A small DYI generic mini IO based on ESP32c3. This one has an IR blaster, IR receiver, and serial port with a simple 5V - 3.3V level shifter suitable for Mitsubishi CN105 port, and similar for any RS-232 interfaces . Other ESP32c3 pins are available with pin headers for I2C, 1-wire, and other general purposes
This board is tested with ESPhome and ESPEasy firmware (build instructions below), and is easily used with home automation systems that support MQTT auto discovery, the native Home Assistant API, and the many controllers that ESPEasy supports
A 3D printed box STL files and the FreeCAD design is also available
PLEASE NOTE: Use at your own risk. The ESPhome firmwares are unofficial and reverse-engineered Mitsubishi protocol based on the Swicago library. The authors and contributors have extensively tested this firmware. Please note that not all units support every feature. If you need an officially supported method to remotely control your Mitsubishi device via WiFi, a commercial solution is available here
This small IO board was made to easily fit inside a small DYI box, a heat pump or other.
For Mitsubushi heat pumps, the CN105 connector is used for serial port communications and for power supply.
Some of the main features and benefits
- Serial port with simple level shifter for 5V serial ports
- The CN105 port of Mitsubishi ports can be used - and will then also provide the power supply for the board
- An IR blaster circuit
- Some features / command packets are easier to find from a native IR receiver
- An IR receiver
- Available to use - but not tested with any firmwares yet. IR protocol decodes from a native remote control is probably easier to do from a Raspberry Pi or similar
- I2C and/or 1-wire
- Other GPIO ports
- WiFi based
- This is almost a must have for most home automation systems
- OTA support
- Configuration backup, restore and bulk updates.
- Firmware of your choise
- ESPEasy with Domoticz over http. Device creation uses virtual sensors
- ESPEasy with Domotics and Home Assistant via MQTT. Device creation uses a MQTT configuration text file.
- ESPHome to Home Assistant via MQTT and auto discovery
- ESPHome to Domoticz via MQTT and auto discovery
- ... and as the hardware supports using both Arduino and ESP-IF development kits, almost any other firmware can be created.
- 3D printed enclosure
- FreeCAD and
.stlfiles provided
- FreeCAD and
- Seed Studio XIAO ESP32C3
- This device is well shielded and comes with an externam IPX antenna connector
- FCC and CE regulations approved
The version 2.0 PCB needs an extra grounding wire if you use the IR receiver ground pin:
The wiring for a Mistubishi heat pump:
A visible LED can be used in series with the IR LED - just in case you want to see the activity
The serial port - CN105 - on our Mitsubishi heat pumps:
The IR sender led fits inside the receiver housing:
And the device including enclosure is tiny, i.e. easy to find room for inside the heat pump:
The same PCB can be used for many other purposes. Here is for a firmware build test with CO2 sensor, I2C temp/humid and light, PIR sensor and a 1-wire temp sensor
The schematic diagram is available here. The KiCad EDA project is in the same folder
| PIN | Capabilty | Function |
|---|---|---|
| GPIO2 | Pulled up | N/A |
| GPIO3/A1 | Generic IO | On IR receiver pin header |
| GPIO4 | Actice high out | IR sender |
| GPIO5 | Generic IO | Pull-up possible |
| GPIO6 | I2C | SDA |
| GPIO7 | I2C | SCL |
| GPIO9 | Active low out | Internal status LED |
| GPIO10 | Generic IO | Pull-up possible |
| GPIO20 | RX | Serial to heatpump TX |
| GPIO21 | TX | Serial to heatpump RX |
This project uses my KiCad-lib-ESP32 repository as a git submodule. To check this out, use the following:
git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/hansrune/HeatPumpControl.git This project uses the Seed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 RISC-V module. This tiny device has proven to be more reliable than most ESP8266 modules. This module also comes with an IPX connector for an external antenna, and is delivered with a simple external antenna for good range.
5V power can be supplied over USB-C or the serial port pin headers
For more information, use this KiCad BOM
Soldering a prototype by hand is possible if you have a steady hand and a small solder iron tip. A microscope is recommended to propely inspect the solder joints.
Recommend to do the SMD parts first, then other components.
An enclosure made in FreeCAD is available in this folder. You may also just use the .stl files for your 3D printer slicer.
ESPHome firmware can be set up from this ESPHome configuration repository using the test_mitsubishi_hp.yaml as a template
Follow the README for instruction on what you will likely want to change.
By default, both the serial CN105 interface as well as the IR sender is set up in this firmware. You likely want just one of them.
In Home Assistant, there is this serial port / CN105 connected control
The IR blaster control:
No 1-wire and lux sensor connected in this case
ESPEasy can be used with a number of different controllers / home automation systms. A custom firmware build description is available here
ESPEasy requires many settings. For configuration settings and rule files, you can upload the files from this page as a starting point. Please make sure to change name, unit number, controller IP addresses, NTP, syslog host and latitude/longitude. This configuration uses both a MQTT controller and a Domoticz controller. Change to what you need.
You may be interested in looking at alternative firmwares such as this one
The version 2.0 PCB has some flaws that fairly easy to work around:
- The NPN-tranistor need to be mounted upside down
- The copper fill grounding is missing for the IR receiver GND pin. An added wire is needed if you use it
This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 for the software, CERN-OHL-W for the hardware, and CC BY-SA for the documentation and ideas.
