[Solved] DynamicGroupController updating members issue

[CatmanV2]

Current set up: Bare metal (virtualised) on Debian 10.2
MSR 25310

Updated over the weekend and two reactions that have worked for literally years have changed. I'm pretty sure it was due to the 'nuances' in previous versions of evaluating global variables, so just looking for some help to 'fix'?

I have two reactions that are dependant in large part on the global variable GlobalAlarmTime This is set in the Alarm Clock plugin of Openluup.

One reaction turns the heating on one hour before the alarm goes off. The other turns the outside lights on one hour before the alarm goes off.

Typically I change GlobalAlarmTime depending on the day of the week and the plans of the day ahead.
GlobalAlarmTime is a string, current value (string) "05:40:00"
Local variable HeatTime is calculated:
time(GlobalAlarmTime) - 3600000
Currently that has a value of 1762749600000
Which is (quite correctly) 04:40:00 GMT 10th November. It's this because I changed the value of GlobalAlarmTime checking stuff out this morning, and HeatTime was re-evaluated at 09:37:17

The challenge that I'm facing is that prior to the upgrade, HeatTime would be re-evaluated every 15 minutes (triggered by the 'Interval' function and come midnight (or at worst 00:15:00) HeatTime would re-evaluate to time(GlobalAlarmTime) - 3600000 today (if you get my point)

That update to 'today' no longer happens. So the heating never comes on.

[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.025Z <Rule:INFO> Holiday Shutdown (rule-l8ys5tzy in Heating Control) starting rule state evaluation; because timer-trigger Timer#rule-l8ys5tzy
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.031Z <Rule:INFO> Holiday Heating (rule-ltsdvzi8 in Heating Control) starting rule state evaluation; because timer-trigger Timer#rule-ltsdvzi8
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.051Z <Rule:INFO> Holiday Lights (rule-ltse0zb4 in Heating Control) starting rule state evaluation; because timer-trigger Timer#rule-ltse0zb4
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.058Z <Rule:INFO> Set Greeting to Evening (rule-lioalha1 in Test Bed) starting rule state evaluation; because timer-trigger Timer#rule-lioalha1
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.068Z <Rule:INFO> Set Greeting to Evening (rule-lioalha1 in Test Bed) evaluated; rule state transition from SET to 'RESET'
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.084Z <Rule:INFO> Garden lights on when the doors are open (rule-lb2h69nb in Outside Lights) starting rule state evaluation; because timer-trigger Timer#rule-lb2h69nb
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.086Z <Rule:INFO> Set Greeting to Afternoon (rule-lioanahk in Test Bed) starting rule state evaluation; because timer-trigger Timer#rule-lioanahk
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.095Z <Rule:INFO> Evening Lights are On (rule-l5senfyv in Outside Lights) starting rule state evaluation; because timer-trigger Timer#rule-l5senfyv
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.096Z <Rule:INFO> Morning Lights are on (rule-l6gxvycu in Outside Lights) starting rule state evaluation; because timer-trigger Timer#rule-l6gxvycu
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.102Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l6gxvycu local LightTime is a dependency of another variable
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.102Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l6gxvycu local LightTime has object dependency
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.102Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l6gxvycu local LightOn is a dependency of another variable
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.103Z <Rule:INFO> Morning Lights are on (rule-l6gxvycu in Outside Lights) evaluated; rule state transition from RESET to 'SET'
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.139Z <Engine:INFO> Enqueueing "Morning Lights are on<SET>" (rule-l6gxvycu:S)
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.140Z <Engine:NOTICE> Starting reaction Set Greeting to Morning<SET> (rule-lioajm6q:S)
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.147Z <Engine:INFO> Set Greeting to Morning<SET> all actions completed.
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.162Z <Engine:NOTICE> Starting reaction Morning Lights are on<SET> (rule-l6gxvycu:S)
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.163Z <VeraController:INFO> VeraController#vera perform action power_switch.on on Switch#vera>device_20170 with {  }
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.170Z <VeraController:INFO> VeraController#vera perform action power_switch.set on Switch#vera>device_20170 with { "state": true }
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.173Z <Rule:INFO> Morning Heating (rule-l60fkpo3 in Heating Control) starting rule state evaluation; because timer-trigger Timer#rule-l60fkpo3
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.178Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l60fkpo3 local AlarmTime has object dependency
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.179Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l60fkpo3 local HeatTime is a dependency of another variable
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.179Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l60fkpo3 local HeatTime has object dependency
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.179Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l60fkpo3 local HeatOn is a dependency of another variable
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.180Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l60fkpo3 local HeatOff is a dependency of another variable
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.185Z <Rule:INFO> Morning Lights are on (rule-l6gxvycu in Outside Lights) starting rule state evaluation; because timer-trigger Timer#rule-l6gxvycu
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.192Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l6gxvycu local LightTime is a dependency of another variable
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.193Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l6gxvycu local LightTime has object dependency
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.193Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l6gxvycu local LightOn is a dependency of another variable
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.195Z <Rule:INFO> Morning Heating (rule-l60fkpo3 in Heating Control) starting rule state evaluation; because timer-trigger Timer#rule-l60fkpo3
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.196Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l60fkpo3 local AlarmTime has object dependency
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.196Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l60fkpo3 local HeatTime is a dependency of another variable
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.196Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l60fkpo3 local HeatTime has object dependency
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.196Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l60fkpo3 local HeatOn is a dependency of another variable
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.196Z <Rule:INFO> Rule#rule-l60fkpo3 local HeatOff is a dependency of another variable
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.233Z <VeraController:NOTICE> VeraController#vera action power_switch.set({ "state": true }) on Switch#vera>device_20170 succeeded
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.234Z <Engine:INFO> Resuming reaction Morning Lights are on<SET> (rule-l6gxvycu:S) from step 1
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.234Z <VeraController:INFO> VeraController#vera perform action power_switch.on on Switch#vera>device_20090 with {  }
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.234Z <VeraController:INFO> VeraController#vera perform action power_switch.set on Switch#vera>device_20090 with { "state": true }
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.289Z <VeraController:NOTICE> VeraController#vera action power_switch.set({ "state": true }) on Switch#vera>device_20090 succeeded
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.289Z <Engine:INFO> Resuming reaction Morning Lights are on<SET> (rule-l6gxvycu:S) from step 2
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:00.290Z <Engine:INFO> Morning Lights are on<SET> all actions completed.
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:43.383Z <Engine:INFO> Engine#1 master timer tick, local time "10/11/2025 00:00:43" (TZ offset 0 mins from UTC)
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:43.452Z <Rule:INFO> Internet Check (rule-m6z41xhd in Office Environment) starting rule state evaluation; because entity-changed System#reactor_system>system
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:43.463Z <httpapi:INFO> HTTPAPI(#1) API request from ::ffff:192.168.70.249: GET /api/v1/netstatus
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:43.476Z <Rule:INFO> Internet Check (rule-m6z41xhd in Office Environment) starting rule state evaluation; because entity-changed System#reactor_system>system
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:43.488Z <Rule:INFO> Internet Check (rule-m6z41xhd in Office Environment) starting rule state evaluation; because entity-changed System#reactor_system>system
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:43.490Z <Rule:INFO> Internet Check (rule-m6z41xhd in Office Environment) starting rule state evaluation; because entity-changed System#reactor_system>system
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:43.510Z <Rule:INFO> Internet Check (rule-m6z41xhd in Office Environment) starting rule state evaluation; because entity-changed System#reactor_system>system
[latest-25310]2025-11-10T00:00:43.516Z <HassController:NOTICE> HassController#hass websocket closing, 1006 

