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  1. Home
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  3. Mailbox/Postbox Alert

Mailbox/Postbox Alert

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  • N Offline
    N Offline
    n3ro
    wrote on last edited by n3ro
    #13

    Thx for the tips. I will try it.

    I have just measured the current:

    32uA in sleep and both opened
    when one reen switch is closed: 171uA
    when both closed: 309uA

    i use a internal pullup and dont know why the current is so high when switch is closed :(

    pimatic + MySensors + Homeduino + z-way
    https://github.com/n3roGit/MySensors_n3ro

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    • N Offline
      N Offline
      n3ro
      wrote on last edited by
      #14

      it is fixed :) changed internal pullup to an external with 680k. now its 32uA with both opened and 47uA with both closed :)

      pimatic + MySensors + Homeduino + z-way
      https://github.com/n3roGit/MySensors_n3ro

      Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
      2
      • N n3ro

        it is fixed :) changed internal pullup to an external with 680k. now its 32uA with both opened and 47uA with both closed :)

        Moshe LivneM Offline
        Moshe LivneM Offline
        Moshe Livne
        Hero Member
        wrote on last edited by
        #15

        @n3ro how do you do that?

        N 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • F Offline
          F Offline
          f1dev
          wrote on last edited by
          #16

          Hi!
          I+m trying to do a similar mailbox sensor, but I get different power consumptions hen I ground (pulling down) input pin 2 and 3.

          I´m using a pro mini, 3.3v standard boot loader with removed LED and 470k resistors as external pull-ups.

          In sleep mode with it draws about 65uA
          Roughly the same with input pin 3 -grounded (state 0)
          But when I ground pin 2 it draws 7mA

          Any ideas whats wrong?

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • Moshe LivneM Moshe Livne

            @n3ro how do you do that?

            N Offline
            N Offline
            n3ro
            wrote on last edited by
            #17

            @Moshe-Livne just deactivate the this lines:
            //digitalWrite(MAILBOX_FRONT_PIN, HIGH);
            //digitalWrite(MAILBOX_BACK_PIN, HIGH);

            and solder two resistor from 3.3v to pin 2 and 3.

            pimatic + MySensors + Homeduino + z-way
            https://github.com/n3roGit/MySensors_n3ro

            F 1 Reply Last reply
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            • N n3ro

              @Moshe-Livne just deactivate the this lines:
              //digitalWrite(MAILBOX_FRONT_PIN, HIGH);
              //digitalWrite(MAILBOX_BACK_PIN, HIGH);

              and solder two resistor from 3.3v to pin 2 and 3.

              F Offline
              F Offline
              f1dev
              wrote on last edited by
              #18

              Ok, so I found that it is the radio that draws about 7mA when I ground input pin 2, it is connected to IRQ-pin on the radio.
              @n3ro Have you connected the radio as described on the build-page? [http://www.mysensors.org/build/connect_radio](link url)

              N 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • F f1dev

                Ok, so I found that it is the radio that draws about 7mA when I ground input pin 2, it is connected to IRQ-pin on the radio.
                @n3ro Have you connected the radio as described on the build-page? [http://www.mysensors.org/build/connect_radio](link url)

                N Offline
                N Offline
                n3ro
                wrote on last edited by
                #19

                @f1dev yes. But you don't need irq on a node :)

                pimatic + MySensors + Homeduino + z-way
                https://github.com/n3roGit/MySensors_n3ro

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                • B BulldogLowell

                  @n3ro

                  I'm guessing that your repeat() function is wearing out the battery.

                  By the way you can take advantage of the return of sleep( ) here:

                  gw.sleep(MAILBOX_FRONT_PIN - 2, CHANGE, MAILBOX_BACK_PIN - 2, CHANGE, 0);
                  

                  like this (untested):

                  #include <MySensor.h>
                  #include <SPI.h>
                  #include <readVcc.h>
                  
                  
                  #define NODE_ID 21                      // ID of node
                  #define CHILD_ID 1                      // Id of the sensor child
                  
                  #define MAILBOX_FRONT_PIN 2             // Arduino Digital I/O pin for button/reed switch
                  #define MAILBOX_BACK_PIN 3              // Arduino Digital I/O pin for button/reed switch
                  
                  #define MIN_V 1900 // empty voltage (0%)
                  #define MAX_V 3200 // full voltage (100%)
                  
                  
                  MySensor gw;
                  
                  MyMessage msg(CHILD_ID, V_TRIPPED);
                  
                  boolean post = false;
                  boolean lastpost = false;
                  int oldBatteryPcnt;
                  int repeat = 20;
                  
                  int trigger = -1;
                  unsigned long goToSleepTime;
                  
                  void setup()
                  {
                    gw.begin(NULL, NODE_ID, false);
                    pinMode(MAILBOX_FRONT_PIN, INPUT);
                    pinMode(MAILBOX_BACK_PIN, INPUT);
                    digitalWrite(MAILBOX_FRONT_PIN, HIGH);
                    digitalWrite(MAILBOX_BACK_PIN, HIGH);
                    gw.sendSketchInfo("Mailbox Alert", "1.0");
                    gw.present(CHILD_ID, S_MOTION);
                    Serial.println("---------- set Mailbox empty");
                    msg.set(0);
                  }
                  
