For the around the tree set, connected the transformer to an Alexa enabled outlet. Now I say "Alexa, trains on or off". Believe it will only work on conventional control as the transformer has to be preset. BTW, our tree and train stay up all year.
If this has been discussed before, sorry.
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I have and here are my 3 how-to videos:
I did for this past years Christmas layout.
I programed an Alexa routine to say "All Aboard, Next stop Hutton Station", then start the train running, when I said Alexa Run Train. As you said, I had the throttle preset at a good running speed. I also used a loco with TMCC in conventional mode so I had Cruise enabled.
When I said Alexa Stop Train, she would announce "Next Stop, Hutton Station", then stop the train. Guests and grandkids enjoyed it.
We also had the lighted smart track so the lights followed the train.
Yep…..Alexa starts up and shuts down my layout…..
@Joe Rampolla posted:I have and here are my 3 how-to videos:
Wow, simple, but quite impressive!
I say "simple" in part because for years I've been using Alexa to turn a living room light (and fan, in the summer) on and off by voice command, and, using routines to turn the Christmas tree and lights on and off on schedule, so I have all the minimal bits and pieces in hand to tackle something like shown your first video. "Impressive" for the way that you've cleverly used Alexa's capabilities to build a quite complex control system out of those simple ingredients, and some relatively simple electronic components.
So, you've inspired my next project -- adding voice control to my layout!
First, I found that the price of receptacle-based controllers has really dropped, so I ordered a four-pack of controllers for less than I paid for two a few years ago, and they are each nicely configured to allow two to fit in each receptacle. At first, I was going to add an inexpensive Echo Dot to the order, to control everything downstairs at the layout, but then I realized the Alexa app on my smartphone also can accept voice commands, so I decided to start with just the software interface and save a few bucks. Likewise, I passed for now on the Sonoff four-channel controller shown in your last video, which would only be needed for speed and turnout control, neither of which I plan to implement initially.
What *do* I plan to do? Well, first I'll use one controller to turn the main power on and off. I currently have a master power switch and separate switches for sections of accessories, but if I leave them all on, a single command will light up everything. Also, I recently built an Arduino-based thunderstorm simulation, which currently requires activation (and de-activation) on the other side of the layout, so adding voice activation from literally anywhere will be a real plus! I'm sure I'll come be able up with other things for the remaining two controllers to do . . . 
Anyway, thanks again for the inspiration!
Yeah I have my layout and overhead lighting linked to alexa for control, makes it easy to turn things on and off while I'm working on the layout.
I personally would be a little apprehensive about voice control that could turn the layout out anywhere in the house, what stops it from getting turned on when you're not in the room?
John,
We have Alexa enabled outlets throughout the house with no issues. Even one in my wife's she-shed to turn the a/c on and precool it before she goes out and sews.
You can also name the outlet with a weird name that no one can figure out but you.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I personally would be a little apprehensive about voice control that could turn the layout out anywhere in the house, what stops it from getting turned on when you're not in the room?
That thought occurred to me as well, GRJ, and your point is valid and well taken. I can't speak to what others have done or will do, but in my particular case, there are a few obvious checks to such exposure (so far -- it's still very much a "Work Not Yet Even Begun"!):
- First, the main voice operated power controller will be inserted in series with the main conventional power strip, so if I leave the (manual) power switch off when I am not anticipating needing to activate the layout, nothing will come on even if the controller is inadvertently activated remotely (I suppose that would still leave me vulnerable to a remote deactivation, but that's at most an annoyance IMHO).
- Second, the only things I'm currently thinking of activating are essentially just accessories -- lights, basically -- so if something *does* get activated, all I'm jeopardizing are a few watts of electricity and run-time on the bulbs. When/if I attempt actual control of the rolling stock (as shown in the videos), I agree it will be more crucial to guard against inadvertent (or malicious!) activation.
- Third, the Alexa app makes it relatively easy (a bit fiddly, but easy) to disable any routines or devices that you've created or connected but will not be needing, so if you're anticipating an extended period where voice activation will not be needed, you can easily (and from anywhere) disable any or all layout activation capabilities.
On the second point, IMHO it seems actual control of a train's operation by the methods shown in the videos is best limited to an isolated installation (or at least a separate loop on a larger layout) that is purely operated conventionally. In other words, control is pretty much limited to simple on-off operations, unless you're using a few additional electronic components and clever wiring as with the speed control. Perhaps there is or will be developed some way to route voice commands through Alexa (or similar systems) to interface with one or more of the relatively robust and flexible command control systems in use with model railroads, but since I've so far been exclusively devoted to conventional operation of mostly postwar Marx stuff, that's a hill for someone else to climb! 
Unlike our wifi light bulbs which default to ON after a power failure, our Amazon outlets default to OFF after a power failure. We have a TP-Link outlet that defaults to the last state of use after a power failure.
If an Alexa device hears her wake word from another room, the TV, Etc, she can be activated but we've never had her turn on a device.
