MelCloud plugin

[manjh]

I installed the MelCloud plugin to control my Mitsubishi Electric airconditioning.
The plugin installs OK, and I can see a number of devices reflecting the current status of the machine.
But when I try to change a setting, the Domoticz log shows:

Code: Select all

MelCloud: MELCloud receive unknonw message with error code 500

The setting does not change in the device.
Does anyone have experience with this plugin? Any clues as to what might be wrong?

I cannot find a way to report this error in the plugin's Github entry.

[FlyingDomotic]

Error code 500 means "Internal server error". Otherwise said, the remote server (here MelCloud) has a problem...
You may perhaps contact them to ensure they know there's a problem

[manjh]

Is anyone else using this plugin at all? Or am I the only one trying to control the Mitsubishi Electric machine from Domoticz?

[FlyingDomotic]

Some people don't like to much using external servers (like MelCloud) and do prefer having a direct, local control on AC, working without Internet access.

Some, including me, are connecting an ESP8266 into CN105 AC connector (https://github.com/SwiCago/HeatPump), and use Domoticz plugin (viewtopic.php?t=28365&p=295429) to control it

You'll find more details at https://chrdavis.github.io/hacking-a-mi ... mp-Part-1/

However, generally 500 errors are only temporary ones, and are often fixed by server reboot.

[manjh]

Some people don't like to much using external servers (like MelCloud) and do prefer having a direct, local control on AC, working without Internet access.

Some, including me, are connecting an ESP8266 into CN105 AC connector (https://github.com/SwiCago/HeatPump), and use Domoticz plugin (viewtopic.php?t=28365&p=295429) to control it

You'll find more details at https://chrdavis.github.io/hacking-a-mi ... mp-Part-1/

However, generally 500 errors are only temporary ones, and are often fixed by server reboot.

Do you know of any ready-made units available?

[FlyingDomotic]

Personally, no, but you have only to solder 4 wires to an ESP8266, and plug the connector in A/C.

[Truffe13]

Could you try this plugin version, which works well for me ?
https://github.com/truffe13/domoticz-python-melcloud

[manjh]

Could you try this plugin version, which works well for me ?
https://github.com/truffe13/domoticz-python-melcloud

Works!

How many Domticz devices are you seeing? I got 7, not sure if there are any more!

[Truffe13]

Great
I have got 7 devices per unit : Mode, Fan, Vane Vertical, Vane Horizontal, temp, temp set point, info
JP

[harrykausl]

@truffe13
I installed your plugin, it works fine. I have 2 questions. The devices are updated ba a timed trigger (4 minutes). Would it be possible, to call the update directly. So when I change something in like temperature of the ac in domoticz, I would start the update immediatly by a update switch, which calls a lua and there the python. Second question: Mitsubishi will switch to a new cloud platform, the new app is mecloud home. Will your plugin work with this platform too? Thanks a lot.

[Truffe13]

Hi harrykausl

Yes, I put 4mn as the period to update data in domoticz, it is to avoid to overload the melcloud server with messages.
However when you change something in domoticz like temperature, vane position or switch on/off ,it is sent immediately to melcloud (but some domoticz information will be updated within 4mn max and not immediatly). I can try to change that to force a display update right after... I will try soon.
For your second question I was not aware and I really dont know. My plugin version is just a fork of other similar plugins managing the communication with melcloud server. If the interface change, I suppose that we will have to adapt ... if possible.. let's see
best regards

[harrykausl]

Thanks for your answer, I will try the new home app in the next weeks!

[Truffe13]

Hi harrykausl

One question about the 4mn delay you observe and you would like to shorten : is it when you change something in the air conditioner with Domoticz or with the remote control. Because if you change something with the remote control, the only way to reduce the delay to refresh information in Domoticz is to reduce the "refresh interval" in the domoticz plugins setup, I don't see other means (because no "change message" is sent to Domoticz when you change something with the remote control).
best regards

[harrykausl]

Ok, I understand, thanks!

[harrykausl]

@truffe13
On my heating thermostats I do some automations. When window opens, I store the heating settings and stop heating. When window closes, I restore the saved setting. I'd like to do this with the ac too. My problem ist, that the settings may not be correct (because of the 4 minutes timer). Is there a way, to start the update outsite of the timer?
It would be nice, if I have a switch (MelCloudRefresh) in Domoticz. if I want to update the devices immediateley, I set the switch to on. The plugin checks at the starting of his timer loop, if the switch is on. If yes, the plugin works immediateley and the switch ist set to off again.
Would this be possible to integrate?