Cant schedule actions for outlets

[agolay]

Hello,

Google tells me it 'can't schedule a tions for devices configured as outlets.'

This happens when i say something like 'turn on the radiator for 30 minutes'

Doesn't seem to be a problem for my bedside lamp.

How do i get around this?

Thanks! 😁

[sporfrog]

What is the type of device you are trying to use voice to schedule? In the post it mentions a "radiator" and an "outlet".  

You might try two commands

"Turn on device"

following by

"Turn off device in 30 minutes"

[agolay]

It's a radiator, connected to a wifi plug. It seem's google prevent things like this being turned on or off with a set time limit.

Just turning it on or off is fine, the problem only happens is i say 'in x minutes'

I've found a work around by creating a room called radiator and setting the plug up as a light so not too much of a problem.

[RobDude]

My solution was to stop using Google's Home automation. What a ridiculous, self-imposed, artificial restriction. 

[kiltguy2112]

Change the device type from outlet to light. If it is assigned to a room, move it to a new room for your house (Attic). Now remove the room from your house. The device will stay in your house but will not be in a room. Now controll it as you wish. Just know if you say "tun on/off all the lights" that device will turn on/off.

[RobDude]

I appreciate this workaround/hack.... But it isn't a light I want to control. I want to control an outlet.

Other software allows me to do this. Google does not. It's easier for me to use software that works and not jump through these hoops.

[kiltguy2112]

What does it matter if you tell Google that it is a light, and not an outlet? Ultimately your trying to control a radiator. I have been doing home automation for years, and every platform will require some sort of work around\hack to get the exact results you want.

[RobDude]

Ask Google, right?

It shouldn't matter. They decided that it does matter and they have disabled functionality based on criteria that you say doesn't matter.

I agree with you, it doesn't matter. Google doesn't agree with us. It shouldn't matter.

When I tell my assistant to turn on a plug in 30 minutes, it says it can't fit *safety* reasons.

Stop and think about that.

If you and I are right, then this is just a poor design choice - but what is Google is right? And it really is a safety issue?

We can effortlessly trick it into disregarding the safety protocols they built in?

It's either poorly designed or really poorly designed.

Google Home doesn't do what I want without lying to it. Other software does exactly what I want, so why bother lying to Google?

Maybe you have a feature you need that only Google can handle, cool. Then it might be worth using this hack. But I don't, and lots of people looking for help on these things won't. The best answer is to use something else, that works better.

[sporfrog]

I know the original poster knows most, if not all of this, but I thought I would clarify for anyone else who comes around to this topic. I did some testing. 

Test 1

I have a "smart plug" that is connected to Google Home. It is named "Living Room Lamp". I can tell Google to "Turn Living Room Lamp on for 2 minutes" and it works just fine. The smart plug powers and lamp comes on. After two minutes lamp goes off.  Works perfectly!

Test 2

For the same smart plug I renamed it to "Radiator" in the source app (not in Google Home). In Google Home the new name appears and the icon changed from a light bulb to a switch.  I ask google "Turn Radiator on for 2 minutes".  The response is "Sorry, because of potential risk to safety, I can't schedule actions for devices configured as switches". Hmm.

Test 3

So I renamed the smart plug to "Radiator Lamp". The icon in Google Home app changed back to a light bulb and it works with "Turn Radiator Lamp on for 2 minutes".

Test 4

I renamed the smart plug to "Radiator". In the Google Home app, using settings for the device, I changed the device type "Light". Now when I ask google "Turn Radiator on for 2 minutes" it works.  Quirky, but it works.

My take...

On the surface this is very silly. However there is likely a reason that I don't fully understand. Under some circumstances Google does not allow certain devices or actions to be controlled by voice. For example, and just easy to understand example not fully related to this post ... "Open Garage Door"  or "Unlock Front Door". This is for security so that a nefarious person cannot yell through the window at a smart speaker and gain access to your house. My guess is that Google is trying to prevent something that is a security issue, but the side effect is something that seems perfectly innocent is also being blocked. Keep in mind security is good! Changing device type to light (or naming it something with light or lamp in the name) is an odd work-around but it works for now.

[kiltguy2112]

Yes, that is how it works. I put in my resonse above how to take it out of a room, so that it won't come on and off when you tell that room's lights to come on or off. 

[sporfrog]

Right!  Very good point!  I glossed over that. I rarely use a command to turn all the lights on or off, or all the lights in a room on or off. But yes, absolutely put the device in its own room. Maybe even give the room a custom name like "Radiator", but yes great point. Thanks for clarifying!

[sporfrog]

Another workaround!

If you typically turn it on for 30 minutes or any other time. Create a routine!

Starter - Voice command -  "Turn Radiator on for 30 minutes"
Action - Adjust Home Devices - Turn on the radiator smart plug
Action - Delay Start - 30 minutes
Action - Adjust Home Devices - Turn off the radiator smart plug

If it is common to turn the radiator on for other lengths of time create additional routines.  Maybe one for 10 minutes one for 20 minutes and one for 30 minutes.  

This work around takes a little bit of time to setup but if it does what you want it is probably worth it.

Good luck!

[kiltguy2112]

It just dawned on me as to why Google will let you change an outlet to a light. You may be jusing it to control a light that you only want/need the abilities of on/off. You'll notice dimmers are always lights.

[agolay]

Yeah that's what I ended up doing 🙂 - created a room called radiator!

[GarrettDS]

Hey folks,
It looks like we have come to a solution so I'm going to be locking this thread. If you have any other concerns or questions, please feel free to create a new thread.

Have a great day.
Garrett DS