I literally just ordered the hardware to do the ESPhome approach. Any idea of an ETA on your integration?
Yes that does work BUT if you really want a great solution this is it:
This gives you all the controls of the AC… I used the Cielo but didn’t have all the functions this one does 
Thanks for the information. Just order two for my mini splits. Got a good Cyber Monday deal ($158 for 2) on Sensibo website. Can’t wait to try them out.
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Great deal!!! I know you’ll love the integration much better!
So much thanks to everyone here. For my purposes this is SOLVED.
MY STEPS TO SUCCESS:
- Purchased 1 Sensibo Air
- Waited for it to arrive…twiddled my thumbs
- Set it up using the Sensibo Mobile App, the process was easy and well designed. Took 5 mins not including a firmware update that happened.
- Followed HA Help Docs to acquire the API key.
- Followed @cowboysdude instructions (fix the indents after pasting into HA file editor)
- Restart HA.
- Success. The widget fully controls my Mr. Cool DIY unit! Updates within 1 second.
I havent gotten as far as building it into automations and scripts, but wanted to report my success (and delight). Thanks to all who got us this far!
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Sure the sensibo air seems to be one way to do it but there’s absolutely a 0% chance I’m spending $365 for wifi IR blasters which is what would be required for my 4 head setup.
It sucks that they locked these down so hard because the included wifi adapters are great. I’m looking into the esp option though as that seems to be the only feasible choice at this time. I’ll see if I can make a guide specific to these units if I get it done. In the mean time, complain to Mr Cool that they don’t allow local access to their systems. It’s likely just screaming into the void, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease and they may not be aware many people are wanting this. I have the DIY series and you would think since it’s already marketed towards DIY types they might be open to the DIY side of software too.
I would not call this SOLVED, more like a work around. I’m with timlukacik, an IR blaster will not work for me. My unit is in a cabin in the woods, it keeps my pipes from freezing, I need the feedback loop for peace of mind that the unit is in the state that I expect it to be in.
A direct integration with MrCool software would be ideal. If no integration becomes available, I will also be trying the ESPHome approach.
I KNOW you can use the Cielo stuff that works but doesn’t give you everything so yes Sensibo solved it for me too
I Iike the idea of using ESPHome to control my MRCOOL units.
But is there actually a need to buy/build new dongles?
Couldn’t a guy just pop the case and reflash the 8266 inside the MRCOOL dongle?
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I am ready to try this very soon too. ESPhome flashing the existing dongle (or a custom one soldered up very simply) seems like the logical way to go now that we know the USB is just a serial protocol and hopefully exactly the same as Midea protocol.
Actually now that I think about it, it will be easier to just solder a USB connector (cut off cord) into any ESP development board (D1 mini, wemos lite etc) serial pins vs opening up the dongle so I’ll probably try that first, assuming it’s 3.3v serial logic etc.
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You might want to check out the Midea thread, we had this discussion on how to get the hardware ready there as well. 
There are some pics that might help.
Here for example:
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I did a write up for my MR Cool unit here: Removing the chinese wifi from my minisplit with ESPHome. - My Blog
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That is an excellent guide!!
I put in a feature request for this integration, if you want it, go vote for it:
Has anyone attempted this?
Your guide is no longer accessible. Any recommendations on config for an ESP32 Development board? I’m not able to get mine to work (only getting TX, no RX - I did try switching them and even tried using the UART0, UART1, and UART2 pins).
Yes I have one in my shop, and it integrates from the Cielo home app/ integration
In case this is useful to others, I have deprecated GitHub - nicholasrobinson/node-smartcielo: NodeJs interface for interacting with smartcielo remote AC control API (MRCOOL) in favor of using MQTT and the excellent SMARTLIGHT SLWF-01pro (alternate Link). This achieves local network control with vastly improved reliability.
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It’s still accessible via the wayback machine: