ESP32-Faikin

Everyone knows Daikin make some of the best air conditioners out there, mechanically speaking. Sadly their WiFi control modules are not so good, especially the latest models which are all cloud based, require an internet connection to even work, and are slow.

This code/module provides local control via web interface, MQTT, and HomeAssistant integration, all with no cloud crap.

PCB designs are included, and also available to buy on Amazon UK. Note, whilst Amazon have done some export, some people have used a parcel forwarder for non UK, such as Forward2Me.

I'd like to thank the contributors, but contributions are made and accepted on basis that you issue your contribution under the same GPL licence as the project. Forks are allowed on the basis that your forks are on the same GPL licence as the project.

Further manuals / links

• Work in progress / release notes
• Wiring
• Setup Manual
• Controls Manual
• Advanced Manual
• ESP8266 port of this code
• list of supported air-con WiKi
• DoC and Vulnerability disclosure policy
• S21 reverse engineered details of S21 protocol

For support, see issues and discussions.

PCB

The board from Amazon UK works with Daikin modules via an S21 connector, or X50A and X35A connectors, or similar. The design is updated from time to time so may not look exactly like this.

Supplied in a 70x70 panel as an assembled PCB with snap off parts down to two sizes.

Why I made this

The history is that, after years of using Daikin air-con in my old home, and using the local http control, in my new house in Wales the WiFi was all cloud based with no local control, and useless, and slow. Just configuring it was a nightmare. I spent all day reverse engineering it and making a new module to provide local control. Pull requests and feature ideas welcome.

This whole project is almost entirely by me, but with some valuable contributions from others (thank you). All of my bits are copyright by me and Andrews & Arnold Ltd who sponsor the whole project, and released under GPL. Whilst not required by the licence, attribution and links would be appreciated if you reuse this.

How to get one

As mentioned, on Amazon UK - but not available to export everywhere. Forwarding companies are an option.

But also, the PCB designs are published, including production files for JLCPCB. You would also need something to program them, such as my Tasmotiser board.

Someone has made (slightly older versions of) boards for sale in US on Tindie as well.

Set-up

Appears as access point with simple web page to set up on local WiFI. On iPhone the setup page auto-loads.

Operation

Local interactive web control page using hostname.local, no app required, no external internet required.

• Setup Manual
• Controls Manual
• Advanced Manual

Design

• KiCad PCB designs included, with JLCPCB production files
• 3D printed case STL files
• Documentation of reverse engineered protocol included

Basically, Daikin have gone all cloudy with the latest WiFi controllers. This module is designed to provide an alternative.

• Simple local web based control with live websocket status, easy to save as desktop icon on a mobile phone
• MQTT reporting and controls
• Works with Home Assistant over MQTT - note Home Assistant can work with HomeKit
• Includes linux mysql/mariadb based logging and graphing tools
• Works with EnvMon Environmental Monitor for finer control and status display
• or, works with BlueCoinT and Telink BLE temperature sensor as a remote reference in an auto mode
• Automatically works out if S21 or X50 protocol (used on bigger/ducted units)
• Backwards compatible direct /aircon/... URLs

Building code yourself

Git clone this --recursive to get all the submodules, and it should build with just make. There are make targets for other variations, but this hardware is the make pico or make s3 version. The make actually runs the normal idf.py to build which then uses cmake. make menuconfig can be used to fine tune the settings, but the defaults should be mostly sane. make flash should work to program. If flashing yourself, you will need a programming lead, e.g. Tazmotizer or similar, and of course the full ESP IDF environment. The latest boards also have 4 pads for direct USB connection to flash with no adaptor. The modules on Amazon come pre-loaded and can upgrade over the air.

The code is normally set up to automatically upgrade the software, checking roughtly once a week. You can change this in settings via MQTT.

If you build yourself, you either need no code signing, or your own signing key. This will break auto-updates which try to load my code releases, so you need to adjuist settings otahost and otaauto accordingly. You can set these in the build config, along with WiFi settings, etc.

If you want to purchase a pre-loaded assembled PCB, see A&A circuit boards or Amazon.

Flashing code

You will need to connect a suitable programming lead. Boards have a header for USB. The very latest design (expected on Amazon around Sep 2024) has a tag-connect compatible header for a TC2030-USB-NL lead.