Sunlight/Daylight sensor - what are you using

[rsmout]

I want to tie a sunlight or daylight sensor into my system to close the blinds when it's sunny but leave them open when it's overcast or when the window is finally in the shade. Are there any products out there that can do this?

[RyanE]

The CardAccess Wireless Zigbee Motion Sensor has a light sensor built-in, but I don't know what programming functionality is available for it.

RyanE

[punkrock]

the light sensor on those is tricky... would love to see if anyone has had success using them.

[hike]

I use light sensor on CA motion detector as part of wake up secene. If light is certain level (DARK) then lights in BR come on as part of wake up scene. Works well as far as I can tell.

[bebster]

If you want to detect the difference between cloudy day and sunny day I'm not sure a light sensor will do it. Most light sensors will turn off lights on a cloudy day, but you want your blinds to remain open on a cloudy day.

Solar systems have solar detectors that measure the amount of solar radiation and that's the kind of sensor you'd want. I've seen these as part of solar packages but can't find one right now online but will keep looking.

I'm installing Somfy sun shades in a large window that gets lots of sun. I want it to close when the temperature is high and it is getting too much solar gain, so I'm interested in the same thing.

I do have solar photovoltaic panels on the roof, so I could measure the wattage coming down somehow and use that to tell me how bright the sun is, but haven't quite figured that out as an alternative either. Still in the planning stages but want to figure this one out.

[hike]

The CA Motion Detector detects light on a scale of 0-100. With a bit of trial and error you may be able to determine what level of light is "sunny" and what level is "cloudy".

[bebster]

That's good to know - if you can detect the light level that's a smart design.

I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

[shaneoneill]

That's good to know - if you can detect the light level that's a smart design.

I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

i use it in the garage, kids never turn the lights out there and play in it a lot. if its >30% light, it doesnt switch lights on with movement, otherwise it does until no movement for 5 minutes. works extremely well

[bebster]

if its >30% light, it doesnt switch lights on with movement, otherwise it does until no movement for 5 minutes.

Can you share the programming snippet that does this? That would be very helpful.

[shaneoneill]

if its >30% light' date=' it doesnt switch lights on with movement, otherwise it does until no movement for 5 minutes.[/quote']

Can you share the programming snippet that does this? That would be very helpful.

[bebster]

Thanks!

The security system integration is also very clean. Mind my asking what brand system you are interfaced too? And how do you set Vacation Mode? (via the security keypad or a C4 keypad).

[mikeindustries]

bebster: Did you ever find a solution for your Somfys? I am in the same situation right now. Have exterior Somfy ILT shades tied into an HAI system and want a sensor (preferably Z-wave, but not necessary) that can effectively tell between sunniness and cloudiness.