Help regarding esp8266 & Alexa - additional code

Projects Programming
1

Hi Guys,

I am new to Arduino and programming. I have currently got a esp8266 working with Alexa but I need the output turned on by Alexa to be a timed output rather than a constant.

I have read through the millis sticky and have been experimenting but cannot seem to get the desired effect.

I have even tried to use a simple project with a button and led to try and simulate what I want in a simpler project, I can get the led to follow the button but can’t get it to stay on for a set time.

Any help is much appreciated

Here is the default code;

/**********************************************************************************

  • Code for controlling multiple devices connected to one NodeMCU using Amazon Echo
  • Written by Sid for Sid's E Classroom
  • Sid's E Classroom - YouTube
    *********************************************************************************/
    #include <Arduino.h>
    #include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
    #include "fauxmoESP.h"

#define WIFI_SSID "*"//change your Wifi name
#define WIFI_PASS ""//Change your Wifi Password
#define SERIAL_BAUDRATE 115200

fauxmoESP fauxmo;
//declare switching pins
//Change pins according to your NodeMCU pinouts
#define Kitchen D1
#define Bedroom D2
#define Living D3
// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Wifi Setup
// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

void wifiSetup() {

// Set WIFI module to STA mode
WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);

// Connect
Serial.printf("[WIFI] Connecting to %s ", WIFI_SSID);
WiFi.begin(WIFI_SSID, WIFI_PASS);

// Wait
while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
Serial.print(".");
delay(100);
}
Serial.println();

// Connected!
Serial.printf("[WIFI] STATION Mode, SSID: %s, IP address: %s\n", WiFi.SSID().c_str(), WiFi.localIP().toString().c_str());
}
// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Device Callback
// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
void callback(uint8_t device_id, const char * device_name, bool state) {
Serial.print("Device "); Serial.print(device_name);
Serial.print(" state: ");
if (state) {
Serial.println("ON");
} else {
Serial.println("OFF");
}
//Switching action on detection of device name
if ( (strcmp(device_name, "Kitchen Lights") == 0) ) {
// adjust the relay immediately!
if (state) {
digitalWrite(Kitchen, HIGH);
} else {
digitalWrite(Kitchen, LOW);
}
}
if ( (strcmp(device_name, "Bedroom Lights") == 0) ) {
// adjust the relay immediately!
if (state) {
digitalWrite(Bedroom, HIGH);
} else {
digitalWrite(Bedroom, LOW);
}
}
if ( (strcmp(device_name, "Living Room Lights") == 0) ) {
// adjust the relay immediately!
if (state) {
digitalWrite(Living, HIGH);
} else {
digitalWrite(Living, LOW);
}
}
}

void setup() {
//Initialize pins to Low on device start
pinMode(Kitchen, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(Kitchen, LOW);
pinMode(Bedroom, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(Bedroom, LOW);
pinMode(Living, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(Living, LOW);

// Init serial port and clean garbage
Serial.begin(SERIAL_BAUDRATE);
Serial.println("FauxMo demo sketch");
Serial.println("After connection, ask Alexa/Echo to 'turn on' or 'off'");

// Wifi
wifiSetup();

// Device Names for Simulated Wemo switches
fauxmo.addDevice("Living Room Lights");
fauxmo.addDevice("Kitchen Lights");
fauxmo.addDevice("Bedroom Lights");
fauxmo.onMessage(callback);
}

void loop() {
fauxmo.handle();
}

2

Hello,

If I understand you, you want Alexa to turn on a light and then it will stay on for a period of time and then turn off? If so, you need to start the timer in your callback() but finish it in your loop() something like this:

/**********************************************************************************
  * Code for controlling multiple devices connected to one NodeMCU using Amazon Echo
  * 
  * Written by Sid for Sid's E Classroom
  * 
  * https://www.youtube.com/c/SidsEClassroom
  *********************************************************************************/
#include <Arduino.h>
#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include "fauxmoESP.h"

#define WIFI_SSID "**********"//change your Wifi name
#define WIFI_PASS "*********"//Change your Wifi Password
#define SERIAL_BAUDRATE                 115200

fauxmoESP fauxmo;
//declare switching pins
//Change pins according to your NodeMCU pinouts
#define Kitchen D1
#define Bedroom D2
#define Living D3

volatile bool KitchenOn = false;  // needs to be volatile since used in ISR
volatile bool BedroomOn = false;
volatile bool LivingOn = false;

const unsigned long  KitchenOnTime = 10;    // seconds
const unsigned long BedroomOnTime = 15;     // seconds
const unsigned long LivingOnTime = 20;

volatile unsigned long KitchenStartTime;
volatile unsigned long BedroomStartTime;
volatile unsigned long LivingStartTime;

// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Wifi Setup
// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

void wifiSetup() {

    // Set WIFI module to STA mode
    WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);

