Hue dimmer switch integration with alexa

[bendarklighter]

No videos that I can think of. Virtual devices can be anything so it's a very wide topic.

I can write up a quick example that I use - in this example we want to control a wifi fan

Step 1: install the custom driver

see video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSNuz9G3F48&t=1s
This one is for apps but the process is the similar for drivers (driver tab instead of app)

Make sure its the one under post #10 here

Alexa Integration - Virtual Switch/Button. etc

Has anyone came up with a solution? In SmartThings(ST) I could press my ST button next to my bed which would trigger a command in Alexa to start my music and turn on my 13 infrared candles using my Broadlink repeaters. To create this action I would use bjpierron's Simulated Alexa Switch and their Button ST device handlers. This handler would show virtual switches as device handlers in Alexa's Smart home. These virtual switches could be used as devices in "When this happens" to trigger an Alexa …

Step 2: create the virtual device

• Goto Devices - Add Virtual Device
• Fill in Device name and Label (Lets call it "Living Room Fan vSwitch")
• Under Type - Pick Virtual Contact with Switch (under user defined section)

Step 3: expose to Alexa
Expose the Living Room Fan vSwitch using the echo skill app (you already know how to do this)

Step 4: Create Alexa Routines

Routine 1
When this Happens: Smart Home -> Living Room Fan vSwitch opens
Action: Turn on Living Room Fan (or whatever device you want turn on)

Routine 2
When this happens: Smart Home -> Living Room Fan vSwitch closes
Action: Turn ff Living Room Fan (or whatever device you want turn on)

Step 5: Test
Turning on Living Room Fan vSwitch should turn on the fan and vice-versa
Unfortunately there might be a sync issue if you turn on the fan in alexa or any other means, it will still be in the off state in HE.

Step 6: Configure Hue button
Create new button controller
Set the action for button presses
To get around the state sync issue, I would assign 2 separate buttons for off and on.
ON button - 1. Turn Living Room Fan OFF, 2. Turn Living Room Fan ON
OFF button - 1. Turn Living Room Fan ON, 2. Turn Living Room Fan OFF
This way if the switch in the wrong state it forces a quick state change first.
I found that if the switch is incorrectly in the OFF state when the fan is on, turning off the switch again without a state change will not send alexa an event and therefore nothing happens. This is my workaround for now. I'm sure someone can think of a better way.

You can easily adapt this to most alexa control wifi devices that you can't get into HE via any other means. Good luck