I’ve always been on the lookout for ways to integrate my home devices into my smart home ecosystem, and recently, I came across a challenge that turned into a rewarding project. My Medify MA-40 air purifier was a workhorse, but it lacked any smart features—perfect for a DIY project!
After some research, I decided to give it a try. The goal was to make it fully controllable via Home Assistant without making any permanent changes to the device. The process involved opening up the unit to access the control board, which was a bit nerve-wracking, but everything went smoothly.
Here’s what I did:
- Opened the Unit: I carefully removed the top panel and the control board box. This exposed the control board and the interface panel.
- Disconnected the Control Board: I unplugged the cable connecting the interface panel to the control board. This was crucial to avoid any accidental power issues during the改装.
- Identified the Pins: Using the provided diagram, I identified the pins needed for the ESP32 Dev Board. These included power pins (5V and GND) and the control pins for fan speed and ion control.
- Connected the ESP32 Board: I jumpered the necessary pins and connected them to the ESP32 Dev Board. This involved soldering, but it was straightforward with a steady hand.
- Configured ESPHome: I set up the ESPHome configuration to handle the fan speeds and ion control. The code was adapted from existing guides, but I made sure to tailor it to my specific needs.
- Testing: After reassembling the unit, I powered it up and tested the integration. The results were fantastic—the purifier now responds to voice commands, scheduled automations, and even adjusts its fan speed based on the air quality sensor in my room.
One unexpected benefit was the addition of a filter life sensor. The ESPHome setup tracks how long the filter has been in use and provides a visual indicator when it’s time to replace it. This was a nice touch that adds functionality without complicating the setup.
This project was a great way to breathe new life into an old device. It’s satisfying to see it working seamlessly with my smart home setup. If you’re looking for a similar project, I’d recommend starting with thorough research and a steady hand. The payoff is well worth the effort!
Looking forward to sharing more DIY projects in the future. Happy tinkering everyone! 