Monday, November 12, 2018

Supplemental Information for Configuring Hampton Bay Zigbee Fan Controller (Model 99432 / MR101Z) to work with Samsung SmartThings


Although every setup is different, the following notes apply to my environment that led to a successful deployment of above-referenced fan controller

  • Install (3) custom Device Type Handlers (DTH) for KOF Zigbee Fan Controller and it’s children (fan and light) before attempting to pair the Hampton Bay controller by connecting to code repository via Github integration.
  • Use old “SmartThings Classic” app (instead of new “Samsung Connect” app) to allow custom device handlers mentioned above.  Remove new “Samsung Connect” app from all devices to avoid confusion.
  • Locate SmartThings Generation 3 hub within 10 feet of the fan controller to pair successfully.  Put hub in pairing mode (Add New Device) and then toggle power to controller at electrical panel breaker ON and OFF 5 to 7 times, with rough count of about 2 seconds ON and 1 second OFF.  Leave power ON at last toggle for about 20-30 seconds for controller to appear in the app.  Be mindful naming root controller device during pairing (ie “Bedroom Fan”) because the children devices will take on this name (ie “Bedroom Fan” Light).
  • Interference with Zigbee radio and poor signal range in SmartThings hub can be an issue.   Locate SmartThings hub well away from home (wifi) router.  Obtain hard-coded Zigbee channel of SmartThings hub on “My Hubs” page and reference this to a map of how these channels overlay the 2.4 GHz home router wifi band.  Change channel of home router wifi (choose channel 1, 6 or 11) so the 2.4 GHz wifi is not stepping on SmartThings hub Zigbee frequency.
  • Install SmartThings outlet between hub and fan controller as necessary to act as a Zigbee repeater.  After moving/installing the SmartThings outlet acting as a Zigbee repeater, unplug SmartThings hub for 15 minutes and then power back on to force rebuild of Zigbee mesh network.
  • Set SmartThings hub to allow “Insecure Rejoin” under Zigbee Utilities and set “Device Health” to OFF.
  • If fan controller is not responding, attempt recovery by going into “Bedroom Fan” thing in app, choosing settings gear, and toggling and saving option to “Delete and re-create child devices”

Amazon Alexa Integration

  • For Amazon Alexa integration, have Amazon Alexa SmartApp installed under Automation in SmartThings Classic app and give access to either all or select devices in this SmartApp.
  • In Alexa app, go to Home Automation and click “+” to add device.  Scroll down and choose “Other” then “Scan” to find any new devices the SmartThings app has exposed to the Alexa link. 
  • In Alexa app, choose “All Devices” under Home Automation and then click on the Parent device (ie “Bedroom Fan”) and “Disable” it.  This will allow access to the light and fan speeds verbally via Alexa  (ie “Alexa, turn ON Bedroom Light”,   “Alexa, turn ON Bedroom Fan Med-Hi”).   Yes, say “medd-high” phonetically and it should do it.  (This fan speed functionality did not work unless parent device was “Disabled” in Alexa app)





Saturday, April 7, 2018

Bobot's Trains - Layout Footprints


Shown are track plans for Bobot's Model Railroads.  Both are way too track-heavy, but at the time I was trying to get maximum track in minimum space and was buying trains like they were going out of style.  I have learned a lot, and next time there will be much more landscaping and much less track for realism.  Outside dimensions of both are 12' x 12'


First permanent layout, 1999-2006:




Second layout, 2010-present:


Thursday, February 15, 2018

Supplemental Info for Model Railroad Speedometer - Part 2

This post contains supplemental information for my YouTube video titled "Model Railroad Speedometer - Part 2" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0gjTpNyC-k