I am not sure what I am doing wrong, this is my first attempt at ESPHome as I had it almost fully working with Tasmota. I wanted to try something with a tight HA integration… so ESPHome.
My display section:
display:
- platform: lcd_pcf8574
dimensions: 16x2
address: 0x27
lambda: |-
it.printf(0,0,"Tank 1 Temp ", id(tank_temp).state);
// Print the current time
it.strftime(0,1,"%I:%M%p on %m/%d", id(my_time).now());
But, I just figured out… unlike Tasmota I cannot turn off the display. Tasmota creates a switch for the display. It does not appear that I can do the same for an I2c 1602LCD?
So, to run without a motion sensor… would I just use the following? And if so, would I need to assign a GPIO to take high or low to trigger the backlight or would I somehow do it with an input_boolean?
INFO ESPHome 2024.3.2
INFO Reading configuration /config/esphome/esphome-web-d05018.yaml...
ERROR Error while reading config: Invalid YAML syntax:
while parsing a block mapping
in "/config/esphome/esphome-web-d05018.yaml", line 128, column 11
expected <block end>, but found '}'
in "/config/esphome/esphome-web-d05018.yaml", line 133, column 11
Next try, seems to pass yaml check but bombs during compile. As you can tell, I am not a coder!
My switch state is registering in the ESP.
From units logs when state changes in HA.
[23:27:00][D][homeassistant.binary_sensor:026]: 'input_boolean.esphome_backlight': Got state ON
[23:27:00][D][binary_sensor:036]: 'tank_backlight': Sending state ON
[23:27:09][D][homeassistant.binary_sensor:026]: 'input_boolean.esphome_backlight': Got state OFF
[23:27:09][D][binary_sensor:036]: 'tank_backlight': Sending state OFF
Compiling .pioenvs/esphome_tank_test/src/main.cpp.o
/config/esphome/esphome-web-d05018.yaml: In lambda function:
/config/esphome/esphome-web-d05018.yaml:129:26: error: 'on' was not declared in this scope
if (id(tank_backlight)=on) {
^~
/config/esphome/esphome-web-d05018.yaml:129:26: note: suggested alternative: 'yn'
if (id(tank_backlight)=on) {
^~
yn
/config/esphome/esphome-web-d05018.yaml:131:13: error: expected primary-expression before ':' token
} else: {
^
*** [.pioenvs/esphome_tank_test/src/main.cpp.o] Error 1
Guys, sorry for being so dense… it compiles now and loads but does nothing.
I think i can remove the binary_sensor, -platform: gpio section and replace it with my -platform: homeassistant since that is where the “switch” is coming from.
Here is what I have now:
display:
- platform: lcd_pcf8574
id: mydisplay
dimensions: 16x2
address: 0x27
lambda: |-
it.printf(0,0,"Tank 1 %.1fF", id(tank_temp).state);
// Print the current time
it.strftime(0,1,"%I:%M%p - %m/%d", id(my_time).now());
// Result for 10:06 on august 21st 2018 -> "It is 10:06 on 21.08.2018"
// Print 0 at the top left
// it.print("0");
// Print 1 at the second row and second column.
// it.print(1, 1, "1");
output:
- platform: ledc
id: blue_led
pin:
number: GPIO25
inverted: false
- platform: ledc
id: green_led
pin:
number: GPIO26
inverted: false
- platform: ledc
id: red_led
pin:
number: GPIO27
inverted: false
light:
- platform: monochromatic
name: "Blue LED"
output: blue_led
id: blueled
- platform: monochromatic
name: "Green LED"
output: green_led
id: redled
- platform: monochromatic
name: "Red LED"
output: red_led
id: greenled
time:
- platform: homeassistant
id: my_time
sensor:
- platform: homeassistant
id: tank_temp
entity_id: sensor.esp_tank_sht3x_temperature
internal: false
binary_sensor:
- platform: homeassistant
id: tank_backlight
entity_id: input_boolean.esphome_backlight
internal: false
- platform: template
id: backlight
on_press:
then:
- lambda: |-
if (id(tank_backlight).state) {
id(mydisplay).backlight();
} else {
id(mydisplay).no_backlight();
}
Share the logs, perhaps the display is not detected.
You do have the PCF8574 GPIO expander module as described here Character-Based LCD Display — ESPHome ? How is it wired? You only posted parts of the yaml, the i2c-part seems to be missing?
The display is working, showing time and imported temperature variable.
