RedSmartKnob

This repository supports an ESPHome configuration for a WaveShare ESP32-S3 1.8inch Knob Display or Guition JC3636K518C-I-YR1 - Knob-ESP32S3. That is, the "V1" referred to by https://github.com/RealDeco/sendspin-guition/tree/main#guition-185-rotary-knob which that repo does not support at the time of writing.

Origins

I came across https://github.com/RealDeco/sendspin-guition, and wanted to try it. So, I bought two devices. And naturally, I got the "wrong one". The v1 device is not supported there, so I dug in.

This repository started by using https://github.com/KrX3D/WaveShare-Knob-ESp32S3, and adopting the audio configuration posted by user trinitytest on https://community.home-assistant.io/t/display-knob/905249/15. I then refactored all of it, and blended in sendspin configurations.

I fully intend to blend further, as my goal is to provide a local media control device for my children to use in their rooms. And the parents, too.

Local and Remote Media Players

The red-smartknob.yaml supports two modes: running as a local sendspin player, or controlling a remote HomeAssistant media player. The UI is identical for both, achieved by way of using scripts to abstract the entity interactions.

How to use this

1. Edit red-smartknob.yaml to set your device names, home assistant entities, and local vs remote mediplayer choice.
2. Copy secrets.yaml.example to secrets.yaml and edit it as appropriate for your setup.
3. Compile and flash your device: esphome run red-smartknob.yaml
4. Add the device in Home Assistant
5. If using sendspin, then you should already see your device in Music Assistant too. Play some music!

NOTE: If using TTS announcements, remember to use the Music Assistant media_player entity within Home Assistant, rather than the device directly. MA will handle the audio stream format mismatches much more gracefully.

Device Notes

This device (JC3636K518C) has two chips, an ESP32 and an ESP32-S3. The ESP32 has the DAC, the S3 has the rest. Rotate the USB-C connector by 180deg to flip between them; you'll want to use an A-to-C USB cable.

The ESP32-S3

$ esptool flash-id
esptool v5.3.0
Connected to ESP32-S3 on /dev/ttyACM0:
Chip type:          ESP32-S3 (QFN56) (revision v0.2)
Features:           Wi-Fi, BT 5 (LE), Dual Core + LP Core, 240MHz, Embedded PSRAM 8MB (AP_3v3)
Crystal frequency:  40MHz
USB mode:           USB-Serial/JTAG
MAC:                <redacted>

Stub flasher running.

Flash Memory Information:
=========================
Manufacturer: 68
Device: 4018
Detected flash size: 16MB
Flash type set in eFuse: quad (4 data lines)
Flash voltage set by eFuse: 3.3V

The ESP32

$ esptool flash-id
esptool v5.3.0
Connected to ESP32 on /dev/ttyUSB0:
Chip type:          ESP32-U4WDH (revision v3.1)
Features:           Wi-Fi, BT, Dual Core + LP Core, 240MHz, Embedded Flash, Vref calibration in eFuse, Coding Scheme None
Crystal frequency:  40MHz
MAC:                <redacted>

Stub flasher running.

Flash Memory Information:
=========================
Manufacturer: 20
Device: 4016
Detected flash size: 4MB
Flash voltage set by a strapping pin: 3.3V

References

• For this model
  • https://github.com/nkinnan/Waveshare-ESP32-S3-Knob-Touch-LCD-1.8_and_Guition-K5-Knob-Series-JC3636K518 - description of devices
  • https://github.com/VolosR/Knob18Meters - arduino project for RGB controls
  • https://github.com/KrX3D/WaveShare-Knob-ESp32S3 - esphome setup w/ display, HA media player.
  • https://github.com/muness/roon-knob - hi-fi controller
  • https://github.com/orgs/esphome/discussions/3253 - ESPHome discussion thread
  • https://github.com/marcinmajkowski44-ship-it/ESP32S3-1.8-inch-JC3636K518C
  • https://github.com/taweili/Agent-Knob
• For newer S3-only model
  • https://github.com/RealDeco/sendspin-guition