Broadlink RM2 compatibility (bridges 433 MHz and 315 MHz )

BBoy486 · October 31, 2016, 7:40pm

https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx16JS6YUC0QEVU/?

Has anyone put together a guide on how to use the linked product with Alexa or ST?

Also is there a way to use an existing Logitech remote with this?

whoismoses · October 31, 2016, 8:17pm

I don’t think anyone has written a stand alone SmartApp & Device Handler. I took a look at the API, I don’t know why this requires an android app. I am considering buying it and building the SmartApp & Device Handler. Will just need to think through how I want it to work as it will have to be dynamic. Meaning creating virtual devices for devices controlled through the Broadlink and most of them won’t report back. It will still be better than a harmony as it will be cheaper and you won’t have to worry about “activities”.

ing3nieur · November 1, 2016, 1:30am

Here is beckyricha’s code with instructions.

github.com

beckyricha/Broadlink-RM-SmartThings-Alexa/blob/master/RM Bridge LAN Readme.md

# Read the main <a href='https://beckyricha.github.io/Broadlink-RM-SmartThings-Alexa.html'>readme</a> for this repository first!
This document contains the setup instructions for the SmartApp version that uses the SmartThings hub for local LAN control and the app "RM Bridge" as a bridge.

## Set-up your Broadlink RM:
I used the app designed for this device by its manufacturer (<a href='https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.broadlink.rmt&hl=en'>e-Control</a>, available in the play store) to set it up.  I only use this app for this setup but it can be installed and run on multiple devices if you also want to control things using the app directly.  It's not bad on its own.  My Broadlink arrived with a manual only in Chinese, but install the e-Control app and follow its instructions to add your broadlink RM device to your wifi network. Don’t worry - the app is in English.  I did not take detailed notes during this section and mine is already set up, but it was like many other apps.  You can also add devices in the Broadlink e-Control app as you wish (for instance if you also want to use that app for device control), but that does not affect anything in the RM Bridge app or in SmartThings if you are using this version of my code.  
 
## Set up your Android bridge:
Install the RM Bridge app, change any of the settings you wish and press the red circle where it says "stopped" to start the service. This code will only work while this service is running. Note the ip address and port where the bridge is operating, as well as your user name and password if you are using them.  It will be most reliable if you can set your android up with a static ip address, but that is beyond the scope of this tutorial (it can vary for different android devices but is usually accessible under wifi settings by long pressing the name of your wifi network and selecting the advanced options).  

## Add some devices to control:
For this to work, you need to record devices directly using a web portal that is designed for setting up devices with the "RM Bridge" app.  You might want to read through this whole section before trying one, as both the concept and the steps are important.  To make devices work with this app, you need to set them up in a very specific way.  

We are going to add devices here and assign them functions that happen when you turn them on and when you turn them off in smartthings. This doesn't need to actually be the power button on your remote.  Let's walk through the steps, and then I will explain some creative ways to use them afterward.  

1. From a device on the same network as your Broadlink and bridge, go to http://rm-bridge.fun2code.de/rm_manage/index.html
2. Click the "manage codes" button with the wrench icon
3. Click "create new codes"
4. Enter the local IP and port that the RM bridge app shows when you start it up, and click "load devices." (note - if you added security in the RM Bridge settings, you will need to enter your user name and password when prompted.)
5. Select the desired Broadlink device when it comes up, noting that you need to record codes to the same Broadlink that you will want to send the commands from (for instance if you have them in more than one room).  If your devices shows up in Chinese characters, you can change their names in the e-control app to make this easier.
6. Enter the device name in the box for that on the web page, with some very specific rules.  For my device handler to work, the device name is not optional as it says here.  This is what I will hopefully be able to skip with a smart app, but for this quick version you still have to learn and specifically name codes for on and off, as follows: Name of device exactly as it will appear in smartthings (can include spaces if you want), then a space (important), then either the word "on" or "off" (lower case matters for the words on and off).  Devices are not required to have both on and off commands recorded, but you do have to record separately whichever you want to work, even if both use the same button such as a toggle switch.  See the end of this section for some creative ways to use this feature.

This file has been truncated. show original

This will give you basic on/off control. Status is not reported because you are not controlling smart devices. So the SmartThings app will always show that the device is ON.

User itsamti (a few posts above) forked beckyricha’s code so that the SmartThings remembers the last command you sent. If you decide to use itsamti’s code, read his directions carefully because he uses Device ID instead of Device Name.

I personally use a hybrid of beckyricha & itsamti’s code.

whoismoses · November 1, 2016, 1:57am

I’m wondering why the need for the android bridge. Why can’t ST send LAN requests. Maybe I’m wrong, will look into it.

ing3nieur · November 1, 2016, 2:01am

This is taken directly from beckyricha’s github page: "Android app used to “bridge” between the Broadlink and web-based services like smartthings. This is needed because Broadlink does not publish information that would allow users to directly interface with it. "

I use a cheap android box to run my bridge and it’s been working fine.

itsamti · November 1, 2016, 2:44am

You may need to look at broadlink api doumentation and may be reverse engineer RM Bridge code to understand what rm bridge does after getting http commands.

There may be a chance to skip RM bridge if we understand how RM bridge sends on/off commands.

