I wanted to put in a simple/hacky workaround for those who want to control their Aladdin garage door since the integration was disabled last year. I have read a lot about scripting and complex workarounds, but let me tell you what worked for me:
Requirements:
Amazon Alexa
Any smart plug (I use these extensively, they work great) - via Amazon: Smart Plug 5GHz, EIGHTREE Smart Plug Works with Alexa & Google Home, 5GHz & 2.4GHz WiFi Compatible, with Remote Control & Timer Function, 4 Pack
Steps:
Add your Aladdin garage door to Alexa. Once you do so, make sure it works by testing it out like “alexa, open my garage door,” etc.
Add the smart plug to your HA and name it something like “Garage Door.” You don’t need to plug anything in it, you just need a switch for the automation.
In the Alexa app, create two routines:
Routine 1
When this happens → SMART HOME → Garage Door Socket → Close
Alexa will → CUSTOM → “close garage door”
Routine 2
When this happens → SMART HOME → Garage Door Socket → Open
Hi, good to see that you find inventive ways to make things work! It is nice to see what people think of, and there is no reason to grill you on anything. We all started out the same, and we all learn along the way.
You can also accomplish what you did without needing the smart socket hardware. And it is equally simple. If you define a boolean input helper in the helper section and expose that to Alexa, you have yourself a virtual smart plug.
From there on, when you expand your skills, you could build a template cover entity that controls the input boolean. That way it will even behave like a garage door in HA!
This is really interesting to know! I hate to ask, but do you have a sample of the boolean input helper that I can play with? You piqued my interest!!! My next step is smart locks that were originally installed via Control4. This one is killing me as well…
The garage door and the door locks were the lone holdouts for an otherwise complete system…
No need for yaml or anything like that, it is in the Settings, option devices and services, the last tab. Use the create helper button in the bottom right, and pick input boolean.
Once you created it, in the settings tab for the input boolean, you’ll see voice assistants. There you can enable it for your voice assistant of choice.