IOT Home Automation with Alexa Skills| Garage Door switch with ESP8266 Part 1| Tutorial # 8

[@bartb7873]

great tutorial on alexa skills ! thank you very much

[@netmedias7657]

BART B Thank you for your feedback. Stay tuned for more.

[@tonyvmu]

I flashed the ESP but I only get this info from the serial monitor: "connected with 1LAN_Ext, channel 4 dhcp client start... ip:(IP Xxxx),mask:255.255.255.0,gw:(GT IP Xxxx) Connecting to Connected to wi-fi Disconnected! Disconnected!" So the alexa skill doesnt get any response! Do you happen to know what could be wrong? (SSID and Pass double checked)(And also I tried 2 different routers)

[@nearmitech]

Hi my skill builds okay. However I do not see the voice simulator / service simulator shown at 18:38 of your video. I find a newer amazon developer console. In the new console I also find a check list with 5 items named to complete skill development. Except for the last one in skill products all others have a green tick against them. Is this required? Lastly under the Test tab when I type is the garage door open, I get a prompt "Sorry I didnt find a device named garage door". How do I progress? Please advise.

[@sanjayshrivastava740]

had Exactly same issue

[@binisol7353]

absolutely awesome videos, I've almost tried them all I've even employed some of them through out my home. what i cant seem to get right is deploying the heroku app or the skill i don"t think its the skill.

[@ahsanmasood846]

Hi Nassir. The link to the updated tutorial doesnt seem to be working. AWS alexa skill webpage has changed a lot since then

[@netmedias7657]

Ahsan Masood Watch following tutorial. It does not require you to create an Alexa skill. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXetdpKGqLqfo5o

[@jacquesduval9820]

i have a message when i clic on Heroku/Deploy seems i have to change the runtimes/txt

[@sanjayshrivastava740]

use two diodes in series 1N 4007 or 1N5402 to drop total 1.2v from a 5v power supply you will get 3.8 or 3.7v to power ESP or use a 3.3v voltage regulator. LM1117 to power esp8266

[@AnimationPatrick]

Excellent tutorial! Very straightforward and easy to follow. However, if I would like to modify the code so that there is no ultrasonic sensor and just on and off commands for the relay, how would I go on about doing that?

[@netmedias7657]

patrick You can do that but how will you know if it is open or closed. If it is closed and give a close command it will open it or vice versa. If you still what to do it this way then use on/off code from following github project. Just update the line 194 and 200 with following code. Good luck. digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH); delay(1000); digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW); github.com/nassir-malik/IOT-ESP8266-Alexa_Automation/blob/master/ESP8266_Alexa_Automation_with_URL.ino

[@manishkumar27]

Hi Neo, This is Manish, big fan. I saw in some tutorials you used IFTTT and on some Heroku app. I am having hard time to understand in what circumstances we use IFTTT and when to use Heroku app. It'll be great help if you can point me in right direction. Thanks much in advance.

[@netmedias7657]

manish kumar IFTTT is to use custom commands for Alexa and Google home devices without creating skills. Heroku app is reverse proxy so you don't have to open your firewall. It aslo can be used for additional processing.

[@ExplainingMathematics]

i love it 🤗

[@soovui]

Hello Nassir, is there a possibility to use local server instead of heroku? if yes, can you teach us? very much appreciated and brilliant work. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@netmedias7657]

Use the wemo spoof garage door opener. It does not require Heroku. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXetdpKGqLqfo5o

[@soovui]

Hello Nassir, tq so much for your prompt respond. I m sorry I might ask a stupid or silly question, actually what is the purpose and functionality going thru herokuapp, i find that there must be something in between to work with Alexa dev. but I dont understand in theory how it works together? Can we use Alexa local to do the work instead?

[@rvvince3296]

super !!!!!!!!!

[@hithisisng]

Nasir, Thanks for the exceptional tutorial. Have you considered trying the same with 2 channel wifi relay to control two door car garage ? Can I flash the same code on the 2 channel wifi relay?

[@netmedias7657]

hithisisng New garage door tutorial is coming soon. It is much easier than this project and can handle 2 doors. Stay tuned.

[@hithisisng]

Nasir, Can't wait. Thanks !!

[@robertpaverman9811]

Im using an esp8266 nodemcu. Do I need to adjust the code, I get this error when flashing: C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_modified_sketch_930824\ESP8266_WebSocketClient.ino: In function 'void webSocketEvent(WStype_t, uint8_t*, size_t)': ESP8266_WebSocketClient:70: error: 'processWebScoketRequest' was not declared in this scope processWebScoketRequest((char*)payload); ^ exit status 1 'processWebScoketRequest' was not declared in this scope

[@netmedias7657]

Robert Paverman Looks like you are missing a function or removed it by mistake. Copy it again from GitHub. Good Luck.

