Switch not being triggered when used in automations

[okonet]

I’m a bit lost here so please bear with me. I’m adding a simple stateful switch to hold a Boolean variable for my vacuum cleaner (Cleaned today) which i trigger via an automation: when vacuum is set to “on”, change switch to “on”. But it doesn’t work at all. I tried doing the same with some of my lights and other appliances and they work just fine. Only the switch state remains the same. I’m not sure if that’s a homekit bug and would appreciate any feedback here.

I tried using shortcuts app to create a shortcut, I added another plugin with a stateful switch with no luck at all. I’m also have a similar issue when using another switch that should trigger another switch that comes from broadlink RM plugin. So it seems to me to be related to HomeKit but I’m sure it was working before. Please help!

[okonet]

Actually looking at the homebridge log reveals that it works but switches the switch back to off right away. See the screenshot:

[okonet]

That’s my config:

{
            "name": "Cleaned Today",
            "stateful": true,
            "accessory": "DummySwitch"
        }

[RCdiy]

Does using any other working switch work with the Vac? If it works say with lights temporarily see if it will work with the vac.

[okonet]

Yes, the automation works with lights. I just tried triggering another switch by it and it worked as well.

[RCdiy]

So lets say "Dummy Light" is controlled in Home when "Lutron Light" turns on and WORKS. "Dummy Cleaned Today" is controlled in Home when "Neato" turns on and does NOT work.

Test if this works "Dummy Cleaned Today" is controlled in Home when "Lutron Light" turns on - does it work? "Dummy Light" is controlled in Home when "Neato" turns on - does it work?

[okonet]

Sorry for misunderstanding but the Dummy Light doesn’t work either. I just tested both examples you asked and none worked with the dummy switch / light.

[okonet]

I also updated time to 3000 and it applied with stateful: true

[okonet]

Ah actually that log entry comes from “Test this scene”. So if I just try switching on a light that controls the dummy switch, it doesn’t appear in the log at all

[RCdiy]

These are mine accessories": [ { "name": "Backyard Dummy", "stateful": true, "reverse": false, "time": 0, "accessory": "DummySwitch" }, { "name": "Front Outside Dim 50 For 60s", "stateful": false, "reverse": false, "time": 60000, "accessory": "DummySwitch" },

[okonet]

I just tried this automation with this config:

{
            "name": "Cleaned Today",
            "stateful": true,
            "time": 10000,
            "accessory": "DummySwitch"
        },
        {
            "name": "Test Dummy",
            "stateful": true,
            "reverse": false,
            "time": 0,
            "accessory": "DummySwitch"
        }

And it didn’t work. Does it work for you?

[RCdiy]

See

https://share.icloud.com/photos/05C6N6nvv_wtpFR4VS4xNxaHg

https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/20209851/72100869-64ed4580-32f1-11ea-9460-64abe5eb2da5.jpeg

[RCdiy]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0d4LLi8rl_MrI9bL-in2PlO0g It works. I did not wait for cleaned today to turn off. https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/20209851/72102133-42106080-32f4-11ea-9142-756e4e4d0557.png https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/20209851/72102134-42106080-32f4-11ea-8f12-fbd33690b446.png

[okonet]

That’s so weird! I’m blaming Apple TV hub here but I’m not sure how do I even debug this since Apple doesn’t give much information.

[okonet]

Thanks for sharing anyways. I’ll keep digging and post here if I find something.

[RCdiy]

I'm using Apple TV as well :) Pi But was on my Mac mini for a day or two.

[RCdiy]

One one occasion I found I had to push each dummy individually before they would work. I also use the web UI.

[llamafilm]

I think this is the same problem for me. The dummy switch works when triggered by Siri or by tapping in the Home app. It does not work when triggered by an automation, and nothing is written to the debug log. I'm using code like the example.

"accessories": [
        {
          "accessory": "DummySwitch",
          "name": "My Switch 1",
          "time": 5000
        }
    ]

[okonet]

I figured out that the problem was with the homebridge installation. Moving the plugin to a separate new instance of homebridge solved it. I’m still not sure what the root cause. Maybe clearing caches will help to resolve it.

[llamafilm]

@okonet what is the difference between your two homebridge instances? Mine runs on a Pi Zero. I wonder if slow CPU could be part of the problem.

[okonet]

None! I run them on same device via docker. I think it’s something with cache. Not sure.