Added Wifi to existing Mitsubishi Hi-Wall heatpump

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Added Wifi to existing Mitsubishi Hi-Wall heatpump

timbosan

2199 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 294

Subscriber

#320374 6-Aug-2025 14:04

Hey all, I have an existing unit - MSZ-GL50VGD - which I currently use a Sensibo for, which isn't that great and is just another box I need to plug-in and power. I understand the heatpump can take a Wifi module, specifically MAC-588IF-E.

I see some previous conversations about that module but it was for ducted heatpumps so thought it better to start a new thread :-)

Questions:
* are these Wifi modules any good? Anyone able to give insight into them?
* I see they are "installer only" - is that true? I am pretty good at DIY (rebuilding walls, electrical writing - not to the board!, etc.)
* Anywhere in NZ that isn't $$$$$? As noted in the other thread, AU prices are less than half of NZ prices.

Finally, is it worth it? I run Homekit and the Sensibo integration (native and Homebridge) is average at best. Controlling things like fan speed is a PITA. And I would prefer to move to integrated solutions rather than having boxes all over the place.

Backup solution if this is not a go-er is the new Aqara W100 + a M3 hub (which has IR). I have an M2 hub and the M3 is planned, so having the W100 would give a nice 'wall panel' look with physical controls and no cable.

Thanks all :-)

1 | 2

4999 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 462

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3400350 6-Aug-2025 14:11

If you're slightly competent, they're very easy to self install.

The same goes for the DIY equivalent, which you'll see a few threads on. I've done both, both work well, I only went with the genuine article as I got a friend and family discount when installing heat pumps.

I run home assistant, both the genuine and DIY modules work well.

I was glad to be rid of the sensibo.

Senecio

2856 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3169

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3400352 6-Aug-2025 14:17

If its the same as the wifi module in the Mitsubishi heat pump in the house we bought recently then they are very good. I haven't tried to integrate it into Homekit or any other home automation application, I just use the App stand alone. I didn;t install it myself but from looking at the module I can't imagine it would be any harder than installer the Daikin units we have in our primary house. Just make sure you turn off the mains power at the circut board as there's plenty of main power stuff exposed beneath the covers where the wifi module plugs in.

Nate001

677 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 466

#3400360 6-Aug-2025 14:38

I usually love DIY alternatives, but in this case can vouch for the official module and app. For the non-tech people in your house you can still use the Mitsubishi app which can control every aspect. Also has built in timers to turn of in x minutes if you like. Schedules is also easy to use.

Integrates well into home assistant for easy control.

michaelmurfy

meow
13585 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10923

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3400363 6-Aug-2025 14:41

I've installed the module on one of our heatpumps and it was super easy to install.

The app is good, is developed in New Zealand by a company based in Lower Hutt, Wellington. On top of this they have an API called "Echonet Lite" you can enable for third party integrations for Home Assistant or Homebridge.

There are methods of adding your own module to the heatpump using an ESP-01 or ESP32 but for the sake of WAF I opted for the official modules and have zero complaints.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

petearr

18 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 5

ID Verified

#3400367 6-Aug-2025 14:44

Another DIY option is to just plug in an ESP32 and hook it up to homeassistant.

I have done this to mine and likely have a spare CN10 plug lying around if want one.

https://github.com/echavet/MitsubishiCN105ESPHome

SumnerBoy

2079 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 306

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3400376 6-Aug-2025 14:57

Yeah the ESP32 + DIY option is cheap and very effective if you are using Home Assistant. That's what I have done and it has never missed a beat.

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

mattwnz

20520 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4798

#3400385 6-Aug-2025 15:24

We have a Mitsubishi module in a Mitsubishi heat pump and it has been fairly reliable. Although it doesnt control all functions of the heat pump, such as far blow mode

Kickinbac

469 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

#3400447 6-Aug-2025 19:33

DIY install is fairly easy, you need to take the whole plastic cover off the indoor unit to get to the circuit board to plug the module in. Turn the power off before playing but if I need to tell you that you shouldn’t be touching it!

