💬 Rain Gauge

[itbeyond]

I had fake interupts on my device - would work great on test bench then with a 5v dc converter that was noisey plus a longer cable to the bucket I was getting a lot of trips. My fix which solved all the issues was a 0.1uF ceramic cap from ground to the signal pin of the bucket (right at the adruino) coupled with an inline resistor 330ohm to the bucket and a 1Kohm resistor from +5v to the signal pin. This is a basic pull up and debounce system and it manages to hold the 5V via the cap with 100% reliability thus far for 3 weeks including a lot of rain over the last few days. I would draw a circuit diagram if someone could tell me the best program to use?

[user2684]

@itbeyond cool thanks! I'll try to put together something similar and report back the results. I guess in this way you don't need INPUT_PULLUP when setting up the pin since already there right? Thanks

[flopp]

Last 5 days all of them are fake, always during noon(12:00) isn't that strange?

[itbeyond]

@user2684 Yes make the line:
pinMode(TIP_SENSOR_PIN, INPUT);

I did make one other modification of installing an RF Choke and cap circuit on the input power supply but I am sure the cap & resistor mods made all the difference. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

[petewill]

@itbeyond I don't know if it's the best but I use Fritzing to do my diagrams. It is very easy to learn and easy for new people to understand.

@user2684 I am powering my with a good power supply and I believe it's on the vcc pin (not using the ftdi adapter). Maybe you want to try that?

@flopp based on what others are saying here I suggest you try changing the power supply as well. Also, are you powering the radio from the arduino or from the power source? If you don't have one already I would add a 100uF capacitor on the radio.

[user2684]

@itbeyond I've put together today the changes you recommended to my project and see what will happen overnight and tomorrow before moving on and considering replacing the power supply. So far so good since during the last 4 hours I had 0.00 which never happened 4 times in a row so far before applying the resistors and the cap. Btw, my project is 3.3v powered and not 5v like yours, should I use different resistors/capacitors. I'm asking because I'm not 100% sure how you got there ;-) Thanks!

[itbeyond]

@user2684 Those values should be ok - maybe the 330 inline with the switch could be a little smaller but it should be fine with all those values. See how you go.

I kept my noisy power supply after making these and an RF Choke mod. The RF Choke if you are interested is a 330uH choke inline with the power supply and a cap at 22uF (I used electro) on the inbound power supply just as it hits the board.

Good luck and do let me know how it is going. I am sure it will sort it.

[user2684]

@itbeyond I can say it is working perfectly now, thanks! Always 0.00 during the night, I force two triggers this morning and I had the correct equivalent of rain.

@petewill I'd add this as a note on https://www.mysensors.org/build/rain, even if it is not a common issue, at least for those who will experience it can have a solution ready to use.

So if I understand correctly (which rarely happens), in a no rain situation it is like the bucket is unplugged and the pin is connected to Vcc through the 1k resistor (to limit the current right?) and also charging the capacitor. When it rains, it is like the bucket would connect the input pin to ground and I guess the capacitor and 330R resistor would smooth this so to actually debounce the signal. Is it the case? Thanks

[itbeyond]

@user2684 That is great news - your understanding is basically correct. When no rain the 1K is providing the pull up to 3.3/5v and charging the cap at the same time (current limit is really for when you go to ground not to hold the pin up). When the bucket tips the cap is discharged via the resistor to ground (bucket switch) and thus the pin goes low. Yes - simple and effective pull up and debounce system which works every time - in fact I use this on all interrupt triggered pins for all my projects.

@petewill it would be good to include something like this on most of the projects, would have saved me a lot of early angst in having faulty triggered interrupts. I suspect different cloned Arduino boards have different to zero internal pull ups (3 different ones I have tried seem to have none) and to be 100% sure it is much better to document an external arrangement. It will really help the beginners to get it right first time and keep some hair regardless of the quality of the board they are using. I needed this on my irrigation controller also - same problem with a 10cm cable to a push button.

[user2684]

@itbeyond thanks for the explanation! Last question even if not necessarily mysensors related: how did you size the cap the resistors? Thanks!

[petewill]

@itbeyond said in 💬 Rain Gauge:

I needed this on my irrigation controller also - same problem with a 10cm cable to a push button.

Interesting. I haven't experienced this behavior with any of my devices yet. I do power most of my sensors with my whole house power supply though so I guess that would explain it.

