Home Automation ducted heat pump system

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Home Automation ducted heat pump system

reven

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#157647 8-Dec-2014 12:08

I'm looking into some ducted heat pump systems, namely Daiken and LG, they have android apps and might work with home automation (hopefully I can sniff the traffic between the app and the controller to send my own commands to it).

Was wondering if anyone else has already looked into this and hopefully done it themselves?

Would want the ability to turn on the system, set temperatures, turn off, etc.

SumnerBoy

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#1190539 8-Dec-2014 12:35

Certainly have (for Daikin at least). You need to purchase the Online Controller module but then you have full access to the system via HTTP. I am controlling mine using openHAB (I wrote a binding specifically for the Daikin controller). Works very well.

reven

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#1190543 8-Dec-2014 12:39

was it the skyfi BRP15A61 SK addon? There's mention of a different adapter on the daikin for the traditional on wall device to the skyfi one available for the ducted system.

the skyfi app is pretty ugly, but the idea is not to use it and control everything automatically. Ill need to buy a few sensors off you in a few months too (after the expensive xmas period :P)

SumnerBoy

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#1190545 8-Dec-2014 12:42

It was this one. These guys were the only ones I could find that would supply it, but they were great to deal with - very friendly and helpful.

The app is awful as well, as is the HTTP web server pages it exposes, but I have never used it (aside from when I first got it for testing).

Everything is done using openHAB and HTTP requests direct to the device - so no cloud hops etc.

I am not sure about the Skyfi module - that might be something new?

reven

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#1190550 8-Dec-2014 12:48

yeah thats the other one I saw, it has a web interface, the skyfi looks newer but only has a smartphone app. someone at micasavera forums mentioned they had sniffed the traffic and create a plugin they werent entirely happy with for it, but no download or more info on it.

The people from LG Air gave me a call and are looking into the API/webinterface stuff (I completely confused the sales person :)). Web interface would make things easier, can just use chrome and look at the requests to fake it, but hopefully the daikin skyfi would work.

if neither have a proper API, it will be a gamble and come down to price, I'm leaning towards the daikin, but the LG app is a lot nicer (however I may never use it...)

timmmay

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#1190555 8-Dec-2014 12:55

See if you can pair it with a ventilation system, that way you can have free fresh air coming in in summer without insecure windows being open. Also good to be able to disable heating to rooms so as not to waste money.

reven

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#1190559 8-Dec-2014 13:00

didnt even think about ventilation system :) The daikin can do "zones" so unused rooms wont be heated/cooled, but its based on the size of the rooms as it needs some much cubic metres of air to work (or something like that). Looking into if the LG supports such a feature as well.

SumnerBoy

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#1190582 8-Dec-2014 13:26

Get everything 'connected' then you can do whatever you like!

What are you planning to use for your automation controller?

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reven

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#1190586 8-Dec-2014 13:33

Still using the vera lite for the controller, openHAB will probably replace it eventually but havent gotten around to it. the vera lite + imperihome android app work very well together, and I've managed to setup an alarm "webpage" that is shown on the imperihome dashboard, which is a slideshow of photos until you touch it then either a keypad to disarm or 3 buttons (arm away, arm home, cancel) if the alarm isnt set. That webpage is just hosted on a local pc which then tells the vera lite to disarm the alarm etc. not super secure, but secure enough for a home. I just need to get a z-wave alarm siren and a few more z-wave sensors to actually turn it on and use it.

got a sonos connect on saturday which works very well on the multiple wall mounted tablets, a lot better than casting to a chromecast which was only controllable via the casting device.

SumnerBoy

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#1190587 8-Dec-2014 13:35

Nice - seems like Imperihome is getting more and more popular. Sounds like you are making good progress.

reven

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#1192207 9-Dec-2014 14:09

Decided to go with the Daikin. Mitsubishi don't support wifi in their ducted systems (and wouldnt say if they could be upgraded later on to support it), LG have a app but the webconsole module has never been bought to NZ out of lack of interest. The LG could probably be sniffed to figure out the commands, but I know the Daikin one works and someone on the vera forum has a working (but not complete) plugin for it, looking at the code its pretty simple HTTP requests to the unit to set the temp etc.

Getting it quoted up tomorrow, EES seem pretty quick, doubt I can get it installed before xmas though.

SumnerBoy

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#1192235 9-Dec-2014 14:24

You are welcome to have a look at my code to work out the HTTP structure for the Online Controller, or are you going with the SkyFi model?

https://github.com/openhab/openhab/blob/master/bundles/binding/org.openhab.binding.daikin/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/daikin/internal/DaikinBinding.java

floydie

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#1195408 11-Dec-2014 09:14

we have a Fujitsu ducted system which the control system is locked back in the 80's by the looks of it even though its new... any way to hack into the controller comms with a arduino or something to gain HTTP access and control?? seriously fujitsu need to get thier act together when it comes to this sorta stuff.

SumnerBoy

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#1195429 11-Dec-2014 10:02

What sort of controller does it have? Is there any HTTP server built-in? Or is it all done thru a propitiatory cloud service?

Batman

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#1195463 11-Dec-2014 10:59

the NSA's gonna make you sweat bro! ;p