Small wall outlet sensor node

[axillent]

@BulldogLowell I'm using Makerbot Replicator 2 for more than 2 years

I have nothing to compare with. But it gives the possibilities I never have.
From hardware side I had to fix some problems Replicator 2 is having. New models I hope is more sufficient.
Makerbot is progressing, at least an improvement on software side is essential.

Today you will find many brands and many models to choose from.

[Jan Gatzke]

@axillent How do you upload the sketch? Do you solder in a preprogrammed atmega or are there connectors on the board? The DHT needs only 1.5 mA. Wouldn't it be possible to supply this with an digital out pin of the atmega? This way you could delay the power up process.

[bjornhallberg]

Just a fair warning for anyone considering a new ("5th generation") Makerbot Replicator. Check up on some reviews before getting one. Things have apparently gone downhill since the good old days. Extruders don't last as long etc. If anyone is willing to pay the sort of price that Makerbot is asking there are better alternatives.
http://nicklievendag.com/makerbot-replicator-5th-generation-review/

Also, the Makerbot software is painfully slow compared to most alternatives.
http://nicklievendag.com/simplify3d-vs-makerbot-desktop/
http://www.fabbaloo.com/blog/2014/7/20/hands-on-with-simplify3d
Not that I endorse Simplify3D. There are free / open-source alternatives that are just as fast.

Finally, I'm skeptical about the legal details surrounding Thingiverse.

[axillent]

@Jan-Gatzke originally a pre-loaded MCU were soldered but later I solder on top of the PCB a 6 pin ISP connectors
There is no need to source DHT from the MCU pin, it is simple to put delay at the beginning of setup or use highest startup time by fuses (my choice)

the original idea is to use pogopin connector, but I've just ordered them and not yet received. I need a very small footprint ISP connector for Mysensors devices

@bjornhallberg said:

Just a fair warning for anyone considering a new ("5th generation") Makerbot Replicator. Check up on some reviews before getting one.

have no experience with 5th generation but fully agree with you that there are many alternatives

Also, the Makerbot software is painfully slow compared to most alternatives.

it is not true. I'm very satisfied with the performance of the software.
I do not believe that someone can be faster than instantaneous

Finally, I'm skeptical about the legal details surrounding Thingiverse.

what kind of issues?

[bjornhallberg]

@axillent said:

Also, the Makerbot software is painfully slow compared to most alternatives.

it is not true. I'm very satisfied with the performance of the software.
I do not believe that someone can be faster than instantaneous

I meant slicing speeds on very complex models specifically. But it would not surprise me if the print quality / toolpaths created are better with competing software as well.

Finally, I'm skeptical about the legal details surrounding Thingiverse.

what kind of issues?

Like Facebook and other big corporations where they basically own the data you upload and store on their servers.

Oh, also, bonus points to Makerbot / Stratasys for actually stealing technology and incorporating it into their own designs:
http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/

Bottom line, your Replicator 2 is in many ways better than the current line-up from Makerbot. Mostly because the extruder will last you many thousands of hours and not just 200-500 or whatever they guarantee these days when people come complaining.

The biggest joke is perhaps their massive Z18 printer, which costs a fortune, puts out dismal results (at least without a ton of tweaking if at all possible), can't handle ABS and is really slow. Plus having the same lousy extruder. I mean, 200 hours on the Z18 could translate into just 10 reasonably big print jobs. They actually got one at my local Makerspace. :dizzy_face: They could have gotten two ordinary printers for the price of that one ...

[axillent]

@bjornhallberg bad to know that new models are worse

actually had no plans to upgrade. For the nearest feature I'm fine with Repl2.
it is also important that I made a required tuning and able to recover many things by myself
already have an experience and know what to expect

I do not think my models complicated but the slicing speed was improved by handred times in the first year of the purchase
today i have to wait almost none before printing starts

what is even more important - raft support was improved revolutionary. Before it was sucks to print surface on the raft - it became ugly and unacceptable as a from panel. Now all are very different

[Johnny B Good]

Great project axillent +1

[axillent]

@Johnny-B-Good thanks!

[Dheeraj]

@axillent

very nice

[axillent]

@Jan-Gatzke said:

@axillent How do you upload the sketch?

do you mean a .zip file or the inline source?
for inline I have to add leading spaces to all lines (it is simple to to in Atmel Studio) and than just past it here

[sharath krishna]

@axillent i wanted some more information along with the schematics.. like the wattage of the resistors used and also the type and voltage rating of the capacitors . Please could you provide the same ?

[axillent]

@sharath-krishna no problem

all resistors except R4 & R5 are SMD 0603, R4 & R5 are SMD 1206
C8 is 0.47-0.68uF @ 400V for 220V input, or 0.68-1uF @ 250V for 110V

all other capacitors need a rate for 10V and above

[Tibus]

@axillent thanks for the values but what are the wattage of the resistors?

[sharath krishna]

@axillent : thanks :+1: and @Tibus i think all only 45 and r4 would be like 0.5w else all 0.25 may be :) i have not worked much with smd tough.

[axillent]

@Tibus I gave you the footprints, for SMD it is equivalent of the wattage)

actually only R4 & R5 a sensitive to the footprints. An even more sensitive to a maximum rating voltage than to the wattage.
I'm using two 1206 in series to be sure that they will hold up to 400V. I made a check of different brands, usually the maximum rated voltage for 1206 is not bellow 200-300V, that means that in series of equal resistors the maximum rated voltage will be 400-600V

all other resistors are under low voltage and very low power dissipation

but if you need wattage just for learning curve, usually 0601 is 0.1W, 1206 is 0.25W