Randomized Lighting Plugin

[SpencerJRoberts]

Randomized Lighting

Download Current Version (v0.0.5)

This plugin aims to make it simple to run a randomized lighthing sequence to make it look like you are home when you are not.

This is accomplished with 2 actions:

1. 1. Start Random Lighthing
   2. Stop Random Lighting
   1. a. Stop and Turn Off Lights
      b. Stop and Keep Current Lights On
      c. Stop and Keep Specific Lights On

A good way to trigger these actions would be to have an “atHome” variable for when the house is occupied or not. When it becomes false you can execute the “Start Random Lighting” action, and when it becomes true you can execute one of the “Stop Random Lighting” actions. The random lighting will never run unless it is dark.

Setup:
1. Create a “Random Lighting Group” virtual device
2. Select which lights you want to use for the random lighting sequence
3. Configure other options if desired

Configure.png (177.73 KiB) Viewed 15001 times

Now simply create the triggers to start and stop the random lighting and you are all set.
Tip: The "Stop and Keep Specific Lights On" action enables you to turn on any lights, even if they are not defined within your "Random Lighting Group" virtual device.

Future:
I am contemplating adding the ability to configure a "dark period" between cycles where either no lights turn on, or just one stays on for a period of time. Any other suggestions from the community are welcome too!

[durosity]

Awesome!! I've been meaning to write a script to do this but never got around to it! Very handy security tool!!

[Shutter]

Hi,

I'm so glad this exists. But…

Code: Select all

  Randomized Lighting Error       Error in plugin execution runConcurrentThread:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "plugin.py", line 63, in runConcurrentThread
<type 'exceptions.AttributeError'>: 'Plugin' object has no attribute 'p_device'

  Randomized Lighting Error       plugin runConcurrentThread function returned or failed (will attempt again in 10 seconds)
  Error                           script error: Can’t make characters 12 thru -1 of "" into type string. (-1700)

[SpencerJRoberts]

Have you created a randomized lighting virtual device?

[Shutter]

I have now.

I saw the error in the logs as soon as I installed the plugin and left it at that. (Tinkering before bed is never a good idea). Anyway, errors are no more, and I'll do some testing this weekend.

Like I said, I'm sooooooo glad this exists. Thanks you.

As to your request for any suggestions - I have one. Even though the plug is for randomising lights could your add a strobe option? I've always wanted an easy way to be able to turn lights on and off like a strobe (maybe not the best name as it's never going to be a true strobe with domestic lights) in case the alarm ever gets tripped.

Thanks

Simon

[SpencerJRoberts]

Glad you got it working, but I thought I had fixed it so that error wouldn't happen before device creation so I'll try to get an update out for that soon.

As for the strobe, it's not really within the scope of this plugin and would be easily done with a small script, so I probably won't include it in the plugin.

[SpencerJRoberts]

v0.0.5 Released
Download in first post

FIXED: No more errors in log before you create the virtual device

[maslett]

Hi Spencer,

thanks for the plugin.

Quick question Can you have more than one virtual group i.e. one for upstairs lights and one for downstairs lights.

Many thanks, Mark

[durosity]

Feature request:

Ability for the device group to show a state as to if it's on or off.

[Woetjes]

+1 for on/off status

[SpencerJRoberts]

Hi all, sorry I've been away from this for quite a while!

I was a pretty novice programmer when I made this and now I'm maybe a slightly less novice programmer so I'm going to try to make this better and incorporate the above suggestions/requests.

I don't really have a timeline because I just do this in my little spare time but I'll keep you posted. Thanks!

[durosity]

Cool! Just have it ready by tomorrow 9am I'll be happy

[SpencerJRoberts]

Hahaha

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[howartp]

Cool! Just have it ready by tomorrow 9am I'll be happy

UK time or US time?

It either gives him longer or shorter depending on the answer?!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[durosity]

As everyone should work to UK time that question is a tad redundant