one event that turns the device on 30 minutes before sunset and another event turns it off 60 minutes after sunrise. Then you'd add a condition that the new virtual device is on to your original event.

[sdanks]

This thread might help some.
http://forums.homeseer.com/showthread.php?t=134604

[bx10]

Thanks for the suggestions and links.

I guess I'll have to use the virtual device, but it's not super robust in that Homeseer needs to be running at sunrise and have set the variable. Also, it means a separate device is needed for every sunrise-offset based I want to trigger, and I have quite a few.

Thanks for the help.

[Uncle Michael]

I guess I'll have to use the virtual device, but it's not super robust in that Homeseer needs to be running at sunrise and have set the variable.

To be effective, HS really needs to be running continuously, but if you make use of the power failure recovery function you may be able to get your virtual devices to update when HS comes back online. (I've never tried it, though.)

Also, it means a separate device is needed for every sunrise-offset based I want to trigger, and I have quite a few.

True. But aside from the need to set them up, HS doesn't mind. You can also save some effort by using the copy event capability to jump start each new combination once you have the first one set up.