Network Configuration

This guide covers how to connect your WaterP1MeterKit to your network via WiFi or Ethernet, and how to switch between both.

Quick Overview

Connection	Suitable For	Power Options
WiFi	Most users, easy setup	USB-C
Ethernet	Reliable connection, PoE power	PoE (V2/V3), USB-C

Your WaterP1MeterKit ships with WiFi firmware pre-installed. Most users can simply use WiFi without changing anything.

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WiFi Setup

Initial WiFi Configuration

When your WaterP1MeterKit powers on for the first time (or after a factory reset), it creates a WiFi hotspot:

1. Find the hotspot:

   • SSID: waterp1meterkit
   • Password: waterp1meterkit

2. Connect and configure:

   • Connect your phone/laptop to the waterp1meterkit network
   • A captive portal should open automatically
   • Select your home WiFi network and enter the password
   • The WaterP1MeterKit restarts and connects to your network

3. If the captive portal doesn't open:

   • Open a browser manually to http://192.168.4.1/
   • Configure your WiFi from there

WiFi Requirements

• 2.4 GHz network (5 GHz is not supported)
• WPA/WPA2 security (WPA3-only networks may not work)
• Good signal strength at your water meter location

WiFi Tips

• Check signal strength at your water meter location before installation
• If signal is weak, consider using Ethernet instead
• The WaterP1MeterKit automatically reconnects if WiFi temporarily drops

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Ethernet Setup

Ethernet provides a more reliable connection and allows you to use Power over Ethernet (PoE) for a single-cable installation (V2 and V3 only).

Ethernet Requirements

Before switching to Ethernet, ensure:

• ✅ DHCP enabled: Your network must automatically assign IP addresses
• ✅ Same VLAN: WaterP1MeterKit must be on the same network/VLAN as Home Assistant
• ✅ No firewall blocking: Allow traffic between WaterP1MeterKit and Home Assistant
• ✅ PoE switch (optional): If using PoE, you need an 802.3af compatible switch or injector

Switching to Ethernet

There are two ways to switch from WiFi to Ethernet firmware:

Option 1: Via Home Assistant (Recommended)

If your WaterP1MeterKit is already connected via WiFi:

1. Connect the Ethernet cable first! (Very important)
2. In Home Assistant, go to the WaterP1MeterKit device page
3. Find the "Firmware Type" selector
4. Change from "WiFi" to "Ethernet"
5. The device automatically downloads and installs the Ethernet firmware
6. After restart, the device connects via Ethernet

⚠️ Warning: WiFi stops working immediately when you switch to Ethernet firmware. If you haven't connected the Ethernet cable, you'll lose access to the device!

Option 2: Via USB-C Flashing

Flash Ethernet firmware via USB-C before or after installation:

1. Connect WaterP1MeterKit to your computer via USB-C
2. Go to smarthomeshop.io/en/firmware
3. Select WaterP1MeterKit, then your hardware version (V1, V2, or V3)
4. Select "Ethernet" firmware
5. Click Install and wait for completion
6. Connect the Ethernet cable and power the device

After Switching to Ethernet

• The WaterP1MeterKit gets a new IP address via DHCP
• Home Assistant should automatically discover the device
• If not found, check your router's DHCP leases for the new IP
• Add the ESPHome integration manually if needed

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Switching Back to WiFi

If you're on Ethernet and want to switch back to WiFi, you must flash via USB-C:

1. Connect WaterP1MeterKit to your computer via USB-C
2. Go to smarthomeshop.io/en/firmware
3. Select WaterP1MeterKit, then your hardware version (V1, V2, or V3)
4. Select "WiFi" firmware
5. Click Install and wait for completion
6. The WaterP1MeterKit will create its WiFi hotspot again

Note: You cannot switch from Ethernet to WiFi via Home Assistant because the Firmware Type selector requires network connectivity, and changing it would disconnect the device before the new firmware downloads.

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Firmware Type Selector

The WaterP1MeterKit has a Firmware Type selector in Home Assistant that allows you to switch between WiFi and Ethernet firmware:

Setting	What It Does
WiFi	Uses WiFi for network connection
Ethernet	Uses Ethernet for network connection

How It Works

When you change the selector:

1. The device downloads the new firmware from the internet
2. Firmware is automatically installed
3. Device restarts with the new network type

Limitations

• WiFi → Ethernet: Works via selector (connect Ethernet cable first!)
• Ethernet → WiFi: Must flash via USB-C (selector won't work)

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PoE (Power over Ethernet)

Supported Versions

Version	PoE Support
V1	Via external PoE splitter only
V2	✅ Built-in (802.3af)
V3	✅ Built-in (802.3af)

Using PoE

For V2 and V3 with built-in PoE:

1. Flash Ethernet firmware (if not already installed)
2. Connect an Ethernet cable from a PoE switch or injector
3. The device powers on and connects automatically

For V1:

1. Use an external PoE splitter
2. Connect the splitter's Ethernet output to the WaterP1MeterKit
3. Connect the splitter's USB-C output for power

PoE Requirements

• 802.3af compliant PoE switch or injector
• 48V PoE output
• Ethernet cable rated for PoE (Cat5e or better recommended)

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Network Communication & Privacy

100% Local Operation

The WaterP1MeterKit works entirely locally. All sensor data stays on your local network:

• ✅ Water consumption → Local
• ✅ Energy readings → Local
• ✅ Home Assistant communication → Local
• ✅ Automations → Local

External Communication

The only external communication is for firmware update checks:

What	Where	Why
Version check	ESPHome/GitHub	Check if new firmware is available

No sensor data is ever sent externally. The update check only fetches a version number.

Disabling Update Checks

If you want to disable even the version checks:

1. Adopt the device in ESPHome Dashboard
2. Remove or disable the update component in the YAML
3. Deploy the configuration

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Troubleshooting

WiFi Issues

Can't find the WaterP1MeterKit hotspot

• Wait 1-2 minutes after powering on
• The hotspot only appears if WiFi is not configured
• Try a factory reset if the device was previously configured

Connected to hotspot but no captive portal

• Open browser manually to http://192.168.4.1/
• Try a different device (phone vs laptop)
• Disable mobile data on your phone

Frequent disconnections

• Check WiFi signal strength at the water meter location
• Consider switching to Ethernet/PoE for more reliability

Ethernet Issues

Switched to Ethernet but device is offline

Cause: WiFi stopped immediately but Ethernet was not connected.

Solution:

1. Connect an Ethernet cable to the WaterP1MeterKit
2. Ensure the cable goes to a switch with DHCP
3. Verify same VLAN as Home Assistant
4. Device should appear in Home Assistant

If Ethernet is not possible: Flash WiFi firmware via USB-C

Ethernet connected but not discovered

Check:

1. Link lights on the Ethernet port (should be blinking)
2. Router DHCP leases for new device
3. Same VLAN as Home Assistant
4. No firewall blocking mDNS or ESPHome API

Manual connection:

1. Find the IP in your router's DHCP lease table
2. In Home Assistant, add the ESPHome integration manually via IP

Device not getting an IP address

• Verify DHCP is enabled on your network
• Check Ethernet cable and port
• Try a different switch port
• Verify PoE is working (if using PoE)

Checking Current Firmware

You can tell which firmware is installed by looking at the Ethernet port LED:

LED Status	Firmware
Green LED on (without cable)	Ethernet firmware
LED off	WiFi firmware

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Need Help?

• Check the Troubleshooting page for more issues
• Check the FAQ for common questions
• Join our Discord community
• Contact us via smarthomeshop.io/contact