Chain Angle ESPHome Component

Chain Angle is a potentiometer knob input node in the M5Stack Chain series. As the potentiometer knob rotates, the voltage at the sampling terminal changes within a fixed range. After ADC conversion by the built-in MCU, it outputs signal values with up to 12-bit resolution. It also integrates a programmable RGB LED for status indication and interactive display, making it suitable for human-machine interaction, smart home, and motor speed control applications.

1. Component Overview

2. Component Details

Include External Components

• M5Stack external component - m5_chain_base
• M5Stack external component - m5_chain_angle

The Chain DualKey acts as the system's main controller. When connecting expansion sensors, set the connection direction and ID numbering order correctly.

Select the Direction

Select the corresponding uart_id according to the side of the Chain DualKey to which the expansion sensor is connected:

• Connected to the left side of the Chain DualKey → use chain_uart_left.
• Connected to the right side of the Chain DualKey → use chain_uart_right.

ID Numbering Rules

chain_index indicates the position of the expansion sensor relative to the Chain DualKey:

• Start numbering from the module closest to the Chain DualKey.
• Increase the ID sequentially (ID:1 → ID:2 → ID:3 …).
• The left and right sides are numbered independently.
• Refer to the diagram above to determine the correct order.

Configuration Example

• Configure the host UART pins (using the Chain DualKey as an example)

uart:
  - id: chain_uart_right
    tx_pin: GPIO6
    rx_pin: GPIO5
    baud_rate: 115200

  - id: chain_uart_left
    tx_pin: GPIO47
    rx_pin: GPIO48
    baud_rate: 115200

• Include the external components

external_components:
  - source: github://m5stack/esphome@feat-m5-chain
    components: [m5_chain_base, m5_chain_angle]
    refresh: 0s

• Add the Chain Angle

m5_chain_angle:
  id: chain_angle
  uart_id: chain_uart_right
  chain_index: 1
  update_interval: 250ms

Set the correct index according to the actual position of the Chain.

• Add Chain Angle ADC sensors

sensor:
  - platform: m5_chain_angle
    m5_chain_angle_id: chain_angle
    type: adc_12
    name: Chain Angle ADC 12
  - platform: m5_chain_angle
    m5_chain_angle_id: chain_angle
    type: adc_8
    name: Chain Angle ADC 8

• Add the Chain Angle RGB LED

output:
  - platform: m5_chain_angle
    id: chain_angle_red
    m5_chain_angle_id: chain_angle
    channel: rgb_red
  - platform: m5_chain_angle
    id: chain_angle_green
    m5_chain_angle_id: chain_angle
    channel: rgb_green
  - platform: m5_chain_angle
    id: chain_angle_blue
    m5_chain_angle_id: chain_angle
    channel: rgb_blue

light:
  - platform: rgb
    name: "Chain Angle Light"
    red: chain_angle_red
    green: chain_angle_green
    blue: chain_angle_blue

3. Reference Example

After the Chain Angle expansion module is connected, you can view the corresponding Sensor and Light entities on the device page:

Dashboard card example