Sorry, being brief. Visiting 88 yo mom a state away in hospital. Will be back on vpn this evening for more testing. Daughter at home seeing display and watching dogs.
Here are my logs… i2c device found and connections made from HA including an attempt to toggle the backlight a couple of times.
[I][wifi:303]: WiFi Connecting to 'dd-wrt_vap'...
[I][wifi:594]: WiFi Connected!
[C][wifi:408]: Local MAC: D4:8A:FC:D0:50:18
[C][wifi:413]: SSID: 'dd-wrt_vap'[redacted]
[C][wifi:416]: IP Address: 192.168.1.231
[C][wifi:420]: BSSID: 84:D8:1B:BA:F1:F4[redacted]
[C][wifi:421]: Hostname: 'esphome_tank_test'
[C][wifi:423]: Signal strength: -46 dB ▂▄▆█
[C][wifi:427]: Channel: 1
[C][wifi:428]: Subnet: 255.255.255.0
[C][wifi:429]: Gateway: 192.168.1.1
[C][wifi:430]: DNS1: 192.168.1.7
[C][wifi:431]: DNS2: 192.168.1.2
[D][wifi:603]: Disabling AP...
[C][web_server:124]: Setting up web server...
[C][ota:096]: Over-The-Air Updates:
[C][ota:097]: Address: esphome_tank_test.home:3232
[C][ota:103]: OTA version: 2.
[C][api:025]: Setting up Home Assistant API server...
[I][app:062]: setup() finished successfully!
[W][wifi:165]: Warning cleared
[W][api:152]: Warning set: unspecified
[I][app:102]: ESPHome version 2024.3.2 compiled on Apr 13 2024, 10:16:06
[I][app:104]: Project esphome.web version 1.0
[C][wifi:580]: WiFi:
[C][wifi:408]: Local MAC: D4:8A:FC:D0:50:18
[C][wifi:413]: SSID: 'dd-wrt_vap'[redacted]
[C][wifi:416]: IP Address: 192.168.1.231
[C][wifi:420]: BSSID: 84:D8:1B:BA:F1:F4[redacted]
[C][wifi:421]: Hostname: 'esphome_tank_test'
[C][wifi:423]: Signal strength: -47 dB ▂▄▆█
[C][wifi:427]: Channel: 1
[C][wifi:428]: Subnet: 255.255.255.0
[C][wifi:429]: Gateway: 192.168.1.1
[C][wifi:430]: DNS1: 192.168.1.7
[C][wifi:431]: DNS2: 192.168.1.2
[C][logger:166]: Logger:
[C][logger:167]: Level: DEBUG
[C][logger:169]: Log Baud Rate: 115200
[C][logger:170]: Hardware UART: UART0
[C][i2c.arduino:059]: I2C Bus:
[C][i2c.arduino:060]: SDA Pin: GPIO21
[C][i2c.arduino:061]: SCL Pin: GPIO22
[C][i2c.arduino:062]: Frequency: 400000 Hz
[C][i2c.arduino:065]: Recovery: bus successfully recovered
[I][i2c.arduino:075]: Results from i2c bus scan:
[I][i2c.arduino:081]: Found i2c device at address 0x27
[C][ledc.output:164]: LEDC Output:
[C][ledc.output:165]: Pin GPIO25
[C][ledc.output:166]: LEDC Channel: 0
[C][ledc.output:167]: PWM Frequency: 1000.0 Hz
[C][ledc.output:168]: Bit depth: 16
[C][ledc.output:164]: LEDC Output:
[C][ledc.output:165]: Pin GPIO26
[C][ledc.output:166]: LEDC Channel: 1
[C][ledc.output:167]: PWM Frequency: 1000.0 Hz
[C][ledc.output:168]: Bit depth: 16
[C][ledc.output:164]: LEDC Output:
[C][ledc.output:165]: Pin GPIO27
[C][ledc.output:166]: LEDC Channel: 2
[C][ledc.output:167]: PWM Frequency: 1000.0 Hz
[C][ledc.output:168]: Bit depth: 16
[C][template.binary_sensor:028]: Template Binary Sensor 'backlight'
[C][light:103]: Light 'Blue LED'
[C][light:105]: Default Transition Length: 1.0s
[C][light:106]: Gamma Correct: 2.80
[C][light:103]: Light 'Green LED'
[C][light:105]: Default Transition Length: 1.0s
[C][light:106]: Gamma Correct: 2.80
