Automatic Blinds close with no sunshine

[Rob_in]

Hi all,

TLDR version: Why do automatic blinds close even when it's not sunny outside?

Long version:

In an attempt to simply my config am trying to get the automatic shading to work in our house (instead of using my own rather convoluted logic).

I'm starting with a kitchen blind. It's a roller shutter so just goes up and down (no slats to angle - parameter T type '1').

The 'sunshine' system variable is set from a Darksky weather feed (based on current cloud cover) and I can see it's currently off (ie. no sunshine).

This window faces West and at this moment, if it were sunny outside and shading was required it would need to close. However, it's cloudy here and thus when I hit the 'Enable Automatic' button in the UI expect nothing to happen.

This isn't the case though. When I hit 'Enable Automatic' in the UI the blind closes.

I thought the Automatic Blinds block was supposed to utilise the 'Sunshine' system variable and act accordingly? Ie. if there's no sunshine then it shouldn't ever shade the window to prevent direct sunlight entering a room.

I tried setting the Ma (automatic shading mode) to both zero and 2 (both supposed to let in as much light as possible) but get the same action each time.

Surely I'm missing something here. Either that or one supposed to detect 'Sunshine' outside of this block and not enable 'Automatic shading' unless they have detected sunshine externally, which is hardly automatic is it?

Thanks,

Robin

[Julián Medrano Silvestre]

Can you please post some pictures of the variable that you are talking about, and the logic that you are talking about?

Also, it's important to see if the GPS coordinates and the orientation parameters in blind block (D, DT, DTe, AT1 and AT2) are properly stablished in your project.

[Rob_in]

Hi,

Are you telling me the blinds should look at the 'Sunshine' system variable and not close if this is not set? This one:

As for the parameters in the automatic blinds block, they are:

The GPS co-ordinates and elevations are correctly set too.

Thanks for your help,

Robin

[Techdoctor]

Have you looked at the sample file on Loxone's website.

https://www.loxone.com/enen/kb/videos-sample-files/

Where is the darksky weather information coming from, is it exactly your location or nearby. If its nearby then it could be sunny there. 

Why not use a light sensor outside and have this feed into Loxone. I did this with an  X10 roller shutter install many many years ago. I used a small op amp and an ORP12 LDR. Very basic circuit connected to a relay that controlled an X10 module, but it worked. When it was sunny the blinds used to close in the summer but remain open in the winter. These days you could probably use a day night sensor and a relay to a digital input in Loxone.

[Rob_in]

Hi,

On Thursday, 30 January 2020 11:34:01 UTC+1, Techdoctor wrote:

Have you looked at the sample file on Loxone's website.

https://www.loxone.com/enen/kb/videos-sample-files/

No, but just did. These really don't give any more clues though.

Where is the darksky weather information coming from, is it exactly your location or nearby. If its nearby then it could be sunny there.  

Why not use a light sensor outside and have this feed into Loxone. I did this with an  X10 roller shutter install many many years ago. I used a small op amp and an ORP12 LDR. Very basic circuit connected to a relay that controlled an X10 module, but it worked. When it was sunny the blinds used to close in the summer but remain open in the winter. These days you could probably use a day night sensor and a relay to a digital input in Loxone.

This isn't a problem of sunshine sensor/incorrect input. I can see what the 'sunshine' system variable has been set to from my logic and even when it's off (ie. Loxone should think there's no sun) turning automatic shading on makes the blinds close instantly.

I'm beginning to think that 'automatic shading' simply means close the blinds if the sun could hit the window and it doesn't care about this 'sunshine' system variable. Ie. it doesn't care if there is actual direct sunshine.

I will ask Loxone support and also ask them to update the documentation as it's not clear.

Thanks anyhow,

Robin

[Rob_in]

On Thursday, 30 January 2020 11:45:55 UTC+1, Rob_in wrote:

I will ask Loxone support and also ask them to update the documentation as it's not clear.

... and finally have an answer.

The Automatic Blinds block doesn't care about the value of 'Sunshine'. Turn on Automatic shading and, if the sun is at the relevant angle they will close not matter if it's sunny or not.

Loxone said one is supposed to use this in conjunction with an IRC as it's the IRC that looks a the 'sunshine' variable and only demands shading when it's on.

Hope this helps anyone else who also finds this odd.

Cheers,

Robin