Actron Air Conditioner add-on

2wenty2wo · December 13, 2023, 9:10pm

ActronConnect

marcus.stock · December 18, 2023, 2:10am

HI … self confessed Beginner on HA, I have Actron ESP AC unit and the Actron Connect … seen a few integration options, but hesitant to do DNS redirects suggested elsewhere… could you share the code for this please, one of the things I want to do is tie in the AC control with Power costs, as we will be moving to Amber Electric (wholesale pricing) and I want to Switch off AC when price goes above say 30c /kw…

Thanks
Marcus

bevanting · December 28, 2023, 10:27am

For those of you wanting to implement a solution with HA but don’t know where to start, I thought I’d share what I’d found in the last few days to make it easier.

Firstly, if you want a very simple solution where you can automate the turning on / off of your Actron air-conditioner, then all you need this (copied from the original post by Keith above for easier reference) in your configuration.yaml:

rest_command:
    turn_ac_on:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/ACONNECT{yourSpecificUnit}?user_access_token={yourSpecificUserAccessToken}
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"amOn": true} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'


    turn_ac_off:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/ACONNECT{yourSpecificUnit}?user_access_token={yourSpecificUserAccessToken}
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"amOn": false} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'

    
    set_ac_setpoint:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/ACONNECT{yourSpecificUnit}?user_access_token={yourSpecificUserAccessToken}
      method: put
      payload: >
        {"DA": {"tempTarget": 
        {{ new_aircon_sp }}      
        }}
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'

I didn’t know where to put this until last night when I came across another post.

Once that’s in, customise the {yourSpecificUnit} and {yourSpecificUserAccessToken} with yours and the rest is quite straight forward. You don’t even have to restart Home Assistant, just click to re-load the configuration.yaml.

Now, if you go to create a new button card, you can select the commands from “Call service”:

You can also create an automation:

So if that’s all you want to do is automate, that’s it.

If you want to get fancy and pretty much implement the Actron app in Home Assistant, then you need to set up some sensors:

sensor:
  - platform: rest
    resource: http://{your_HA_IP_address}/6.json
    method: GET
    name: "AC Inside Temp"
    value_template: '{{value_json.roomTemp_oC}}'
    unit_of_measurement: "°C"
  - platform: rest
    resource: http://{your_HA_IP_address}/6.json
    method: GET
    name: "AC is On"
    value_template: '{{value_json.isOn | abs}}'
    # you need the 'abs' to convert from boolean value to a '0' or '1'
    # You'll need to do the same with 'isInESP_Mode' as well
  - platform: rest
    resource: http://{your_HA_IP_address}/6.json
    method: GET
    name: "AC Enabled Zones 0"
    value_template: '{{value_json.enabledZones[0]}}'
    # enabledZones return an array so this gives you the individual zone's value. 
    # It returns '0' or '1'

Add this to the configuration.yaml (after the “rest_command”) and re-load the configuration.yaml file and now if you go to “Developer Tools” and then “States”, you can filter by “AC_” and you’ll see these sensors with proper values displayed:


{"isOn":false,"mode":2,"fanSpeed":2,"setPoint":24.5,"roomTemp_oC":27.4,"isInESP_Mode":false,"fanIsCont":0,"compressorActivity":2,"errorCode":"","individualZoneTemperatures_oC":[null,null,null,null,null,null,null,null],"enabledZones":[0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0],"liveTimer":null}

Using the above as examples, you can implement all the sensors in the configuration.yaml file and then create button cards for them.

This is as far as I got so far, with the important thing being able to turn the air con on or off from Home Assistant.

I’ll next find out how to set the temperature value and turn zones on / off (using PUT) but if anyone knows how to, please post a reply.

Hope this is useful to help you guys started.

If you template experts out there can “prettify” the “sensor” section above, please post your solution - this is my trial and error finding out creating a sensor and when it works, I just duplicate the code, so it’s probably very inefficient and untidy.

