Topic: Ecowitt + Home Assistant

[Gyvate]

the soil_temperature should correctly be named user_temperature, but as the possible 16 soil_temperature sensor places are not used, only 8 out of 16 soil moisture and 8 user temperature - it doesn't matter for the name.

The ecowitt integration does almost everything right - a weird side effect of the programmer obviously not knowing the reality they program    is that the battery status of a WH45 5-in-1 combo sensor has 6 tiers and tier 6 means running on DC. HA translates that into 120%  - but imho that's a beauty thing
On my laptop some of the (already renamed for that reason) sensor names are truncated, but I can live with that, as hovering with the mouse pointer over it, it displays the full name.
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EDIT: don't miss my last post before the page break (and before this one) - it might escape your attention

[rjcds]

the customized server posts and the Ecowitt Gateway API provide real voltage for the WN34/WN35 series. Due to historical reasons, there are at least three types of providing battery info: normal/low, 1-5 (6) or current voltage.
The 2.06 V are a bit strange for normal alkaline batteries - but if you use some Lithium batteries that should be OK.

Ok so the batteries are 1.5V AA LR

I just used my multimeter on a fresh battery from the same pack, and it shows 1.59V. So 2.06V doesn't seem to make sense...

And why would the battery voltage change so fast ? These batteries can hold for up to two years => no short time change in value to be expected

I guess I expected the voltage sensor to be updated at the same time as the temp. So even if the actual voltage hasn't changed, HA should say "last updated 1 min ago". Or does the sensor only send a new value if it is actually changed ?

Connect your console (GW2000) temporarily to http://ear.phantasoft.de - first connect via browser and read the instructions
Contrary to the http call, the custom server posting uses the live data as is - the same way as the local Ecowitt Gateway API provides it - there comes the voltage from.

ear.phantasoft.de also shows a voltage of 2.06

[Gyvate]

I guess I expected the voltage sensor to be updated at the same time as the temp. So even if the actual voltage hasn't changed, HA should say "last updated 1 min ago". Or does the sensor only send a new value if it is actually changed ?

where would HA know this from ?
The WN34 sensor sends an update to the console every 77 seconds (see MUST READ thread) - whatever and how often (customized posting interval = xx seconds)  the console reports within the next 77 seconds is the old value, afterwards the new value (which may be the same value).

When the console reports 2.06 V, then that'S what the WN34 sensor reports ...
And the customized post is just what the console knows.
If there is a " culprit", it's the WN34 sensor.

[rjcds]

If there is a " culprit", it's the WN34 sensor.

Fair enough. It would be nice to get accurate battery measurements so I could get HA to notify me when the battery is on the way out

From your experience with Ecowitt service, are they likely to replace the sensor based on this kind of information (it's brand new) ?

If not, Amazon will usually let me return/replace it...

[Gyvate]

I would first try with a new, different battery. Let the sensor be powerless for 10 minutes before inserting the new one.
Mine show 1.46 and 1.6 Volts - so if at all, it may be a sensor item issue and not a series issue.
If you purchased it via the Amazon Ecowitt Store, you should return it there if the battery change as described above doesn't show a change. Ecowitt are usually quite customer friendly regarding not (properly) working items.

[rjcds]

I would first try with a new, different battery. Let the sensor be powerless for 10 minutes before inserting the new one.
Mine show 1.46 and 1.6 Volts - so if at all, it may be a sensor item issue and not a series issue.
If you purchased it via the Amazon Ecowitt Store, you should return it there if the battery change as described above doesn't show a change. Ecowitt are usually quite customer friendly regarding not (properly) working items.

So a different (new) battery didn't make any difference unfortunately.

I also noticed that the WN34 would drop signal every 1-2 days for several hours at a time (from 4 bars to no bars, and no reporting), and also have long periods of not reporting at times.

I ordered a replacement, and the new WN34 shows a battery voltage of 1.6V, which is good.

I also moved the GW2000 to a 'better' location (direct line of sight, only one wall/window in between).

With the new WN34 and the old WN34 right next to each other, and the GW2000 in the 'better' location, ironically the old (faulty voltage) unit has so far had better signal uptime !!

Would there be some issue with two units right next to each other in terms of interference ?

[Gyvate]

interference is unlikely - if you want to exclude it resp. minimize the probability, remove both batteries, reinsert it into one - wait 30 seconds and then reinsert it into the other. They should post every 77 seconds - and as they were initialized 30 seconds apart from each other, they should also post at different times now.

[rjcds]

And why would the battery voltage change so fast ? These batteries can hold for up to two years => no short time change in value to be expected

So the replacement WN34 does report battery voltage regularly to HA; I haven't quite discerned the time pattern (but the push interval to HA for all data is a little random from what I've seen)

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For a 1.5V battery, what is a sensible voltage alert to set up for when it needs to be replaced ?

[Autofill]

1.2V warning
1.1V replace

[rjcds]

1.2V warning
1.1V replace

Thanks !

[majkl-cz]

Hello, I am new in Ecowitt and Home Assistant as well (I have Hubitat so far but will set up HA soon).

Could someone advise me if Ecowitt integration can be done just via WS3800 or if it is necessary (or better) to have the gateway, like GW2000? I like that WS3800 has a display and it has Wi-Fi as well, so I don't understand if it includes all features of the gateway or if this is somehow limited (for integration purposes).

Thanks for your reply!

[Gyvate]

every modern Ecowitt console with WLAN/WiFi capability also has the customized server functionality (latest firmware recommended). So you don't need a separate gateway if you own a WS3800.
Do you read the HomeAssistant chapter in our WiKi ? http://meshka.eu/Ecowitt/dokuwiki
It answers many questions