    // Connect
    Serial.printf("[WIFI] Connecting to %s ", WIFI_SSID);
    WiFi.begin(WIFI_SSID, WIFI_PASS);

    // Wait
    while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
        Serial.print(".");
        delay(100);
    }
    Serial.println();

    // Connected!
    Serial.printf("[WIFI] STATION Mode, SSID: %s, IP address: %s\n", WiFi.SSID().c_str(), WiFi.localIP().toString().c_str());
}
// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Device Callback
// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
void callback(uint8_t device_id, const char * device_name, bool state) {
  Serial.print("Device "); Serial.print(device_name); 
  Serial.print(" state: ");
  if (state) {
    Serial.println("ON");
  } else {
    Serial.println("OFF");
  }
  //Switching action on detection of device name
  if ( (strcmp(device_name, "Kitchen Lights") == 0) ) {
    // adjust the relay immediately!
    if (state) {
      digitalWrite(Kitchen, HIGH);
      KitchenOn = true;
      KitchenStartTime = millis();
    } else {
      digitalWrite(Kitchen, LOW);
      KitchenOn = false;
    }
  }
  if ( (strcmp(device_name, "Bedroom Lights") == 0) ) {
    // adjust the relay immediately!
    if (state) {
      digitalWrite(Bedroom, HIGH);
      BedroomOn = true;
      BedroomStartTime = millis();
    } else {
      digitalWrite(Bedroom, LOW);
      BedroomOn = false;
    }
  }
  if ( (strcmp(device_name, "Living Room Lights") == 0) ) {
    // adjust the relay immediately!
    if (state) {
      digitalWrite(Living, HIGH);
      LivingOn = true;
      LivingStartTime = millis();
    } else {
      digitalWrite(Living, LOW);
      LivingOn = false;
    }
  }
}

void setup() {
    //Initialize pins to Low on device start
    pinMode(Kitchen, OUTPUT);
    digitalWrite(Kitchen, LOW);
    pinMode(Bedroom, OUTPUT);
    digitalWrite(Bedroom, LOW);
    pinMode(Living, OUTPUT);
    digitalWrite(Living, LOW);
    
    // Init serial port and clean garbage
    Serial.begin(SERIAL_BAUDRATE);
    Serial.println("FauxMo demo sketch");
    Serial.println("After connection, ask Alexa/Echo to 'turn <devicename> on' or 'off'");

    // Wifi
    wifiSetup();

    // Device Names for Simulated Wemo switches
    fauxmo.addDevice("Living Room Lights");
    fauxmo.addDevice("Kitchen Lights");
    fauxmo.addDevice("Bedroom Lights");
    fauxmo.onMessage(callback);
}

void loop() {
  unsigned long duration;
  
  fauxmo.handle();
  if ( KitchenOn == true ) {
    duration = (millis() - KitchenStartTime) / 1000;  // convert to seconds
    if ( duration >= KitchenOnTime ) {
      digitalWrite(Kitchen, LOW);
      KitchenOn = false;
    }
  }
  
  if ( BedroomOn == true ) {
    duration = (millis() - BedroomStartTime) / 1000;  // convert to seconds
    if ( duration >= BedroomOnTime ) {
      digitalWrite(Bedroom, LOW);
      BedroomOn = false;
    }
  }
  if ( LivingOn == true ) {
    duration = (millis() - LivingStartTime) / 1000;  // convert to seconds
    if ( duration >= LivingOnTime ) {
      digitalWrite(Living, LOW);
      LivingOn = false;
    }
  }

}
3

Hi,

Thank you so much that seems to work. I was reluctant to post on the forum as I like to try and work things out myself but I don't think I would have ever have worked that out.

Only practice and time will tell.

The reason behind my momentary action is that I'm hoping to have a TV lower from the ceiling and only want the motor to run for a short period.

Again thank you for your help and keep up the good work.

;D

4

The reason behind my momentary action is that I'm hoping to have a TV lower from the ceiling and only want the motor to run for a short period.

If you were smart, you'd have the motor run for as long as it takes to trigger a limit switch. Timing alone will NOT tell you whether the TV reached the intended position, or not.

5

I will be implementing limit switches but the motor will require the voltage to be reversed to raise the TV, the voltage will remain a second or two after it has hit the limit switch.

This way the motor will be ready for the reversed voltage, if it wasn't a 'timed' voltage as soon as the TV comes off the limit switch it would have both voltages and short.

6

if it wasn't a 'timed' voltage as soon as the TV comes off the limit switch it would have both voltages and short.

That is nonsense.

7

Thanks for the positive response, I’m not using the limit switches through the esp. They are hard wired and not connected to the controller. I would much prefer the switches to be failsafe and completely break the voltage.

I am open to advise, but your input offers no value.