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Programming the Brain: A Step-by-Step Guide to ROAM IQ Setup & Automations: Part 2

Upgrading or building out a campervan power system used to mean managing dozens of standalone switches, separate digital monitors, and endless wire runs. In our latest Sprinter van build, we installed ROAM IQ, a smart control system designed to centralize and automate every major component in your rig.

After completing the physical installation in Part 1 (which took about three hours as a retrofit), we sat down with laptop in hand to program the system's brain. Whether you’re setting up your own ROAM IQ or curious about what smart van automations look like in real life, here is a step-by-step walkthrough of the software configuration process.

Getting Started: Connecting to ROAM IQ

While you can configure ROAM IQ directly on its touchscreen display or through a smartphone, using a laptop with a physical keyboard makes the initial device naming and setup much faster.

  1. Connect to Local Wi-Fi: Ensure your laptop/device is on the same local network as your ROAM IQ system.

  2. Access the Portal: Open a browser and head to roamiq.local:8123 (or the address provided in your quick-start guide).

  3. Vehicle Profile: Select your chassis type (Mercedes Sprinter) and power system architecture (Bluetti RV Power System). Set your home location so the system can pull accurate local sunset, sunrise, and weather data.

Step 1: Device Discovery & Module Pairing

Once the basic profile is set, ROAM IQ automatically scans your vehicle’s network to find smart relays, switches, and device-specific hardware chips.

  • Shelly Relays & Switches: Add all relay switches (like 12V lighting zones or 110V outlets) into the system. You can name them now or organize them later.

  • Component Integration: Select and pair dedicated component chips including the Maxxair Roof Vent Fan, Espar Diesel Heater, Velit Rooftop Air Conditioner, and Bluetti Power Hub.

Step 2: Dashboard Control Setup

Next, map your physical devices to dashboard controls so you can operate everything from one clean user interface.

Lighting & Utilities

Map your relay outputs to logical zones such as Cab & Main Cabin Lighting (general white lights, task lighting, splash lights, and RGB accent strips) and the Water Pump.

Strategic Temperature Sensor Mapping

To optimize climate control, set up multiple temperature sensors at different heights and locations to track temperature gradients inside and outside the van:

  • Exterior Temp: Mapped to an exterior MoPeka sensor gauge.

  • Interior Low Temp: Uses the sensor near the floor on the Espar heater to measure floor-level cold air.

  • Interior High Temp: Uses the ceiling-mounted Velit AC sensor to track trapped heat at the top of the van.

Tank Level Monitoring

Enter the device serial numbers for your ultrasound tank sensors (like MoPeka) to pull real-time fluid levels. Configure tank geometry (e.g., a 9-inch gray water tank) so ROAM IQ can accurately translate sensor data into percentage filled.

Step 3: Choosing Your Dashboard Theme

ROAM IQ offers multiple interface themes depending on your aesthetic preferences:

  • Default: Clean, functional, and easy to read at a glance.

  • Futuristic: A high-tech, dark-mode look for a modern cockpit vibe.

  • Simple: Large buttons and minimal clutter—ideal for quick toggles or when lending your van to friends or renters.

Step 4: Crafting Scenes & Automations

The real power of a smart van system lies in Scenes (one-touch macro triggers) and Automations (conditional rules that run in the background).

Popular Lighting Scenes

  • Daytime / Work Mode: Bright, high-visibility cabin lighting with a subtle purple accent light for casual daytime productivity.

  • Evening Wind-Down: A single tap dims the overheads, warms up the ambient scene lights, and dims the ROAM IQ screen so it doesn't wash out the cabin at night.

  • Night / Low-Light Mode: Switches all interior cabin lights to deep red to preserve night vision during mid-night outdoor runs or to set a relaxed evening mood.

Smart Logic & Climate Automations

Because ROAM IQ monitors battery state-of-charge (SoC) alongside interior/exterior conditions, you can build layered logic into your van:

  • Overheat Protection: Set an automation so that if the interior cabin temperature hits 90°F, the roof fan automatically turns on to exhaust hot air—only if the main battery SoC is above 25%.

  • The "Dinner Time" Scene: Pressing one button can simultaneously raise an electric bed (e.g., HappiJac system) to clear space, turn on under-bed and prep-counter workspace lighting, activate the kitchen vent fan to clear cooking fumes, and trigger a custom Spotify playlist over your van’s audio system.

Have a creative idea for a van automation or a favorite lighting scene? Happy building!

Check out our YouTube guide for this setup here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c57feZuMZQ

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