Node doesn't work without repeater

[Tigroenot]

Hello everybody!

Please, I need an inspiration!
I've got several nodes around my appartment: three temp/humidity sensors, double relay, door.
I have built another relay node to hack my ikea floor lamp. It's working fine, and it has a default repeater feature. Now I have built another door sensor. It is a MySensors Stable node with MYS 1.3 bootloader. It's working through the node 10 (floor lamp). When I turn the lamp off to get rid of the repeater node the new door sensor (node 2) stops working. If I reboot it manually it doesn't find parent (I want it to be the gateway). I tried to assign manual parent ID 0 but it doesn't help.
How do I make it work without the repeater? I want it to work in another room.

P.S. I tried to clear eeprom, then flash the firmware, assign parent ID manually, rebooting it without repeater turned on, rebooted it near another repeater (double relay). Oh, I forgot to tell, the gateway is closer to the node then the repeater node 10.

[sundberg84]

@Tigroenot - sounds like the right steps... strange.
Any code or serial output from the node so we can see what happens when it boots?

[Tigroenot]

@sundberg84 thanks for quick response.
Here is the serial output of the node when the repeater node 10 is on:

0 MCO:BGN:INIT NODE,CP=RNNNA--,VER=2.1.0-beta
4 TSM:INIT
4 TSF:WUR:MS=0
12 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
14 TSF:SID:OK,ID=2
16 TSM:FPAR
53 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
1507 TSF:MSG:READ,10-10-2,s=255,c=3,t=8,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:1
1513 TSF:MSG:FPAR OK,ID=10,D=2
2060 TSM:FPAR:OK
2060 TSM:ID
2062 TSM:ID:OK
2064 TSM:UPL
2068 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-10-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:1
2125 TSF:MSG:READ,0-10-2,s=255,c=3,t=25,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:2
2131 TSF:MSG:PONG RECV,HP=2
2136 TSM:UPL:OK
2136 TSM:READY:ID=2,PAR=10,DIS=2
2142 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-10-0,s=255,c=3,t=15,pt=6,l=2,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:0100
2191 TSF:MSG:READ,0-10-2,s=255,c=3,t=15,pt=6,l=2,sg=0:0100
2199 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-10-0,s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=10,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:2.1.0-beta
2209 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-10-0,s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:10
2342 TSF:MSG:READ,0-10-2,s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=0,l=1,sg=0:M
2351 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-10-0,s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=13,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:Binary Sensor
2361 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-10-0,s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:1.1
2371 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-10-0,s=3,c=0,t=0,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
2377 MCO:REG:REQ
2396 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-10-0,s=255,c=3,t=26,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:2
2500 TSF:MSG:READ,0-10-2,s=255,c=3,t=27,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:1
2506 MCO:PIM:NODE REG=1
2508 MCO:BGN:STP
2510 MCO:BGN:INIT OK,TSP=1
2514 MCO:SLP:MS=5,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
2519 MCO:SLP:TPD
2521 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
2525 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-10-0,s=3,c=1,t=16,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:1
2533 MCO:SLP:MS=5,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
2539 MCO:SLP:TPD
2539 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
2545 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-10-0,s=255,c=3,t=0,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:100
2553 MCO:SLP:MS=0,SMS=0,I1=1,M1=1,I2=255,M2=255
2557 MCO:SLP:TPD
2560 MCO:SLP:WUP=1
2562 MCO:SLP:MS=5,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
2568 MCO:SLP:TPD
2570 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
2572 MCO:SLP:MS=5,SMS=0,I1=255,M1=255,I2=255,M2=255
2578 MCO:SLP:TPD
2578 MCO:SLP:WUP=-1
2582 MCO:SLP:MS=0,SMS=0,I1=1,M1=1,I2=255,M2=255
2586 MCO:SLP:TPD```

[Tigroenot]

@sundberg84 Adn here is the serial output of the node 2 when the repeater node 10 is off:

Here is the serial output of the node 2 when the repeater node 10 is off:

0 MCO:BGN:INIT NODE,CP=RNNNA--,VER=2.1.0-beta
4 TSM:INIT
4 TSF:WUR:MS=0
12 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
14 TSF:SID:OK,ID=2
16 TSM:FPAR
53 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
2060 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
2062 TSM:FPAR
2099 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
4108 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
4110 TSM:FPAR
4147 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
6156 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
6158 TSM:FPAR
6195 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
8204 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
8206 TSM:FAIL:CNT=1
8208 TSM:FAIL:PDT
18212 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
18214 TSM:INIT
18221 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
18225 TSF:SID:OK,ID=2
18227 TSM:FPAR
18264 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
20273 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
20275 TSM:FPAR
20312 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
22321 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
22323 TSM:FPAR
22360 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
24369 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
24371 TSM:FPAR
24408 TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
26417 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
26419 TSM:FAIL:CNT=2
26421 TSM:FAIL:PDT
36425 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT```

[Tigroenot]

Please, explain it to me, shouldn't the node find another parent if the repeater is offline? Shouldn't the gateway reply to FPAR request? The range is really not the issue because I've got a PA+LNA nrf module on the gateway, and it is 4 meters away from the node 2.
Maybe I should move to the stable branch?

[sundberg84]

@Tigroenot said in Node doesn't work without repeater:

Please, explain it to me, shouldn't the node find another parent if the repeater is offline?

It should - and I think the limit (was before atleast) is 6 failed messages and the it should search a new way/route.

