Thanks, but Im using PaperUI since I cant figure out how to configure items with files, and because its probably easier with PaperUI. I have tagged them with Lighting in the category option and labelled with where I need it.
I don’t think this is the same as [“Lighting”] on the item but you can use REST API to add the tag if not planning to use files. BTW, if you want to use files the location is /etc/openhab2/items for linux. You will need to check the docs for the correct location on windows but it’s not hard to do after you’ve done one.
The issue isnt that I dont want to use item files, but that there are none in the folder. Im going to take a look at the REST API. Thanks.
You will have to manually add them to the file with a text editor e.g. nano, vim, VSCode. BTW, VSCode is by far the best for file configuration.
Items file example:
Switch LivingRoom_Light "Living Room Light" <light> ["Lighting"] { channel="mqtt:topic:pibroker:sonoff11:power" }
Number LivingRoom_Light_Temp "Temperature [%.1f °F]" <temp> { channel="mqtt:topic:pibroker:sonoff11:temperature" }
Number LivingRoom_Light_Humidity "Humidity [%.1f %%]" <humidity> { channel="mqtt:topic:pibroker:sonoff11:humidity" }
Switch CouchLight "Couch Light" <light> ["Lighting"] { channel="mqtt:topic:pibroker:sonoff2:power" }
Switch OfficeLight "Office Light" <light> ["Lighting"] { channel="mqtt:topic:pibroker:sonoff55:power", expire="180m,command=OFF" }
For the channel info just copy it from PaperUI Things channels. You will want to unlink the item channel in paperUI before saving the item file as it will automagically make the link once the file is saved…and you don’t want multipule links on the same item.
Okay, thank you very much. Ill give it a shot.
And is this the correct channel ID?? knx:device:5268a70a:B
This is the one displayed below the channel
For using VSCode here is a good video(link to post with video) to set everything up.
That’s windows so not 100% sure about the location but you can check the readme file to verify.
Is this file set up correctly to be exposed as a dimmer to alexa via the hue emulation?
Its probably user error, but I still cant make it detectable by Alexa. I have put it into binding mode, saved and then tried to detect it. Still didn’t work
I do not use hue emulation but the tagging for Alexa and item looks correct.
Add the switch item to your sitemap if you haven’t already and verify it works. That way we know the issue is not in the configuration. Do you have the OH skill added vai the Alexa app? Are you using the OH cloud connector?
I have got it to show up, alexa wont turn it on. Next step is to try and control it via the hue app if it shows up. The KNX Device itself works perfectly fine.
Does Alexa say anything like, Kitchen LED not found or other?
It literally says, “Okay” and sounds like its turning it on. Problem is: It doesn’t… Going to try and fiddle with it a little more and see what happens
That’s a good sign. Try saying “Alexa turn on Kitchen led” or “Alexa turn the kitchen led on” sometimes my echo will what me to ask a different way.
Can you go to the Alexa app and turn the light on?
It doesn’t display as a light but as an “Other” device, so no. It doesn’t show up in the Hue app either, but it is being detected by Alexa. This is super weird: It displays as 100% in openhab when Alexa enables it but doesn’t enable it. If I enable it manually via PaperUI Control, it displays it as on and actually turns on (If that makes sense 
). Thanks for the quick replies and help, appreciate it!
Do you have the OH log open and watching what’s happening as you ask Alexa to turn on the light? Did you unlink the item channel in PaperUI before saving the item file, if not you may have a duplicate link and/or item.
You can delete the item in PaperUI, comment out the item in the file with a # in front then save file. Then rediscover and remove the # in the file to recreate and link it. The other suggestion is rename the item file as this has been known to solve some google issues.
I have removed all links before, give me 2 mins, I’m not sure if I have fucked up some group addresses during testing this and got a big mess.
Okay, so. I dont seem to have fucked the group addressing up but now it says that the “Kitchen Spots is malfunctioning”. This is getting more cunfusing by the second.
Okay, so apparently if I have 2 switches, 1 a dimmer and 1 a switch, they interfere. So If i tell alexa to turn off the dimmer, it wont and vice versa. I have removed it and now it seems to be working apart from Alexa saying “Device Kitchen Spot is malfunctioning” but it working-ish.
I cant say turn it on either, but only specify the value. Thanks for the help!
You may need to create a dimmer item for the brightness in addition to the switch you already have. Click the “plus” icon for channels and see if there is a dimmer channel listed in PaperUI. If so, copy the the channel info and place it in the item file like with the switch.
Example:
Switch BedroomLight "Bedroom Light" <light> ["Lighting"] { channel="mqtt:topic:pibroker:zigbee2mqtt:power", expire="120m,command=OFF" }
Dimmer BedroomLight_Level "Bedroom Light Level [%.0f %%]" <light> ["Lighting"] { channel="mqtt:topic:pibroker:zigbee2mqtt:dimmer" }
I have already done that, had a switch and a dimmer. Not sure if exactly like that, ill try now. Put another group address into the Dimmer chanel or leave it to one and add another chanel thats a switch?
Check to make sure there is no duplicates links in /var/lib/openhab2/jsondb/org.eclipse.smarthome.core.thing.link.ItemChannelLink.json
For items check in /var/lib/openhab2/jsondb/org.eclipse.smarthome.core.items.Item.json
The above is for Linux OS so exact location may differ. If you find a duplicate item or link then stop OH first, then edit the file to remove it.
FYI: If all items we created via files then you would only see a { } inside the file.
No groups for now. Keep it simple till it’s working with Alexa use just a switch item and dimmer. If I misunderstood your question then please post a picture of PaperUI showing all listed channels available.