How to Choose a VRF Thermostat or Gateway

First decide what you are buying

A wall thermostat provides a visible room-control interface. An add-on gateway connects a compatible existing HVAC system to another control route. Choose the role first, then confirm the complete indoor-unit model, terminals and required configuration. A similar-looking panel is not evidence of matching firmware or wiring.

This guide covers product selection before quotation. For room schedules, control permissions, pilot testing and handover, use the commercial VRF controls commissioning checklist.

Choose the product route

A configurable wall thermostat: S20

Consider S20 when the project needs a wall-mounted room controller with a selected supported brand protocol. Bluetooth is used for protocol loading; optional Tuya WiFi is a separate smart-control choice. Confirm the model-specific 2-, 3- or 4-wire route before choosing the LCD/TFT panel and finish.

A Mitsubishi Electric CN105 add-on: AcmeLink ME

Consider AcmeLink ME for a confirmed compatible Mitsubishi Electric indoor unit with CN105. Available configurations are WiFi, Zigbee, Modbus, WiFi + Modbus and Zigbee + Modbus. WiFi + Zigbee and the three-protocol combination are not supported. WiFi and Zigbee use the same indoor-unit wiring but different Tuya modules; Modbus adds RS485 A/B wires. Specify the configuration rather than assuming every unit includes every protocol.

A Daikin P1/P2 add-on: AcmeLink DK

Consider AcmeLink DK for a confirmed compatible Daikin P1/P2 wired-controller route. It adds 2.4 GHz WiFi app control and can retain the compatible original wired controller in parallel. P1/P2 is non-polarized. The ME configuration choices are not a DK specification.

A native VRF-to-Modbus converter: AcmeLink_GW

Consider AcmeLink_GW when the project requires a separate native VRF protocol converter for RS485 Modbus integration. Confirm the native bus, polarity, addressing, power supply and register map. This is a project-matched converter, not a universal plug-and-play substitute for ME, DK or S20.

Confirm compatibility before panel appearance

1. Record the complete indoor-unit model and suffix, not just the brand.
2. Photograph the relevant terminal or connector and identify the existing controller.
3. State whether that controller must remain in operation.
4. Specify local control, WiFi app control, Zigbee integration or Modbus integration. For Zigbee, confirm the gateway and pairing arrangement; for Modbus, request serial settings and the register map.
5. After the interface is confirmed, select the panel, finish and required accessories.

The VRF thermostat brand pages and product wiring references help with screening, but they do not replace approval of the exact model. Do not infer that all units from one brand use the same terminals or power arrangement.

Send a complete quotation request

Include the model label, connector photograph, current controller, required control route, selected configuration, sample quantity, expected production quantity and target market. Ask the supplier to return a matched product/configuration, wiring reference, included accessories and any remaining compatibility conditions. Commercial terms are maintained separately in the samples and OEM/ODM policy.

Product references

The linked product pages contain configuration summaries and downloadable materials. For WiFi pairing on a confirmed ME WiFi configuration, see the Mitsubishi Electric to Tuya setup guide. Installation and electrical work should follow the confirmed model-specific documentation and be performed by qualified personnel.

Product selection questions