[C][light:103]: Light 'Red LED'
[C][light:105]: Default Transition Length: 1.0s
[C][light:106]: Gamma Correct: 2.80
[C][homeassistant.time:010]: Home Assistant Time:
[C][homeassistant.time:011]: Timezone: 'CST6CDT,M3.2.0,M11.1.0'
[C][lcd_pcf8574:024]: PCF8574 LCD Display:
[C][lcd_pcf8574:025]: Columns: 16, Rows: 2
[C][lcd_pcf8574:026]: Address: 0x27
[C][lcd_pcf8574:027]: Update Interval: 1.0s
[C][esp32_ble:374]: ESP32 BLE:
[C][esp32_ble:376]: MAC address: D4:8A:FC:D0:50:1A
[C][esp32_ble:377]: IO Capability: none
[C][esp32_ble_server:200]: ESP32 BLE Server:
[C][esp32_improv.component:261]: ESP32 Improv:
[C][esp32_improv.component:266]: Status Indicator: 'NO'
[C][captive_portal:088]: Captive Portal:
[C][web_server:169]: Web Server:
[C][web_server:170]: Address: esphome_tank_test.home:80
[C][mdns:115]: mDNS:
[C][mdns:116]: Hostname: esphome_tank_test
[C][ota:096]: Over-The-Air Updates:
[C][ota:097]: Address: esphome_tank_test.home:3232
[C][ota:103]: OTA version: 2.
[C][api:139]: API Server:
[C][api:140]: Address: esphome_tank_test.home:6053
[C][api:144]: Using noise encryption: NO
[C][improv_serial:032]: Improv Serial:
[C][homeassistant.binary_sensor:039]: Homeassistant Binary Sensor 'tank_backlight'
[C][homeassistant.binary_sensor:040]: Entity ID: 'input_boolean.esphome_backlight'
[C][homeassistant.sensor:030]: Homeassistant Sensor 'tank_temp'
[C][homeassistant.sensor:030]: State Class: ''
[C][homeassistant.sensor:030]: Unit of Measurement: ''
[C][homeassistant.sensor:030]: Accuracy Decimals: 1
[C][homeassistant.sensor:031]: Entity ID: 'sensor.esp_tank_sht3x_temperature'
[D][api:102]: Accepted 192.168.1.6
[W][api:165]: Warning cleared
[D][api.connection:1159]: Home Assistant 2024.4.3 (192.168.1.6): Connected successfully
[D][time:049]: Synchronized time: 2024-04-13 18:37:03
[D][homeassistant.binary_sensor:026]: 'input_boolean.esphome_backlight': Got state OFF
[D][binary_sensor:034]: 'tank_backlight': Sending initial state OFF
[D][homeassistant.sensor:024]: 'sensor.esp_tank_sht3x_temperature': Got state 78.30
[D][sensor:094]: 'tank_temp': Sending state 78.30000 with 1 decimals of accuracy
Here is the current state of config on the device. I have a feeling it is an id problem, but only guessing. This is an aqurium monitor I am building as I really do not like the units on the market. Tasmota almost works, but getting HA variables into it is a pain and the display is not a friendly. I have not tried ESPeasy, but have used it many times in the past with D1’s, OLEDs and MQTT imports. I may have to try it, but really like the tight integration with HA that ESPHome brings with it.
i2c:
sda: GPIO21
scl: GPIO22
frequency: 400kHz
display:
- platform: lcd_pcf8574
id: mydisplay
dimensions: 16x2
address: 0x27
lambda: |-
it.printf(0,0,"Tank 1 %.1fF", id(tank_temp).state);
// Print the current time
it.strftime(0,1,"%I:%M%p - %m/%d", id(my_time).now());
// Result for 10:06 on august 21st 2018 -> "It is 10:06 on 21.08.2018"
// Print 0 at the top left
// it.print("0");
// Print 1 at the second row and second column.
