Cracking Open Home Assistant — A Smart Van Autopsy

A full autopsy of the Smarty Van 2.0 electronics box — the Home Assistant brain of a real mobile smart home build. Every component, every decision, explained. We crack open the box system by system: an ESP32 running ESPHome over wired ethernet (WiFi disabled on purpose), MODBUS relay control over RS485 star topology, remotely mounted IO driving mag locks, and all the support systems that keep it running. What's covered: Home Assistant + ESPHome integration in a van build ESP32 PoE ethernet vs WiFi — and why that frees up Bluetooth MODBUS relay architecture for lights, valves, pumps, and Starlink RS485 star topology with the Waveshare RS485-HUB Remotely mounted IO module for drawer mag locks Peplink networking, Pekaway DC distribution, PWM dimming, and more Part of the Smarty Van 2.0 build series — a fully automated, Home Assistant-powered mobile smart home built in collaboration with Nomadik Customs. 🔗 LINKS BlueCharm Bluetooth Beacons - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4HLMJCD?... SwitchBot Temp Sensors - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVZC9Q31?... M5 Stack Indoor Air Quality Sensor - M5 Stack Indoor Air Quality Sensor - https://shop.m5stack.com/products/air... Seeed Studio R2135-12 Edge Computer - https://www.seeedstudio.com/reCompute... Peplink MAX BR1 Mini 5G - https://mobilemusthave.com/collection... Linovision 12-port PoE Switch - https://amzn.to/4bpR0iL Waveshare: Brain (ESP32-S3-POE-ETH-8DI-8DO) - https://www.waveshare.com/esp32-s3-po... Modbus 8ch Relay - 10amp - https://www.waveshare.com/modbus-rtu-... Modbus 8ch Relay - 30amp - https://www.waveshare.com/modbus-rtu-... Modbus 4ch Relay - 30amp - https://www.waveshare.com/modbus-rtu-... Modbus 8ch DI/DO - https://www.waveshare.com/modbus-rtu-... RS485 Hub - https://www.waveshare.com/rs485-hub-8... Augmented Reality Design Video -    • I Build It TWICE… On Purpose!   Networking Video -    • Bulletproof Mobile Internet & Networking!   Capacitive Touch Video -    • This Hidden Button Shouldn’t Work Through ...   Home Assistant Server Video -    • 3 Home Assistant Server Options: Easy, Fle...   Pekaway (Fusy) - https://pekaway.de/collections/alle-p... 🎗️ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL Become a member for special perks:    / @smartyvan   Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/smartyvan Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/smartyvan 📇 CONNECT Smarty Van Discord server:   / discord     / mikegoubeaux   https://smartyvan.com Sponsorship & Collaboration: [email protected] 🛠️ SMARTY VAN DESIGN & INSTALL SERVICE Don't feel like you're up for a DIY Smarty Van? Check out https://smartyvan.com to learn how we can help. 0:00 - Intro 1:23 - The Brain (ESP32) 2:59 - Nervous System 3:29 - MODBUS 4:16 - The Muscles (Relays) 6:23 - Support Systems DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps us keep making content! Thanks so much.