1. What you need¶
Shopping list¶
| Item | What to get | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi | Raspberry Pi 5 or Raspberry Pi 4, with 2 GB of memory or more | Runs Home Assistant |
| Memory card | microSD card, 32 GB or larger, marked A2 | Holds Home Assistant. (A USB SSD drive is even better — it lasts longer) |
| Power supply | The official Raspberry Pi power supply for your model (Pi 5: 27 W, Pi 4: 15 W) | A phone charger is often too weak and causes random problems |
| USB-to-RS232 adapter | A USB to RS232 (DB9) adapter — one with an FTDI chip is the safest choice | Lets the Raspberry Pi talk to the amplifier |
| Serial cable | A DB9 serial cable, long enough to reach the amplifier | Connects the adapter to the amplifier |
| Network cable (recommended) | An Ethernet cable to your router | More reliable than Wi-Fi |
Already have Home Assistant running on another computer? You only need the adapter and the cable.
Buy RS232 — not TTL
Shops also sell "USB to TTL" adapters with loose pins for electronics projects. They look similar but won't work with an amplifier. Look for a DB9 plug (9 pins in two rows) and the word RS232.
Which cable?¶
Serial cables come in two kinds: straight-through and null-modem. Your amplifier's manual usually says which one it needs.
- AMC X86i: straight-through (tested).
- Not sure? Start with straight-through. If the amplifier doesn't respond, add a small null-modem adapter between the cable and the amplifier. Trying the wrong one does no harm.
Your amplifier¶
Check that it has an RS232 port (usually a 9-pin connector on the back) and that it's on the list of supported models.
Amplifier far from the Raspberry Pi?
Serial cables work up to about 15 m (50 ft). For longer distances you can use a small network adapter next to the amplifier instead — see Network connections.
A GitHub account¶
HACS (step 3) signs in with a free GitHub account. Create one now if you don't have it.