Build a DIY Alexa Timer with Physical Display

Learn how to create a DIY Alexa Timer with a physical display using Node-RED and enhance your smart home experience.

Posted by Nina Alvarez on May 11, 2025 · 5 mins read

Build a DIY Alexa Timer with Physical Display

Have you ever set a timer with your Alexa device and wished you could see the countdown without having to ask her how much time is left? Or maybe you want to impress your friends with a cool DIY project that merges smart technology with some tactile elements. Today, I’m excited to show you how to build a simple yet effective DIY Alexa timer with a physical display using Node-RED! This project is perfect for beginners and will enhance your smart home experience.

Step-by-step Setup Guide

1. Gather Your Supplies

Before we dive into the setup, let’s gather the materials you’ll need:

  • An Amazon Echo device (to interact with Alexa)
  • A Raspberry Pi or similar microcontroller
  • A 16x2 LCD display or OLED display
  • Jumper wires
  • Breadboard (optional, for neat connections)
  • Node-RED installed on your Raspberry Pi

2. Set Up Node-RED

First, make sure you have Node-RED installed on your Raspberry Pi. If you haven’t done this yet, check out the official Node-RED documentation for installation instructions. Once installed, head to the Node-RED editor, usually found at http://<your-raspberry-pi-ip>:1880.

3. Create the Node-RED Flow

Now, let’s build your flow:

  • Access the Node-RED Editor: Open your browser and go to the Node-RED interface as mentioned above.
  • Add an alexa-home-skill Node: You’ll need to install the node-red-contrib-alexa-home-skill package if you haven’t done so. Once installed, drag an alexa-home-skill node onto your flow.
  • Set the Timer Intent: Configure the node to recognize a command like “Set a timer for X minutes.” This can be done by setting the appropriate intents in the node’s configuration.
  • Use a Function Node: Connect a Function node between the alexa-home-skill node and a display node. Within the Function node, write code to parse the timer duration from the command.

var timerDuration = msg.payload.timer; // Extract the timer duration msg.payload = timerDuration; // Prepare the message for the next node return msg;

  • Add a Display Node: Depending on your LCD setup, add a node to handle the display. If you are using an LCD, you might want to use a suitable LCD library to interface it with your Raspberry Pi.

4. Connect It All Together

Ensure all nodes are connected correctly:

  • Connect the output of the alexa-home-skill node to the Function node.
  • Connect the Function node to the display node.

5. Deploy Your Flow

Once you have your nodes connected, click on the Deploy button. Now your Node-RED flow should be live, ready to receive commands from Alexa and display the timer!

6. Final Configuration

  • Make sure your Echo device recognizes your Alexa skill and can communicate with your Node-RED instance.
  • Test your setup by saying something like, “Alexa, set a timer for 5 minutes,” and watch as your display shows the countdown.

Helpful Tips

  • Experiment with Designs: Consider adding more functionality, like additional timer settings or a feature to stop the timer through another voice command.
  • Use Node-RED Flow Examples: Check out node-red flow examples for inspiration and additional nodes you can integrate into your project.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

  • Connection Issues: If Alexa can’t connect to your Node-RED flow, check your network settings. Ensure your Raspberry Pi and Echo device are on the same network.
  • Incorrect Timer Setup: Double-check the intents in your Alexa skill to ensure they match what you’ve configured in your Node-RED settings.
  • LCD Not Displaying: Ensure the wiring is correct and that the libraries for your specific display type are properly installed and configured.

Final Thoughts

Building a DIY Alexa Timer with a physical display is a fantastic project that combines voice technology with hardware. It not only makes setting and viewing timers easier but also serves as an excellent introduction to the world of smart home automation. If you enjoy this project, there are countless other ways to utilize Alexa within your smart home, particularly using tools like Node-RED.

Don’t hesitate to share your experience, ask questions, or suggest improvements in the comments below. Happy crafting, and may your timers always be perfectly on time!

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