[@janardhanbabumarri1389]

how to control the relays with the same process......................?

[@davidmoran4471]

Is their a reason, future feature?, for using the ultrasonic sensor over a simple reed switch and magnet to sense door position?

[@netmedias7657]

David Moran I am trying to go wireless. You will see in next 2 garage door tutorials.

[@designengineer6579]

I don't understand were / what is the Heroku app. Do you have video that goes into this area in more detail. I'm wanting to monitor temp & humidity data via a ESP8266 that will update the data maybe once every 5 min to a backend sever (Like Heroku) that then I can ask Alexa for the data. Why would I use Heroku over something on Amazon Web Services?

[@netmedias7657]

Design Engineer Please watch following tutorial. I explain it in more details. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6fKYaWrh9B-nbs

[@netmedias7657]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6fKYaWrh9B-nbs#t=1m44s

[@zeroskatersss]

Nice work , great tutorial!!!! , do you have the arduino code for an arduino with wifi shield instead of using esp?

[@netmedias7657]

Joachim R you can modify the code to work with arduino wifi shield. Just switch the esp library with your wifi shield shield's library and update the wifi connect method.

[@jimscanlon530]

I would like to do something similar for a gate on my driveway. Can I change the Alexa commands to say "the gate" instead of "garage door" and everything still work or is there more to it than that?

[@jimscanlon530]

Also, I would like to say your tutorial are very informative, I have watched several and they are very well done!

[@netmedias7657]

Thank you. Yes, you can change it in your Alexa mobile app. You can create a custom command and map it to your device. Please use the new updated and improved garage tutorial. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXetdpKGqLqfo5o

[@jimscanlon530]

Thanks! The routines in the Alexa app should do the trick. I didn't know they existed until now...

[@SirHarrisonPhillips]

I tried using the code with a nodemcu and when I opened up the serial monitor I got random slashes and question marks. Do you know any solutions for this problem

[@netmedias7657]

Harrison Phillips please make sure you serial baud rate matches what you have setup up in your sketch.

[@matthewheinemann457]

Very good project and video. I am having an issue when I try to load the program to the ESP8266. When it uploads and starts to run all I get is:ets Jan 8 2013,rst cause:4, boot mode:(1,7)wdt reset Any suggestions?Thank you for all your efforts!

[@netmedias7657]

Matthew Heinemann Please use a better power source it will not work with USB to TTL converter power. I am using 3.9 volts bench power supply since ultrasonic sensor does not work with 3.3 volts. Good luck.

[@matthewheinemann457]

Thank you very much for your response. I am going to power it with a DAOKI AC DC Power Supply Buck Converter Step Down Module, 5VDC output. I will use a Icstation AMS1117-3.3 DC Voltage Regulator Step Down Power Supply Module 4.75V-12V to 3.3V 800mA for the ESP8266. For the benefit of others I will follow up if this works.

[@matthewheinemann457]

Do you have an updated video of this project?

[@HraklisKirlis]

is it a way on the code to connect a computer power button to esp8266 and give a command to power on?

[@netmedias7657]

Yes, it depends what you want to do. Give me your scenario so I can explain better.

[@SirHarrisonPhillips]

I am using a node mcu because I saw that it has a 5 v supply on it, but i can't seem to get the code to work with the board. i dont have gpio pins, just digital. I found a pinout online of my board and found the digital equivalents, but found they didnt work. Would having the board in the ide on nodemcu mess up how the code works on the board and with the pins. Ive set up the board, and have even gotten it to work but only for one response. I will ask to it to open garage one and with the sensor pointed towards a far distant wall. Alexa responds with garage door one already open. I asked for another resquest and she replies with " there was a problem with the requested skills response" any thoughts?

[@netmedias7657]

Harrison Phillips Looks like your board is crashing. What are you using to power the board?

[@SirHarrisonPhillips]

it takes USB power. I was really hoping this board with work because i figured it was the same thing as what you were using but with more user-friendly features. It has an esp 8266 on it, and it is on a board that has more pins with 3.3 volts, 5 volts, digital and analog pins. It also has a USB to serial chip on it. I thought it would be less complicated

[@SirHarrisonPhillips]

anytime ive tried changing the variable in the code for the relay pin i get what i believe is crashing. I changed the value of relaypin1 and i uploaded it to the board. The issue is whenever i open the serial monitor i dont get the wifi connected message. I click the reset button on the board and random characters go across the monitor. It only prints 40 or so characters and then stops. If I keep clicking the reset button more strings of characters go across the screen.

[@netmedias7657]

Harrison Phillips Let me test it with NodeMcu. It should work without any issue.

[@matthewheinemann457]

I am almost there! I have it all soldered up, powered up and nestled nicely in a little box that will screw to the ceiling just above the garage door. The trouble is that it is intermittent. I have found that when in the Amazon Service Simulator and test it, the Service Response will often return an error "There was an error calling the remote endpoint" which coincides with the failures . The SonicWALL access point is about 20 feet away. There is a constant ping reply from the ESP8266 while I am still getting an error. Any suggestions?

