Problem with MiFlora sensor and BT proxy

Cornmeister · January 15, 2023, 7:03pm

Hi All,

I want to set up a Mi Flora sensor, connecting with my HA install through BT proxy.
I’ve flashed my ESP32-WROOM-32 (AZDelivery) with ESPHome, with the following config:

esphome:
  name: esphome-web-ccea44

esp32:
  board: esp32dev
  framework:
    type: arduino

# Enable logging
logger:
  level: VERBOSE
# Enable Home Assistant API
api:

ota:

improv_serial:

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

  # Enable fallback hotspot (captive portal) in case wifi connection fails
  ap:
    ssid: "Esphome-Web-Ccea44"
    password: "yke6Gc00oo5a"

#captive_portal:

dashboard_import:
  package_import_url: github://esphome/bluetooth-proxies/esp32-generic.yaml@main

esp32_ble_tracker:
  scan_parameters:
    interval: 1100ms
    window: 1100ms
    active: true

bluetooth_proxy:
  active: true

button:
- platform: safe_mode
  name: Safe Mode Boot
  entity_category: diagnostic

text_sensor:
  - platform: ble_scanner
    name: "BLE Devices Scanner" 

xiaomi_ble:

I do see some messages about discovered devices, but none of them are from my MiFlora sensor.
The sensor is working, when I place it near my HA Pi4, its detected instantly, I can also pair it with my phone. (for now, its not paired).

I’ve also tried using an OpenMQTTgateway on another (same model) ESP32, this unit also does not see the BT messages from the sensor.

any suggestions ?

Mahko_Mahko · January 15, 2023, 8:18pm

Did you try with the default scan settings (interval, window)?

They don’t broadcast that often so they can be a little harder to catch in the logs.

If you know the Mac you could configure the sensors and see if they show up?

Mats789 · January 15, 2023, 8:36pm

I suggest you use a static address for the BT Proxy. This is my config that detects Mi flora:

substitutions:
  name: "esp32-bt-proxy-4bfc5c-kontor"
packages:
  esphome.bluetooth-proxy: github://esphome/bluetooth-proxies/esp32-generic.yaml@main
esphome:
  name: ${name}
  name_add_mac_suffix: false

wifi:
  ssid: !secret wifi_ssid
  password: !secret wifi_password
  manual_ip:
    # Set this to the IP of the ESP
    static_ip: 192.168.0.120
    # Set this to the IP address of the router. Often ends with .1
    gateway: 192.168.0.1
    # The subnet of the network. 255.255.255.0 works for most home networks.
    subnet: 255.255.255.0

DAVIZINHO · January 19, 2023, 12:28pm

Witch firmware do you have in the miflora device?

Mats789 · January 19, 2023, 7:52pm

Miflora version: 3.3.1

DAVIZINHO · January 19, 2023, 10:09pm

In have two in 3.3.5 and works perfect
Other two un 3.3.6 and empty values

1technophile · January 20, 2023, 1:46am

If you want to share the publication done on the broker by OpenMQTTGateway, I can check if there was a change in the data format
https://docs.openmqttgateway.com/upload/web-install.html

Use esp32dev-ble-datatest

DAVIZINHO · January 21, 2023, 9:31pm

hello.
I flash the esp32 with esp32dev-ble-datatest
Put the esp32 near of my 2 miflora devices with firmware 3.3.6 and 1 with 3.3.5
I open mqttexplorer in windows and look for “home/OpenMQTTGateway_ESP32_BLE/BTtoMQTT”
and i can see some devices. one of them is the miflora with firmware 3.3.5

BUT i cant see any of the 2 devices with firmware 3.3.6

any idea? or im not looking the correct things?

bdraco · January 21, 2023, 10:07pm

For Bluetooth proxies use esp-idf and than reflash with a serial cable

Check the esphome bluetooth_proxy component docs for more information

1technophile · January 22, 2023, 12:30am

Can you see them with nRF Connect?

DAVIZINHO · January 22, 2023, 9:39am

yes!
i can see in nRF Connect:
the red boxes are the devices with firmware 3.3.6. this i can connect to esphome
the green boxe is the device with firmware 3.3.5 this apears perfectly in HA with bt proxy

both of them i can see in HHCC app and obtain data

how can obtain more data to tell you?
thanks a lot

1technophile · January 22, 2023, 4:38pm

Thanks, so the 3.3.6 is seen with null values by ESPHome, doesn’t appear with BT Proxy, nor OMG if I get it, but you see them with nRF.
From nRF Connect, could you click on them and share a screenshot of the service data, please?

DAVIZINHO · January 22, 2023, 5:32pm

yes of course.
Im not and expert but i will try to provide you all information as i can.
This pictures i take yesterday, i hope will be usefull

1technophile · January 22, 2023, 9:56pm

Thanks, this looks good from a decoding perspective. They should be recognized.

Could you try this again and wait a few minutes, and recheck if you see them in MQTT explorer.

Also maybe try the tip from @bdraco

DAVIZINHO · January 22, 2023, 10:33pm

hello
sorry i forget your reply.
I have one esp32 with bluetooth proxy thant detects perfectly a myflora with firmware 3.3.5 working perfectly with home assistant.
this esp32 have enabled the esp-idf (i flashed with the cable following a tutorial)
This esp32 detect the 2 myflora with firmware 3.3.6 in home assistant. but not data

the test that i send to @1technophile was done with other esp32 with the firmware that he say to me in the other post.

i think the problem is this new 3.3.6 firmware, thant maybe is too new o maybe the cut functionality

after 10 minutes, not apears in mqttexplorer. i will wait more…

1technophile · January 22, 2023, 11:34pm

You are not even seeing their MAC address?

DAVIZINHO · January 23, 2023, 8:09am

Nop.
Apears a lot of Mac address like the other myflora, ble keychains, tvs, etc… But not the conflictive myflora.
The ble is at 50cm of the myfloras
Today i go out home for 5 days. When i return i Will make more test.
Thanks!!!

DAVIZINHO · January 27, 2023, 10:28am

im back at home.

I can make more test, pictures, or something you like.

I think this myflora is new and maybe his firmware its diferent

BBE-FR · January 30, 2023, 9:52am

Dearl all.

I have an issue like @DAVIZINHO with BLE proxies and thus I am interrested to any progress on this issue:

I use a ESP32 (AZ delivery one) programmed with the tuto found here:

And when I test it, it works great with many blutooth devices (such as oral-b toothbrushes) but does not work with my mi-flora sensor (despite beeing located at approx 1m).

It seems that my mi-flora is only detected by the bluetooth of my Rpi 3B+ located approx 20m away in the laundry room and no more detected when I de-activate bluetooth on the Rpi.

I do not know the firmware level of this sensor (bought and updated in november last year) thus cannot confirm if it is 3.3.6… And I have only one sensor.

It is an issue for me as I am close to migrate my Pi to a better unit and will thus lose the Bluetooth… and my mi-flora if BLE proxy does not take over…

On top of it, I tried to edit the config of BLE proxy using ESP Home, but this is a little bit too much for my Rpi and I do not manage to compile… Thus I am stuck with the All in one plug & play version of the ESP Home BLE proxy.

1technophile · January 31, 2023, 11:22pm

Could you try again with the suggested firmware esp32dev-ble-datatest and unplug any other esp32 that could be in range of the non working mi floras?
Also don’t connect to them with your smartphone as it may prevent them from broadcasting.