As others, i have android tv box so no issues for me.

m1key · November 1, 2016, 9:09am

@ing3nieur Would you mind sharing your code? @itsamti I couldn’t get your code working either and have no coding knowledge but would love to learn

ing3nieur · November 1, 2016, 3:02pm

@m1key here you go: https://goo.gl/fqXyHT

Keep in mind I’m not a coder as well. I just looked over @itsamti code and pasted bits and pieces of them into beckyricha’s original code. Basically I inserted itsamti’s buttons. I also used his code to change from using Device Name to Device ID. So when you create a new SmartThings Device, you would place whatever you named the device in RM Bridge in the Device ID field instead of Device Name. This gives you the flexibility to change the SmartThings device name without having to change the RM Bridge code.

m1key · November 1, 2016, 3:24pm

Thanks @ing3nieur, I’ll have a look at the differences later, I’m sure I’ll learn something from it and thanks @itsamti, beckyricha, @Rudi_Pittman

e_sully · November 16, 2016, 10:16pm

Thanks to @beckyricha and the others on this topic for the RM2 support. Thought I would share some details on my experience to help others. I’m using the newest RM-Pro. Tried the RM mini3, but had intermittent WiFi connection problems. For the RM-bridge, I run it on an old Fire TV stick connected to constant power. Once I set it up while plugged into a TV and enabled “launch on startup”, I disconnected it from the TV and just leave it plugged into power. Works great. Sideloading the RM bridge app to the Fire stick was simple as well. A few other observations from my experience:

The RM-bridge app had to be running on the same WiFi SSID as the RM-Pro. I have several SSIDs in my home that are all on the same network, but it wouldn’t work unless the the bridge app and the device were on the same SSID.
When learning IR commands, I had to press the button on the remote immediately after clicking the learn button on the fun2code web page. Otherwise, I would get an error.
This may be obvious to others, but if you are just using the ST Hub/RM-bridge on your local network, you can use the offline version of the fun2code pages (which you download from that site) and learn codes that way. You do not need to mess with your firewall. Just put the local IP address of the device running RM-bridge into the STApp code.

wjflier · November 29, 2016, 1:39pm

I’ve been using the RM Bridge Switch Cloud Multikeys for a couple of months, now it doesn’t work.
redid everything from scratch and still no joy. Anyone know of anything going on with this?

Thanks.
Bill

desertblade · December 4, 2016, 2:20am

Just got this working. I skipped the smartApp and just created a custom device handler with the commands being sent to the hub. Still need the Android App running.

Super stoked I can control my Christmas tree through ST. If Anyone has a Smart Tech Christmas tree should look into this.

@beckyricha1 thanks for doing the leg work on this.

beckyricha1 · December 4, 2016, 4:34am

Excellent. I’m glad you got it working. After I finish some other projects
I hope to do some clean up on it that will make it easier. There are a
couple of good contributions from pull requests I want to follow up on. My
bigger goal is to write an Alexa app that can skip smart things with this,
but that’s down my list a bit from some other projects.

desertblade · December 4, 2016, 5:00am

I am hoping to figure out how to remove the Android requirement. Going to be doing some packet sniffing in the next week or so.

inzimam · December 17, 2016, 11:33pm

Hi Becky

THanks you very much for the work you have done to bring us the RM Bridge app.

I have been using it but am now trying to figure out how to change channels on my Sky box.

I have seen it is quite easy in the E-Control app - is there a way to export buttons from this to your app?

beckyricha1 · December 18, 2016, 10:19am

I’m glad you’re enjoying it. My tree is hooked up this way too. Mine has
remit control, but anyone can do it with the etekcity outlets. I also
hooked up my Christmas village and some other lit up decorations. “Alexa,
turn on Christmas” lights the place up. Turn off Christmas sounds a little
sad, but is effective

superhell2001 · December 19, 2016, 2:42am

This + Etekcity ZAP remote controlled plugs x5 is like the cheapest smart plug combo.

I used the device handler code here: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/itsamti/Broadlink-RM-SmartThings-Alexa/master/Broadlink%20RM%20Bridge%20Switch%20LAN

To record EtekcityZAP remote controlled plugs, you need to click and hold the button for a second multiple times instead of holding the button the entire time.

When creating new devices, make sure you put the exact name (case sensitive) you used on the RM bridge WEBSITE as device IDs.

itsamti · December 20, 2016, 4:38pm

Just got Compustar Car remote starter installed on both my cars. It also got 3 times lock button press to start car feature too.

I was expecting RM2 can learn either Compustar remote or OEM remote, No go for me

Now only way i could figure is

buy spare remote from ebay for 10 dollars
solder hard wire on lock button
use relay to Etekcity outlet to on/off Lock button
Write custom device handler which will ON/OFF lock button 3 times

Still thinking before i go that route or do i really need it. I dont want my 4 yr old to tell Alexa to start Dad’s car

Did someone else tried it with RM2 and got any positive results?

superhell2001 · December 20, 2016, 8:40pm

Anyone tried to learn Simplisafe’s fob’s codes?
This would make the alarm respond faster instead of using the web request method.

desertblade · December 21, 2016, 12:34am

Doubt it will work for car remotes or garage door openers, at least any made in the last 10-15 years. It would be very easy to be listening for codes and replaying them. It was a common attack to listen for garage codes years ago (or so I am told)

Nowadays they usually rely on rolling codes. You can still intercept and bypass with the right hardware, but way more difficult.

I would assume the same for SImplesafe fobs.

Broadlink RM2 compatibility (bridges 433 MHz and 315 MHz )

Customers

Developers

Download the SmartThings App