Motion and luminance sensor

Devices
1

Hello

Trying to automation lightinh in the hallway here: when motion sensor is trigerred, if ambient light is below a certain level, switch light on.
Pretty basic need, so it seemed.
I got a nice device from Aliexpress that seemed perfect
But when I received it I realised it required a wired power adapter, which is not ok for me (it seems all human presence sensors are wired, when motion sensors can run on battery).
So i went looking for a basic (zigbee) motion + luminance sensor running on battery compatible with my Homey Pro.
I could not find anything except Tuya devices, but I don’t wanbt that since pairring can be very challenging to say the least (I tried pairing my human presence sensor and never succeeded).

Any recommandation that is supported by Homey?
Alternatively a luminance only sensor would be jsut as good (but I could not find any)

Thanks

Olivier

2

From what I’ve read the Hue sensor sends lux values independent from motion events.

Most motion sensors with lux meter, only send a changed lux value along with a motion event, which is a bit useless when you need to act on actual lux values.

Aqara has a supported dedicated luminance sensor, “Light sensor T1”

3

Frient motion sensor Pro. Will do motion, lux value and temperature, independent.

4

Hue seems to be an interesting (a bit pricey though but ok) option. I was concerned it would require a slightly more complex use in Homey, but this is probably not true, I have not tried.
I think I will try it.
The Aqara light sensor would be perfect for me, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere, it looks like it’s been discontinued maybe?
Edit, I can’t find it in France, but found it on Aliexpress, i have ordered it. At least I’m sure Lux value will be reported separately from motion detection

Thanks

5

I found this Frient device yesterday and ordered it from Amazon to test it. It is supported officially by Homey pro so it should be ok, I’ll let you know.
I find it quite bulky (7 * 7 * 2,5 cm)) and pretty expensive (40€, similare to Philips Hue)
I had never heard of the brand, but why not.

Thanks

6

It is 34,- euro’s at;

I already have several and they havent given any problems.

7

thanks, in France I can only find it @ 40€. I guess shipping fees from NL would add up to more than 40€ in total, but I agree it fits my requirement, Thanks

8

The Frient website pointed to this shop for France:

9

thanks, looks cheaper indeed, but when you add shipping fee of 5€ it comes out close to 40€.
The issue I have with the price is that I bought a Tuya presence detector (and illuminance sensor) on Aliexpress for 12€ (including shipping), and also got a Sonoff PIR motion sensor (no illuminance though) for 10€ on Amazon France so I find it hard to pay close to 40€ to get the Frient / Hue devices, especially since I need 10 of them.
But thanks for your help, I appreciate it

Olivier

10

Yeah I’m not going to check if shipping is included. Wasn’t mentioned.

I understand the price concerns, I’d never spend €40 on a motion/lux sensor.
The problem with Tuya stuff is you’re never sure if it works with Homey.
You only know for sure when you buy it and pair it with Homey.

Less money, more gray hairs :crazy_face:

There’s reasons why Tuya did not make it to the best buy guide (yet)

11

fully agree with you. i just spent 2 hours trying to make my Tuya sensor work but I’m about to give up.
Presence sensors are not supported in the Tuya app for Homey so I chose “other” device type.
It imported the device ok, but when I want to create a flow it’s impossible for me. It refers to values I don’t know and cannot make sense of.
This is why I wanted Aqara or Sonoff as i know they work well with Homey
Regarding hair, i have none left, so they cannot become grey!
Have a nice week-end

1 Like
12

ok I just receive the Frient motion and luminance sensor. Pairing is perfect, as expected.
I have created a first flow: light goes ON when motion sensor of Frient gets activated. Simple it works fine.
The whole point of this sensor is to use the luminance value.
When I try to create a flow that looks like:
WHEN: motion sensor is activated
AND IF LUMINANCE < 10 lux
I cannot seem to find a way.
I have a card for “MOTION SENSOR IS ACTIVATED”, but then I don’t see any card for Luminance value condition.
If I start with the 1st condition of the flow is LUMINANCE, then I have an option to choose a card called “IF LUMINANCE GOES ABOVE / BEYOND a certain value”, but clearly not what I want.
I guess my question is not necessarily linked to Frient sensor, maybe I just don’t know how to create a condition in a flow.
I want the flow to execute only WHEN LUMINANCE < 10 lux

Thanks for your help

13

Because this is done using the Logic comparison cards and the tag that contains the luminance value.

14

thanks, how do i achieve that, do I need to used advanced flows? I have not experienced them yet and at first look they are a bit intimidating.
I don’t see how to access the tag that contains the luminance value

Thanks

15
16

Homey logic, is that different from Advanced flows?
sorry not failiar with this
thanks

17

Logic is a set of cards that you can use both in “standard” and in “advanced” flows.

18

ok I found a video about Homey Logic, I will investigate

thanks

19

That’s what I linked to a few posts ago :yum:

20

ooops, i had not seen it, sorry