But the Christmas tree layout is the only one that powers on by Alexa. On my regular layout Alexa turns on the command base and power brick but power to the track is controlled with a MTH Z-1000 which I always shut off after a running session. That provides enough safety so I don't come home to find my trains running.
It's all about your comfort/risk level using a smart system.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I personally would be a little apprehensive about voice control that could turn the layout out anywhere in the house, what stops it from getting turned on when you're not in the room?
I agree, good concern but I named the outlets I use specifically called "Train Table" and "Train Table Lights" in groups so that they wouldn't be common words used around the house and the Alexa wouldn't trigger them by mistake.
I have had it is use like this for years with no issues or false activations (of course now I said it), if anything I find the opposite is true, the Alexa will more often ask me to clarify what device I'm trying to turn on.
@CSXJOE posted:For the around the tree set, connected the transformer to an Alexa enabled outlet. Now I say "Alexa, trains on or off". Believe it will only work on conventional control as the transformer has to be preset. BTW, our tree and train stay up all year.
If this has been discussed before, sorry.
I'd be concerned that Alexa would play with my trains when I'm not home. She can't fix a derailed train, etc!
Let her get her own trains!
@Steve Tyler posted:. . .Anyway, thanks again for the inspiration!
Glad it got your creativity going!!!! In addition to changing the wake word to "computer," I changed the voice to the male, less irritating, voice. Makes a difference, and your guests don't know you're using an Echo. It's best not to keep the Echo on or in the layout. Excessive train noise can cause the Echo to misunderstand your commands.
Boy do I live in the dark ages! 
c What a fascinating read this was for me.
- walt
I have been using Alexa to control trains for a few years without incident. As said above, using a specific phrase to turn your layout on or off will keep it inadvertently powering up or down…..I have two smart plugs synced to Alexa. These smart plugs power up the layout instantly and I have a routine programmed welcoming visitors to my layout. It is a real crowdpleaser when everything on the layout to include building lighting and trolleys turns on all at once.
Not interested unless I can get results with "Alexa, four chuffs per revolution, please".
I also enter the room and have changed Alexa to Computer.
"Computer, trains on".
The layout comes to life, however, since I use a Legacy Powermaster I must address the track via my Cab 1 and or 2 before track current is activated in Command.
If I'm in conventional (via the Powermaster) simply turning the red knob starts a conventional train moving.
"Computer, trains off" and everything immediately comes to a stop and the layout fully shuts down.
I have a group that I've put a bunch of lights in called "OFF"
People get a kick when I say "Alexa, turn off on" or "turn off off"
As with others here, I've had Alexa involved with my layout for a few years with no issues. One 'skill' I created I call "Sunset". When I say "Alex, Sunset" it powers up the plug that my layout static lights are connected to. "Sunrise" turn it off.
I also use an Alexa enabled outlet. When I say Alexa turn on the trains they come on. What I find really helpful about it is if I am working on something under the layout I can turn the layout on or off without having to get up.
@Joe Rampolla posted:Glad it got your creativity going!!!! In addition to changing the wake word to "computer," I changed the voice to the male, less irritating, voice. Makes a difference, and your guests don't know you're using an Echo. It's best not to keep the Echo on or in the layout. Excessive train noise can cause the Echo to misunderstand your commands.
Well, late today I got the four-pack of smart plugs I had ordered, and after futzing and fiddling quite a bit installing and linking the hardware to and through several flavors of software, I was eventually successful in linking two of them to Alexa's control, and then managed to plug the two smart plugs into the layout. So, using just my voice, I can now power up or shut down the entire layout, and initiate (or end) the thunderstorm simulation!
Note: rather than purchase a new Echo Dot for the basement (or relocate the one we have), I opted to just control the smart plugs through the Alexa app on my phone for now. Unfortunately, unlike an Echo Dot, there appears to be no way to change either the wake word ("Alexa!") or Alexa's voice within the app (at least any way I've been able to discover so far). Oh, and I *was* planning to shoot a short video of me voice-controlling my layout, but then I realized that the Alexa app will accept voice commands *only* while the app is running and on top, and to shoot a video, the *video app* would have be on top, and that would disable Alexa app's voice capabilities . . . arghhh! Looks like I'll need to borrow my wife's phone tomorrow . . . 
Hi Steve,
You can change the wake word online (your computer):
https://alexa.amazon.com/spa/index.html#settings
if you don't have access to the echo to say "change wake word to........"
Also, look for this on the phone app's home screen:
Hope this helps!!!
Take care, Joe.
@Joe Rampolla posted:You can change the wake word online (your computer):
https://alexa.amazon.com/spa/index.html#settings
if you don't have access to the echo to say "change wake word to........"
Also, look for this on the phone app's home screen:
Hope this helps!!!
No joy. The only "change voice" option from that screen leads to my pre-existing physical device, an Echo Dot. There's no option that I've found so far that will offer to change either the wake word or the voice for Alexa's app iteration.
Warrenville uses 4 ZW's for trains and lights - can a Smart Plug handle this with a power strip plugged into it?
Yep….
@Steve Tyler posted:No joy. The only "change voice" option from that screen leads to my pre-existing physical device, an Echo Dot. There's no option that I've found so far that will offer to change either the wake word or the voice for Alexa's app iteration.
