Question: Balboa BP6013G1 - ESP32-C3 never registers as node

[anders-1978]

Hi, I'm trying to read RS485 data from a Balboa BP6013G1 using an ESP32‑C3.
I'm a beginner at RS485/Balboa integrations, so I may be missing something obvious.

I see all broadcast frames, but the ESP32 never registers as a node:

The log shows an endless loop:
"Spa/node/id: Requesting ID
Spa/node/id: Unregistered"

The component attempts to send the node‑ID response, but the controller never acknowledges it.

Hardware:

• ESP32‑C3
• RS485 transceiver with RO, DI, RSE (combined DE/RE)

Questions:

• Does BP6013G1 require special timing for node registration?
• Is a combined DE/RE pin (RSE) supported, or does the component require separate DE and RE control lines?
• Any known differences for BP6013G1?

Can provide logs if needed.

[brianfeucht]

@anders-1978 you are well outside my expertise on this.

Since we are not using the UART helper code provided by EspHome it is possible this library won't support your specific use case with the combined DE/RE. The project was created by porting code that has been forked many times over the last decade, my source is https://github.com/Dakoriki/ESPHome-Balboa-Spa Seems like you are pretty comfortable with serial interfaces, so maybe you can work backwards from this documentation - https://github.com/ccutrer/balboa_worldwide_app/wiki#physical-layer

I also do not consider myself an expert of the balboa spa integration systems. I personally have a MQMP20UX and do not have the means to test any other systems. Maybe someone else in the community has this experience.

My suggestion would be to remove some variables here. I'd pickup a known good RS485 transceiver and start there. Then you could eliminate differences in your esp build.

[brianfeucht]

@anders-1978 I see you have a branch on your fork which appears to be some logic to get this working. How has that been going? Is it worth my time pulling it in here?

[anders-1978]

I (think) I’ve managed to get it working reasonably well. I tried switching the RS485 to one with DE/RE instead of RSE (couldn´t find any with auto flow), but it made no difference. I made some additions in init.py and balboaspa.cpp. Eventually the communication kicked in. To be completely honest, all the suggested changes came from ChatGPT, so no credit to me (maybe just a bit of patience). I also changed the “command” for “jet 2”. My spa doesn’t have a blower, so my “jet2” was at 0x0C (instead of 0x05). I think most things are working now. :)