How to make your "Dumb" Mini-Split Smart for $20.99
Вставка
- Опубліковано 24 вер 2023
- I recently installed the cheapest 110v minisplit / heat pump I could find on Amazon. It works great but the remote leaves a lot to be desired. Thanks to www.Smartlight.me/ I was able to install an ESP-32 based controller to connect my mini split to Home Assistant for cheap! Cheaper than if I were to try and make it myself! This wifi enabled mini split reports the temperature in the room and lets me toggle additional modes, better and cheaper than most IR based alternatives on the market!
Smartlight.me had great customer service and I would not hesitate to order from them again.
FYI - I've seen some folks that claim to have been able to brute force the USB dongle to connect without cutting the tabs. Try at your own risk!
Dongle Link: smartlight.me/smart-home-devi...
Slim Utility Knife from Amazon: amzn.to/456LxqF
Entity Yaml:
type: entities
entities:
- type: custom:simple-thermostat
entity: climate.midea_climate
control: true
show_header_toggle: false
The Dongle should work with Senville, Midea, Neoclima, Idea, Electrolux, Beko, Maxicool, Mr.Cool, Pioneer, Remko, Mitsui, Pitsos, and Comfee Mini-Split Heat Pump Type Air conditioners. - Наука та технологія
Just put these on all 9 of my MRCOOL units. Bought a key filing kit at the hardware store for $10 and was able to file down the edges pretty quickly.
this is not a regular USB, but it is a COM-port made to look like a USB, dont blug in regular USBs in the climate or this usb-stick in PC
That would make sense! Thank you!
This adapter is called "assholes going out of their way to make proprietary connectors". Im honestly surprised that they didnt make it harder.
lol, I was thinking exactly the same thing
The answer to your adaptor question is solder in a standart usb port. its really not hard to do and if one has some scrab laying around may even be free.
I will need to work on my soldering skills! That’s a good idea
It doesn't work on my phone. Only works on desktop or laptop 😮
Do you know if the Della brand is compatible? I can't figure out if the Della is a Midea unit or not.
I can't say for certain but it looks identical to my senville unit except with the plastic on the swing arm. Do you already have the unit installed? if so, pop open the cover and see if there is a usb port underneath!
What do you have planned to tackle in the pipeline??
I want to do a deep dive on lighting, mostly because there is so much variation on the market. I’ve got some footage to edit of insulation methods and results, but the math is keeping that on the backburner for now. Last one I have ready is smart home security system but I want to polish some of the automations before I share it. Let me know what you want to see!
Does all AC have that usb port?
Not all, but many do! Check the official list for compatibility at smartlight.me !
how about IR receiver and transmitter?
Haven’t tried, IR can be tricky and is reliant on line of sight
@@ChuckBuilds but not all split types have usb port
@@SuperKnightwind Correct, but most mini splits don't have a way to relay information back to your smart home via IR. They can only receive commands. Several popular brands of Minisplits in the US support USB controllers for enable smart functionality and that's what I wanted to cover
@@ChuckBuilds ikwr? heheh.. at least somehow there are still ways to control them.. Good job bro on figuring them out. Im using LG split type and cassette type though.
Was working fine until I tried the OTA update with the .bin file. Now it just keeps timing out and won't connect to my network properly. Now it's not even broadcasting its own wifi.
I'm sorry to hear that. I had contacted them previously when I wanted to reset my device to record this video and received this response: "Currently, the device does not have a factory reset.
To start the AP again, first turn off the device and your router, then turn on the dongle and wait about a minute for it to start the AP. After that, you can connect to the dongle and configure Wi-Fi again." - It seems the device will not broadcast it's SSID if it still detects your home WiFi signal, I would see if you can attempt this and if it still doesn't work, I recommend reaching out to Smartlight and ask if they have a suggestion. They were very friendly and quick to respond.
@@ChuckBuilds I purchased a few of them and was able to get one to work. The others keep timing out. Thanks for the advice. I already reached out to them. I'll also try disconnecting my wifi and hopefully it will try rebroadcasting its own ssid.
I assumed the button was a factory reset, but I guess not.
@@ChuckBuilds I turned off the wifi network, but only one module started broadcasting. I'm assuming it was the functional one and didn't want to mess with it. I tried connecting the module to my computer to reset it, but it was not recognized. Not sure what else I can do.
Kind of in the same boat. I have multiple ACs. 1st one worked perfect. 2nd one connected to HA but unable to control the actual unit. It sort of times out. Don’t know what to do!
@@jonathancastaneda5560 Yeah. I gave up on it. Literally the same model indoor units. No matter what I do I can't get one of them to work. It connects to my WIFI and when I type in its IP address I see everything clearly. When I input a command it just times out and keeps retrying. Customer support wasn't able to help me find a solution.
Nce upgrade