2wenty2wo · December 28, 2023, 10:38am

While all that is very nice and thank you for sharing your code to help others, I have to ask why are you doing it this way? The add-on works and I have full functionality using the add-on.

bevanting · December 28, 2023, 10:44am

Which add-on? The one by Mike McGuire?

Like others, I wasn’t comfortable implementing that solution as I still want access to the Actron app for the time being.

Someone said he created a solution using Node-Red but couldn’t uploaded it and I don’t know enough about Node-Red to try it, so Keith’s solution seems the easiest to tackle, that’s why I tried to implement it and only just figure out how to put all the code etc mentioned above to work.

If there’s another add-on other than the Mike McGuire one, please let me know. I’m more than happy to use it (more sleep for me)!

2wenty2wo · December 28, 2023, 11:00am

Ah ok that makes sense. I haven’t touched the official app since I got it fully working with Home Assistant. I basically don’t use any official app anymore since Home Assistant can do pretty much everything.

Also I hope you didn’t delete your code because of me. Always encourage users to share code to help others

2wenty2wo · December 28, 2023, 11:02am

FYI: DNS redirects are very easy to do if you run Pi-Hole.

bevanting · December 28, 2023, 11:08am

So you’re using the Mike McGuire one?

I deleted the post because I thought if you already have a solution going then what I’m posting here will be useless.

If you are using the Mike McGuire one, then I’ll undelete it because I guess there are people like me who doesn’t want to lose access to the original app. Actually, for people who may just want to be able to automatically turn on the air con, adding the rest commands in the configuration.yaml is probably still the easiest way.

By the way, is the Mike McGuire add-on easy to implement? I downloaded it and saw that it needed some key or id or something which was one reason it puts me off. I might bite the bullet and give it another go if it’s not hard.

bevanting · December 28, 2023, 11:12am

I’m ok with DNS redirects…just not familiar with Mosquito (except the real ones) which confuses me.

manc01 · January 6, 2024, 11:24am

Its such a steep learning curve with HA. I only have an in-wall unit in my bedroom but I still can’t figure this out lol. Is there a simple guide for what I want to do?

a.barkho21 · January 7, 2024, 3:56am

Node Red Flow for Control of Pretty Much Everything Using HA

a.barkho21 · January 7, 2024, 3:57am

Sensors used for Node Red Flow

#Actron Connect Sensors  #####################################    
sensor:      

# AC On   
  - platform: rest
    resource: http://192.168.0.126/6.json
    method: GET
    name: "Template AC On"
    scan_interval: 3
    value_template: '{{value_json.isOn}}' 
    
# Inside Temp      
  - platform: rest
    resource: http://192.168.0.126/6.json
    method: GET
    name: "Inside Temp AC"
    value_template: '{{ value_json.roomTemp_oC }}'
    unit_of_measurement: "°C"
    
# AC Setpoint
  - platform: rest
    resource: http://192.168.0.126/6.json
    method: GET
    name: "AC Current Setpoint"
    value_template: '{{ value_json.setPoint }}'
    scan_interval: 5
    unit_of_measurement: "°C"
    
# Fan Speed Source Sensor   
  - platform: rest
    resource: http://192.168.0.126/6.json
    method: GET
    name: "Template Fan Speed"
    scan_interval: 5
    value_template: '{{ value_json.fanSpeed }}'
    unit_of_measurement: ""
    
# Fan Speed
  - platform: template
    sensors:
      fan_speed:
        friendly_name: "Fan Speed"
        value_template: >-
          {% if is_state('sensor.template_fan_speed', "0") %}
            Low
          {% elif is_state('sensor.template_fan_speed', "1") %}
            Med
          {% elif is_state('sensor.template_fan_speed', "2") %}
            High
          {% endif %}
 
# Zones
  - platform: rest
    resource: http://192.168.0.126/6.json
    method: GET
    name: "Zones"
    scan_interval: 3
    value_template: '{{ value_json.enabledZones }}'

