Hardware

@y4CdW42Ol8 those calls are to the MySensors library . You are in the MySensors forum :-D Starting at https://www.mysensors.org/about/ is the best way to learn about MySensors. The receive sketch is called a gateway. Read the links I posted for you in https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/4093/what-does-a-gateway-do/1 to learn about gateways.

Get a sensor that supports lower voltages or get a step-up. Earlier discussions on the same topic: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/3801/witch-temp-hum-sensor-is-best-to-use-for-battery-powered-sensors/ https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/3203/cheap-good-boost-converter-and-good-temperature-sensors/ https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/2027/test-of-step-up-modules-sparkfun-pololu-china-module-any-other/ https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/444/battery-powered-motion-sensor https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/171/efficiency-of-voltage-boosters

@AWI thank you - yes I have Domoticz

@y4CdW42Ol8 IRQ is not used by MySensors library

@Sparkman said: That is true, but it does make for a clean install and is also UL approved. Yes to both of those. The UL Approved portion was in the back of mind in regards to this project already. I wish I had an unlimited amount of funds!

I also asked in another post about something like this... but I want the radio so read/sence if a device is close by (Wifi and Bluetooth for example) it seems to be the other way around... this sends and not read. Any tips for this would also be appreciated.

@mfalkvidd said: Yes you can use analog input as digital input if you like (but not as output). A5, A6 and A7 don't have internal pullups though so you might need to solder external pullups. EDIT: The distance sensor doesn't need pullups so you don't need to add any in this case. However, the TRIG signal to the HC-SR04 needs to be an output pin so you can't move that. You can move the moisture sensors, if you add external pullups (or buy sensors with built-in pullups). Ok sounds reasonable. Have to read more about that pullup/pulldown thing ;) There is no way you can power everything through the voltage regulator on the Pro Mini. The absolute maximum total power rating for the Pro Mini is 150mA when powering through raw. Also note that most Arduino clones do not survive 12V raw input, and that the nrf radio needs approximately 3.3V. Ok I'll use one LM2596 in order to power all components directly + another 5V=>3V voltage regulator for the radio. This should work :D The relays are controlled by the output pins on the Arduino. The relays control power (12V in your case) that is coming from elsewhere. Relays often consume quite a lot of power (from the Arduino) when switching so make sure you add capacitors. You could also consider using FETs instead of relays. We've seen many threads on relay problems that were caused by power issues. Is that a problem too, when powering the relay directly from the LM2596? Otherwise i have to learn something about FETs :) Probably :) But the best way to learn is to try :) So true :D the problem is the "lost" time when waiting for another china package :package: An alternative to getting 8 pumps is to get 1 pump and 8 valves. That will probably be cheaper. Hmm I did not find any cheap valves. One of the pumps is about $6. And valves cause one problem imho: they need pressure in order to work and this requires to activate the pump some seconds bevor triggering the valve => increased complexity @dbemowsk said: Are you aware of this project that is in the build section of the site? https://www.mysensors.org/build/irrigation I saw this one, but it's more a "standalone" solution imho. quite complex. I wanted just a stupid "tell me the moisture values and switch a relay"-solution ;) @rest: hmm interesting. I will read something about these components, although I'm a little bit afraid of the required code changes :P

hi! Start here: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/2437/step-by-step-procedure-to-connect-the-nrf24l01-to-the-gpio-pins-and-use-the-raspberry-as-a-serial-gateway

There is a forum thread you can start with: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/3671/ac-dc-double-solid-state-relay-module The main problems with all how i see it ism safety and reliability! https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1607/safe-in-wall-ac-to-dc-transformers Here is some other projects: https://www.openhardware.io/view/83/Smart-Light-Switch-220v https://www.openhardware.io/view/13/In-Wall-ACDC-Pcb-for-MySensors https://www.openhardware.io/view/101/Wall-Socket-Insertable-Node https://www.openhardware.io/view/48/Homini-In-Wall-Battery-Powered-Light-Switch-Module (will soon be a new project with relay)

I found that thread late last night. I read through the WHOLE thing before going to bed. I have my evening plans set for tonight. I don't have any sensors really in use now, it's just more for testing. So I am all over this!!

@Sparkman Cool, thanks for sharing! It's always nice to have options.

@mfalkvidd Thanks! As energy harvesting doesn't seem to be "there" quite yet I will stick with both coincells and the 18650 lithium batteries as alternatives for my project (depending of the needed energy and space constraints of the single boards). Rechargeable or harvested power seems to be the only good solution for larger quantities of sensors in my opinion. Does anyone of you know where to buy cheap 18650's that don't explode and don't lie too much about their capacity :grin:

Ah that explains it for me. Thanks for the dettailed answer. I will @mfalkvidd's and switch the defines. thank you all ;) Greetings

@ToniA Thanks for the info. I tried playing around with it last night and like you mention, unless I invoked root, I could not get the port to work. I'm trying to see if there is another way to do it. Might have to just chmod 775 /dev/ttyAMA0 on boot. I'll try it again later tonight when i'm home. Thanks for the help.