// it.print(1, 1, "1");
output:
- platform: ledc
id: blue_led
pin:
number: GPIO25
inverted: false
- platform: ledc
id: green_led
pin:
number: GPIO26
inverted: false
- platform: ledc
id: red_led
pin:
number: GPIO27
inverted: false
light:
- platform: monochromatic
name: "Blue LED"
output: blue_led
id: blueled
- platform: monochromatic
name: "Green LED"
output: green_led
id: redled
- platform: monochromatic
name: "Red LED"
output: red_led
id: greenled
time:
- platform: homeassistant
id: my_time
sensor:
- platform: homeassistant
id: tank_temp
entity_id: sensor.esp_tank_sht3x_temperature
internal: false
binary_sensor:
- platform: homeassistant
id: tank_backlight
entity_id: input_boolean.esphome_backlight
internal: false
- platform: template
id: backlight
on_press:
then:
- lambda: |-
if (id(tank_backlight).state) {
id(mydisplay).backlight();
} else {
id(mydisplay).no_backlight();
}
I am not a C++ programmer, I am a 34 year veteran network and facility engineer that has an adequate knowledge of bash scripting with a little perl and python thrown in. But, we have a herd of programmers at my university that writes our tools and utilities and we worry about networks. I am going to have to start watching tutorials as I really do like ESPHome initially.
I defined an input_boolean and trigger it from developer tools and from an automation.
Exchange from the ESP logfile:
[19:18:07][D][homeassistant.binary_sensor:026]: 'input_boolean.esphome_backlight': Got state ON
[19:18:07][D][binary_sensor:036]: 'tank_backlight': Sending state ON
[19:18:11][D][homeassistant.binary_sensor:026]: 'input_boolean.esphome_backlight': Got state OFF
[19:18:11][D][binary_sensor:036]: 'tank_backlight': Sending state OFF
in Section “Backlight Control” in Character-Based LCD Display — ESPHome it says:
The jumper on the PCF8574 board needs to be closed for the backlight control to work
don’t have such hardware, thus have no idea what jumper this is about, but maybe worth to check
Yes the jumper is closed. I have tested with 2 different boards, both are somewhat different but both have great information displayed but not backlight control.
Am i doing the switch state import correctly? It almost feels like the state is published to the ESP but is not being acted upon.
So, it dawned on me today while I was mowing that there is not a physical button being pressed to turn of the backlight.
So, I did 2 things to test this problem:
I set up my display to print the state of the binary sensor for the backlight control. Starting at line 13 below/
display:
- platform: lcd_pcf8574
id: mydisplay
dimensions: 16x2
address: 0x27
lambda: |-
//Print tank temperature on row 0
//it.printf(0,0,"T1=%.1fF", id(tank_temp).state);
//it.printf(10, 0, "H1=%s", id(tank_heat).state.c_str());
//it.printf(0, 1, "BL=%", id(tank_backlight).state);
// Print the current time on row 1
//it.strftime(0,1,"%I:%M%p %m/%d", id(my_time).now());
if (id(tank_backlight).state) {
it.print(0, 0, "state: ON");
} else {
it.print(0, 0, "state: OFF");
}
This did in fact toggle from on to off and back to on with the correct indicators on my display.
I tried to convert the “platform: template” to reflect a state change in the binary sensor as the trigger…
- platform: template
id: backlight
on_state:
then:
lambda: |-
if (id(tank_backlight).state) {
// Binary sensor is on
id(mydisplay).backlight();
} else {
// Binary sensor is off
id(mydisplay).no_backlight();
}
While I do see the state indicator on the display change, the actual backlight state does not change. I do not think the above lambda is seeing the transition.
Is there a way to poke a value into ESPHome, similar to changing the state of a gpio just to see that it works and is possible to control?
I might be missing something here, but why don’t you just put the code to switch on/off the backlight into the lambda for the display? Where you above have the code to print the state?
Of course there might be a short delay after altering the input in home assistant, before the next update interval, but you are using the 1 second interval ?
Sounds a bit like a workaround as it does not react directly to altering the input… but… might work at least until you figure out a better solution
Ok, so that was so simple! And it works very well.
For others that only know as much about C++ as I do, I am posting my display section.
display:
- platform: lcd_pcf8574
id: mydisplay
dimensions: 16x2
address: 0x27
lambda: |-
//Print tank temperature and heater state on row 0
it.printf(0,0,"T1=%.1fF", id(tank_temp).state);
it.printf(10, 0, "H1=%s", id(tank_heat).state.c_str());
// Print the current time on row 1
it.strftime(0,1,"%I:%M%p %m/%d", id(my_time).now());
if (id(tank_backlight).state) {
// Binary sensor is on
// Control backlight on mydisplay
// Binary sensor is on in HA
id(mydisplay).backlight();
} else {
// Binary sensor is off in HA
id(mydisplay).no_backlight();
}
There are a lot of free courses to find on the internet…