dgeist

Negative. This is the version at https://github.com/armzilla/amazon-echo-ha-bridge As an aside, I was able to manually get the REST commands to DIM to a specific percentage based on the switch hardware address and utilizing %20 in the expressions instead of spaces (not too surprising, there). I'll validate if "Alexa" will properly trigger the numeric value through the bridge once I get home. <edit> Sure enough, I'm able to get simple dimming now with a REST call configured in the bridge like this: http://admin:****@192.168.1.7:80/rest/nodes/29%20E0%2084%201/cmd/DON/${intensity.byte} It supports numeric percentages as well as keywords like "half" and "three quarters" but not yet "dim" or "brighten" but that's an Echo thing. </edit> Dan

The parameter thing is a good idea, but the configurator is generating that part, not me (I tried POSTin the HTTP without it and it wouldn't parse correctly. I thought of the scene thing, and tried calling one of the dimmers the same way, but with the hardware ID instead of the scene number, but still no-go: http://admin:*****@192.168.1.7:80/rest/nodes/29 D3 86 1/DON/${intensity.byte} Anything wrong with the syntax of that one? <edit> the "POST" above refers to populating the ha-bridge hue-emulator application, not the call to the ISY </edit>

I'm running the newest version of the ha-bridge package (0.4.0) to emulate the hue platform with my Echo Dot 2. Basic on/off features seem to work fine, but I'm unable to do dimming. Per the bridge's github repo: Dimming is also supported by using the expression ${intensity.percent} with a value of 0-100 or ${intensity.byte} with a value 0-255, respectively. So, I'm putting the following in (which works): { "name":"Kitchen Table Light", "deviceType":"switch", "offUrl":"http://admin:*****@192.168.1.7:80/rest/nodes/7959/cmd/DOF", "onUrl":"http://admin:*****@192.168.1.7:80/rest/nodes/7959/cmd/DON" }. Per the ISY REST guide: Insteon - /rest/nodes/<node-id>/cmd/DON/128 - turn on a scene to 50% (valid parameters = 0 - 255) If I update the onUrl to: "http://admin:*****@192.168.1.7:80/rest/nodes/7959/cmd/DON/${intensity.byte}" The update is accepted, but Alexa complains that the device is not reachable. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? Dan

Thanks for the feedback, all (and for the novella, Tekken ) I'm an engineer / computer scientist by trade and education, so messing with things doesn't phase me. I do like solutions that do things simply and elegantly and with a minimum of fuss. Time is expensive, especially with lots of other stuff going on in life. The thing that attracted me to the eg30xx series was the fact that is has a built-in web service with a well-documented API https://www.egauge.net/docs/egauge-xml-api.pdf Perhaps the API isn't quite as capable as it looks or perhaps it's just more suited for large-scale commercial energy monitoring installations than for integration with HA. I like ethernet. The one with 8 wires, not the multiple antennae. Does the GEM have any kind of on-board IP interface or do you have to have a dashbox to get web APIs ,etc.? I'm okay with something other than REST, but I'd really like to integrate with this directly over IP from my ISY (and everything else). I expect to pull some data for HA tasks, but I'd frankly rather render a web interface on a virtual machine in my existing server farm than have to support another little PC on the wall with another little wall-wart, etc. If I can get to everything I need on a GEM via RJ45 TCP/IP then the pricepoint per monitored circuit seems to blow everything else out of the water, I just hate to get stuck with something that doesn't do what I need or that doesn't work with other stuff I have (like my TED interfering with my insteon...). Dan

Hi, I've been using an ISY994 series for several years with my insteon and IP systems at home and love the flexibility. I'd like to start doing multi-circuit electric monitoring and possibly some renewable energy later. I've had my eye on the Brultech GEM for a while but have starting looking to see if there's any competition in the space worth looking at. I did a simple google search and found the eGauge eg3000 (and eg3010) which look like simpler, more streamlined versions of the Brrltech products. Here's the questions: - Has anyone used the eGauge systems and how do you like them, specifically regarding the web API and built-in web service? - Any good comparison points between the products and the Brultech product line? Thanks. Dan

