Before I decide what to do with my C8 Pro, I wanted to ask a simple question which I was unable to test myself due to connection problems. I didn't want this to add to the confusion of my existing posts, so I messaged you instead. Apparently I don't know how to originate a message to an individual
Question: Is it possible to easily have Hubitat control old generation Amazon smart plugs? I've found conflicting info when I searched for an answer myself. The devices have been previously connected to Alexa and a Vera hub.
Thanks for all the time you've put into answering confusing questions.
Without support like you and others have provided, I would have returned my Hubitat to Amazon for a refund a good while ago.
yes,I can/ WHen I had my C8 Pro connecting, I added the Alexa skill to it.
It showed a connected Ecobee thermostat I had previously working with the Alexa app, but none of my plugs or in-wall switches were brought in to Hubitat. I have just moved, so I'm not concerned about the old in-wall switches which were Z-wave devices. I was surprised that the Ecobee automatically was imported, but my plugs & switches weren't.
The Alexa skill does not import anything to Hubitat, it only shares Hubitat devices to Alexa.
The only way to get Amazon integrated Wifi devices into Hubitat is to create a virtual switch in Hubitat and then create a routine in Alexa to mirror the on/off of the virtual switch with the real switch/plug.
There are a few exceptions of Wifi devices which have local Hubitat integrations, and also a few with cloud integrations. But for the most part non-Matter wifi devices are a challenge to bring into Hubitat.
It is technically possible to do what you’re asking.
But it’s a hacky workaround and you’re 100% dependent on Alexa and its associated cloud architecture to be functioning when you want to turn a lamp on or off while you’re in your home. Not my cup of tea.
Minor nitpick: You can't trigger an Alexa routine with a switch. The traditional method was to use a virtual contact with switch device to be able to treat it as either, but I've found Alexa lately gets confused with that. I've converted all mine to virtual contacts.
Or motion sensor. There are some community device drivers that are combined motion sensor and contact on the Alexa side and switch on the Hubitat side.
When I was able to connect to my C8 PRO for a brief time, I added the Alexa skill to it.
It showed a connected Ecobee thermostat I had previously working with the Alexa app, but none of my plugs or in-wall switches were brought in to Hubitat.
Probably a misunderstanding on my part, but I'm not sure how that is consitent with the quoted statement.
There is no way your Ecobee was brought into Hubitat via Hubitat's integration, so if that's what you mean, it's definitely not consistent with the above -- but the above is correct that it can't be. (Not just for this device, but for any: it's quite likely Amazon can't imagine you wanting anything other than Alexa at the center of your "smart" home, and they simply do not provide any official means of doing this.) This is also why your plugs did not show up.
So, something else must have happened if that was the case for you with the thermostat. There is an Ecobee integration for Hubitat. Could that have been what you did?
(Not just for this device, but for any: it's quite likely Amazon can't imagine you wanting anything other than Alexa at the center of your "smart" home, and they simply do not provide any official means of doing this.) This is also why your plugs did not show up.
