Set Object Val/State from MQTT

[deggle]

Hello,

I'm really liking the work done here, but there are some real basics missing from the documentation. I have been able to create a page, add a switch object and can toggle this to see the state sent over MQTT.

However I'm unable to work out how to send an MQTT packet to change/set this state.

I've tried sending {"val" : 1} to /command/p1b1 and /state/p1b1 and various other topics I've made up - but nothing.

Having spent an hour messing around, refusing to believe it must me me doing something wrong - but I'm stuck. How is something this basic not in the documentation? I can't see anything in the docs about setting state with examples of an MQTT topics or JSON packets.

Any help would be appreciated before I abandon...

Many thanks.

[fvanroie]

Try sending 1 to hasp/plate/command/p1b1.val

[fvanroie]

For instance, I don't get it how one can change the name of the object's topic in order to match my other devices which partially cannot change their topic names (or at least how I can trigger updating some extra topics).

The topics that openHASP publishes and subscribes to are fixed. You can't really change them to match another device.
Maybe the other device has this functionality and you can change it there to match the openHASP topics?

If not, some mapping will need to be performed. This is usually the task of the Home Automation software, like Home Assistant, openHAB, nodeRED, ioBroker, python...

Or do I need to write some external scripting to forward/map my topics accordingly?

Basically yes, if you don't have any other Home Automation software or tool that can do that.

[regierbot]

Okay, I see one has to write a lightweight Python client to do the topic mapping with Mosquitto if running a heavy-weight solution like Home Assisstant is not feasible. I tought about using another ESP-based MQTT/UI stack like HomePoint, which provides built-in customization of topic names. However, it seems to be much more limited in terms of the UI controls. So I guess, openHASP is still a better choice.
Nevertheless, I think it could be a good Idea to add a little remark to the openHASP project description, that MQTT topic synchronization out-of-the-box, i.e., without any additional scripting or automation software, can be limited in terms of the MQTT device support. Just to avoid user frustrations due to wrong expectations.
Thanks for the immediate reply!

[fvanroie]

Well, I'm not sure the documentation actually creates this expectations (and hence frustrations). There is no mention of customizable topics anywhere. Each user adds their own interpretations and projects expectations of previous experiences.

I'm not familiar with Homepoint, so I don't know how they handle topic customization. Other IOT firmware I've come across don't seem to offer this feature either. Even so, synchronizing topics for all devices is a major pain. This is why Home Automation is a thing.

I'm willing to change "Control your home-automation devices from a customizable touchscreen UI connected via MQTT." into
"Integrate a customizable touchscreen UI into your home-automation system via MQTT." if that makes it more clear...

Otherwise, feel free to post your proposed changes in the documentation repository.

[regierbot]

So I spent some more evenings in setting up some basic python scripts to remap my MQTT topics. I do not regret it. It's quite easy once you understand the structure of the predefined topics. I really like my new OpenHASP-driven touch panels. Thanks again for your great work. Just wanted to let you know.

[fvanroie]

Thanks, much appreciated. I'm glad to hear everything worked out.

[bensuffolk]

This leads onto a question I have. I think the answer is no, but is there a way to change multiple attributes of an object at the same time? I think you need to run multiple commands each like p1b1.=xyz one after the other, as I tried the json method of multiple attributes and that didn’t work.

[nielsnl68]

what do you want precise ?

[nagyrobi]

Win 0.6.3 (currently RC) it is possible to send multiple commands in one go like this
topic like hasp/plate/command/p1b1.jsonl command {"text_font":"16","x":5,"y":4}

[bensuffolk]

That sounds perfect, I'm currently using 0.6.3 so will try that out.

[deggle]

Hi All,

Great t see this is still being developed - and I absolutely applaud those involved...

However, things in this space move at pace, and there's been some new devices come onto the market since I started looking at openHASP and started this thread.

As such, I wondered if those who are here may be interested in this:
https://twitter.com/TimAlston/status/1599407638587924480

We're starting to see devices in this form factor running a proper(ish) browser, so can use a standard HA Lovelace dashboard. I think this is likely the future of this space.

Hope that's interesting / useful / discussion starter...

Thanks again all,

Tim

[fvanroie]

Both have pros and cons, so having the choice is always better than not having options...