The YAML file for customizing the firmware on that dongle is here; v2.1, b/c USB-C port on the side, and if you do customize it, comment out the `update:` block. I've detailed my customizations below.
> To flash the device: Connect the device to the PC with the button pressed. After the flashing starts, you can release the button. If the flashing has not started, repeat the first step!
Once flashing is complete, wait a couple seconds, then unplug the USB-C connector and plug in the USB-A connector to boot up the dongle and confirm it's connecting to WiFi.
For my Midea U AC, I chose to commented out HEAT_COOL, HEAT, HORIZONTAL, BOTH as they're not supported on this cooling-only unit. I also plan to comment out the indoor humidity sensor since my unit doesn't have one and always reports 0%, but for now it's just disabled in HomeAssistant.
For (all) ESP8266 chips, I add `wifi: phy_mode: 11G` to disable 802.11b (never, thank you) and to disable 802.11n (incompatibility issues with my router); I also set `min_auth_mode: WPA2` (highest 8266 supports), `post_connect_roaming: true` (don't make me reboot my AC to roam APs), `fast_connect: true` (since I specify SSID anyways).
Once it booted up and DHCP'd an IP and showed up in the ESPhome dashboard, I wrote that IP into an appropriate `manual_ip` block and updated the firmware.
Then, when installing the dongle into my Midea U AC, I had to rotate-CCW into place under the top notch-holder rather than tilt-forward into place (as OEM dongle) due to the very short USB cable length.
https://github.com/smlight-tech/slwf-01pro-esphome
> To flash the device: Connect the device to the PC with the button pressed. After the flashing starts, you can release the button. If the flashing has not started, repeat the first step!
Once flashing is complete, wait a couple seconds, then unplug the USB-C connector and plug in the USB-A connector to boot up the dongle and confirm it's connecting to WiFi.
For my Midea U AC, I chose to commented out HEAT_COOL, HEAT, HORIZONTAL, BOTH as they're not supported on this cooling-only unit. I also plan to comment out the indoor humidity sensor since my unit doesn't have one and always reports 0%, but for now it's just disabled in HomeAssistant.
For (all) ESP8266 chips, I add `wifi: phy_mode: 11G` to disable 802.11b (never, thank you) and to disable 802.11n (incompatibility issues with my router); I also set `min_auth_mode: WPA2` (highest 8266 supports), `post_connect_roaming: true` (don't make me reboot my AC to roam APs), `fast_connect: true` (since I specify SSID anyways).
Once it booted up and DHCP'd an IP and showed up in the ESPhome dashboard, I wrote that IP into an appropriate `manual_ip` block and updated the firmware.
Then, when installing the dongle into my Midea U AC, I had to rotate-CCW into place under the top notch-holder rather than tilt-forward into place (as OEM dongle) due to the very short USB cable length.