I'm going to guess I need to use the new alarm function.

I'm further guessing that I'd set up a new global variable to replace HeatTime and have something like
GlobalHeatTime = alarm ( 900) , time(GlobalAlarmTime) - 3600000 ?

Am I on the right lines?

TIA

C

[toggledbits]

@CatmanV2 said in Help resolve change in behaviour post update:

I'm further guessing that I'd set up a new global variable to replace HeatTime and have something like
GlobalHeatTime = alarm ( 900) , time(GlobalAlarmTime) - 3600000

You're on the right track. If I understand your description, something like this should work (all globals):

gAlarmTime = getEntity( ... )

gHeatTime = time(gAlarmTime) - 3600000

gHeatOn = alarm(900), time() >= gHeatTime

gAlarmTime will be updated any time the dependent entity changes. gHeatTime will change any time gAlarmTime changes (reference to another variable creates a dependency on that variable). gHeatOn will be updated by the periodic alarm() tripping.

[CatmanV2]

Super. I think I can understand that. Will I see it updating in the logs?

C

[toggledbits]

@CatmanV2 said in Help resolve change in behaviour post update:

Will I see it updating in the logs?

Yes, and on the Expressions page.

[CatmanV2]

@toggledbits Thanks so much

I've now got this

With GlobalHeatOn as one of my conditions in the reaction.

My assumption is it will go false at, or immediately after midnight?

I'm guessing I can lose the Interval statement as well?

Cheers

C

[toggledbits]

@CatmanV2 said in Help resolve change in behaviour post update:

My assumption is it will go false at, or immediately after midnight?

No. If your GlobalAlarmTime will always show time only (no date components), then you can safely add an alarm() call to GlobalHeatTime as well.

[CatmanV2]

@toggledbits Ahh super

GlobalAlarmTime is never date (or I guess we'd not have this issue!)

I do appreciate you thinking down to my level

C

[toggledbits]

I'm working for you. You also gave me an idea that I think could create a very useful alternative way to get to where you want to go. More to come...

[CatmanV2]

Very grateful as ever. Looks like this is mostly working (although I also need to change HeatOff to a global variable to update. Expectation for tomorrow morning is good...
... which is just as well as I will be away and Mrs C will be 'displeased'

C

[CatmanV2]

Very happy that everything worked correctly this morning. At least for the heating. Just need to sort the outside lights, but that will be simple as the globals are in place.

Thanks again! More drams required

C

[toggledbits]

You should be able to go back to something similar to what you were doing originally, just in Script conditions. Give it a try!

[CatmanV2]

I shall have a play!

C