Voltra Knob Installer

Turn your own Waveshare ESP32-S3 Knob (1.8") into a Voltra remote. Install the LiftLayered Voltra Knob software straight from your browser. It's free, with no downloads or coding. Already own a LiftLayered Voltra Knob Remote? This page is also the easiest way to update it.

01What you need

  • A Waveshare ESP32-S3-Knob-Touch-LCD-1.8, or your LiftLayered Voltra Knob Remote
  • A USB-C cable that carries data (some charge-only cables won't work)
  • Chrome or Edge on a Mac, Windows, or Linux computer. Phones and Safari can't install it.

02Connect and install

Plug the knob into your computer, click Install, and choose the port that appears. Installing takes about a minute. Keep it plugged in until it says it's done.

Choose the right port: your computer lists the available ports. Choose the one with usbmodem in its name. If you see usbserial, unplug the cable, flip the USB-C plug 180°, plug it back in, and click Install again. This board has two chips on one USB-C port, and the way the plug faces decides which one your computer sees.
Your browser can't connect to USB devices. Open this page in Chrome or Edge on a desktop or laptop computer. This page needs a secure (https) connection to install.

Installs Voltra Knob software version 0.9.12. To update later, come back to this page and click Install again. Installing starts the remote fresh, so its settings, saved Wi-Fi and remembered Voltra are cleared and you'll pair again. You can also update over Wi-Fi from the knob in Settings > Update. See the manual for how everything works.

03Pair with your Voltra

  • Fully close the Beyond+ app on your phone. The Voltra only accepts one controller at a time.
  • Power on the knob. It will search for your trainer and connect.
  • The first time, accept the connection request on the Voltra's screen.
  • Turn to set the weight, tap to load, and tap again to release.

04What's new

0.9.12: Live load, percent mode, and loading with the cable out

While a weight is loaded, the big red number now shows the live load you actually feel, so chains, inverse chains and eccentric read true through the rep. Eccentric now works when the Voltra is set to percent in the Beyond+ app (it used to snap back), and chains, inverse and mountain follow the Voltra's pound or percent setting. A new Settings > ECC/Chain Unit lets you show them as Auto, Percent or Pounds. If the cable is already pulled out, tapping START now loads anyway after a second or two, the same as the Beyond+ override.

0.9.11: Set count fix

A short pause in the middle of a set is no longer counted as the end of the set, so the set number stays right. The between-sets summary now shows the correct rep count for the set you just finished (for example SET 2 - 9 REPS).

0.9.10: Mountain and chains fix

The remote now reads the Voltra's real chain style (Chains, Inverse or Mountain) and whether the chain amount is set in pounds or percent, and follows both. This fixes Mountain mode not sticking and the chain amount snapping back to zero when the Voltra was set to percent.

0.9.9: Voice drops (beta)

Set Settings > Drop Mode to Voice, load the weight, and say "drop" during a set. The remote buzzes and lowers your weight by your Drop %. The microphone is on only while Voice mode is selected and a weight is loaded, and nothing is recorded or sent anywhere. Settings > Mic Test shows a live microphone level.

0.9.5: Max Weight, 230 lb (Voltra firmware 2.0+)

With your Voltra updated to firmware 2.0 or later, turn on Settings > Max Weight > 230 LB and the dial, gauge, eccentric and chains all reach 230 lb. The default stays at 200 lb, which works with every Voltra.

0.9.3: Dial acceleration

Turn the dial faster and the weight changes in bigger jumps: your Step Size when turning slowly, 5 lb at medium speed, 10 lb when spinning. Turn it off in Settings > Dial Accel.

0.9.2: Send Log

Settings > Send Log uploads a small support log over Wi-Fi and shows a short report ID you can send to LiftLayered. It never includes your Wi-Fi password or network name.

0.9.1: Cable shortcut

A ruler icon on the left of the main screen opens the cable length screen in one tap.

0.9.0: Set cable length from the knob

Set the Voltra's cable length without the phone app: tap START, pull the cable to where you want it, tap SET. With two Voltras linked, it sets the one you're connected to.

0.8.x and earlier

Initial releases: weight, eccentric and chains control from the dial, quick-recall presets, drop sets, themes and gauge styles, and Wi-Fi firmware updates.

05Troubleshooting

No port shows up

Try a different USB-C cable, plugged straight into your computer instead of a hub. Then flip the plug 180° and try again (see the note in step 2).

"Not supported", the wrong chip, or only "usbserial" shows up

Your computer is talking to the board's second chip. Unplug, flip the USB-C plug over, plug back in, and click Install again. The port you want has usbmodem in its name.

The install stopped partway through

Unplug, plug back in, and run Install again. Retrying is safe.

The knob can't connect to the Voltra

This almost always means the Beyond+ app is still connected. Force-close it on your phone and power-cycle the Voltra.

The knob won't connect to Wi-Fi

You don't need Wi-Fi. Use this page to update instead: plug the knob into your computer and click Install.

Safety: the Voltra's motor can pull with up to 200 lb of force (230 lb on Voltra firmware 2.0 or later). Start with light weights, keep the cable clear, and keep the trainer's own controls within reach. You use this software at your own risk.

Want the finished version? The Voltra Knob Remote comes pre-installed in a knurled case with a magnetic base.

An independent accessory, not affiliated with or endorsed by Beyond Power. The software is open source under the MIT license: source and licenses. A finished install sends one anonymous count (just the version number) so I know how many knobs are out there.