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vincedarley / homebridge-plugin-bwaspa

Control Balboa BWA Spa through Homebridge/Homekit
Apache License 2.0
18 stars 7 forks source link

ESP32 Based Replacement for WiFi Module #27

Open NorthernMan54 opened 2 months ago

NorthernMan54 commented 2 months ago

@vincedarley I recently created an ESP32 based replacement for the Balboa WifI module, esp32_balboa_spa so that I could control it from Homebridge and other sources.

I thought I would share this here in case others are looking for options around connecting their Balboa based Spa controller to Homebridge.

Also with your plugin and the Eva app I was able to create an automation to switch the Spa between high and low heat range on a daily basis, so I could avoid running the heater when my electricity rates where highest. And having the time sync, was also helpful, as I was able to change the timing of the filter running to the lower cost electricity times.

PS - Your plugin works really good.

vincedarley commented 2 months ago

Thanks - for clarity, your ESP32 replacement is effectively like-for-like, so my homebridge plugin can talk to your esp32 replacement (which I imagine is more reliable than Balboa's!)? I love the e-ink display capability you have built - I will have to try our your work at some point... (another on the to-do list).

I do the same daily high/low automation as you - almost only ever heat my Spa with very cheap electricity. It's my favourite hands-free automation - makes me very happy!

NorthernMan54 commented 2 months ago

Correct, my ESP32 replacement is mostly like-for-like, it does not support the Balboa cloud, but for 'LOCAL CONNECT' it works perfectly.

In regards to reliability, I don't have access to the Balboa version, so I don't know how reliable it is to compare, but I did some tricks like cache the SPA config and other values, as I found the spa controller was a bit problematic in returning them. Currently the Balboa app, in LOCAL CONNECT works almost every time, where previously it was a bit problematic.

In regards to the ePaper display, I'm have ordered this - ESP32-S3 Arduino LVGL WIFI&Bluetooth Development Board 4.0 "480 * 480 Smart Display 4.0 inch LCD TFT Module Capacitive Touch

As I think this would make a better display. If your going to buy something, you may want to wait