💬 Easy/Newbie PCB (RFM69 HW/W edition) for MySensors
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Correct - 3.3v only - im redesigning the PCB for this.
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Ok, so it was just a copy-paste leftover in the feature description from the nrf version.
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Ok, so it was just a copy-paste leftover in the feature description from the nrf version.
@martinhjelmare - It wasnt meant to make the project visible but I did unfortunately. I will correct as soon as possible
I dont think its going to be that newbie friendly with a level converter for 5v so Im going to propose a 3.3v Pro mini only. Then I might add a voltage regulator with 5 and 3.3v in. -
Well, since I posted the thread without it was finished (not usually my way of working) I can keep you updated on the work i guess... get input on the way.
New schematics made... not final! Not implemented any booster yet.

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@gohan - looking better on that SMA connector...

Anyone knows if its possible to have a SMA and Hole for DIY antenna on the same PCB like this?
Edit:
Well, so far tonight... a couple of hours work and im happy :) some small stuff to fix before production.

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OK - beta release.
I have updated the description, bom, gerber files and kicad files on openhardware.io.
I have placed an order for fast delivery on pcbway.com but it will take some time before my RFM69 radios reach me from china-land. So I won't be able to test it for some time.IF you are curoius (and willing to debug and cut / resolder if there are errors) feel free to download the gerbers and place an order. I cant promise its 100% (or work as intended) and because of that I wont add them for sale on openhardware.io yet.

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@gohan - looking better on that SMA connector...

Anyone knows if its possible to have a SMA and Hole for DIY antenna on the same PCB like this?
Edit:
Well, so far tonight... a couple of hours work and im happy :) some small stuff to fix before production.

@sundberg84 I did this in my take of a SMA with a wire Antenna option:
, you can see more details here https://www.openhardware.io/view/388/RFM69HW-Arduino-Mini-Pro-Shield.
Haven't tried with the wire antenna trough. -
@sundberg84 I did this in my take of a SMA with a wire Antenna option:
, you can see more details here https://www.openhardware.io/view/388/RFM69HW-Arduino-Mini-Pro-Shield.
Haven't tried with the wire antenna trough. -
This post is deleted!
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So, this temporary GW is now connected to Domoticz and running at 34800 baud rate (had some problems to figure this out...) I have one (fake) node connected but still have some range issues to sort out. Most likley because of the DIY antenna...

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I now have a gw and node working together on 3.3v and 433mhz (not HW version). I would say its quite safe to order the PCB if someone wants to try it out.
Note to myself and others... the RFM69 is really sensitive to high power. I fried one because I tried it on a Nano which i think is using 5v on its gpio. I was just thinking... hmm 3.3v - nano got one of those!
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And now I also have a batterynode working... Power consumtion will come later... it works atleast :)
Someone that can guess what kind of power consumtion this setup would be (removing LED / regulator)?

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I now have a gw and node working together on 3.3v and 433mhz (not HW version). I would say its quite safe to order the PCB if someone wants to try it out.
Note to myself and others... the RFM69 is really sensitive to high power. I fried one because I tried it on a Nano which i think is using 5v on its gpio. I was just thinking... hmm 3.3v - nano got one of those!
@sundberg84 said in 💬 Easy/Newbie PCB (RFM69 HW/W edition) for MySensors:
I now have a gw and node working together on 3.3v and 433mhz (not HW version). I would say its quite safe to order the PCB if someone wants to try it out.
Note to myself and others... the RFM69 is really sensitive to high power. I fried one because I tried it on a Nano which i think is using 5v on its gpio. I was just thinking... hmm 3.3v - nano got one of those!
It's in datasheet that it is not 5v tolerant and absolute max voltage it's like 3.6v
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@sundberg84 said in 💬 Easy/Newbie PCB (RFM69 HW/W edition) for MySensors:
I now have a gw and node working together on 3.3v and 433mhz (not HW version). I would say its quite safe to order the PCB if someone wants to try it out.
Note to myself and others... the RFM69 is really sensitive to high power. I fried one because I tried it on a Nano which i think is using 5v on its gpio. I was just thinking... hmm 3.3v - nano got one of those!
It's in datasheet that it is not 5v tolerant and absolute max voltage it's like 3.6v
@gohan - I was fooled by that the Nano got a 3.3v output... stupid.
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So I have made the adjustment for low power/battery mode (removed the LED, voltage regulator and sleeping most of the time).
Im having a hard time to trust my Multimeter at this point... showing 5.1uA in sleep() mode while sending shows almost 2mA! This cant be right???

At the moment im all out of boosters... I was sure I had more so I didnt order.
What I have done now is uploaded a sketch sleeping 15min, running the vcc check (since I dont have a booster) and reporting it back to me. Lets see what happens...

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To answer my own question I found this thread where he gets the exact same sleep current as I do (5.2uA). Still wondering about the high send current though.
Is 2.0mA a normal power consumption for RFM69W when its transmitting? Will investigate but all input appreciated...
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To answer my own question I found this thread where he gets the exact same sleep current as I do (5.2uA). Still wondering about the high send current though.
Is 2.0mA a normal power consumption for RFM69W when its transmitting? Will investigate but all input appreciated...