I will update the rain gauge page and also add this info to the troubleshooting section. Thanks for your help with this!

If anyone needs a visual of what @itbeyond described above here is the wiring diagram.

[Enfeet]

Hi friends,

here is my replica of Rain Guage MySensors project
photos:
https://goo.gl/photos/4kA7T4d8SsDBRrrS7

The sketch is adopted for 'Adafruit Unified Sensor by Adafruit' + 'DHT sensor library' just uncomment both DHT_ON and DHT_ADAFRUIT
and last version of Arduino IDE 1.8.3

...and Yes, I'm using rfm69hw radio with encryption enabled ;-)

#define MY_RFM69_ENABLE_ENCRYPTION

/*
 Arduino Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

 April 26, 2015

 Version 2.0

 Arduino Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

 Utilizing a tipping bucket sensor, your Vera home automation controller and the MySensors.org
 gateway you can measure and sense local rain.  This sketch will create two devices on your
 Vera controller.  One will display your total precipitation for the last 5 days.  The other, 
 a sensor that changes state if there is recent rain (up to last 120 hours)  above a threshold.  
 Both these settings are user definable.

 There is a build overview video here: https://youtu.be/1eMfKQaLROo

 This sketch features the following:

 * Allows you to set the rain threshold in mm
 * Allows you to determine the tripped indicator window up to 120 hours.
 * Displays the last 5 days of rain in Variable1 through Variable5
   of the Rain Sensor device
 * Configuration changes to Sensor device updated every hour
 * Should run on any Arduino
 * Will retain Tripped/Not Tripped status and data in a power interruption, saving small amount
   of data to EEPROM (Circular Buffer to maximize life of EEPROM)
 * LED status indicator
 * Optional Temp/Humidity (DHT-22 or DHT-11) and Light LUX (BH1750) sensors. To use, uncomment
   #define DHT_ON  and/or #define LUX_ON
 * Optionally send total accumulation of each day's rainfall or send only individual days rainfall totals.
   Uncomment #define USE_DAILY to display individual daily rainfall.  If it is commented out it will display
   a cumulative total rainfall (day4 = day1+day2+day3+day4 etc)

 by @BulldogLowell and @PeteWill for free public use

 */

// Enable debug prints to serial monitor
//#define MY_DEBUG
//#define MY_DEBUG_VERBOSE
#define MY_NODE_ID AUTO
// Enable and select radio type attached
//#define MY_RADIO_NRF24
#define MY_RADIO_RFM69
#define MY_IS_RFM69HW
#define MY_RFM69_FREQUENCY RF69_433MHZ
#define MY_RFM69_NETWORKID 100
#define MY_RFM69_TX_POWER 31

#include <math.h>
#include <TimeLib.h>
#include <MySensors.h>

#define SKETCH_NAME "Rain Gauge"
#define SKETCH_VERSION "2.0"

#define DWELL_TIME 40  // this allows for radio to come back to power after a transmission, ideally 0 

//#define DEBUG_ON  // Rain gauge specific debug messages. 
#define DHT_ON // uncomment out this line to enable DHT sensor

// 20170621 by Enfeet
#define DHT_ADAFRUIT // uncomment out this line to enable DHT with 'Adafruit Unified Sensor by Adafruit' + 'DHT sensor library'
//#define DHTTYPE           DHT11     // DHT 11 
#define DHTTYPE           DHT22     // DHT 22 (AM2302)
//#define DHTTYPE           DHT21     // DHT 21 (AM2301)
// /20170621 by Enfeet

//#define LUX_ON // uncomment out this line to enable BH1750 sensor
//#define USE_DAILY // Uncomment to display individual daily rainfall totals in the variables sent to your controller. If it's commented it will add each day to the next for a cumulative total.