Good information here. Another (off-topic) followup: If I have the dual-band PLM from insteon (2413S), I would assume it already serves the function of a bi-directional and dual-band active repeater, right? So, if I have it an also an AP located nearby on the other leg of the electrical service, that would be functionally the same as two APs? I'm mostly just trying to simplify the installation where possible and not have 50 little wall-warts all over the place if I can avoid it. Dan

Good points indeed. The engineer in me has immediately started thinking of ways to mitigate the system weaknesses and make both functions more powerful. Then the hobbyist in me reminds the engineer that I don't have unlimited budget, time, and manufacturing resources... I'd still like to be able to leverage features of both types of systems with each other. I suppose there's no reason why multiple systems can't monitor trigger signals of sensors for different purposes (as long as they don't interfere). Dan

My current security system is hopelessly antiquated, so I don't even want to bother with it. My hope is that my "smarthouse" efforts take the place of a named "security system" and simply perform security functions within the home automation and control realm. Hence the desire to use motion for lighting AND generic triggers (to other monitoring apps, cameras, email, SMS, solenoids on a shotgun, etc.) Dan

I'm pretty new to HA/Insteon, but have some really grant plans for things that I want my systems to do (or perhaps not so grand). For example, I'd like to have a native tie-in to my fire alarm chain without having a wireless wall-wart. I'd also like to have some exterior motion sensors in light fixtures be usable as triggers for other things (like cameras, etc.). It seems like there's only one kind of "insteon motion sensor" which is battery powered and wireless. Also the case for the "smoke bridge"; it seems like a good enough product, but requires the use of a wall outlet and leverages wireless as a requisite. Based on what I've read, the "micro on/off" units have 2 trigger leads that can be connected generically to other items for 110v triggering. So, can I have one of these connected to a "sense" lead on a powered motion detector to make it a sender in my insteon net? Also, can I do the same thing with the fire alarm "trigger" lead, such that whenever any of them go logically hot, it senses and sends an insteon signal? Thanks. Dan

As a followup, is there any benefit to the plug-in bridges vs something like the SignaLinc TM V2 Hardwired (220v on a double-pole breaker)? I'd prefer something hard-wired and it seems to be cheaper, too. Doing the electrical work is a non-issue for me. Thanks. Dan

That was it... Thanks for helping me figure that out! I thought the days of java apps with inconsistent behavior requiring stateful connections through a host firewall were gone in about 2004...apparently not. Anyone for a rewrite in ajax?

I am not sure I understand what you're staying. "start linking" does nothing for me (no popup, etc.). I tried clicking it once and it didn't do anything. It sounds like it's some kind of critical step? Dan

Okay, with the dimmer in test mode, the PLM blinked red, so it SHOULD be okay, yes? I have no fluorescent fixtures, transformers, or UPSs on either of those circuits... Device adds still fail immediately. Dan

The phase issue is entirely likely. It's a new home and I don't have an accurate mapping, but I think those two are right next to each other in the panel (i.e. opposite phase). What is the "4 tap set button test"? Thanks. Dan

So, I'm an engineer but am brand-new to insteon and my ISY994 system. I just got my first pair of switchlink 2477D dimmers and installed them in my dining room. I wired one to control the load and the other as a a simple remote on the same branch circuit. The first worked immediately and flawlessly. The second worked after performing the group "pairing" with the little buttons on the units. Now, I want to start setting up my dual-band PLM that I bought and the ISY. Well, networking and java issues were there, but not hard, and I learned the hard way that you have to power the ISY with the serial cable from the PLM plugged in. Now I'm getting info on the PLM in the diagnostic tools menu of the admin console, but the "New Insteon Device" dialog keeps failing. I'm using the hex digits off the front of the units, selecting 2477D from the pull-down, and putting in a readable name (like "DR Dimmer 1") in the name field, but it just goes for 30 seconds and gives me a failure code "Error Discovering nodes; Retry;" Am I doing something wrong here? Where do I even start troubleshooting. It's not like there's a "getting started setting up a few basic devices" Howto that I can find. It's really frustrating for someone who just needs a decent set of instructions. Thanks Dan