It looks like it does try to find a new way (2-2-255 instead of 2-2-10) but doesnt get a reply. Maybe the routing table in the GW still is going trhough the repeater?

[Tigroenot]

@sundberg84 said in Node doesn't work without repeater:

@Tigroenot said in Node doesn't work without repeater:

Please, explain it to me, shouldn't the node find another parent if the repeater is offline?

It should - and I think the limit (was before atleast) is 6 failed messages and the it should search a new way/route.

It looks like it does try to find a new way (2-2-255 instead of 2-2-10) but doesnt get a reply. Maybe the routing table in the GW still is going trhough the repeater?

The repeater is fisically off. I can see the routing table through the MYSController. Tried to clear it - doesn't seem to work.

Here is another attempt. I downloaded the latest stable 2.1.1 and here is the output:

0 MCO:BGN:INIT NODE,CP=RNNNA--,VER=2.1.1
4 TSM:INIT
4 TSF:WUR:MS=0
12 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
14 TSF:SID:OK,ID=2
16 TSM:FPAR
16 TSM:FPAR:STATP=0
18 TSM:ID
20 TSM:ID:OK
20 TSM:UPL
59 !TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=NACK:1
2066 TSM:UPL
2103 !TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=1,st=NACK:1
4112 TSM:UPL
4149 !TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=2,st=NACK:1
6158 TSM:UPL
6195 !TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=3,st=NACK:1
8204 !TSM:UPL:FAIL

475289 TSM:FPAR
475291 TSM:FPAR:STATP=0
475293 TSM:ID
475295 TSM:ID:OK
475297 TSM:UPL
475334 !TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=8,st=NACK:1
475770 TSF:MSG:READ,12-12-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0:
475779 TSF:MSG:BC
477343 TSM:UPL
477380 !TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=9,st=NACK:1
477872 TSF:MSG:READ,12-12-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0:
477878 TSF:MSG:BC
479389 TSM:UPL
479426 !TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=10,st=NACK:1
479977 TSF:MSG:READ,12-12-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0:
479983 TSF:MSG:BC
481435 TSM:UPL
481472 !TSF:MSG:SEND,2-2-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=11,st=NACK:1
483481 !TSM:UPL:FAIL```

[Tigroenot]

[gohan]

If you bring the node closer to the gateway? Maybe it is not able to reach it without the repeater

[sundberg84]

@Tigroenot it looks like you have alot of :NACK which means you have a range problem (or power) and the node with ID 2 does not get a reply (ack) from the GW. Still my last question - even if you clear the routing table/eeprom in the node it might that it takes a while for th gw to update its routing table? Im not sure how this works "behind the scenes" since im not of a coding guy,

[Tigroenot]

The range is not the issue because I tried to move it closer to the gateway, but untill I power on the repeater node it didn't work.

I sent C_INTERNAL, I_DEBUG, E to node 10, is has reset it's ID and became no 11, and after that nodes 2 and 12 starter to work through node 11. Damn it. I reset the ID of node 2, it became node 8 and continued to work through node 11. Sh*t!
Now I've got two nodes that just want that bloody repeater node 11 and don't want to deal with the filthy gateway

[gohan]

Did you restarted the gateway so that all nodes presented again? It is actually kind of weird since quite some people had issues about the nodes trying to connect to low signal gateway even if repeater had better signal.

[Tigroenot]

@gohan said in Node doesn't work without repeater:

Did you restarted the gateway so that all nodes presented again? It is actually kind of weird since quite some people had issues about the nodes trying to connect to low signal gateway even if repeater had better signal.

Not only have I restarted the gateway, I have reinstalled it, now it's latest development branch.
Now I have built one more node, burned the same 1.3 MYSBootloader, and it doesn't show up on the network at all. Static parent ID and set node ID don't do a thing.

314689 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
316700 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
316702 TSM:FPAR

The gateway works normally, it gets the data from similar nodes that are further that this new one... I'm very confused...

Maybe it's somethig to do with the nrf chanels? MYSBootloader? All my nodes are the same...

[gohan]

NRF channels can be manually defined if you want to try (default channel is something like 76, I set it to 10 to move it away from wifi frequencies), but if you change the values in the MyConfig.h file you will get the same settings an all builds (just remember it will get overwritten if you up\downgrade the library. I am taking for granted you have capacitors on the radio vcc, right? Did you try to swap radios around, just to see if anything happens?

[Tigroenot]

Well, what I did is swaped the radio on the gateway, added capacitors (10-200uf), swaped the nrf chip on the nodes (nrf+ and nrf), added 1M resistor to the node for radio back compatibility, moved nodes closer to the gateway and further from it, flashed the repeater node (now it's node 10 again) with repeater function disabled.

In the end, I've got three new nodes that talk to controller ONLY through repeater node (the repeater node is further from the gateway then the new nodes). Clearing the routing table on the repeater node doesn't help, erasing eeprom of the repeater node makes it change the node ID and after restarting the other nodes they bind to the repeater again.
Strange thing is that the node 10 is with MYSBootloader (which has nrf chanel 76 set) and it talks straight to the gateway. The nodes (8,12,13) have the same bootloader and nrf chanel set to 76 and are not recognised by the gateway as soon as there is no repeater node 10.

[gohan]

I am out of options.... I am calling for @hek help

[hek]

Try setting

#define MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_LOW

on the gateway

The gateway might be SCREAMING so high that the node doesn't pick up the answer.