How to turn a dimmer on/off, and have it remember it's level

[fabnavigator]

I have a dimmer light switch that you can manually turn on/off with a quick tap up/down, or you can hold it up/down and it dims up/down. From node red I would like to set the level, and then turn it off, such that when someone taps it up it goes back to that set level. Is this possible?

[marcus-j-davies]

Hi @fabnavigator,
Does it support binary switch (if its listed in the UI, it should do) if so, most devices use that to change the state of the device (in terms of it actually being on or off)

let BinarySwitchValueID = {
      "commandClass": 37, /* Binary Switch */
      "endpoint": 0,
      "property": "targetValue",
}
let Message = {
    "payload": {
        "mode": "ValueAPI",
        "node": 46,
        "method": "setValue",
        "params": [BinarySwitchValueID, true | false]
    }
}
return Message

[fabnavigator]

@marcus-j-davies That code results in:message: "ZWaveError: Node 30 does not support the Command Class Binary Switch! (ZW0302)"

[marcus-j-davies]

Then the device doesn't support binary.... what's the DB link?

[fabnavigator]

I have two similar switches:

https://devices.zwave-js.io/?jumpTo=0x0063:0x4944:0x3130:0.0

https://devices.zwave-js.io/?jumpTo=0x0039:0x4944:0x3130:0.0

[marcus-j-davies]

@fabnavigator,

The way to achieve it, without the config being available on the device, and how I believe HA are likely doing it.

Just store the dim level, when ever it changes (the device should send an update if changed at the device). Then when you turn it on remotely (I.e node red) just turn it on setting the multilevel (or basic) level, that was previously saved, during the last update.

Basic or Multilevel set at 0 is basically off, anything else is on at the set level.

Just store the set level when ever it changes, and use it for the on value.

Again, this is likely what HA is doing.

[fabnavigator]

@marcus-j-davies

Adjusting the brightness from NR isn't an issue. The goal is to use NR to set the level to say 50%, and then turn off the light. This is what I can do from HA. Then when someone manually turns on the light it goes to 50%.

@crxporter can set the default brightness level w/o even turning on the light. That is even better.

I'm going to move one of my dimmers back to HA and see if I can see what commands/configuration settings are sent to the device.

If I can't fugure it out. I guess I'll buy some new dimmers that have a default brightness level configuration parameter.

[marcus-j-davies]

The device supports Scene Actuator Configuration CC.
So maybe its using that 🤷‍♂️

Set the scene ID, and its level (I'm going to assume scene ID 1 is the unit being turned on - but its device specific)

let Message = {
    payload: {
        mode: "CCAPI",
        node: 45,
        cc: 0x2c  /*Scene Actuator Conf */,
        method: "set",
        params: [1, undefined, 50] /* Scene ID, Transition Time (example: "0.5s"), Level */
    }
}
return Message

Reference.
Scene Actuator Conf

i.e the device my trigger an internal scene ID of 1 when turned on.

[fabnavigator]

@marcus-j-davies

Thank you. I'll give it a try, but it will be a couple of days, I'm going out of town.

[crxporter]

@fabnavigator regarding this:

can set the default brightness level w/o even turning on the light. That is even better.

My dimmers "on level" is for turning on at the switch. That value has nothing to do with my automations. I simply remember the value in my home automation system so I can use it when needed.

[fabnavigator]

Here is what the dimmer control looks like in Home Assistant. It works the way I need it to. You can set the brightness, but also have an on/off switch that doesn't adjust the set brightness level.

[marcus-j-davies]

I cant comment on HA.

And how are you turning it off in NR and back on?
if setting its Multilevel to 0 - just store the Multilevel every time it changes.
you should also get the value - when dimmed at the switch

Then once being turned on in NR - just use the last captured Multi Level ON value.

if the switch does not support Binary - that maybe how HA is doing it