MQTT and Tasmota automation on Raspberry PI

January 13, 20251 yr

Short version of my automation - always wanted to post details but did not find time to do it properly.

Here a draft version, hope it helps some of you if you wanted to perform something similar.

Overview

99% Off-grid with 23kwH Pylontech storage ; 3x Kodak OG Plus 5.48 Inverters and 8x Canadian 600w + 6x JA Solar 450w panels.

Inverter 1+2 = Parallel feeding home, stock firmware.

Inverter 3 = Borehole , pressure pump and irrigation (and generator charging). Coulumb firmware and fans turned around.

January 2025 not a great start, but yearly usage as below.

1. ICM Software - built-in automation as below.

1.1 Swimming Pool automation

Device: Sonoff Basic R2, Tasmotized

1.2. Geyser automation (day)

Device: SONOFF POWR3, Tasmotized

1.3. Geyser automation (early morning)

Same device as above, just additional heating time early mornings until SOC less than 44.

2. Geyser

2.1 Solar geyser 300l -> Used for main bathroom, kitchen etc , mainly for kids showering early evenings.

Also has another SONOFF POWR3, but not scheduled - plan to move this device.

2.2 Solar geyser 150l -> With a Gas-gayser in series to ensure that if this geyser temp < 55 that Gas heats it up to 57 degrees.

DewHot valve as follows - the TakeAlot version is expensive rather shop around for this one.

Then a standard solar valve to ensure that output is consistent at 56 degrees, (by adding cold water)

Pipe bottom right is coming from the 150l geyser.

This setup ensures that I'm utilizing as much PV to always have warm water - and use gas ONLY when necessary. For at least 90% of all days gas is not used and geyser is heated up to 70 degrees using PV.

3. Timers and switches

3.1 Inverter 3 is managed by ESP8266 and auto-switched-off every day between 23h00 and 05.30. This enables a 12v solenoid (with battery) to enable municipal water to ensure water during the night. (Tasmotized)

3.2 Borehole is on timeswitch + floatswitch and only active between 08h30 and 17h30 (Standard 220v digital timer and float switch)

3.3 Another 2x ESP8266 devices with Timers to perform switch irrigation on and off.

3.4 Also installed a ESP8266 to open the gate.

4. Scripting

4.1 Mosquitto-sub ; Check battery SOC every morning at 08h45 and if less than 44% it disables timers for irrigation.

5. Concepts

5.1 When SOC less than 22 percent, Inverter 1 and 2 switch to Eskom

5.2 I try to never charge from Eskom, only PV charging

5.3 Inverter 3 is connected to 4kwH generator -> If batteries are less than 20 percent and Eskom down, this Inverter charges the battery and Inverter 1+2 runs as usual.

Red Rhino Dual Fuel Inverter Generator RGLIV4500 -> connected to gas, I don't like storing petrol. This is a proper inverter-based generator, I'm considering moving my older generator in this setup.

This is still done manually - don't want to automate this as it is really exceptional cases.

5.4 Also running Gas oven and stove , also energy efficient LED and lights.

6. Most likely the best functionality - MQTT Dash app on my phone, can overwrite automation and check details as above.