Alexa routines seem very unstable.

[garybixler]

Hi

I have been testing the use of the Alexa routines for a week now, and can't seem to get a reliable and consistent response. I simply have several contact devices that set a variable to 1 for close and back to 0 10 seconds later for open. I did notice that Alexa doesn't toggle back to open from a close until after 1 minute but that isn't a problem.  What is happening  is that the spoken custom sentence isn't  always being sent to the Dot that I selected for all the messages.  Basically is works sometimes but not others.  I have had Alexa forget all devices and rediscover sever times having then to rebuilt all the routines again. But the results don't change for reliability.  However all of my Alexa voice to ISY commands work flawlessly.  Also the routine response always works if it is played from the Alexa  app. It seems like an Amazon problem but thought I would share  my experience.

ISY994i/IR PRO Version 5.0.13C

Thanks Gary

[bmercier]

About the delays, I can tell you that the detection is debounced with a delay of 30 seconds, as per Amazon specs. If the sensor changes come too rapidly, some will be skipped.

In other words, the Alexa sensor will always stay in the open or closed state for at least 30 seconds.

So let's take an example:

• Sensor is initially Closed (since at least 30 seconds).
• At t=0s, sensor is Open -> Alexa Sensor will change to open immediately
• At t=10s, sensor is Close -> Alexa Sensor will stay open (Up to t=30s)
• At t=12s, sensor is Open -> -> Alexa Sensor will stay open (Up to t=30s)  --> This one is skipped
• At t=22s, sensor is Close -> Alexa Sensor will stay open (Up to t=30s)
• At t=30s, Alexa Sensor will change to closed
• At t=40s, sensor is Open -> Alexa Sensor will stay closed (Up to t=70s (40s + 30s))   --> This one is skipped
• At t=50s, sensor is Close -> Alexa Sensor will stay closed (Up to t=70s)
• At t=70s, Alexa sensor stays closed (The physical sensor is closed)

Benoit

[garybixler]

Thanks Benoit,

I have worked around any delay issues without any problems. But the main problem is that some of the messages from the routines just don't come through. For example I can trigger a variable and the message usually comes back but not always. That's with waiting several minutes between triggers and not always triggering the same device  So in the morning  when I expect to get the message that the papers were delivered nothing happens. I know the program runs because  I have the ELK send a tone first just before the Alexa message. But I can run it again a few minutes later and I receive the Alexa message.  So for what ever reason the messages are not being sent 100% of the time. My voice commands are always 100%. I just did a test with another program and the message didn't come back for 3 minutes than another after that took 20 seconds. 

Thanks Gary

[bmercier]

Are you exposing state variables as an Alexa sensor?

Are you perhaps exposing the same state variable as multiple Alexa sensors (using different values)?

Benoit

[garybixler]

Yes I am using state variables as an Alexa sensor (contact).

I have set up 6 routines so far and each uses a specific device triggered by a specific state variable. 

Several times I did the forget all in the Alexa app and did a relearn just  in case the Alexa server may have gotten confused. 

Gary

[pk1]

I have exactly the same problem. 

Thanks 

Paul 

 

[garybixler]

I have also noticed that some shipping notifications from Amazon have not been received or come a day late.

This morning a routine message was received 20 plus seconds late and the second message 30 minutes later was not received at all.

IMO I think Amazon  needs to put a lot more computer power into notifications.

[brians]

You can also try adding a message notification which may provide better troubleshooting rather than the voice to make sure your routines are triggering. 

[frank]

I am having a problem where Alexa can’t find a state variable I have set up.It is recognized in MobiLinc but not by Alexa. I have tried multiple times to detect new devices with zero results. Anyone have any suggestions?


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[bmercier]

11 minutes ago, frank said:

I am having a problem where Alexa can’t find a state variable I have set up.It is recognized in MobiLinc but not by Alexa. I have tried multiple times to detect new devices with zero results. Anyone have any suggestions?


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Alexa does not know state variables. I however knows about motion and contact sensors.

Have you configured an Alexa Motion or Contact sensor using the state variable, in ISY Portal? Have you then run a device discovery (Alexa, discover my devices)?

Benoit

[frank]

Problem solved. Rebooted the island did a discovery.
Thanks for the response


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[frank]

Auto correct changed isy to island, sorry


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[frank]

Is there a way to set a routine to repeat itself such as when the garage door is left open I would get the announcement say every 5 minutes or So?


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[bmercier]

3 minutes ago, frank said:

Is there a way to set a routine to repeat itself such as when the garage door is left open I would get the announcement say every 5 minutes or So?
 

No. But you could accomplish this using programs.

 

       

 

[frank]

Does Alexa announcements support programs?


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[bmercier]

On 11/2/2018 at 12:30 PM, frank said:

Does Alexa announcements support programs?


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Sorry I should have been more explicit.

You can use programs to control a variable exposed as a motion sensor, which can triggers Alexa Routines which sends announcements.

Program1, when the door is open, repeatedly trigger program2 every 5 minutes.

Program2, in the then statement, just turn on the state variable to the motion detected value, wait 10 seconds then another value (no motion).

In your Alexa routine, send the announcement whenever there is motion.

Benoit

 

 

 

[frank]

Thanks Benoit. Great assistance, thank you.


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