Mitsubishi Wi-Fi Control WPS workaround, and first impressions

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Paul1977

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Topic # 215508 30-Jun-2017 11:44

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So I finally installed the proper Mitsubishi branded wifi adaptor (MAC-559IF-E) in my heat pump (MSZ-FB50VA).

One of the big drawbacks about this adaptor is that it requires a router with WPS, but as most of you will know WPS is not recommended from a security point of view. In addition, many routers don't offer the function at all (including my UniFI AP).

I found it was actually very easy get make it work with my UniFi:

Power off UniFi
Setup any old spare 2.4GHz AP with the same SSID and PSK as you normally use on your UniFi (I used my old Fritz!Box 7390)
Join the wifi adapter to the network via WPS and setup in app.
Power off old AP
Power on UniFi

The Mitsubishi adaptor will now happily connect to your UniFi with no WPS needed. I fully cut power to the heat pump to check that it will remember it's settings after a power outage, and it still happily reconnected to the UniFi.

I had read in several posts that it is not suitable using your phone as your main remote as there is a delay of up to a minute before the command is actioned, but for me this only appears to be the case if you are not on the local network. When on the local network commands are being actioned within a second or two. I only experienced the reported delay when I disabled wifi on my phone and did it over 4G (however if I established a VPN while on 4G I again did not experience the delay). Maybe this is an improved feature from the (presumably older) MAC558IF-E, although I can find no info on what the differences between these two adaptors are.

However, there is a delay of a minute or two on the app updating the status of the heat pump if the settings are changed from the normal remote or from someone using the app on another device (their app updates straight away when they change a setting, your app might take a couple of minutes for their change to show up). In real world usage I can't see this being much of an issue.

I haven't tested yet to see if the app works on the local network if there is no Internet access, I will try that tonight.

Cost of the adaptor was $195, so not bad since it is the official Mitsubishi one. The physical installation wasn't as straight forward as I was expecting though.

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Reply # 1809506 30-Jun-2017 12:09

I'm looking forward to similar things with my Daikin unit being installed in a new build right now... Fortunately although the Daikin app is _awful_ and they have actually withdrawn their tablet controller from sale because it was making too many people angry, their wifi controller messaging has been fully reverse engineered so integrating it with a home automation system is pretty easy, and writing an app to control it is as simple as making a basic webpage!

But yeah, wifi control of home heating seems to be a total minefield of bad and proprietary solutions - at least in NZ, and none of the good options (like Nest) work with heatpumps here... (Or at least that's what the suppliers swear is true)

Cheers - N

Wiggum

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Reply # 1809531 30-Jun-2017 12:28

My biggest gripe with this adapter is not the WPS bit, but rather the fact that it does not support 5GHz.

Talkiet

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Reply # 1809533 30-Jun-2017 12:33

Wiggum:

My biggest gripe with this adapter is not the WPS bit, but rather the fact that it does not support 5GHz.

I believe the Daikin Skyfi has the same (2.4Ghz only) limitation...

Cheers - N

Paul1977

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Reply # 1809575 30-Jun-2017 12:50

Wiggum:

My biggest gripe with this adapter is not the WPS bit, but rather the fact that it does not support 5GHz.

I have several other devices that only support 2.4GHz (Kindles, Harmony Hubs, Philips Hue, printer) so it doesn't bother me. UniFi steers what it can to 5GHz so I'm still only using the one SIDD, but I'm also lucky that the 2.4GHz spectrum isn't cluttered where I live.

I do agree that new devices really should all support 5GHz these days, but it's not an issue for me.

Disrespective

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Reply # 1809594 30-Jun-2017 13:19

Talkiet:

I'm looking forward to similar things with my Daikin unit being installed in a new build right now... Fortunately although the Daikin app is _awful_ and they have actually withdrawn their tablet controller from sale because it was making too many people angry, their wifi controller messaging has been fully reverse engineered so integrating it with a home automation system is pretty easy, and writing an app to control it is as simple as making a basic webpage!

But yeah, wifi control of home heating seems to be a total minefield of bad and proprietary solutions - at least in NZ, and none of the good options (like Nest) work with heatpumps here... (Or at least that's what the suppliers swear is true)

Cheers - N

Be aware that the NZ/AU Skyfi protocol is not the same as the EU/US one. There is a homebridge npm for the NZ/AU models, and an older Vera plugin, too but not much else as far as plugins and automation apps. You're obviously aware of the ability to send commands to the Daikin unit via a web browser, but this too is a bit flakey at times. Any progress you have on setting up something local I'd be keen to see. I've got reporting sort of working with Openhab but setting states has been something I've not spent time figuring out too much because the Daikin doesn't like being sent a bunch of POST commands all at once, and building complex strings of settings and only sending one has its own challenges...

michaelmurfy

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Reply # 1809645 30-Jun-2017 14:50

Just a general question - how is the Mitsubishi WiFi control installed into the unit? For example, could I put it in our existing unit (in a flat) myself and remove it myself when I move out? Bare in mind I do have electrical knowledge. I was going to do it with a Raspberry Pi Zero but this may just be the "easier" option.

