eSpa Max

The eSpa Max connects to certain spa pools (please see here though – you want to be sure that this PCB works for your spa before you buy it). The eSpa Max allows for you to control and monitor the operation of your spa pool, and integrate it into home automation software such as Home Assistant and OpenHAB by making use of the MQTT broker support in the firmware.

For more information on eSpa, refer to the eSpa website, and compare the eSpa Mini and eSpa Max models here.

Note: There is no cloud service offered with eSpa Max or the firmware that it runs – everything is local to your home network, and you are required to set up integration with the device by integrating it with an MQTT broker running on your network.

Overview

eSpa Max works by connecting directly to the controller board of your spa pool, using a standard RJ-45 network cable (which you can buy here, or supply your own) for both power and communication. There is no complex wiring necessary – it’s as simple as connecting both ends of an RJ-45 network cable into the right ports.

To protect the eSpa Max it is a good idea to put it inside a suitable enclosure. You can screw the enclosure to the inside of your spa pool, to keep it safe from the elements.

When the eSpa Max is connected to your spa pool, it will power up, and be able to be configured and connected to, by following the online guide here. The firmware is built as open source software, and is available on GitHub.

Note: The eSpa Max supports reading the power consumption of the spa pool with a CT clamp, but it does not include a CT clamp. You will need to purchase one separately.

Features

• Powered by an ESP32-S3-Mini with 8MB of flash.
• The ESP32 has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth support (but the current firmware does not make any use of the Bluetooth functionality)
• No need for a separate power supply – power is supplied via the RJ-45 connection when connected to the spa pool controller.
• USB-C connector for easy flashing and debugging.
• Eight GPIO pin headers (for GPIO 1 through GPIO 9 on the ESP32), as well as pin headers for +3.3v and GND. This allows for connecting external devices and sensors.
• Safety fuse to reduce risk of damage to spa pool controller board.

Important disclaimers

1. This is a custom PCB built and designed by hobby PCB / firmware developers, for people who like to tinker with home automation. It is developed and supplied by people who are in no way affiliated with any of the suppliers of spa pools or spa pool control systems, and all names (such as Spanet) are owned by their respective owners. These suppliers have their own wifi solutions that you might want to consider, if you want to have a proper certified solution.
2. All efforts have been made to keep the eSpa Max as cost-effective as possible. The eSpa Max is not intended to be a money-making enterprise – the goal is to get the eSpa Max into more hands, so that more people can integrate their spa pool into their home automation systems.
3. The eSpa Max is supplied as-is. Whilst it has been tested on various spa pools (listed above), there is no guarantee that it will work on your spa pool. Further, there is no warranty that the eSpa Max will not do damage to your spa pool. You are using this at your own risk!
4. There is no guarantee that the companies producing the spa pool controllers will not change their design in the future, rendering these PCBs obsolete on new versions of the controller. We have no insight into when, or if, this will ever happen.