I’d like to control my BenQ X3100i projector using HASS. It doesn’t support network connections directly, and I’m not using the included streaming stick, so the RS232 serial port (DB9) seems like my best option.
Based on my research, I think a device running esp-link combined with @rrooggiieerr 's HACS integration will deliver the desired functionality. However, the extent of my knowledge in the electrical engineering space is just a few basic Arduino breadboard projects from a starter kit back in 2019. So this newbie would appreciate some guidance on hardware selection
The description in @rrooggiieerr’s repo says I need a serial to TTL converter (perhaps this one?) plus a Wemos C3 mini. Will these two work together? How should I connect and power them? Is there a better, simpler option?
==EDIT==
For posterity, here are the steps to take:
In the BenQ projector settings, set baud rate to 9600
In esp-link, set baud rate to 9600
Wiring between the ESP-12F and the serial bridge is: TX to TX, RX to RX.
Assign a static local IP address to the esp-link device
In the HACS setup flow, select “network”, then enter the above static local IP address and port 23.
I successfully flashed the ESP8266 with esp-link, then connected to its webserver and got it set up on my wifi. Assigned it a static IP address, and I’m able to ping it from within the container where HASS is running.
Connected the serial bridge’s RX pins to TX on the ESP, and vice versa for TX & RX. 5V and ground are both connected to the ESP. I can draw up a quick wiring diagram if necessary. The LED on the serial bridge lights up when everything is hooked up, so I assume that means it’s at least turning on okay.
So with everything hooked up, I aimed for the fence and … promptly struck out:
Connection refused. Wondering if that’s the connection to esp-link.
Logger: custom_components.benqprojector.config_flow
Source: custom_components/benqprojector/config_flow.py:163
integration: BenQ Projector (documentation, issues)
First occurred: 19:49:44 (7 occurrences)
Last logged: 20:10:18
Unexpected exception: [Errno 111] Connection refused
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/benqprojector/benqconnection.py", line 212, in open
connection = telnetlib.Telnet(self._host, self._port, _TELNET_TIMEOUT)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/telnetlib.py", line 221, in __init__
self.open(host, port, timeout)
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/telnetlib.py", line 238, in open
self.sock = socket.create_connection((host, port), timeout)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/socket.py", line 852, in create_connection
raise exceptions[0]
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/socket.py", line 837, in create_connection
sock.connect(sa)
ConnectionRefusedError: [Errno 111] Connection refused
The above exception was the direct cause of the following exception:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/config/custom_components/benqprojector/config_flow.py", line 163, in async_step_setup_network
info = await self.validate_input_setup_network(user_input, errors)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/config/custom_components/benqprojector/config_flow.py", line 204, in validate_input_setup_network
if not await self.hass.async_add_executor_job(projector.connect):
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/concurrent/futures/thread.py", line 58, in run
result = self.fn(*self.args, **self.kwargs)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/benqprojector/benqprojector.py", line 264, in connect
if not self._connect():
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/benqprojector/benqprojector.py", line 253, in _connect
self._connection.open()
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/benqprojector/benqconnection.py", line 217, in open
raise BenQConnectionError(str(ex)) from ex
benqprojector.benqconnection.BenQConnectionError: [Errno 111] Connection refused
A bit confused about the 8000 here…is that a port number?
Esp-Link is hardcoded to use port 23 which is the default port for telnet.
You can also use the secondary port 2323.
I have made the esp-link installer available on the web, and for my purposes i recompiled it to use port 23 and 2000 (as my application is stuck on 2000)
@nickrout
It is very confusing, as his currernt configuration does seem to understand it needs to use a telnet connection
So maybe it is either serial port + baudrate or ip-address + port ?
edit…just checked the source, and indeed it accept both serial port + baudrate as well as ip-address + port:
conf_type = CONF_TYPE_SERIAL
if CONF_TYPE in entry.data:
conf_type = entry.data[CONF_TYPE]
if conf_type == CONF_TYPE_TELNET:
host = entry.data[CONF_HOST]
port = entry.data[CONF_PORT]
# Test if we can connect to the device.
projector = BenQProjectorTelnet(host, port)
# Open the connection.
if not await hass.async_add_executor_job(projector.connect):
raise ConfigEntryNotReady(f"Unable to connect to device {host}:{port}")
else:
serial_port = entry.data[CONF_SERIAL_PORT]
baud_rate = entry.data[CONF_BAUD_RATE]
# Test if we can connect to the device.
try:
projector = BenQProjectorSerial(serial_port, baud_rate)
So I guess if he changes the 8000 to 23 (or 2323), it should work
I used your tool to flash esp-link! You made it very easy
When ports are auto-filled, I typically defer to the default. When I get home I’ll try 23, then try 2323 if that fails. Fingers crossed
Indeed, the instructions could use some clarification. Once I get everything settled here, I’ll submit a readme PR to clarify what’s needed for others in the future.
Using port 23 got me a step further. It seems to have found esp-link but is now having issues connecting to the projector.
Logger: benqprojector.benqprojector
Source: /usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/benqprojector/benqprojector.py:277
First occurred: 09:57:08 (4 occurrences)
Last logged: 10:01:17
Failed to get projector command prompt, is your projector properly connected?
I swapped the TX & RX pins, tried again, and got the same error. Same with trying port 2000. All attempts were made with the projector powered on.
Tried again with the projector in standby mode, same result:
Logger: benqprojector.benqprojector
Source: /usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/benqprojector/benqprojector.py:277
First occurred: 09:57:08 (7 occurrences)
Last logged: 19:48:54
Failed to get projector command prompt, is your projector properly connected?
Here are my pin connections. I’ve tried swapping TX/RX on the 8266 with the same result:
Sorry…can’t be of much further help here (as I don’t own a Benq Projector)
But I am pretty sure SLIP needs to be disabled; it only allows the board to initiate a connection.
And Benq uses a TelNet connection, initiated from HA.
Also MQTT is not used.
You could try some different GpIO settings:
These are for my ESP01-s, which I use with my PelletStove,
Not sure exactly what settings to use for your ESP12-F
I disabled SLIP and tried again with the same results. I also attempted using each of the pre-set profiles, once with UART normal and once reversed.
I went through the projector settings again and couldn’t find anything about enabling or disabling RS232. Enabling the 12v trigger didn’t change anything, as expected.
All of this is with TX wired to esp RX, and RX wired to esp TX.
Kinda feels like I’m missing a step somewhere. Is there config I need to apply to the serial bridge uC? Or settings/config for esp-link that tells it how to communicate with the projector? Unplugging the uC from the 8266 yields the same error message I keep seeing in the HASS logs:
Failed to get projector command prompt, is your projector properly connected?
I’m drawing a blank on troubleshooting next steps. Any ideas?