    
# Mode Source Sensor
  - platform: rest
    resource: http://192.168.0.126/6.json
    method: GET
    name: "Template Mode"
    scan_interval: 5
    value_template: '{{ value_json.mode }}'
    unit_of_measurement: ""     
    
# Mode
  - platform: template
    sensors:
      mode:
        friendly_name: "Mode"
        value_template: >-
          {% if is_state('sensor.template_mode', "0") %}
            Auto
          {% elif is_state('sensor.template_mode', "1") %}
            Heat
          {% elif is_state('sensor.template_mode', "2") %}
            Cool
          {% elif is_state('sensor.template_mode', "3") %}
            Fan
          {% else %}
            Unknown
          {% endif %}

# Mode Compressor Sensor
  - platform: rest
    resource: http://192.168.0.126/6.json
    method: GET
    name: "Template AC Compressor Activity"
    scan_interval: 5
    value_template: '{{ value_json.compressorActivity }}'
    unit_of_measurement: ""
    
# AC Compressor Activity
  - platform: template
    sensors:
      ac_compressor:
        friendly_name: "AC Compressor"
        value_template: >-
          {% if is_state('sensor.template_ac_compressor_activity', "0") %}
            Heating
          {% elif is_state('sensor.template_ac_compressor_activity', "1") %}
            Cooling
          {% elif is_state('sensor.template_ac_compressor_activity', "2") %}
            Off
          {% else %}
            Unknown
          {% endif %}

The code is messy and could be cleaned up by reducing some of the template sensors but it works so no bothered to change it.

a.barkho21 · January 7, 2024, 3:59am

Rest Commands to Control Aircon

#ActronConnect Send Commands ###########################################

rest_command:
    turn_ac_on:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"amOn": true} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'


    turn_ac_off:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"amOn": false} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'

    
    set_ac_setpoint:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: >
        {"DA": {"tempTarget": 
        {{ new_aircon_sp }}      
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'
      
    zones_test:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"amOn": true, "enabledZones" :[0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0]} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'  

# Script for Auto Aircon

    heater_auto:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"amOn" : true, "tempTarget": 27.5, "mode": 1, "fanSpeed": 0, "enabledZones": [1,1,0,0,1,1,0,0]} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'

#Change AC Modes

    ac_mode_heat:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"mode": 1} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'
      
      
    ac_mode_cool:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"mode": 2} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'
      
    ac_mode_fan:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"mode": 3} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'
      
    ac_mode_auto:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"mode": 0} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'
      
# Change Fan Speed 

    fan_speed_low:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"fanSpeed": 0} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'
      
    fan_speed_med:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"fanSpeed": 1} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'     
      
    fan_speed_high:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: '{"DA": {"fanSpeed": 2} }'
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'       
      
      
      
# Change Aircon Temp 

    set_ac_setpoint:
      url: https://que.actronair.com.au/rest/v0/device/your details
      method: put
      payload: >
        {"DA": {"tempTarget": 
        {{ states('input_number.aircon_setpoint') }}      
        }}
      content_type: 'application/json; charset=utf-8'

awulf · January 12, 2024, 4:12am

I’ve made a PlatformIO/ESPHome component that decodes the raw data on the RS485 bus used by the air conditioners that support the ACM-1/2 and ICAMIB-MOD modules.

It’s still work in progress, but I can already control more with this than the ACM-1/Actron Connect integration via ESPHome. Also have found a way to remotely set the individual Ultima zone wall controller temperatures which even the ICAMIB-MOD can’t do.

a.barkho21 · January 15, 2024, 9:20pm

This is amazing work, good on you mate, I am going to try it out, just need to get the RS485 module, I have got everything else. Is there anything you need help with testing?

awulf · January 15, 2024, 10:38pm

Mostly just using/testing with systems other than mine (Platinum Ultima).

