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🌡️ M5Dial Smart Thermostat - User Guide

Welcome

Your M5Dial Smart Thermostat provides precision temperature control with wireless stove/heater control. This guide covers basic operation and features.

Quick Overview

Main Unit (M5Dial):

  • Temperature display and monitoring
  • Rotary dial for temperature adjustment
  • Wireless LoRa communication to receiver
  • Battery or USB powered

Receiver Unit (XIAO ESP32S3):

  • Receives commands from M5Dial
  • Controls stove/heater relay
  • Status LED indicators
  • Automatic safety shutoff

Basic Operation

1. Temperature Display

Main Screen Shows:

  • Current Temperature - Large display in Fahrenheit
  • Target Temperature - Scheduled or adjusted setpoint
  • Time - Current time from RTC
  • Heating Status - ON/OFF indicator
  • Communication Mode - P2P or LoRaWAN

2. Adjusting Temperature

Using the Dial:

  1. Rotate clockwise - Increase base temperature (+0.5°F per click)
  2. Rotate counter-clockwise - Decrease base temperature (-0.5°F per click)
  3. Changes apply immediately to the base temperature
  4. Updated target temperature shown on screen
  5. Safety limits: 50°F minimum, 90°F maximum

Temperature Display:

  • Current temperature reading
  • Target temperature (base + schedule offset)
  • Temperature difference in parentheses
  • Status area shows "Base: XX.X°F" during adjustment

3. Heating Control

Automatic Operation:

  • System compares current vs target temperature
  • Heater turns ON when below target (2°F threshold)
  • Heater turns OFF when at or above target (0.5°F threshold)
  • Commands sent wirelessly to receiver

Button Function:

  • Press center button - Reset base temperature to initial configured value
  • Useful for quickly returning to your default temperature after adjustments
  • Display shows "Reset to XX.X°F" confirmation
  • All displays update immediately

Receiver Status LED Codes

The receiver unit has an LED that indicates system status:

LED Pattern Status Meaning
💡 Slow pulse Initializing System starting up
🔦 Brief flash every 2s Ready Waiting for commands
⚡ Fast blink Active Receiving data
🟢 Solid ON Heating Stove/heater is ON
⚪ Solid OFF Standby Stove/heater is OFF
🚨 Fast flash Safety Timeout - heater auto-OFF
🆘 SOS pattern Error System error occurred

Temperature Schedule

How Scheduling Works

Temperature automatically adjusts throughout the day based on your schedule:

Example Default Schedule:

  • 1 AM-8 AM: Lower temperature (sleep mode)
  • 8 AM-5 PM: Normal comfort temperature
  • 5 PM-10 PM: Higher temperature (evening comfort)
  • 10 PM-1 AM: Reduced temperature (wind-down)

Understanding the Schedule Display

The M5Dial shows:

  • Current Temperature Temperature as measured at the M5Dial, not the stove
  • Base Temperature: Your baseline comfort temperature
  • Current Offset: How much above/below base right now ("Δ" or "delta" or "diff")
  • Actual Target: Base + Offset = Current target ("aim" or "goal")

Example:

Base: 70°F
Offset: -12°F (nighttime reduction)
Target: 58°F (sleep temperature)

Power & Battery

Battery Life

Typical Runtime:

  • Active use: 24-48 hours
  • Power save mode: Up to 72 hours
  • USB powered: Continuous operation

Power Saving Features

Automatic Power Management:

  1. Active Mode - 3 seconds after any interaction

    • Screen bright, updates every 2 seconds
    • Temperature checked every 5 seconds

  2. Power Save Mode - After 3+ seconds idle

    • Screen dimmer, updates every 10 seconds
    • Temperature checked every 2 minutes

  3. Deep Save Mode - Extended inactivity

    • Minimal updates, cached temperature shown
    • "Last reading X minutes ago" indicator

Charging

  • Connect USB-C cable
  • Charging indicator shown (if battery equipped)
  • Can operate while charging

Communication Modes

P2P Mode (Default)

Advantages:

  • ✅ No network infrastructure needed
  • ✅ Direct device-to-device communication
  • ✅ Faster response time
  • ✅ Works anywhere, no internet needed

Best For:

  • Single home installations
  • Local control without network

LoRaWAN Mode (Fallback)

Advantages:

  • ✅ Greater range through gateways
  • ✅ Can integrate with smart home systems
  • ✅ Multiple device support

Note: System automatically uses P2P first, falls back to LoRaWAN if P2P fails.

Safety Features

Automatic Safeguards

  1. 10-Minute Timeout

    • If no communication for 10 minutes
    • Receiver automatically turns heater OFF
    • Prevents heater staying on if M5Dial fails

  2. Startup Safety

    • Receiver always starts with heater OFF
    • Requires active command to turn ON

  3. Watchdog Protection

    • System resets if software hangs
    • Ensures reliable operation

  4. State Verification

    • Receiver confirms heater state changes
    • Errors logged if state doesn't match command

Troubleshooting

No Heating Response

Check:

  • ✓ M5Dial shows "SENT" or "ACK" after command
  • ✓ Receiver LED indicates it received command
  • ✓ Both units powered on
  • ✓ Within LoRa communication range

Solutions:

  1. Move devices closer together
  2. Check receiver power connection
  3. Restart both units

Temperature Not Updating

Check:

  • ✓ "Last reading" timestamp on screen
  • ✓ If >5 minutes old, may be in power save

Solutions:

  1. Rotate dial to wake system (adjusts temperature)
  2. Press button to reset base temperature and activate
  3. Check temperature sensor connection

Display Issues

Check:

  • ✓ Screen brightness setting
  • ✓ Battery level
  • ✓ Power save mode active

Solutions:

  1. Rotate dial to wake display (adjusts base temperature)
  2. Connect to USB power
  3. Adjust brightness in settings (if available)

Communication Lost

Symptoms:

  • Commands not acknowledged
  • Receiver LED not responding
  • Status shows communication errors

Solutions:

  1. Check distance between units
  2. Verify antennas attached to both modules
  3. Restart both transmitter and receiver
  4. Check for interference (metal objects, walls)

Maintenance

Weekly

  • ✓ Check battery level
  • ✓ Verify heater responding to commands
  • ✓ Clean display if dusty

Monthly

  • ✓ Review temperature schedule effectiveness
  • ✓ Check communication reliability
  • ✓ Verify safety timeout working

As Needed

  • ✓ Update firmware when available
  • ✓ Adjust schedule for season changes
  • ✓ Replace batteries if low

Tips for Best Performance

Placement

M5Dial:

  • Place at typical room height (4-5 feet)
  • Away from direct heat sources
  • Away from drafts or windows
  • Clear line of sight to receiver (if possible)

Receiver:

  • Near controlled heater
  • Antenna oriented for best signal
  • Accessible for LED status viewing

Temperature Accuracy

  • Allow 30 minutes for readings to stabilize after startup
  • Avoid placing near heat vents or cold windows
  • Keep sensor clean and unobstructed

Communication Range

  • Typical range: 100-300 meters indoors
  • Walls and metal reduce range
  • Elevate both units if possible
  • Use higher mounting if range issues persist

Support & More Information

For technical details, advanced configuration, and troubleshooting:

  • Hardware Guide: Pin connections and technical specifications
  • Network Guide: Communication setup and troubleshooting
  • Developer Guide: Building and customizing firmware

Version: 2.0.0
Author: John Cornelison (john@vashonSoftware.com)
License: MIT

Built for efficient, safe home heating control 🏠🔥