Have you tried online? The wake word option is here:
If the Echo is online, the option is not grayed-out.
I see Amazon is laying off thousands of high tech employees. Today I they are going to start charging $8.99/mon for Alexa to play your song lists. The free Alexa play list is her choice of songs. Are extra charges coming for Alexa enabled outlets? Probably as she needs the money.
Charlie
@Joe Rampolla posted:Have you tried online? The wake word option is here:
If the Echo is online, the option is not grayed-out.
Again, that will only adjust the wake word *for the Echo*. Even when the Echo's wake word is changed, the wake word for the app remains the same ("Alexa"), and I have yet to find a way to change it (ditto on the voice).
Try this link. I changed the wake word on one of them to “Echo” and it worked as expected. This article tells how to change the voice but, I haven’t tried that yet.
@Lionelski posted:Warrenville uses 4 ZW's for trains and lights - can a Smart Plug handle this with a power strip plugged into i?
You'll need to check the spec sheet for your particular socket, but they usually handle 10 amps.
The transformers we use are step down type.
The volts x amps (VA) on the load (train side) must equal the volts x amps on the input side ignoring minimal transformer losses due to waste heat. So if your layout is drawing 10 amps total with a transformer setting of 14 volts it would equal a total load of 140 VA (10x14) on the train side.
So the amp draw on the primary or 120 volt side is 140 VA/120 volts= 1.2 amps. All numbers are nominal and don't take in account for minimal transformer efficiency losses.
A 10 amp outlet rating is more than adequate.
BTW, a maxed out ZW at 275 watts or VA would only draw about 2.3 amps at the outlet.
@Danr posted:Try this link. I changed the wake word on one of them to “Echo” and it worked as expected. This article tells how to change the voice but, I haven’t tried that yet.
Thanks, but still no joy. However, the article does confirmed my suspicion that the app's voice is in fact fixed and not changeable:
"It’s also not possible to change the Alexa voice used by the smartphone app itself; that remains the original, feminine voice."
The companion Verge piece linked in the article on changing the wake word was also unhelpful, though less definitive about the wake word being fixed and not modifiable for the app.
If you have are using an Android phone that is a couple years old, although the phone's software is updated, the newer versions of the Alex app may constantly crash, if they open at all. I only use the app for writing routines, not controlling the smart devices, but I had to reinstall a year-old version (Feb 2022) of the Alexa app after the newest version wouldn't work after much troubleshooting.
Do all of you Alexa users understand what a massive privacy risk it is? CLICK HERE to see what I mean.
There is no way I would EVER have one of those networked, online snooping devices in my home.
@Rich Melvin posted:Do all of you Alexa users understand what a massive privacy risk it is? CLICK HERE to see what I mean.
There is no way I would EVER have one of those networked, online snooping devices in my home.
You are at the same massive risk by just using a cell phone.
They can 'snoop' on my Snoopy routine all they want! 
@Joe Rampolla posted:You are at the same massive risk by just using a cell phone.
Apples and oranges. My cell phone is not constantly listening to everything I say.
Neither is my Echo; it's unplugged when I don't use it.
I knew the negativity would soon arise.
@Rich Melvin posted:Do all of you Alexa users understand what a massive privacy risk it is? CLICK HERE to see what I mean.
There is no way I would EVER have one of those networked, online snooping devices in my home.
Yes, I think most of us do, and also understand the *massive* paranoia some have about the largely theoretical risks involved. Can you cite even *one* case of *actual* damage? No?
IME, many of those most disturbed by the theoretical dangers of modern life are more than fine with, say, gun ownership, the tragic results of which are on the nightly news, nightly. Classic YMMV . . .
@Joe Rampolla posted:Neither is my Echo; it's unplugged when I don't use it.
I knew the negativity would soon arise.
Not negativity…reality.
@Joe Rampolla posted:If you have are using an Android phone that is a couple years old, although the phone's software is updated, the newer versions of the Alex app may constantly crash, if they open at all. I only use the app for writing routines, not controlling the smart devices, but I had to reinstall a year-old version (Feb 2022) of the Alexa app after the newest version wouldn't work after much troubleshooting.
Interesting. No problems using the Alexa app so far, other than the inability to change the voice and wake word . . .
@Steve Tyler posted:Yes, I think most of us do, and also understand the *massive* paranoia some have about the largely theoretical risks involved. Can you cite even *one* case of *actual* damage? No?
IME, many of those most disturbed by the theoretical dangers of modern life are more than fine with, say, gun ownership, the tragic results of which are on the nightly news, nightly. Classic YMMV . . .
How about credit card fraud, identity theft, etc. It’s all related to your privacy.
Oh…and thanks so much for inferring that I am a gun-toting, mouth-breathing Luddite. For the record, I don’t own a gun. 
Folks, I’m just trying to make the point that Amazon is not giving you all this marvelous technology unless there is something it it for them. What do they get out of it? Information…about YOU...that they can sell to others who use it to compromise your privacy.
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