I have a secondhand MAC-588 IF-E interface removed from a dead heat pump. PM me if your interested in buying it. I was thinking I’d put a Mitsi in one day but it will more likely be a Daikin 😀

Quinny

926 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 208

Trusted

#3400672 7-Aug-2025 12:34

I bought Sensibo for all my older Daikin and love them. The official Daikin modules were $300 each, and I needed 4. I spent about $250, and they all work so well. I can turn them on remotely, set on and off timers, and know the temperature in each room. It's been perfect for me. You sound like you tried them with HA, and while mine are on the HA dashboards, I mostly control via iPhone. I wanted schedules so I can have auto turn on when power is free at 9 pm and then off at midnight. Mine are all set in the schedule as I want (fan speed, direction, temp settings, etc.), and I leave it as is. Interesting to read someone who has been disappointed with this side, as for me, it was a game changer.

boosacnoodle

1291 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 875

#3400683 7-Aug-2025 13:53

Had these included as part of my ducted heat pump install recently. The units themselves seem to work okay. There is a warning given that they can take up to a minute to update but in my (limited) experience it usually updates within about 10 seconds. ECHONETlite support works well with the Home Assistant HACS integration; however, it only works for the unit itself (not for the Lossnay, if you had one). The wifi modules installation complexity I'm not sure about but the modules themselves threw and absolute fit over having a 5GHZ network enabled with the same name. I'm surprised that this is still an issue in 2025 - they must be quite antiquated! I had to disable the 2.4GHz network to get them working.

openmedia

3454 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 880

Trusted

#3401541 10-Aug-2025 18:21

In my house we had issues setting up the WiFi modules, unless I disabled mobile data on the phone. The setup puts the wifi units into a temporary mode and the phone would drop the connection part way thru setup as it wasn't on the internet. Once the wifi modules are setup on the correct network everything was easy

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

timbosan

2199 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 294

Subscriber

#3401607 11-Aug-2025 10:14

Wow mixed bag on feedback, but then again no unit is perfect. Totally agree on the 5Ghz thing! A big part of the move is the aesthetic, and part of an overall goal of moving away from SO MANY boxes around the house (Aqara hub, Hue hub, 2 x Sensibo units, Unifi switches - I have moved one to a U6 In-Wall - highly recommended! etc.)

I do want to shout out to @Kickinbac for the offer of a module, which I have taken up. I will post back in this thread how the install went, and also a comparison of the Mitsubishi solution vs. the Sensibo units I have. I run Apple Home + Homebridge, but I am planning a move away from Homebridge to HomeAssistant, both to bridge devices back in (mostly the few Samsung units I have) but also better dashboards. Just need some decent hardware (like a Home Assistant Green or Yellow).

@boosacnoodle - can you give more info on the Lossnay comment? I do have a plan to get Lossnay Ventilation at some point but only in 2 rooms (skillion roofs in rest of the house). I thought the Mitsubishi app tied all this together? Or does that need something like a ducted heatpump?

Kickinbac

469 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

#3401648 11-Aug-2025 12:09

timbosan:

Wow mixed bag on feedback, but then again no unit is perfect. Totally agree on the 5Ghz thing! A big part of the move is the aesthetic, and part of an overall goal of moving away from SO MANY boxes around the house (Aqara hub, Hue hub, 2 x Sensibo units, Unifi switches - I have moved one to a U6 In-Wall - highly recommended! etc.)

I do want to shout out to @Kickinbac for the offer of a module, which I have taken up. I will post back in this thread how the install went, and also a comparison of the Mitsubishi solution vs. the Sensibo units I have. I run Apple Home + Homebridge, but I am planning a move away from Homebridge to HomeAssistant, both to bridge devices back in (mostly the few Samsung units I have) but also better dashboards. Just need some decent hardware (like a Home Assistant Green or Yellow).

@boosacnoodle - can you give more info on the Lossnay comment? I do have a plan to get Lossnay Ventilation at some point but only in 2 rooms (skillion roofs in rest of the house). I thought the Mitsubishi app tied all this together? Or does that need something like a ducted heatpump?

From what I can see quickly, Lossnay uses the same MAC-588IF-E Wi-Fi module. But need to be careful what model of Lossnay unit is selected as looks like some models don't do it. i'e. VL-220 doesn't list wifi as an option but these are often combined into a ducted system rather than standalone.

noroad

1027 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 675

Trusted

#3401660 11-Aug-2025 12:29

The only thing I don't like about these modules is the WPS only to connect to the wifi. I've had prosumer AP's that don't have WPS and have had to work around it in the past. I've also found that Ive had to enable WPA2 only (no 1 or 3) when connecting the WPS to ensure reliable connection. Apart from that they work very nicely without any specific firewall or internet configuration.

Gordy7

gordy7
2002 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 505

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3401662 11-Aug-2025 12:34

I used a Broadlink RM Mini3 a few years ago for a heatpump that didn't have a WiFi option...

Gordy

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.

1 | 2