[@netmedias7657]

Matthew Heinemann Do you see the same issue issue when device is close to wifi router? If not then make sure that you have adequate power supply. Also some of the ultrasonic module will not work on 3.3 volts. I had to supply 3.9 volts for my setup and esp is stable at 3.9 volts.

[@matthewheinemann457]

Netmedias, I have got it to work for the most part. I am powering the ESP8266 with 3.3vdc and 5.0vdc from a DAOKI AC DC Power Supply Buck Converter Step Down Module 12v 5v 3.3v from Amazon. I have put it close to an access point which makes a difference. It seems like it is learning as it goes. At any rate it is working most of the time. Thanks for the input. Love all the rest of the projects! Thanks

[@netmedias7657]

Matthew Heinemann Thanks for sharing your progress. Next iteration of this tutorial is coming soon. It is much easy than this project.

[@matthewheinemann457]

Do you have the next iteration? Thanks

[@ltrale1031]

Instead of using ESP8266, how can I use PiZero W for this project?

[@netmedias7657]

ltra Le Tutorial coming soon. Stay tuned.

[@arifali1063]

Is there a way to make an app to control things like this if u don't want to speak

[@arifali1063]

Like an Android app

[@planetearth9091]

I almost have done most of the setup .But I did not know how to run app.py I may be in Heroku or in Linux machine

[@netmedias7657]

gokul gokul Just click the button on GitHub to deploy the app in Heroku. Make sure your registered with Heroku it is free.

[@planetearth9091]

yes, I finished that .but I unable to call that skill in my raspberry pi(act as dot device).but is perfectly work on voice stimulator (skill tester).www.dropbox.com/s/mbfgn7uaq9ta2ha/Screenshot%20from%202018-02-07%2011-47-55.png?dl=0

[@mhanson53193]

It looks like my Heroku app is not working. My ESP8266 is not connecting to it and when I open the app on chrome it is giving me an error (H13: Connection closed without response). Any suggestions?

[@netmedias7657]

Michael Hanson Make sure you are entering your Heroku app name correctly in the sketch and your ESP is obtaining an IP address on your network.

[@mhanson53193]

The name is correct and it does connect to wifi and prints out an IP address. It then goes immediately to printing "Disconnected!" over and over again. I think the problem is with the app because it gives and error when I open it.

[@tonyvmu]

@@mhanson53193 I got the same problem. Were you able to find any solution?

[@davesnothere688]

Any chance of a finished product video with both doors operational?

[@netmedias7657]

Working on the new tutorial right now. Stay tuned.

[@davesnothere688]

I have 2 garage doors that I'd like to control, if you could also include links and/or part numbers of were to buy the various controllers, relays, etc, that would be great too. Are you still using the 3.9 volts bench power supply or are you going to show how to add a regular or resisters to step down the voltage in your final project? I like what I see so far, one controller controlling both doors. Everyone else only shows 1 door.

[@muhannadtraifi1150]

how did you create the answers .... you did not cover this side

[@netmedias7657]

Look into the skill. You will find the response string.

[@bateball]

I'm pretty frustrated right now as this long video does not go over how the Heroku code actually works. If you download it and it works great but for me it's not and there is absolutely no information. The problem seems to be with the websockets but this GitHub project also provides nearly useless examples. Getting an Line without CRLF error from the websockets package and can't understand at all where this would be coming from. After hours of looking through the package source and experiments the only thing I can think of is that something should be inserted for the server address in websockets.serve(ws_handler, '', port, klass=HttpWSSProtocol). In the overly simplistic websockets example they used 'localhost' but this script has an empty string. Very frustrated and wish that code was explained how it worked rather than showing the relays click. Some comments in the code wouldn't hurt either.

[@netmedias7657]

Tom Lenahan Only thing you have to do is to deploy the Heroku app and copy the app name without the and forward slash and enter it into sketch and update ssid and password. If you have created you Alexa skill correctly then it should work without any issues. Make sure provide at least 3.9 volts to ultrasonic sensor. It will not work with 3.3 volts.

you spelt operate wrong btw :)

[@nguyentuananh5809]

How to connect them? while power supply of ESP8266 is 3.3V, ultrasonic sensor and relay are 5V.

[@richleviness4621]

use a voltage regulator , check out this vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGeZkGuGZZlmodE

[@netmedias7657]

Nguyen Tuan Anh You can use voltage regulator or boost converter. I will be doing a video soon showing how to do this. Stay tuned. Thank you for your comments.

[@broderp]

There are so many easier ways to so this.

[@netmedias7657]

Please see the part 2 to understand why I went this route. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXetdpKGqLqfo5o