Programming timed events in the Lutron app
by TechSavvyHomeowner• 10 replies• 15186 views
Hey everyone, I recently had a Lutron RadioRA 2 system installed in my home and I'm trying to get my head around programming timed events in the Lutron app. The installer did the basic setup but I want to customize things further on my own without having to call them back for every little change.
Specifically, I'm trying to accomplish a few things:
1. I want my porch lights to turn on automatically at sunset and off at 11 PM every night. I've seen there's an astronomical clock feature but I'm not entirely sure how to access it or set it up properly.
2. I'd like to create a "morning routine" that gradually brings up the bedroom lights starting at 6:30 AM on weekdays only, but not on weekends. Is there a way to do day-of-week scheduling?
3. My home office lights should turn on at 8 AM and off at 6 PM Monday through Friday. Again, the weekday-only thing is confusing me.
4. I also want to program a vacation mode where random lights turn on and off throughout the evening to make it look like someone is home. I've heard this is possible but haven't found clear instructions.
I've been poking around in the Lutron app on my iPhone and I can see the "Timeclock" section but honestly the interface isn't super intuitive to me. When I try to create a new event, I see options for "Time" and "Action" but I'm getting confused about how to tie specific scenes or individual lights to these timed events.
Also, is there a difference between creating events in the app versus using the Lutron software on a computer? My installer mentioned something about the Essentials software but said I probably wouldn't need it for basic stuff.
One more question - if I set up these timed events, will they still work if my WiFi goes down or if the app isn't running on my phone? I want to make sure this is reliable and not dependent on cloud connectivity.
I've watched a few YouTube videos but they all seem to be for different Lutron systems (Caseta, RA3, etc.) and the interfaces look different. Would really appreciate some guidance from those of you who have mastered the RadioRA 2 timeclock programming. Screenshots or step-by-step instructions would be amazing if anyone has the time.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Replies
HighEndIntegrator25225 hours ago
To expand on what LutronFanatic said, here's the step-by-step for your porch light scenario:
1. Open the Lutron app and go to Settings > Timeclock
2. Tap the + to add a new event
3. For the trigger, select "Sunset" - you can also add an offset like +15 minutes if you want it slightly after
4. Under "Action," select your porch light and set it to your desired level
5. For days, you can select All Days or specific days of the week
6. Create a second event for 11 PM with the same light set to Off
The weekday vs weekend scheduling is absolutely supported. When you're setting up the event, there's a "Days" option where you can check/uncheck individual days. So for your office, just check Mon-Fri and leave Sat-Sun unchecked.
✓ Accepted Answer
LutronFanatic25441 hours ago
Welcome to the RA2 club! Good news - yes, all your timed events run locally on the main repeater, so no WiFi or cloud dependency. The timeclock is rock solid once programmed. For the astronomical clock feature, you'll find it under Timeclock > Add Event > and then select "Sunrise" or "Sunset" as your trigger type instead of a specific time.
Ra2SelectUser24673 hours ago
The vacation mode you're asking about is called "Away Mode" in the Lutron ecosystem. It's pretty clever - it actually learns your patterns over time and then replays them randomly when activated.
Control4Enthusiast24409 hours ago
Just a heads up - the Essentials software your installer mentioned is the professional programming tool. You won't have access to it as a homeowner, but the app covers about 80% of what most people need for timeclock events. The main things you CAN'T do in the app are creating new scenes or modifying button assignments on keypads.
HomeAutoGeek24241 hours ago
For your gradual wake-up routine, you'll want to create a scene first (if one doesn't exist) that has your bedroom lights at the desired morning level. Then in the timeclock, set that scene to activate at 6:30 AM. Unfortunately, the basic app doesn't support fade-over-time for timeclock events - it's either instant or you need to use the professional software to program a slow fade. One workaround is to create multiple events at 6:30, 6:35, 6:40, etc., each bringing the lights up slightly higher.
DIYSmartHome24217 hours ago
I do the multiple event workaround for my sunrise simulation. It's tedious to set up but works great once done. I have 6 events spaced 5 minutes apart going from 5% to 60%.
SmartShadeMaster24049 hours ago
Don't forget you can also tie shade movements to the timeclock if you have Sivoia shades. I have mine programmed to open at sunrise on weekends for a natural wake-up. Same process as lights - just select the shade and desired position instead of a light level.
TechSavvyHomeowner23977 hours ago
This is all incredibly helpful, thank you! I just successfully set up my porch lights with the sunset trigger. One follow-up question - is there a way to see all my programmed events in one list view? I want to make sure I'm not creating conflicts.
LutronFanatic23905 hours ago
Yes! In the Timeclock section, there should be a list view showing all active events. You can sort by time or by device. Super handy for exactly what you're describing.
AutomationPro202023425 hours ago
One pro tip - always name your events descriptively. Instead of "Event 1" use something like "Porch_Sunset_On" or "Office_Weekday_Off". Future you will thank present you when you have 30+ events and need to troubleshoot something.
