Reddit mentions of Qunqi 3.3V 5.5V FT232RL FTDI USB to TTL Serial Adapter Module for Arduino Mini Port

To get the most bang for your buck, I’d go with getting a raspberry pi (unless you have an old PC laying a around that you can re-purpose), some kind of voice assistant (Amazon or Google, depending on your preference), some sonoff basic wifi smart switches and/or some cheap WiFi rgb/rgbw bulbs and/or smart plugs that use the Tuya app (or alternatively LED strips and NodeMCU chips if you’re comfortable with small electronics and have the ability to do some soldering).

Also, grab an FTFI adapter like this (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014Y1IMNM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YfTZDbW9BA0R5) and some DuPont jumper wires. You may not need it right away, but will eventually.

Get hassio set up on your pi or pc (recommend using Proxmox to set up a virtual machine if you go the PC route), set up duckdns for remote access to the homeassistant controller if you would like remote access, and use the Tuya Integration to discover any of the Tuya-based bulbs/switches you have.

This will in all likelihood take up most of your 19 hours, hassio has a pretty steep learning curve. Once things are integrated, start working on your lovelace setup (essentially your “control center). If you have any time remaining, look into creating some basic scripts and/or automations. You can pull in a lot of “free” entities based on “information”, i.e. presence based on whether or not your phone if connected to your WiFi network, weather, traffic information, etc.

Next step would be to set up an MQTT server and convert your Tuya devices to use a custom firmware called Tasmota, and get them connected to MQTT. This will enable you to cut out the “cloud” and run your devices on your local network instead, which is more secure and reliable. There are plenty of resources out there to get you started.

This the screen: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LAG12DG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the case: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07916HTWY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You'll also need this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014Y1IMNM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And I recommend one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VUK7IIQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Good luck with the build!

To answer a few questions from earlier:

I got the paper display from amazon. It is programmed in python3 so it should be cross platform. This is a raspberry pi project but I have run it on my normal linux desktop using this serial adapter.

I do plan on releasing the code on github at some point but the display driver code still needs some work. It is fully functional but it looks like it was directly ported from the Arduino and can be rewritten to match the python style.

Micro Minim OSD w/ KV Team MOD - I got mine from Amazon for about 10$, actually i had to get 2 after i messed up with a soldering iron on the first....

You will also need a FTDI Usb to TTL Serial Adapter Module to program it, this is the one i used: http://amzn.com/B014Y1IMNM

i had the same issue. you can do what i did. i soldered 4 wires to another one of the available UARTs on my FC and then connected them to this adapter whenever i needed to connect to my PC. i had some single pin plugs that came with a receiver or my FC or something. i think i used the same UART as was in use by the USB so i didn't need to change everything.

I bought this USB->Serial adaptor to hook my computer up to the H801 to flash it.
I would not recommend it though.
The H801 requires 3v to flash, by default, this adaptor is 5v. I had to cut a jumper wire on the back of the board and solder across the terminals of another to convert it to 3v. If you aren't afraid of cutting/soldering jumpers though, its pretty straight forward, and I know it works.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NAY1VJ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you'd prefer to not have to deal with a soldiering iron, I would recommend this one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014Y1IMNM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_-faLybCT352ZP It has an actual jumper, that you can pull off the pins and move to different ones to change the voltage, no cutting and soldiering of circuitry required.

Not necessary, but I would recommend, this bag of jumper wires. It'll make connecting the serial/usb adaptor to the H801 simple. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JUKL4XI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the actual H801 device. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GJMRLUY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Then I bought these lights. If you get a different set of lights, I recommend getting a set that comes with a power supply. You'll need a power supply to power the H801 and the lights, the supply that comes with the lights will be enough to do it (assuming you are only running 1 or 2 lengths of lights). https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HD37U6S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You'll also need to download the binary for the firmware, which in in the first post of the link I had in my OP. And you'll also probably need to download and install the FTDI device driver for the usb/serial which can be found in the same post as the one that had the video, post #358. That post tells you pretty much how to do the entire thing, video, pictures, and all. And feel free to ping me if you need help.

Yes the connector is to easily connect to your ftdi programmer.

This is all you need.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B014Y1IMNM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1458922295&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=ftdi&dpPl=1&dpID=51xQ3fhBGmL&ref=plSrch

Any idea if this one will work?

Qunqi 3.3V 5.5V FT232RL FTDI Usb to TTL Serial Adapter Module for Arduino Mini Port https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014Y1IMNM/

Reviews indicate people have used it successfully with minim osd so I'm leaning towards yes.

Yeah - and it's completely worth learning and buying the necessary stuff because many wifi smart devices are ESP8266 based, and locked down. If you can flash the firmware to allow MQTT or other control, you've unlocked a whole world.

Case in point - outside of sonoff's super cheap switches, I bought an H-801 RGB light strip controller - for $8. I flashed this, bought regular old strips, and put under-cabinet lighting in my kitchen for about $40.

*

Anyway - You will need something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B014Y1IMNM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_-faLybCT352ZP?sa-no-redirect=1 (DO NOT BUY FROM THIS LINK PLEASE)**

There are two versions of this. One stamped with YP-05 and one stamped with FTD1232. The amazon link I posted is for the YP-05. You need to do some searching for the FTD1232 version.

The YP-05 will work (I have it working) but it's a pain in the ass, and it requires extra power - which may fry your smart device (supposedly).

So - once you get this, look up "ESPEasy". There's a repo on github with a full rundown and pretty much every sonoff device in existence, along with other devices (if you're hungry for more smart devices, peruse this list and just buy this stuff once you're comfy with flashing - good devices and all very cheap).

You will also need Jumper wires: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00JUKL4XI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_CkaLyb30SZ23B?sa-no-redirect=1 (Go ahead and get them from here, you'll have a bunch and they're nice to have around).

From there, it'll take you an hour for your first flash as you learn where everything is, and about 5 minutes for any other device you need as you'll be an expert at that point in time.

Outside of that, just look for a tutorial. Lots of them on youtube, and smartthings' community has a few of them in their threads.