I’ve been using it as my main control now (was using the WIFI ACM-1 before with the HA interface from Mike J McGuires), and has been working fine for me.

a.barkho21 · January 15, 2024, 10:52pm

Sounds good, I am going to order the module and install it.

a.barkho21 · January 25, 2024, 11:12am

@awulf having some trouble connecting to the aircon, I am using the A & B pins used for the ACM-2 (blue and white wires in bottom left of board) on the board in the indoor unit since the outdoor unit does have A & B pins.

The code installs on the esp32 and the logs show up, it doesnt connect the aircon:

[22:11:05][C][actron485.climate:226]: Actron485 Status:
[22:11:05][C][actron485.climate:227]: Receiving Data: NO

Please let me know if I have done anything wrong.

RS485 Module:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006010905080.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.4.59c7f19cen9Sqb

ESPhome Code:

esphome:
  name: ac-remote
  friendly_name: ac-remote
  platformio_options:
    lib_extra_dirs: /config/
  libraries:
    Actron485
esp32:
  board: esp32dev
  framework:
    type: arduino

# Enable logging
logger:

# Enable Home Assistant API
api:
  encryption:
    key: 

ota:


wifi:
  ssid: !secret wifi_ssid
  password: !secret wifi_password

  # Enable fallback hotspot (captive portal) in case wifi connection fails
  ap:
    ssid: "Esphome-Web-68Afb8"
    password: "XmUTGWrG0YMJ"

captive_portal:

external_components:
  - source:
      type: local
      path: /config/actron485/components

# Adds fan component per zone (required)
fan:

# UART settings for Actron485 (required)
uart:
  rx_pin: GPIO27
  tx_pin: GPIO26
  baud_rate: 4800

climate:
  - platform: actron485
    name: "Actron Climate Controller"
    write_enable_pin: GPIO25 # Write Enable pin for the RS-485 communication
    esp_fan_available: false # For Systems with ESP Auto mode, adds Auto fan mode.
    ultima: # For ULTIMA Systems only, adds climate controls per zone.
      available: false
      adjust_master_target: false # Adjust master target temperature to allow the targeted zone temperature.
    logging_mode: CHANGE
    zones:
      - number: 1
        name: Family
      - number: 2
        name: Alfresco
      - number: 3
        name: Garage A/C
      - number: 4
        name: Study & Pantry
      - number: 5
        name: Bed 1
      - number: 6
        name: Bed 2

awulf · January 25, 2024, 1:46pm

Change to: logging_mode: ALL
This will display all data that’s coming through. Download the logs if and post the resulting data here. If you see nothing at all there is probably something wrong with the connection or that RS485 transceiver isn’t working. As far as I can see from your configuration and wiring setup, it’s looking correct.
It may be just the photo, but the RS485 light there is looking very dim like it’s not receiving enough power. All mine light up as bright as that LED on the ESP32.
Another thing you can try (if you have one) is sticking an Oscilloscope or Logic analyser at the RO pin to see if any data is coming through.

a.barkho21 · January 26, 2024, 3:13am

Still no luck.

ESPhome code:

esphome:
  name: ac-remote
  friendly_name: ac-remote
  platformio_options:
    lib_extra_dirs: /config/
  libraries:
    Actron485
esp32:
  board: esp32dev
  framework:
    type: arduino

# Enable logging
logger:
  level: DEBUG
  baud_rate: 0  # Disable logging over the serial port


# Enable Home Assistant API
api:
  encryption:
    key: "**"

ota:


wifi:
  ssid: !secret wifi_ssid
  password: !secret wifi_password

  # Enable fallback hotspot (captive portal) in case wifi connection fails
  ap:
    ssid: "Esphome-Web-68Afb8"
    password: "**"

captive_portal:

external_components:
  - source:
      type: local
      path: /config/actron485/components