                  void loop()
                  {
                    if (millis() - goToSleepTime > 10UL) //debounce
                    {
                      switch (trigger) {
                        case 0:
                          post = true;
                          Serial.println("---------- New Mail");
                          break;
                        case 1:
                          post = false;
                          Serial.println("---------- Mailbox emptied"); 
                          break;
                        default:
                          Serial.println("---------- I just woke up");
                      }
                    }
                    trigger = -1;
                    if (post != lastpost)
                    {
                      Serial.print("---------- Send Mailboxstate ");
                      Serial.println(post ? "full" : "empty");
                      msg.set(post);
                      lastpost = post;
                      sendBattery();
                    }
                    // Sleep until something happens with the sensor
                    goToSleepTime = millis();
                    trigger = gw.sleep(MAILBOX_FRONT_PIN - 2, CHANGE, MAILBOX_BACK_PIN - 2, CHANGE, 0);
                  }
                  
                  void sendBattery() // Measure battery
                  {
                    int batteryPcnt = min(map(readVcc(), MIN_V, MAX_V, 0, 100), 100);
                    if (batteryPcnt != oldBatteryPcnt) 
                    {
                      gw.sendBatteryLevel(batteryPcnt); // Send battery percentage
                      oldBatteryPcnt = batteryPcnt;
                    }
                    Serial.print("---------- Battery: ");
                    Serial.println(batteryPcnt);
                  }
                  
                  N Offline
                  N Offline
                  n3ro
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #20

                  @BulldogLowell could you please explain your changes? I don't understand everything of this :sweat:

                  pimatic + MySensors + Homeduino + z-way
                  https://github.com/n3roGit/MySensors_n3ro

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                  • F Offline
                    F Offline
                    f1dev
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #21

                    @n3ro Ok, thanks! Then I learned something new today.. IRQ is only needed for receiving nodes then, like repeaters and gateways, right?
                    Strange though that my circuit draws so much more current than yours. I have tested different setups, different arduinos and different radios from different suppliers with same result.
                    Well, at least my mailbox are mysensored now! :smiley:

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • N Offline
                      N Offline
                      n3ro
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #22

                      I think you need the irq only for the gw. I have a receive node without irq.

                      Do you have changed fuses on your arduino?

                      And remember. All this stuff is cheap China electronic.The devices can vary consume a lot of electricity.

                      pimatic + MySensors + Homeduino + z-way
                      https://github.com/n3roGit/MySensors_n3ro

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • F Offline
                        F Offline
                        f1dev
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #23

                        Nope, havent done that yet. It´s a "stock" 3v3 pro mini. Still reading up on how to do that and how to change to MYS-bootloader, curious on how OTA-update works.
                        Big thanks for your respons! :smile:

                        N 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • F f1dev

                          Nope, havent done that yet. It´s a "stock" 3v3 pro mini. Still reading up on how to do that and how to change to MYS-bootloader, curious on how OTA-update works.
                          Big thanks for your respons! :smile:

                          N Offline
                          N Offline
                          n3ro
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #24

                          @f1dev sweebe wrote a very good howto:

                          http://forum.pimatic.org/topic/383/tips-battery-powered-sensors

                          pimatic + MySensors + Homeduino + z-way
                          https://github.com/n3roGit/MySensors_n3ro

                          Moshe LivneM 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • F Offline
                            F Offline
                            f1dev
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #25

                            @n3ro - Thanks, that was really helpfull!:smile:

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • N n3ro

                              @f1dev sweebe wrote a very good howto:

                              http://forum.pimatic.org/topic/383/tips-battery-powered-sensors

                              Moshe LivneM Offline
                              Moshe LivneM Offline
                              Moshe Livne
                              Hero Member
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #26

                              @n3ro Brilliant! He recommends to take out the voltage regulator. it is easier (and works better) just to snip off one leg as described here http://www.mysensors.org/build/battery. I'll try his other mods.... hopefully now my nodes will last forever!!!!

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • Ashley SavageA Offline
                                Ashley SavageA Offline
                                Ashley Savage
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #27

                                quality project, been having a tinker with mixed results. used sketch from original post, but would it be possible to get a circuit diagram showing pull up locations??? bit of a beginner, but have had a few success with rolling out some power operated sensors , this is my first battery operated sensor...

                                N 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • N Offline
                                  N Offline
                                  n3ro
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #28

                                  No problem. I make one :) give me a day

                                  pimatic + MySensors + Homeduino + z-way
                                  https://github.com/n3roGit/MySensors_n3ro

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • Ashley SavageA Ashley Savage

                                    quality project, been having a tinker with mixed results. used sketch from original post, but would it be possible to get a circuit diagram showing pull up locations??? bit of a beginner, but have had a few success with rolling out some power operated sensors , this is my first battery operated sensor...

                                    N Offline
                                    N Offline
                                    n3ro
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #29

                                    @Ashley-Savage plan.png

                                    pimatic + MySensors + Homeduino + z-way
                                    https://github.com/n3roGit/MySensors_n3ro

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                                    0
                                    • Ashley SavageA Offline
                                      Ashley SavageA Offline
                                      Ashley Savage
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #30

                                      thanks for the diagram, much appreciated...

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • M Offline
                                        M Offline
                                        mathieu44444
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #31

                                        Hello,
                                        Does this code still work?
                                        Thank you

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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