SmartHomeShop Docs

Network Configuration

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

Quick Overview

Connection Best For Power Options
WiFi Most users, easy setup USB-C adapter
Ethernet Reliable connection, PoE power USB-C adapter or PoE (V2/V3/V4)

Your WaterP1MeterKit ships with WiFi firmware pre-installed. Most users can simply use WiFi and never need to change anything.

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. Look for the hotspot:

    • SSID: waterp1meterkit (V4 with older firmware: waterp1meterkit-v4)
    • Password: the same as the SSID

  2. Connect and configure:

    • Connect your phone/laptop to this network
    • The SmartHomeShop setup page should open automatically
    • Pick your home WiFi network, enter the password and choose Save and connect
    • The WaterP1MeterKit connects to your network and the hotspot disappears

  3. If the setup page doesn't open:

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

You can also set up WiFi with Improv: over Bluetooth with Home Assistant on your phone, or over USB from the firmware page.

WiFi Requirements

  • 2.4 GHz network (5 GHz is not supported)
  • WPA2 or WPA3 security
  • Good signal strength at the installation location

WiFi Tips

  • Check signal strength at the P1 meter location before installation
  • If signal is weak, consider using Ethernet instead (V2/V3/V4 for built-in PoE)
  • The WaterP1MeterKit will automatically reconnect if WiFi is temporarily lost
  • Fallback hotspot appears after 1 minute if WiFi connection fails

Ethernet Setup

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

Note: Built-in Ethernet with PoE is available on V2, V3, and V4 hardware. V1 can use Ethernet firmware but needs USB-C power or an external PoE splitter.

Ethernet Requirements

Before switching to Ethernet, ensure:

  • ✅ DHCP enabled: Your network must assign IP addresses automatically
  • ✅ 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 (V2/V3/V4): You need an 802.3af compliant switch or injector for PoE

Switching to Ethernet

To switch from WiFi to Ethernet firmware, see the Firmware Guide for detailed flashing instructions.

Quick overview:

  • Option 1 (Recommended): Flash Ethernet firmware via web flasher before installation
  • Option 2: Use the Firmware Variant selector in Home Assistant (connect Ethernet cable first!)
  • Option 3: Choose Ethernet on the setup page when you connect to the hotspot. Still enter your WiFi details: the device uses WiFi once to install the Ethernet firmware in the background. Allow at least 2 minutes, then plug in the network cable

⚠️ Important: WiFi stops working immediately when you switch to Ethernet firmware. Always connect the Ethernet cable BEFORE switching!

📖 Full instructions: See Firmware Guide - Method 1: Web Flasher for USB flashing or Method 2: Home Assistant Selector for the selector.

After Switching to Ethernet

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

Switching Back to WiFi

If you're on Ethernet and want to switch back to WiFi, you'll need to flash via USB-C.

📖 Full instructions: See the Firmware Guide - Method 1: Web Flasher for detailed flashing steps.

Quick overview:

  1. Flash WiFi firmware via USB-C
  2. Select WiFi variant
  3. Device will create WiFi hotspot for configuration

Note: You cannot switch from Ethernet to WiFi via Home Assistant because the device would disconnect before downloading the new firmware.

Network Communication & Privacy

100% Local Operation

With the local firmware the WaterP1MeterKit works completely locally. All sensor data stays on your local network:

  • ✅ P1 meter readings → Local
  • ✅ Water consumption data → Local
  • ✅ Home Assistant communication → Local
  • ✅ Automations → Local

External Communication

With the local firmware, the only external communication is the firmware update check:

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

The local firmware never sends sensor data externally. The update check only retrieves a version number. Cloud firmware sends your readings to the SmartHomeShop app on purpose.

Disabling Update Checks

Follow Use WaterP1MeterKit without internet access. Do not remove the update component: the firmware needs it for the Firmware Variant selector.

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
  • Look for the waterp1meterkit network (V4 with older firmware: waterp1meterkit-v4)
  • 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

WiFi connection fails

  • Verify you're using a 2.4 GHz network (not 5 GHz)
  • Check WiFi password is correct
  • Use WPA2 or WPA3 on your router. If a WPA3-only network does not connect, switch to mixed WPA2/WPA3
  • Check signal strength at P1 meter location

Frequent disconnections

  • Check WiFi signal strength
  • Move router/access point closer
  • Reduce interference from other devices
  • Consider switching to Ethernet for reliability (V2/V3/V4 for built-in PoE)

Ethernet Issues (V2/V3/V4 Built-in PoE)

Switched to Ethernet but device is offline

Cause: WiFi stopped immediately but Ethernet wasn't connected.

Solution:

  1. Connect an Ethernet cable to the WaterP1MeterKit
  2. Check that the cable goes to a switch with DHCP
  3. Verify same VLAN as Home Assistant
  4. Check Ethernet port LED is lit (solid or blinking)
  5. Device should appear in Home Assistant

If Ethernet is not possible: Flash WiFi firmware via USB-C (see Firmware Guide)

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 ESPHome integration manually by IP

Device not getting IP address

  • Verify DHCP is enabled on your network
  • Check Ethernet cable and port
  • Try a different switch port
  • Try a different Ethernet cable
  • Verify PoE is working (if using PoE), or try USB-C power instead

PoE not working (V2/V3/V4 only)

  • Ensure your switch supports 802.3af PoE standard
  • Check PoE is enabled on the switch port
  • Try a different PoE port
  • Test with USB-C power to isolate power issues

General Network Issues

Device shows offline in Home Assistant

  1. Check power supply (LED should light up on boot)
  2. Verify network connection (WiFi signal or Ethernet link)
  3. Check if device is on same network as Home Assistant
  4. Try pinging the device IP
  5. Restart the device (disconnect/reconnect power)

Can't connect to device web interface

The WaterP1MeterKit has a built-in web server at http://[device-ip]/:

  • Works on both WiFi and Ethernet
  • Shows sensor values and basic info
  • Useful for debugging without Home Assistant
  • If you can't access it, check network connectivity

Device has wrong IP address

If the device got an unexpected IP:

  • Check your DHCP server configuration
  • Set a DHCP reservation for the device (use MAC address)
  • Verify no IP conflicts on your network

Advanced: Static IP Configuration

If you need a static IP instead of DHCP, you can configure it in ESPHome:

  1. Open ESPHome in Home Assistant
  2. Edit your WaterP1MeterKit configuration
  3. Add static IP configuration:

For WiFi:

wifi:
  manual_ip:
    static_ip: 192.168.1.100
    gateway: 192.168.1.1
    subnet: 255.255.255.0

For Ethernet (V2/V3/V4):

ethernet:
  manual_ip:
    static_ip: 192.168.1.100
    gateway: 192.168.1.1
    subnet: 255.255.255.0
  1. Click Save → Install → Wirelessly

⚠️ Warning: Make sure the IP address is outside your DHCP range and not already in use!

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