wayneph Posted December 21, 2021 Posted December 21, 2021 I was playing with one of my Fanlics/KPLs/Alexa to try and come up with the best combination to keep everything in sync and ended up breaking the Fanlinc integration with Alexa. At this point, Alexa discovers the device, but I am only able to turn it on (HIGH) and off. Any attempts to set MEDIUM/LOW (which previously worked) are now met with "I don't know how to set Fan Name to that setting." I've tried using a new name that doesn't match anything else in the system, and (stupidly) a removing/readding a second Fanlic which broke it as well. I have confirmed that I am choosing the 'Fan' device type on the ISY portal, but it's as if it isn't getting sent correctly to Amazon when she discovers the devices. Any suggestions? Kind of separate, but... What is the best way to set up Fans with Alexa/GH and KPLs? If I control via Voice, my scenes are getting out of Sync. I just saw the update for 5.x scenes that would let me minimize 3 scenes into 1 for Fans, but I'm not sure it will actually help. Currently I have program monitoring Fan State and setting the scene after a voice command. It works most of the time, but occasionally something gets off and ISY puts them in a loop where they cycle between the different states. Was hoping the new single scene would help alleviate that, but now I'm not sure if I can use the helper programs since I can't set scene to "Medium". I think I need to go back to my original 3 scene setup with helper programs, but if I can't get the devices to add back correctly, it won't really matter...
Geddy Posted December 21, 2021 Posted December 21, 2021 @wayneph You probably need to delete any old references in Alexa. Login on the Alexa website - https://alexa.amazon.com/ (you can remove old devices in the Alexa app too, but I find it easier and quicker on the website) Click on "Smart Home" and find the old device names that you've used. Since you said that you're sure you're selecting the device/fan in the Portal to link it back to Alexa you should be able to remove the old entries and have Alexa rediscover your devices. It should then find anything NEW and you should be able to use it as expected. 1 hour ago, wayneph said: What is the best way to set up Fans with Alexa/GH and KPLs? I'm with you on here. I saw the post @Javi made and ultimate update to the wiki and am leaning that direction. I haven't tried it yet to know if it keeps the buttons in sync, but would expect it to since that's the point of the scenes.
wayneph Posted December 21, 2021 Author Posted December 21, 2021 (edited) 25 minutes ago, Geddy said: You probably need to delete any old references in Alexa. I've unfortunately already done that as well. When I first added it back in, I ended up with duplicates, so I had to clean out from alexa.amazon.com to get rid of the dreaded "multiple devices with the same name" message. Looking at the devices list, I have confirmed that the each fan motor's ISY Device address 'XX XX XX 2' only exists once. (Since I don't have more than one spoken for each one.) Additionally, I've verified there are no duplicate names so it isn't, or shouldn't be, finding the wrong device. 25 minutes ago, Geddy said: I'm with you on here. I saw the post @Javi made and ultimate update to the wiki and am leaning that direction. I haven't tried it yet to know if it keeps the buttons in sync, but would expect it to since that's the point of the scenes. What I'm not sure of... is whether or not the Fan Motor would also need to be a controller for it to "just work". Since only the buttons are controllers, I'm not sure that the scene would still stay in sync without something else if the device is controlled with voice. I've temporarily paused any more changes until I can figure out what went wrong with Alexa. Edited December 21, 2021 by wayneph
Javi Posted December 21, 2021 Posted December 21, 2021 31 minutes ago, wayneph said: What I'm not sure of... is whether or not the Fan Motor would also need to be a controller for it to "just work". Since only the buttons are controllers, I'm not sure that the scene would still stay in sync without something else if the device is controlled with voice. I've temporarily paused any more changes until I can figure out what went wrong with Alexa. Unfortunately the FanLink can not act as a controller as it only sends status values, not command values. If you regularly set the fan to a specific speed, consider using the single scene for on/off voice commands. This would keep all KPLs in sync. If your speed preference changes by time of day/year a program can alter the Scene links to set the fan to another level for the ON command. I think programs would be the only other route. Adding 4 scenes (High/Med/Low/Off) with only the KPLs as a responders and without the FanLink, will allow programs to monitor the FanLink and send the Scene On Command to adjust the kpl buttons. Just set the Scene links for each scene to turn on/off each KPL depending on FL value.
wayneph Posted December 22, 2021 Author Posted December 22, 2021 Thanks @Javi, that gives me one more idea on how to set up. I've got 7 rooms with FanLincs and KPLs so I'll get to set these up multiple times. Wish there was a little more logic available in the programs for switches/nested if/else interrogation as opposed to needing 4 separate programs to monitor the status. That being said... My bigger problem right now is getting the FanLincs just added to Alexa responding like fans. I've deleted and added 2 or 3 times today with different names and they still aren't working.
Geddy Posted December 22, 2021 Posted December 22, 2021 @wayneph When you’re in the Alexa app what do the fans look like? I just checked mine and they appear as fan icons then in the type they read fan. Make sure that’s how it appears to you. Since you have so many and none seem to be working right I’d open a ticket with UDI and get some help that way. 1 1
wayneph Posted December 22, 2021 Author Posted December 22, 2021 So... I had only looked online (not from the app) yesterday. It looks like Alexa is correctly picking them up as Fans which is good news. Since I primarily use Google Home from the phones, and Alexa from Echo/FireTV Remotes, I haven't used the Alexa app much since I can remove/update devices from the Alexa website. It seems like my problem now is just speaking clear English. I can "Set Office Fan to 2" and get it to work, but "Set Office Fan to Medium" does not. I'll have to play with a few different configurations of Spokens and Scenes to see which combination keeps my wife happy. Maybe I just go back to having a 'default' speed for each of the fans, and just use a scene. I can turn the fan on and off via voice, but I'd have to use a button/app if I want to change the speeds. That would probably keep things the simplest.
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