Connect via Thread

WaterMeterKit V3 uses an ESP32-C6, which has a built-in Thread radio. With the dedicated Thread firmware the kit joins your existing Thread network and talks to Home Assistant over IPv6 through your Thread border router, with no WiFi needed. Its low data volume makes the WaterMeterKit a great fit for Thread.

Local only. The Thread firmware connects to Home Assistant directly and does not include the SmartHomeShop cloud. If you use the SmartHomeShop app, keep using the regular WiFi firmware.

V3 hardware only. WaterMeterKit V1 and V2 use an ESP8266 without Thread radio and cannot run this firmware.

What You Need

Good to Know Before You Start

• No SmartHomeShop cloud over Thread. Cloud, the SmartHomeShop app and online firmware updates do not work in this variant.
• No fallback hotspot. If the device cannot join your Thread network, reflash or fix the dataset over USB.
• The Firmware Variant selector and firmware update entity need internet access and stay inactive on Thread. Update through the ESPHome Device Builder instead.
• Your water meter total is stored on the device and survives switching between WiFi and Thread firmware through the ESPHome Device Builder. The web flasher returns the device to its factory settings, so write down your meter reading first.

Step 1: Copy Your Thread Dataset

1. In Home Assistant go to Settings → Devices & Services → Thread.
2. Click Configure (cogwheel), then the information icon next to your network.
3. Copy the Active dataset TLVs string.

Step 2: Create the Device in the ESPHome Device Builder

Create a new device, open Edit and replace the YAML with:

substitutions:
  thread_dataset: "PASTE_YOUR_ACTIVE_DATASET_TLVS_HERE"

packages:
  remote_package:
    url: https://github.com/smarthomeshop/watermeterkit
    ref: main
    files: [watermeterkit-v3/watermeterkit-thread.yaml]
    refresh: 1d

Paste your dataset TLVs from step 1 into thread_dataset.

Step 3: First Installation over USB

Connect the WaterMeterKit over USB-C, choose Install → Plug into this computer and wait for the flash to finish. After booting, the device joins your Thread network.

Step 4: Add It to Home Assistant

The device is discovered as a regular ESPHome device (Settings → Devices & Services → ESPHome). All water sensors work exactly like on the WiFi firmware.

Troubleshooting