This article describes the information in general, without detailed instructions on how to flash, what to click, but provides links to all the resources that will help achieve the goal mentioned in the article.
Problem:
- Put the air conditioner with the following parameters:
- price: budget;
- reliability: extension;
- WiFi support - Must work on heating at least to -15 degrees Celsius;
- Integrate air conditioning into a "smart home" on Home Assistant;
- Desired integration - bypassing all sorts of intermediate servers, ie direct integration;
Section 1. Choice of brand and model.
We have reviewed a lot of air conditioners that meet the parameters of the technical task.
Stopped at the Idea brand. Why this brand:
- is a subbrand of Midea,
- is made at the same factories as Midea (and according to some data GREE conditioners also gather there)
- low price;
- positive feedback on the main sites (Socket, Hello, etc.);
- WiFi support (built-in or optional stacks)
Stopped at the model Idea ISR-09HR-MA0-DN1.
At the time of ordering, there was a promotion on allo.yua, the WiFi module went to it for free.
So, ordered, delivered, installed.
The fact that Idea = Midea clearly says the inscription on the TTX of the device - the production of GD Midea.
And also the Midea app :)
Section 2. Connecting to a smart home.
When connecting the air conditioner to a smart home on Home Assistant - plug in the standard WiFi module SK-103, log in with a password, and Home Assistant has Midea integration.
Connect and, voila, everything works at first glance.
However, over time, due to the fact that the integration goes through the "cloud" (which is also located in China), during operation, the following shortcomings were noticed:
- cases when the integration was not connected to the air conditioner;
- when teams arrived with delays, or broke off and did not arrive;
And here, I stumbled upon a telegram channel (t.me/midea-msmart) where the team is engaged in reverse engineering UART protocol Midea.
The protocol was studied, and it was integrated into ESPHome, USB sticks in the form factor of native sticks were developed and all this is integrated directly into the Home Assistant.
So, a USB WiFi stick was made, stitched, tested - and that's exactly what was supposed to be:
- "native" integration in Home Assistant without the use of third-party services and "clouds" (ie, even if there is no Internet access, the local control network will still work);
- the ability to adjust the principle of operation, additional sensors (for example, the display of temperature from the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, if there is such a sensor).
Chapter 3. About USB sticks.
- Ready-made sticks in the format "bought - inserted - used" can be ordered here https://smartlight.me/smart-home-devices/wifi-devices/wifi-dongle-air-conditioners-midea-idea-electrolux-for-home-assistant.
- At the moment, there is information that the stacks support the following brands: Midea, Idea, Electrolux, Qlima, Artel, Carrier, Comfee, Inventor and others produced at Midea plants.
- I do not add LEDs in the sticks, because they "illuminate" the body of the air conditioner unit and flash, and flashing, for example, at night in the bedroom - is unacceptable.
Section 4. Bonus - photo review of the interior of the air conditioner.
