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  3. Mailbox/Postbox Alert

Mailbox/Postbox Alert

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  • 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

              1 Reply Last reply
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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
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                • 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

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                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

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