This is very kind.

However software is not really my thing, I am more a hardware chap and as you can probably see keeping things simple is better for me.

How on earth would I connect an app from my phone to the controller. I have seen the RS485 terminals and understand that is where wifi would be connected but I would not have a clue as to how to go down that route. What advantages would it then offer me? Genuinely interested in this because any more control can only be a good thing but I don't really understand any of this, I am a 64 year old retired GP who still uses my filofax from 30 years ago so modern technology leaves me scratching my head.

Posted by: @polar-bear

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How on earth would I connect an app from my phone to the controller. I have seen the RS485 terminals and understand that is where wifi would be connected but I would not have a clue as to how to go down that route. What advantages would it then offer me? 

An app running on a phone connects to that type of equipment wirelessly, using radio waves: bluetooth or wifi. RS485 terminals run a serial protocol, like the old modems. The connectors look like ethernet but are used in a different way. 

To get it working: 

- start the Apple Store or Google Play Store on your phone.

- download the Smart Life app. 

- start the app, it will ask you to setup an account with your email. Just follow the steps. 

- to connect the pump or controller to the app, you typically need to make sure your phone is within a few meters and there are no physical obstructions. Probably you also need to be close to your wifi box. I use that app to manage smart plugs and similar, I will explain that as it may help. To setup a wireless connection, I typically have to press a button on a plug for 5 seconds or so. An LED then starts blinking. On the smart life app, I tap on the "+" button. The app starts scanning for devices it can setup. I select the smart plug and it then sets up a connection from the plug to the cloud service. Once this is done, I can then control the plug using the app running on the phone. 

On the smart life, I could also setup simple automations, like switch a plug on and off at certain times or a certain time before sunset etc. 

It is always worth making sure that your smart phone is up to date. 

Home Assistant is an advanced topic. Only worth exploring you find that the smart life app is limited. Like if you need to do things like switch lights on and off when other devices are on or off, etc. But that would take a very long time to get going. 

@polar-bear here is a link to the directions for their app:

AIROSD.COM "https://www.airosd.com/Uploads/202212/huilian_smart_app.user_manual.pdf"

as it is a rebadged version of the smart life app you should be ok just using the smart life app. 

The RS485 connector is for controlling the device via the modbus protocol which is far more involved but once set up would give you access to all the data from the device (some might say too much data lol!). It also gives you granular control over the system. You run a cable to the unit, you could use an ethernet cable if you want, use one pair say blue and blue white to the A and B terminal make a note of which way round it is if it has a ground then you can use the green pair say both into the ground (just for neatness) and then connect the other end to a modbus controller either USB or ethernet. You then need to set up software to read control the software. This is where it can get complicated. I use Home Assistant quite heavily so I went down that route with my Grant Aerona3 heat pump. Others on here have written specific software to controls theirs.

As I say this is pretty involved so you are probably best off trying the app first and see if that gets you to where you need to be.

Posted by: @grantmethestrength

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@polar-bear here is a link to the directions for their app:

AIROSD.COM "https://www.airosd.com/Uploads/202212/huilian_smart_app.user_manual.pdf"

as it is a rebadged version of the smart life app you should be ok just using the smart life app. 

I agree, many of the chinese manufacturers use the same platform for their apps. Even the look and feel of the apps seems similar. So even if sometimes I use the manufacturer´s own app, I then see that it looks the same.

Then I just use smart life and delete the other app. 

Hi Guys, Sorry to be appear dim but this is not my field. I have stood my my ASHP and checked the internet speed and get a download speed of 18.1Mbps and an upload speed of 23.6Mbps. I have an iphone 12 mini IOS version 18.6.2 (whatever that means).

Are you saying that if I download this smart life app and stand by the ASHP and follow Batpred's directions it will 'talk' to it?

@polar-bear 18.6.2 is the latest iphone software, make sure your wifi is 2.4Ghz (as with most heat pump apps) you need a good wifi signal to wherever the heat pump control is. Airosd are a good Chinese basic brand but I haven't tried their app.

Posted by: @polar-bear

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Hi Guys, Sorry to be appear dim but this is not my field. I have stood my my ASHP and checked the internet speed and get a download speed of 18.1Mbps and an upload speed of 23.6Mbps. I have an iphone 12 mini IOS version 18.6.2 (whatever that means).

 

Are you saying that if I download this smart life app and stand by the ASHP and follow Batpred's directions it will 'talk' to it?

as @dgclimatecontrol said stand by the indoor controller fire up smart life app and look for the device. You may need to put the device into pairing mode but try it first and see how you get on.

I've done it....I've done it.

I stood by the machine and followed Batpred's instructions and it worked. I've got all this information now and can switch it on/off and can change things. It gives me more info as well like outside temp and flow water temp. This is my evenings entertainment sorted. The wife already thinks I am sad but this may take it to another level!!!!

What other info can I learn from it?

PS The wife did have to change it from Chinese in to English for me but I did the rest.

@polar-bear lol well done and welcome to the tinkerers club lol!!! Just out of interest what information/settings does it give you access to? Can you control the weather compensation curve for instance?

It has setting temp and I can change that up/down, currently is set at 30 return temp

It has Power on/off

It has mode which I can change fromcool/heat/hot W/ Heat HW. I have it on heat.

It has status that gives me return temp/flow temp/ outside temp and DHW tank temp ( not sure how it knows that as not connected but wrong anyway). Below this are loads of values exhaust temp/suction temp, fan speed etc.

Then it has more and this gives me setting-which is language, schedule which is timer, advance but it asked for a password so I panicked and left that and version but they are just numbers.

So from that not sure of weather compensation but you lot are obviously IT geniuses who I'm sure will tell me.

Posted by: @polar-bear

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So from that not sure of weather compensation but you lot are obviously IT geniuses who I'm sure will tell me.

Not sure about IT geniuses, I am mostly a user and dreamer these days! 

Our setup does not include a heatpump, but @majordennisbloodnok has lots of experience in controlling this type of devices.