Description
Production price: $249 AUD, board only, plus delivery. One V3 board is currently available to order. The next production batch is expected around early November 2026, approximately three weeks from 14 October; further stock and dispatch timing will be confirmed after production and testing.
Trial run completed—thanks for your support! Read the V3 trial and production update.
8-zone HVAC controller for Home Assistant and ESPHome
V3 is the next evolution of the TekOnline 8-Zone HVAC Controller for Home Assistant and ESPHome.
Built around customer feedback, it adds individual timed damper positioning — so zones can be set part-way open rather than simply open or closed — alongside current monitoring to help confirm that actuators are connected and responding.
Control up to eight 24VAC damper zones from Home Assistant, create room-by-room automations, and retain the flexibility to integrate the controller into a wider smart-home setup.
Individual damper positioning
Set each compatible damper to a target opening percentage, not just ON or OFF.
V3 uses calibrated travel timing to move a damper to approximately the desired position, allowing more refined airflow balancing between rooms. For example, a bedroom can be set to 40% open while the living area remains fully open.
Because the hardware uses a shared direction system, zones travelling in opposite directions are automatically moved in sequence. Multiple zones can move together when travelling in the same direction.
Accuracy note: V3 uses calibrated timed positioning. It does not use an encoder to physically report exact damper-blade position. Actual accuracy depends on the actuator and calibration.
Current monitoring and startup diagnostics
V3 monitors the 24VAC actuator supply current.
When the controller commands a zone to move, it can check for current flow as a useful confirmation that a damper actuator is connected and drawing power. This supports a practical startup and diagnostic check and can help identify issues such as:
- an unplugged or disconnected damper
- wiring faults
- an actuator that does not appear to respond when commanded
- unusual current behaviour during commissioning
Current monitoring is a diagnostic aid — it does not replace proper installation checks or turn every damper into a fully feedback-positioned actuator.
Built for ESPHome and Home Assistant
Configure the controller with ESPHome and expose zones, controls and diagnostics in Home Assistant.
Use schedules, temperature sensors, occupancy, window sensors or custom automations to control airflow room by room.
8-zone 24VAC damper control
Designed for compatible low-voltage 24VAC three-wire damper actuators with:
- Common / neutral
- Drive open
- Drive close
Confirm your damper and control-system wiring before purchase. See the compatibility note below.
What’s new in V3?
- Individual timed percentage positioning for compatible dampers
- Current monitoring for actuator activity and diagnostics
- Startup and commissioning diagnostic capability
- Six-pin 3.3V TTL UART expansion header
- Optional +5V auxiliary supply for external modules
- Continued ESPHome and Home Assistant integration
Advanced integrations: TTL UART expansion
TTL UART expansion header
V3 includes a six-pin 3.3V TTL UART expansion header for advanced integrations and experimentation.
Header pinout:
GND · 3V3 · TX · RX · DE · +5V
This gives capable users access to the controller’s serial interface and an optional direction-enable pin. It can be used with suitable external hardware such as:
- 3.3V TTL-to-RS485 / Modbus adapters
- UART-connected wall-panel or custom-controller projects
- UART-to-RS232 or UART-to-LIN interfaces, using the appropriate external adapter
This is an expansion header, not a built-in RS485, Modbus, CAN or LIN port. Those interfaces require suitable external hardware and user configuration.
Important UART safety note
The controller’s TX and RX data pins are 3.3V logic only.
For RS485/Modbus projects, use a 3.3V TTL-to-RS485 adapter. An SP3485- or MAX3485-based adapter is the preferred type.
The +5V header pin is provided as an auxiliary supply for compatible external hardware. It does not make the controller’s TX/RX pins 5V tolerant.
Do not connect a 5V logic-level output directly to the controller’s RX pin. Many common MAX485 adapter boards run from 5V and may send a 5V signal back on their RO/output pin. This can cause unreliable communication, resets or damage to the ESP32’s UART input.
If a 5V RS485 module must be used, its receive-output signal must be level-shifted down to 3.3V before it connects to the controller RX pin.
Programming note
The expansion header shares the controller’s USB programming UART.
Disconnect any attached external UART device before flashing firmware via USB-C. Normal OTA firmware updates remain unaffected.
Compatibility
Designed for compatible 24VAC three-conductor dampers using common, drive-open and drive-closed connections. Not suitable for 2-wire spring-return dampers. Confirm actuator compatibility before installation.
Safety
For low-voltage HVAC control wiring only. Installation should be completed by a suitably competent person familiar with HVAC zone-control systems.
What’s included
- Included: TekOnline 8 Zone HVAC Zone Controller V3 board
- Not included: 24VAC transformer — the controller is powered from your existing HVAC transformer
- Not included: enclosure
- Not included: dampers and wiring
Read the V3 announcement: What’s new in the TekOnline 8-Zone HVAC Controller V3? →
Three-wire damper wiring
V3 requires compatible 24VAC three-wire dampers with common, drive-open and drive-closed connections. See the 24VAC three-wire damper wiring guide before installation.
ESPHome firmware and developer resources
The V3 firmware is currently alpha/development firmware. Download the V3 ESPHome firmware and follow the first-board testing guide before connecting installed HVAC equipment.
- Read how timed damper positioning works.
- Follow the setup and calibration guide.
- Check damper compatibility.
0–100% positioning is time-based and estimated, not physical position feedback. The default full-travel time is 60 seconds, but different dampers may require calibration. Test relay polarity and direction on the bench before connecting installed HVAC equipment.
V2 to V3 trade-in: $30 towards your upgrade
Already own a TekOnline V2 eight-zone controller? Trade in your complete, working V2 for $30 credit towards a new V3. At the $249 board price, your upgrade is $219 AUD plus delivery.
We’re starting with a five-controller trade-in pilot. Contact us with your original order number to arrange a V2 trade-in and confirm V3 availability before returning your board.
- We confirm eligibility, damper compatibility and a place in the pilot.
- You purchase the V3 at its listed price and send back your complete, working V2. You cover V3 delivery and V2 return postage.
- After we receive and test the V2, we refund $30 against your V3 purchase.
One trade-in credit per V3 purchase. The board must be complete, working and free of physical damage or unauthorised modifications. Contact us before sending a faulty or modified board; it does not qualify automatically. The credit is issued after testing and is not a standalone cash buyback. Existing orders retain their agreed price.
V3 controller questions
Can V3 set a damper part-way open?
Yes. Compatible 24VAC three-wire dampers can use calibrated timed targets from 0–100%. The target is an estimated damper opening, not measured airflow or encoder position.
Can I add these features to V2 with a firmware update?
No. V2 has eight relays without the V3 direction relay or UART expansion. V2 supports open/close zone switching; the partial-positioning and UART features require V3 hardware.
Does the $249 price include a touchscreen?
No. The price is for the V3 board. The transformer, enclosure, dampers and wiring are also separate. The upcoming touchscreen wall controller is a separate device in development.
Is the production firmware ready?
The linked V3 firmware is currently alpha/development firmware. The firmware supplied with the next production release and its setup instructions will be confirmed before dispatch.
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