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Paul1977

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Reply # 1809669 30-Jun-2017 15:46

michaelmurfy:

Just a general question - how is the Mitsubishi WiFi control installed into the unit? For example, could I put it in our existing unit (in a flat) myself and remove it myself when I move out? Bare in mind I do have electrical knowledge. I was going to do it with a Raspberry Pi Zero but this may just be the "easier" option.

I don't think there would be any issues with removing it when you move, as it is just a little plastic box with a long cable and plug. You just have to make sure your heat pump is compatible.

Isolate the outdoor unit and verify power has been disconnected from the complete system. If anyone wanting to do this doesn't understand what that means and why it is important, then you shouldn't be installing or removing one of these yourself.

You then have to take the cover off the heat pump then remove and unplug a couple of other bits to gain access to the PCB, then you literally just plug it in. You have to run the cable so that the adaptor itself is outside the actual heat pump, and I just used double sided tape to affix it to the side of the heat pump. Not a do-it-yourself job for a regular Joe Bloggs.

For most people I would recommend paying to get it installed professionally.

Wiggum

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Reply # 1809670 30-Jun-2017 15:48

michaelmurfy:

Just a general question - how is the Mitsubishi WiFi control installed into the unit? For example, could I put it in our existing unit (in a flat) myself and remove it myself when I move out? Bare in mind I do have electrical knowledge. I was going to do it with a Raspberry Pi Zero but this may just be the "easier" option.

its really simple

https://www.mitsubishi-electric.co.nz/materials/Controllers/Manuals/WI-FI/1_Operation/Guide_Wi-Fi_Control_Installation.pdf

Sounddude

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Reply # 1809671 30-Jun-2017 15:52

Talkiet:

But yeah, wifi control of home heating seems to be a total minefield of bad and proprietary solutions - at least in NZ, and none of the good options (like Nest) work with heatpumps here... (Or at least that's what the suppliers swear is true)

@Talkiet

Should have a look at this https://www.tado.com/en/

Looks like it will do the trick

Paul1977

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Reply # 1809675 30-Jun-2017 15:58

Wiggum:

its really simple

https://www.mitsubishi-electric.co.nz/materials/Controllers/Manuals/WI-FI/1_Operation/Guide_Wi-Fi_Control_Installation.pdf

The PCB on my particular unit was actually somewhat tricky to access, the newer model heat pumps might be easier.

Wiggum

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Reply # 1809677 30-Jun-2017 16:00

Sounddude:

Talkiet:

But yeah, wifi control of home heating seems to be a total minefield of bad and proprietary solutions - at least in NZ, and none of the good options (like Nest) work with heatpumps here... (Or at least that's what the suppliers swear is true)

@Talkiet

Should have a look at this https://www.tado.com/en/

Looks like it will do the trick

I am experimenting currently with a raspberry pi openHAB install. Have not yet got it to work with my Mitsubishi heatpump, still trying. But when I do I think I will get rid of the wifi controller completely. Its still early days. Hopefully I figure it out soon.

Talkiet

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Reply # 1809678 30-Jun-2017 16:00

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Sounddude:

Talkiet:

But yeah, wifi control of home heating seems to be a total minefield of bad and proprietary solutions - at least in NZ, and none of the good options (like Nest) work with heatpumps here... (Or at least that's what the suppliers swear is true)

@Talkiet

Should have a look at this https://www.tado.com/en/

Looks like it will do the trick

Seems like their smart home integration is near non-existent at this point. They can interface with Alexa using IFTTT, and they are abouve to ship an Apple Homekit version (new hardware) but doesn't look like anything from a smarthome integration viewpoint.

On top of that it's all proprietary cloud server based so when they go tits up, the service will likely die. I'm starting from scratch so not really interested in trying to hack together multiple ecosystems :-(

Cheers - N

Paul1977

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Reply # 1809820 30-Jun-2017 18:57

Update: it appears that the app doesn't work on the LAN if there is no Internet access.

All the timer functions rely on Internet access as well as the are all stored on Mitsubishi servers.

For me these are very minor downsides, and are outweighed by the "easy" factor of using the official adapter.

Early days though, I'll update if I come across any major issues.

solutionz

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Reply # 1809902 30-Jun-2017 22:08

@Paul1977 where did you buy you unit?

Paul1977

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Reply # 1809905 30-Jun-2017 22:23

solutionz:
@Paul1977 where did you buy you unit?

I got it through Gavin Lowe Air Conditioning in Christchurch.

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