I just bought a KinCony 32 Pro to control basically the lighting in my house. This was a retrofit: I replaced an old automation system with the KinCony on a DIY basis.
My plan is to use Home Assistant to control everything. Today, the KinCony A32 Pro physically controls the lights ON/OFF. Now I need to install the firmware, and the big question is: ESPHome or KCS?
I asked ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, and they gave contradictory answers.
What ChatGPT said
ChatGPT initially recommended KCS + Home Assistant, arguing that KCS can integrate the A32 Pro through MQTT and MQTT Auto Discovery, and that I would not need ESPHome.
It cited KinCony’s forum, including a discussion where the administrator said that KCS and ESPHome cannot run simultaneously and recommended KCS v3 for users who do not know how to configure ESPHome.
It also cited the KinCony forum thread “A32 pro lost control”, where a user had flashed ESPHome and lost KCS. The administrator explained that KCS and ESPHome cannot coexist, and suggested enabling MQTT Auto Discovery in KCS to integrate the A32 Pro with Home Assistant.
Based on this, ChatGPT concluded:

• I do not need ESPHome.
  
• I can install KCS and integrate it with Home Assistant.
  
• KCS + MQTT Auto Discovery is the simpler solution for my case.
  

• Relays through MQTT
  
• Basic sensors
  
• Some internal states
  

Quote:Press a button → turn on one, two, or three lights.

1. KCS + MQTT Auto Discovery does not automatically expose the 32 digital inputs.
   
2. Saying that KCS is simpler may be true for some smaller KinCony controllers, but not necessarily for the A32 Pro.
   
3. The A32 Pro uses multiple I/O expanders, and ESPHome provides a more complete mapping of its inputs and outputs to Home Assistant.
   

Hi Kincony and community.

I've just received my KC868-AGv3 RF/IR Smart Controller..

is there an example ESPHome configuration posted anywhere - I've been searching for some time and cannot find a an example I can use to get me started... I've installed a base ESP32 config on it and I see it on my network etc.. but keen to get it fully worked with all the RF/IR/Buzzer features..

Many thanks in advance.

KinCony B2 ESP32 smart controller based on ESP32-S3-WROOM-1U (N16R8) wifi chip. Support 2 channel relay output, 4 channel 1-wire GPIOs, 4 channel ADS1115 16bit analog input ports. One SD card using SPI bus. B2 include DS3231 high precision RTC clock chip. LCD display will show wifi and ethernet IP address and Tuya connection state. B2 have I2C bus extender and RS485 port. B2 support use SIM7600E 4G module. You can write any code by Arduino IDE / MicroPython / ESP-IDF development tool to ESP32 module. We will supply Arduino / ESP-IDF demo code for different samples. Everyone can modify and change the code for your own smart home automation system project. it support use by ESPHome for home assistant or tasmota firmware for smart home automation DIY. B2 use KCS v3 firmware, it support home assistant auto discovery function by MQTT, so without write any config code (zero code) for home assistant. KCS v3 support KinCony cloud service (official shop customer free 2 years), remote monitor and control device by webpage in anywhere. KCS v3 support KinCony board integrate to Loxone Miniserver. Support Apple HomeKit for Siri.

Model No. KinCony B2
Description: KinCony 2 Channel ESP32-S3 Smart Relay Controller – B2
Power supply: 12-24V DC
Processor: ESP32-S3-WROOM-1U (N16R8)
Size: 124mm*83mm*56mm
interfaces: Ethernet(RJ45)-LAN 100Mbps IPv4/IPv6,WiFi,RS485,Bluetooth,USB-C,LCD,I2C,Tuya Module, 4G SIM7600
RTC: DS3231 high precision chip (battery socket on PCB)
SD Card: SPI bus
Installation method: DIN RAIL
LCD: SSD1306 I2C display
Outputs:
2CH relay Outputs, every relay use by MAX AC270V/10A
Inputs:
ADS1115 16bit ADC: 2CH analog input DC0-5V (A1,A2) 2CH analog input 4-20mA (A3,A4)
2CH dry contact inputs (optocoupler isolation, long distance circuit for MAX 500 meters cable)
3 buttons: 1:ESP32 Reset 2:ESP32 Download 3:Tuya config
1-Wire GPIO: 4CH (with pull-up resistance on PCB)

KC868-A8v3 PCB layout CAD file

  KC868_A8v3.1.zip (Size: 1.57 MB / Downloads: 29)

Hello,
I have also noticed another issue with the KinCony N30 when using the current direction detection.
My N30 has three rows/modules, and all of my current clamps are installed and wired in exactly the same physical direction.
However, when I enable the current direction detection, I get inconsistent results:

• Module 1: current direction is detected correctly and the power values are positive.
  
• Module 2: the power values are negative.
  
• Module 3: the power values are also negative.
  

Hello,
I noticed an issue with the MQTT Discovery configuration generated by the N30 when the device is integrated into Home Assistant.
For example, Home Assistant creates the following entity:

Current sensor does not detect current direction
Hello,
I have a question regarding the current/power sensor on my KinCony device.
The circuit is connected to a 1100 W pump, with approximately 1000 W peak solar PV production.
I expected the sensor to detect the direction of the current and therefore show negative power when the solar panels are producing energy and sending it back through the circuit.
In the attached screenshot:

• Green area: nighttime. The pump is running and consuming approximately 1100 W. This is normal.
  
• Red area: daytime. The solar panels are producing around 400 W, with no consumption from the pump. However, the sensor still reports the power as positive instead of negative.
  

Hi everyone,

I’m exploring how AI automation could work alongside Loxone for smarter home and building automation. Loxone already handles many rule-based tasks well, but I’m interested in where AI could add value without making the system unnecessarily complicated.

For example, AI could potentially analyze sensor data, learn usage patterns, optimize heating or lighting schedules, detect unusual energy consumption, or help automate certain routines based on changing conditions.

I recently came across Codeora Vision while looking into AI automation solutions, which got me thinking about how AI-based systems could complement existing automation platforms rather than replace them.

Has anyone here experimented with connecting AI services or machine-learning workflows with Loxone? I’d be particularly interested in practical approaches for integrating AI with Loxone Miniserver data, APIs, MQTT, or other compatible methods.

What AI automation use cases have you found genuinely useful in a smart home or building environment?

- Without connecting the SHT30 temperature and humidity sensor, the LCD screen displays readings normally.
   
- After connecting the SHT30 temperature and humidity sensor, the LCD screen displays distorted readings.
   
- I tried setting the SHT30 address (I2C) to 0x44, but the address resets the next time the controller is polled.
- I also connected the RS485 JTH-2D1 temperature and humidity sensor to the RS485 port. Its address is: Temperature – 768; Humidity – 769
   
       
- I also connected an analog soil moisture sensor to analog input A1, using an external 3.3V power supply.
   
When the sensor is dry, the reading is 752.
   
When the sensor is submerged, the reading is 757.
   
When testing these sensors in an Arduino UNO R3, the readings are different.
   
How do I configure them in the KinCony ESP32-S3 Tuya relay board – F16 (16A removable relay)?

From what I've read (and based on most other power monitoring systems) it's important to get the direction of the sensor correct. So, should it look like A or B?