Integrating Medify Air Purifiers with ESPHome: A Step-by-Step Guide

General
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Integrating smart devices into my home setup has always been a rewarding challenge, and recently, I decided to tackle the Medify Air Purifiers. These devices had no smart features out of the box, which was frustrating, but I saw an opportunity to enhance their functionality using ESPHome. Here’s how I did it!

The Challenge
My Medify MA-40 and MA-112 units were simple yet effective air purifiers, but their lack of smart integration was a letdown. I wanted to control them via Home Assistant, monitor filter life, and adjust settings remotely. The solution? A DIY approach with ESP32 development boards.

The Solution

  1. Disassembly and Wiring

    • I opened the units to access the control boards and connected an ESP32 Dev Board using jumper cables. For the MA-40, I used pins for fan control (H, M, L) and ionizer (ION). For the MA-112, I focused on the fan speed control and tachometer feedback.

  2. ESPHome Configuration

    • I configured the ESPHome setup to handle fan speeds, filter life tracking, and remote control. The code included sensors for filter life, switches for fan speeds, and a button to reset the filter timer.

  3. Integration with Home Assistant

    • After setting up the ESP32, I integrated the devices into Home Assistant. Now, I can monitor and control the air purifiers from the Home Assistant interface, even when away from home via VPN.

Results
This integration has been a game-changer. I can now:

  • Control fan speeds remotely.
  • Monitor filter life and receive notifications when it’s time to replace.
  • Access the devices through the Home Assistant app, even when offline.

Lessons Learned

  • Plan Carefully: Opening the devices was straightforward, but reconnecting everything required attention to detail.
  • Test Thoroughly: After setting up, I tested each function to ensure everything worked as expected.
  • Documentation: Keeping notes on each step helped me troubleshoot any issues that arose.

Conclusion
This project was a fun and rewarding way to enhance my home automation setup. It shows how a bit of creativity and technical know-how can turn basic devices into smart, integrated components of your home system. If you’re looking to do something similar, I highly recommend exploring ESPHome and DIY integration projects!

Happy automating! :rocket: