Alexa and 12v switches.

[Outlaw7]

Providing you have a wifi router and network with internet access either through a cellular router or hot spot.

Has anyone used 12v Alexa capable switches to control lights etc?

[nfbr]

I would look at Hue rather than Alexa

[Outlaw7]

I am trying to control 12v lights all I see with hue is for 110V stuff.
Want to come back to the boat after dark and use my cell to turn on lights etc. Or be laying in bed and telling alexa to turn on galley light. I can get a 12v router to work with this.

[brownr377]

Alexa is simply a voice assistant, think of it as a gateway from your voice to Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

To control lights or other IoT from a cell phone you need a controller that can talk to the web. That can then be controlled with any number of apps, philips hue, apple home etc. Alexa or google assistant I suppose could work if you enjoy talking to your cell phone.

The issue you may run into is these are fairly new services and cross compatibility of devices/apps/assistants is not straightforward.

I don't know of any off the shelf 12V light controllers, could be rolled with an arduino or raspberry pi or maybe there's kits out there. Bottom line is you'll have to do a bit of googling to find a controller that will work for your application that will be compatible with your chosen app/assistant interface.

[odonnellryan]

Does the Alexa require internet connection even for these types of commands?

[brownr377]

Originally Posted by odonnellryan

Does the Alexa require internet connection even for these types of commands?

Yep, all the voice assistants, google/apple/amazon do the voice processing in the cloud.

[LoudMusic]

There are some projects that don't require internet access to do simple automation programming. Such as ...

> If it's dark ...
> And captain's phone joins wifi
> Turn on stern docking light

None of that should require an internet connection. And voice control has always seemed pretty gimmicky to me.

[wrwakefield]

We use our Siren Marine boat monitoring system also to remotely turn on lights [deck and cabin independently] using a cell phone. Of course, this only works in cell coverage areas...

Best wishes determining what best suits your needs.

Cheers! Bill

[Ivanvet]

Hi,

We have two Alexas in the boat, and all the LED lights, audio system and smart plugs connected to them. It's been working great for over a year.

Cheers,

I.

[Outlaw7]

Ivan who's 12v switches have you been using? I was thinking of this one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F6YZXST...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[GoldenRose]

Originally Posted by Outlaw7

Ivan who's 12v switches have you been using? I was thinking of this one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F6YZXST...v_ov_lig_dp_it

HOW DO YOU GET ALEXA TO WORK WITHOUT INTERNET WHEN YOU ARE AT SEA

[Go Wildcats]

I'm not sure of Alexa, but I'm guessing it's the same as my Apple system. If my internet is offline (tested by removing the cable modem), all of my smart devices/switches still function as long as the home network is active. I can still use my phone to control devices/switches as long as the wifi is operational. Once the internet is back online, I can disable the wifi (or go to Europe) on my phone and control the same devices as long as the phone has cellular service. I haven't seen any 12 volt switches that work with Apple Home, but haven't truly put in the effort to search for them.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by LoudMusic

... And voice control has always seemed pretty gimmicky to me.

Too much Star Trek I reckon.

[2fast2nick]

Originally Posted by GoldenRose

HOW DO YOU GET ALEXA TO WORK WITHOUT INTERNET WHEN YOU ARE AT SEA

most of the processing is done in the Amazon Cloud, so without the internet I think it will only function as a bluetooth speaker.

[Ivanvet]

Originally Posted by Outlaw7

Ivan who's 12v switches have you been using? I was thinking of this one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F6YZXST...v_ov_lig_dp_it

Actually, all the devices (including the lights) are AC powered plugged into normal outlets. I looked into the switches you mention and I'm sure this would be a good way of doing it too, but I'm happy using the inverter for now. I haven't found they are too power hungry to be honest.

Originally Posted by GoldenRose

HOW DO YOU GET ALEXA TO WORK WITHOUT INTERNET WHEN YOU ARE AT SEA

I do exactly as Gowildcat says. I have all the devices connected to my router with a local network. This router can have internet when 1)I'm plugged to Comcast in the marina through the coaxial cable, 2)through a sim card when I'm coastal cruising, or 3)not have internet at all if I'm >20 nm off land. When there is no internet, Alexa doesn't work, but because all the devices are part of the same network, I can still use my phone to switch on/off things.