Outcome
Automate waterfall and lighting schedules with sunrise/sunset logic and equipment protection rules.
Audience and Scope
Audience: Home automation builder with intermediate Home Assistant and Docker experience
Estimated Time: 1-4 hours
Difficulty: intermediate
Before You Start
- Pump and lighting circuits independently controllable.
- Outdoor electrical safety checks complete.
- Preferred operating hours defined.
Hardware and Software
Hardware
- Smart switches/relays for pump and lights.
- Sun integration in Home Assistant.
- Automations for time + sun events.
Software
- Smart switches/relays for pump and lights.
- Sun integration in Home Assistant.
- Automations for time + sun events.
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Add pump and light entities
Objective: Confirm stable on/off control for each circuit.
Actions:
- Implement add pump and light entities according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If triggers fail: verify timezone and sun elevation conditions.
Step 2: Configure sun-based events
Objective: Use sunrise/sunset for start conditions where needed.
Actions:
- Implement configure sun-based events according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If triggers fail: verify timezone and sun elevation conditions.
Step 3: Add fixed shutoff
Objective: Add nightly hard stop (for example 10:00 PM) to reduce wear and energy use.
Actions:
- Implement add fixed shutoff according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If triggers fail: verify timezone and sun elevation conditions.
Step 4: Split logic by function
Objective: Keep pump schedule separate from lighting schedule for easier tuning.
Actions:
- Implement split logic by function according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If triggers fail: verify timezone and sun elevation conditions.
Step 5: Add maintenance mode
Objective: Create a boolean/toggle that disables all waterfall automations during service.
Actions:
- Implement add maintenance mode according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If triggers fail: verify timezone and sun elevation conditions.
Step 6: Validate for 48 hours
Objective: Review logs to confirm all expected transitions occurred.
Actions:
- Implement validate for 48 hours according to your environment.
Verification:
- Confirm expected state in Home Assistant and logs.
- Run a manual test to verify expected behavior.
Common failure and fix: If triggers fail: verify timezone and sun elevation conditions.
Validation Checklist
- Pump follows operating schedule.
- Lights follow dusk/off window.
- Maintenance mode disables all actions.
Operations and Maintenance
- Document update cadence for packages and containers.
- Schedule backup verification.
- Record service health baselines and alert thresholds.
Troubleshooting and Rollback
- If triggers fail: verify timezone and sun elevation conditions.
- If pump runs too long: add max-runtime safety automation.
- If missed stops occur: add redundant fixed-time off action.