Node will not connect unless #define MY_PARENT_NODE_ID

[Mark Swift]

Hi Guys,

Using the latest 2.0.0 dev branch I'm having the issue where nodes will not connect unless I #define MY_PARENT_NODE_ID X. If I don't it just repeats:

find parent
send: 1-1-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
Init complete, id=1, parent=255, distance=255

If I define the parent node, it connects, I can then write the sketch with it commented out?

Sketch is simple (I'm using the default sketch for the ESP8266 gateway)

// Enable debug prints
#define MY_DEBUG

#define MY_NODE_ID 1
// #define MY_PARENT_NODE_ID 0

// Enable and select radio type attached
#define MY_RADIO_NRF24
// #define MY_RADIO_RFM69

// Enabled repeater feature for this node
#define MY_REPEATER_FEATURE

#include <SPI.h>
#include <MySensor.h>
#include <DHT.h>

#define CHILD_ID_HUM 0
#define CHILD_ID_TEMP 1
#define HUMIDITY_SENSOR_DIGITAL_PIN 3
unsigned long SLEEP_TIME = 30000; // Sleep time between reads (in milliseconds)

DHT dht;
float lastTemp;
float lastHum;
boolean metric = true;
MyMessage msgHum(CHILD_ID_HUM, V_HUM);
MyMessage msgTemp(CHILD_ID_TEMP, V_TEMP);

void setup()
{
  dht.setup(HUMIDITY_SENSOR_DIGITAL_PIN);
  metric = getConfig().isMetric;
}

void presentation()
{
  // Send the Sketch Version Information to the Gateway
  sendSketchInfo("T+H+R", "1.0");

  // Register all sensors to gw (they will be created as child devices)
  present(CHILD_ID_HUM, S_HUM);
  present(CHILD_ID_TEMP, S_TEMP);
}

void loop()
{
  wait(dht.getMinimumSamplingPeriod()); // Delay or wait (repeater)

  // Fetch temperatures from DHT sensor
  float temperature = dht.getTemperature();
  if (isnan(temperature)) {
    Serial.println("Failed reading temperature from DHT");
  } else if (temperature != lastTemp) {
    lastTemp = temperature;
    if (!metric) {
      temperature = dht.toFahrenheit(temperature);
    }
    send(msgTemp.set(temperature, 1));
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.print("T: ");
    Serial.println(temperature);
#endif
  }

  // Fetch humidity from DHT sensor
  float humidity = dht.getHumidity();
  if (isnan(humidity)) {
    Serial.println("Failed reading humidity from DHT");
  } else if (humidity != lastHum) {
    lastHum = humidity;
    send(msgHum.set(humidity, 1));
#ifdef MY_DEBUG
    Serial.print("H: ");
    Serial.println(humidity);
#endif
  }
  wait(SLEEP_TIME); // Sleep or wait (repeater)
}

[Mark Swift]

Morning guys,

Does anyone have any ideas? As soon as I define a parent, all is well... Noob mistake I'm not seeing?

EDIT: Okay, it seems the issue is simpler, if I take out the node ID it sits at req id, so I presume the gateway is not responding?

Debug from sensor (I can see the other 2 that are deployed seem to communicate with it no problem?)

Starting repeater (RNNRA-, 2.0.0-beta)
Radio init successful.
send: 1-1-2-0 s=255,c=3,t=15,pt=0,l=2,sg=0,st=fail:

send: 1-1-2-0 s=255,c=0,t=18,pt=0,l=10,sg=0,st=fail:2.0.0-beta
send: 1-1-2-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,st=fail:2
send: 1-1-2-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=5,sg=0,st=fail:T+H+R
send: 1-1-2-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,sg=0,st=fail:1.0
send: 1-1-2-0 s=0,c=0,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=fail:
find parent
send: 1-1-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
send: 1-1-2-0 s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=ok:
Init complete, id=1, parent=2, distance=255
read and forward: 1-4-0 s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0
send: 1-1-2-0 s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=fail:
read and forward: 1-4-0 s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0
send: 1-1-2-0 s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=fail:
read and forward: 1-4-0 s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0
send: 1-1-2-0 s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=ok:
read and forward: 1-4-0 s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0
send: 1-1-2-0 s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=fail:
send: 1-1-2-0 s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=fail:26.3
T: 26.30
send: 1-1-2-0 s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=fail:38.6
H: 38.60
read and forward: 2-4-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0
send: 2-1-2-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=fail:-24.1
send: 1-1-2-0 s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=fail:37.9
H: 37.90
read and forward: 2-4-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0
send: 2-1-2-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=fail:-24.0
find parent
send: 1-1-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
send: 1-1-2-0 s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=fail:25.8
T: 25.80
send: 1-1-2-0 s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=fail:39.1
H: 39.10
read and forward: 2-4-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0
send: 2-1-2-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=fail:-24.0

[mfalkvidd]

st=fails means that the message didn't reach the next node, so the problem is a radio communication issue which is often caused by power problems.
If you haven't looked at http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/666/debug-faq-and-how-ask-for-help already you might get some help from the troubleshooting flowchart there.

[Mark Swift]

@mfalkvidd

My gateway is an NodeMCU with a NRF PA + LNA, it seems to be resolved if I use #define MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_MIN on the gateway.

Strange, as the NodeMCU has a AMS1117 which I believe can handle 800ma, presuming the ESP8266 uses 300ma max, that leaves 500ma, surely it should be enough?

I've tried shielding the radio as suggested but it doesn't make a difference.