In recent years, we've had the opportunity to discover a number of connected pool sensors, such as Iopool, Ondilo and Blue Connect. These devices are extremely useful for maintaining water quality. But they are proprietary, difficult to integrate into a home automation system, sometimes require complete replacement every two years, and are generally very expensive. Today, I'd like to introduce you to the Yago 7-1 ZigBee pool sensor, which has the advantage of connecting directly to ZigBee, so it can be integrated into any compatible system, such as Home Assistant or Jeedom for example, and for less than 120€! A solution that promises to simplify your life while providing a reliable, worry-free connected experience. Let's find out more…
Unpacking the Yago ZigBee pool sensor
Let's start by unpacking the famous Yago ZigBee pool sensor! The packaging is simple and neat. Nothing superfluous, just what's needed to protect this little technological gem during transport.
Incidentally, both the packaging and the manual refer to Wifi everywhere, and there's no ZigBee logo. But it's a ZigBee-connected probe! By the way, I recommend the French manual provided by Domadoo, which is clearer than the one supplied with the probe.
When you open the box, you come straight to the probe itself, which seems to be made of sturdy plastic. Good, because it's going to have to withstand UV rays and pool treatments.
The Yago probe is fairly compact, which is a good thing, as it doesn't take up too much space in the pool.
It is designed to float on the surface, leaving only a few centimetres of its top module protruding. This discreet design is ideal for keeping the aesthetics of your pool intact.
What's really interesting about the Yago sensor is that it's powered by unlimited energy: solar! No more hassles with batteries to replace or recharge. The probe recharges itself thanks to the sun. So you can leave it in the pool without worrying about it, and it'll keep working indefinitely. A real revolution for people like me, who like simple, effective solutions.
The lower part of the unit unscrews to reveal the various sensors, which are used to monitor the main parameters of your pool water (temperature, pH, chlorine, etc.). Please note: the pH sensor is protected by another white plastic tube, which must be unscrewed before use. This is not always a good idea, and if you put it in the water as it is, the measurements are bound to be wrong :p
Around the “head”, two caps conceal a pairing button on one side, and a micro Usb port for recharging on the other.
Rest assured, an initial Usb charge will be necessary, but then solar power will take over so that the probe is totally autonomous.
The sensor's design is also designed to be compatible with pools fitted with cover flaps. So you can close your pool without worry, and the sensor will continue to do its job, even under the cover. Practical, isn't it?
And now, let's talk about installation.
Using the Yago ZigBee pool sensor
Operation is child's play. As soon as you dip the probe into your pool, it starts monitoring the main water parameters: temperature, pH, chlorine and more. Data can be retrieved via the Tuya mobile app, or directly from your ZigBee-compatible home automation system.
Mobile application: necessary for calibration
As standard, the sensor comes already calibrated from the factory. However, it may be necessary to recalibrate it. Currently, this is only possible via the mobile application. One small constraint: to use the Tuya app, you'll need a ZigBee bridge. The first price will do, as long as it's Tuya-compatible, like the Nous box for example:
For my part, I had the Lidl box in a drawer, which is powered by Tuya, so it fits the bill perfectly. Once integrated with the Tuya app, it's easy to add the Yago ZigBee pool sensor:
In fact, we can use the sensor as is: the app will let us monitor pool parameters, and even create scenarios with other Tuya devices based on pool parameters (pump start-up, etc.).
The application's interface is clear and intuitive. You can view all your pool's water parameters in real time, directly from your smartphone. No need to go out to the pool to check levels, everything is centralized in the app. And if ever a parameter is out of range, the app sends you an alert. So you're always in the know and can intervene quickly. It's even possible to export readings for use in a spreadsheet if you wish.
Personally, though, I find the interface dreadful; I only use it to calibrate the probe :p
This is done using the 4 vials supplied, to calibrate 3 pH levels, as well as the ORP.
Simply pour the different vials into small containers, and dip the probe in one after the other, pressing the CAL button on the application each time to record the value, and taking care to clean the probe between each dip.
The operation is quite simple, as you can see in this video:
Once calibrated, you can use the sensor either in the Tuya application with its ZigBee gateway, or in a third-party home automation system, such as Home Assistant or Jeedom.
Integration with Home Assistant
In my opinion, this is where the Yago ZigBee pool sensor really comes into its own: integration into an existing, stand-alone home automation system that is much more comprehensive, allowing interaction with other equipment. As I'm currently using Home Assistant to control my home, I'll present this example here, but the procedure is the same for Jeedom.
Integrating the Yago ZigBee pool sensor into Home Assistant couldn't be simpler. Simply switch Home Assistant to pairing mode, press the red button on the sensor for 5 seconds (removing the cap first), and the sensor is automatically detected and added to the system. Here integrated under ZigBee2MQTT:
All that's left to do is close the protective cap on the button, using the wrench supplied to ensure tightness, before placing the Yago ZigBee pool sensor in the water!
Data is immediately uploaded to Home Assistant:
You can then, of course, set up customized dashboards to monitor the status of your pool in real time. You can view curves for temperature, pH, chlorine, and many other parameters, directly on your Home Assistant interface. For example, I've created this quick page to track pool information, including pump control, etc. It's still under construction, with the NetSpa SPA soon to be added :)
What's more, you can define automatic functions to react to parameter imbalances. For example, if the pH is too high, Home Assistant can send you an alert, or even trigger automatic dosing of corrective products if you have the right equipment. Once you have all the information you need, pool automation is perfectly feasible!
Everyday use of the Yago ZigBee sensor is a real pleasure, especially when coupled with the home automation system. You no longer need to worry about manual readings and tedious adjustments. Everything is automated and centralized. You can enjoy your pool with complete peace of mind, knowing that water parameters are constantly monitored.
You can also consult the history of readings to track the evolution of parameters over time. This helps you anticipate the need for maintenance products and maintain crystal-clear water at all times.
I've been using this sensor for two months now, and it's proved reliable. At first, I was monitoring in parallel with an electronic measuring device, and the eternal test strips. As the data collected by the Yago probe has proved reliable, it has now become my sole monitoring device, which makes my life much easier!
Conclusion
The Yago ZigBee pool sensor is without doubt a must-have for all pool owners who want to combine efficiency, simplicity and connectivity. With its solar power supply, ZigBee compatibility and integration with Home Assistant or Jeedom, it offers a complete, hassle-free solution for monitoring your pool.
If you're put off by the proprietary nature of other sensors on the market, this one should meet all your needs! Thanks to it, you'll be able to enjoy perfectly balanced water without lifting a finger (or almost). Personally, it's THE ZigBee product I've been waiting for!
We just hope to be able to calibrate directly from Home Assistant or Jeedom one day, without having to go through another ZigBee gateway. A small constraint, but one we can live with, given all the advantages of this ZigBee sensor.
It's currently available from Domadoo for €119, a far cry from the €400 to €500 charged by other proprietary solutions. And you can get a replacement sensor for less than 27€, which is quite reasonable!
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