Successfully Configuring MQTT Binding for Multiple Energenie eTRV Devices

General
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I recently embarked on a project to integrate multiple Energenie eTRV devices into my OpenHAB setup using the MQTT binding. While the process was initially overwhelming, I’m thrilled to share my successful journey and some tips that might help others facing similar challenges.

The Goal

I wanted to automate temperature control for 11 eTRVs across my home. Each device has a unique ID, and I aimed to avoid repetitive configuration for each one. My goal was to create a single template thing that could be instantiated for each eTRV, differing only by their ID.

The Challenge

Out of the box, the MQTT binding requires specifying topics for each device individually. This would mean duplicating configurations for each eTRV, which felt inefficient. I needed a way to parameterize the device ID across all topics to streamline the setup.

The Solution

After some research and experimentation, I discovered that OpenHAB allows dynamic topic configuration using variables. Here’s how I approached it:

  1. Define a Base Topic Structure
    I structured the MQTT topics to include a placeholder for the device ID. For example:
    Command Topic: /energenie/eTRV/Command/(command)/(device_id) Status Topic: /energenie/eTRV/Report/(report_command)/(device_id) This way, the device ID can be dynamically inserted into the topics.

  2. Create a Template Thing
    I defined a single thing in my things file with channels that use the placeholder device ID. This thing acts as a template that can be reused for each eTRV.

  3. Instantiate for Each Device
    Using the template, I created separate instances for each eTRV, substituting the placeholder with the actual device ID. This approach ensures consistency across all devices without redundant configuration.

  4. Testing and Validation
    I thoroughly tested each command and status topic to ensure they were correctly formatted and recognized by the eTRVs. It was crucial to verify that commands like Temperature, Identify, and ValveState worked as expected.

Lessons Learned

  • Dynamic Topic Configuration: Leveraging variables in MQTT topics saved me significant time and effort. It’s a powerful feature that I recommend exploring for similar use cases.
  • Template-Based Setup: Creating a reusable template streamlined the configuration process, making it easier to scale to more devices in the future.
  • Documentation and Testing: Thoroughly documenting each step and testing every command ensured that the setup was robust and reliable.

Final Thoughts

This project has been a rewarding experience, not just for the automation it enables but also for the problem-solving skills it honed. I’m excited to expand this setup further and explore additional MQTT capabilities. If anyone has questions or needs assistance with similar projects, feel free to reach out!

Happy automating! :star2: