Hey everyone, I wanted to share my recent success in integrating my DRU Maestro Fireplace with OpenHAB and Node-Red. I’ve been wanting to ditch the clunky app and control everything through my smart home system, and I’m thrilled to say it worked out perfectly!
The Setup
I have a DRU Maestro Fireplace with a Honeywell Ethernet bridge, which communicates via Modbus TCP. After some research and packet capturing, I discovered that Modbus was the key to unlocking full control. I stumbled upon some documentation that detailed all the necessary registers, which was a game-changer!
The Process
- Discovery and Packet Capturing: I used packet capturing tools to confirm that Modbus was indeed in use. This was crucial as it guided my next steps.
- Reverse Engineering: With the documentation I found, I reverse-engineered the Modbus traffic to understand which registers controlled what. This allowed me to map out the Fireplace’s functions.
- Integration with Node-Red: Since the OpenHAB Modbus binding wasn’t quite cutting it for me, I turned to Node-Red. It offered more flexibility and control, especially for complex operations like setting flame heights and Eco-Wave patterns.
- Configuring Items and Rules: I set up various items in OpenHAB to monitor and control the Fireplace, including flame height, status, and fault detection. Rules were created to handle different scenarios, like starting the Fireplace with both burners on and transitioning to an Eco-Wave pattern after a set time.
Challenges and Solutions
- Initial Configuration Hiccups: Getting the Modbus registers to communicate correctly was a hurdle, but thorough testing and tweaking resolved it.
- Eco-Wave Patterns: Programming the Eco-Wave patterns required precise timing and value settings, which I achieved through detailed rule configurations in Node-Red.
Outcome
Now, I can control my Fireplace seamlessly through OpenHAB. The integration has been a huge improvement over the original app, offering more customization and reliability. I can start the Fireplace with both burners on, adjust the flame height, and even set up Eco-Wave patterns for energy efficiency.
Tips for Others
- Thorough Documentation: Having clear documentation on Modbus registers was invaluable. If you’re tackling a similar project, make sure you have this information upfront.
- Node-Red for Flexibility: Don’t hesitate to use Node-Red if the standard bindings aren’t meeting your needs. It offers强大且灵活的解决方案。
- Testing and Iteration: Be prepared to test extensively and iterate on your setup. It might take some time, but the result is worth it!
I’m really happy with how this turned out and can’t recommend this approach enough for those looking to integrate their Fireplace into their smart home ecosystem. If anyone has questions or needs help with a similar project, feel free to reach out!
Cheers,
[Your Name]