# Adds fan component per zone (required)
fan:

# UART settings for Actron485 (required)
uart:
  rx_pin: GPIO27
  tx_pin: GPIO26
  baud_rate: 4800

climate:
  - platform: actron485
    name: "Actron Climate Controller"
    write_enable_pin: GPIO25 # Write Enable pin for the RS-485 communication
    esp_fan_available: false # For Systems with ESP Auto mode, adds Auto fan mode.
    ultima: # For ULTIMA Systems only, adds climate controls per zone.
      available: false
      adjust_master_target: false # Adjust master target temperature to allow the targeted zone temperature.
    logging_mode: ALL
    zones:
      - number: 1
        name: Family
      - number: 2
        name: Alfresco
      - number: 3
        name: Garage A/C
      - number: 4
        name: Study & Pantry
      - number: 5
        name: Bed 1
      - number: 6
        name: Bed 2

LOGS

INFO ESPHome 2023.12.9
INFO Reading configuration /config/esphome/esphome-web-68afb8.yaml...
INFO Starting log output from 192.168.0.225 using esphome API
INFO Successfully connected to ac-remote @ 192.168.0.225 in 0.089s
INFO Successful handshake with ac-remote @ 192.168.0.225 in 0.153s
[14:09:28][I][app:102]: ESPHome version 2023.12.9 compiled on Jan 26 2024, 13:57:10
[14:09:28][C][wifi:573]: WiFi:
[14:09:28][C][wifi:405]:   Local MAC: [redacted]
[14:09:28][C][wifi:410]:   SSID: [redacted]
[14:09:28][C][wifi:411]:   IP Address: 192.168.0.225
[14:09:28][C][wifi:413]:   BSSID: [redacted]
[14:09:28][C][wifi:414]:   Hostname: 'ac-remote'
[14:09:28][C][wifi:416]:   Signal strength: -55 dB ▂▄▆█
[14:09:28][C][wifi:420]:   Channel: 1
[14:09:28][C][wifi:421]:   Subnet: 255.255.255.0
[14:09:28][C][wifi:422]:   Gateway: 192.168.0.1
[14:09:28][C][wifi:423]:   DNS1: 192.168.0.1
[14:09:28][C][wifi:424]:   DNS2: 0.0.0.0
[14:09:28][C][logger:439]: Logger:
[14:09:29][C][logger:440]:   Level: DEBUG
[14:09:29][C][logger:441]:   Log Baud Rate: 0
[14:09:29][C][logger:443]:   Hardware UART: UART0
[14:09:29][C][uart.arduino_esp32:137]: UART Bus 0:
[14:09:29][C][uart.arduino_esp32:138]:   TX Pin: GPIO26
[14:09:29][C][uart.arduino_esp32:139]:   RX Pin: GPIO27
[14:09:29][C][uart.arduino_esp32:141]:   RX Buffer Size: 256
[14:09:29][C][uart.arduino_esp32:143]:   Baud Rate: 4800 baud
[14:09:29][C][uart.arduino_esp32:144]:   Data Bits: 8
[14:09:29][C][uart.arduino_esp32:145]:   Parity: NONE
[14:09:29][C][uart.arduino_esp32:146]:   Stop bits: 1
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:226]: Actron485 Status:
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:227]:   Receiving Data: NO
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:571]: ClimateTraits:
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:572]:   [x] Visual settings:
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:573]:       - Min temperature: 16.0
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:574]:       - Max temperature: 30.0
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:575]:       - Temperature step:
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:576]:           Target: 0.5
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:577]:           Current: 0.1
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:578]:       - Min humidity: 30
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:579]:       - Max humidity: 99
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:581]:   [x] Supports current temperature
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:593]:   [x] Supports action
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:618]:       - Continuous Fan
[14:09:29][C][actron485.climate:618]:       - Standard Fan
[14:09:29][C][captive_portal:088]: Captive Portal:
[14:09:29][C][mdns:115]: mDNS:
[14:09:29][C][mdns:116]:   Hostname: ac-remote
[14:09:29][C][ota:097]: Over-The-Air Updates:
[14:09:29][C][ota:098]:   Address: ac-remote.local:3232
[14:09:29][C][api:139]: API Server:
[14:09:29][C][api:140]:   Address: ac-remote.local:6053
[14:09:29][C][api:142]:   Using noise encryption: YES