#define TIP_SENSOR_PIN 3
//d=112 mm
//11689.863832 mm2 =  116,89863832 cm2
//42,77209787776081 mm
//88 89 91 91 90 = 89,8
//0,4763039852757329
#define CALIBRATE_FACTOR 48 // amount of rain per rain bucket tip e.g. 5 is .05mm
#define DHT_LUX_DELAY 300000  //Delay in milliseconds that the DHT and LUX sensors will wait before sending data

#define CHILD_ID_RAIN_LOG 3  // Keeps track of accumulated rainfall
#define CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_INDICATOR 4  // Indicates Tripped when rain detected
#define EEPROM_BUFFER_LOCATION 0  // location of the EEPROM circular buffer
#define E_BUFFER_LENGTH 240
#define RAIN_BUCKET_SIZE 120

  #ifdef  DEBUG_ON
    #define M_DEBUG_PRINT(x)   Serial.print(x)
    #define M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(x) Serial.println(x)  
    #define SERIAL_START(x)  Serial.begin(x)
    #else
    #define M_DEBUG_PRINT(x)
    #define M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(x)
    #define SERIAL_START(x)
  #endif
//
MyMessage msgRainRate(CHILD_ID_RAIN_LOG, V_RAINRATE);
MyMessage msgRain(CHILD_ID_RAIN_LOG, V_RAIN);
//
MyMessage msgRainVAR1(CHILD_ID_RAIN_LOG, V_VAR1);
MyMessage msgRainVAR2(CHILD_ID_RAIN_LOG, V_VAR2);
MyMessage msgRainVAR3(CHILD_ID_RAIN_LOG, V_VAR3);
MyMessage msgRainVAR4(CHILD_ID_RAIN_LOG, V_VAR4);
MyMessage msgRainVAR5(CHILD_ID_RAIN_LOG, V_VAR5);
//
MyMessage msgTripped(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_INDICATOR, V_TRIPPED);
MyMessage msgTrippedVar1(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_INDICATOR, V_VAR1);
MyMessage msgTrippedVar2(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_INDICATOR, V_VAR2);
//
#ifdef DHT_ON
// 20170621 by Enfeet
  #ifdef DHT_ADAFRUIT
  #include <Adafruit_Sensor.h>
  #include <DHT_U.h>
  #endif
// /20170621 by Enfeet
  #include <DHT.h>
  #define CHILD_ID_HUM 0
  #define CHILD_ID_TEMP 1
  #define HUMIDITY_SENSOR_DIGITAL_PIN 8
  #ifndef DHT_ADAFRUIT // 20170621 by Enfeet
    DHT dht;
  #else 
    DHT_Unified dht(HUMIDITY_SENSOR_DIGITAL_PIN, DHTTYPE);
    sensors_event_t event;
  #endif // /20170621 by Enfeet  
  float lastTemp;
  float lastHum;
  bool metric = true;
  MyMessage msgHum(CHILD_ID_HUM, V_HUM);
  MyMessage msgTemp(CHILD_ID_TEMP, V_TEMP);
#endif
//
#ifdef LUX_ON
  //BH1750 is connected to SCL (analog input A5) and SDA (analog input A4)
  #include <BH1750.h>
  #include <Wire.h>
  #define CHILD_ID_LIGHT 2
  BH1750 lightSensor;
  MyMessage msg(CHILD_ID_LIGHT, V_LIGHT_LEVEL);
  unsigned int lastlux;
  uint8_t heartbeat = 10; //Used to send the light lux to gateway as soon as the device is restarted and after the DHT_LUX_DELAY has happened 10 times
#endif
unsigned long sensorPreviousMillis;
int eepromIndex;
int tipSensorPin = 3; // Pin the tipping bucket is connected to. Must be interrupt capable pin
int ledPin = 5; // Pin the LED is connected to.  PWM capable pin required
#ifdef DEBUG_ON
unsigned long dataMillis;
unsigned long serialInterval = 600000UL;
#endif
const unsigned long oneHour = 3600000UL;
unsigned long lastTipTime;
unsigned long lastRainTime; //Used for rainRate calculation
unsigned int rainBucket [RAIN_BUCKET_SIZE] ; /* 24 hours x 5 Days = 120 hours */
unsigned int rainRate = 0;
uint8_t rainWindow = 72;         //default rain window in hours.  Will be overwritten with msgTrippedVar1.
volatile int wasTippedBuffer = 0;
int rainSensorThreshold = 50; //default rain sensor sensitivity in hundredths.  Will be overwritten with msgTrippedVar2.
uint8_t state = 0;
uint8_t oldState = 2; //Setting the default to something other than 1 or 0
unsigned int lastRainRate = 0;
int lastMeasure = 0;
bool gotTime = false;
uint8_t lastHour;
uint8_t currentHour;
//
void presentation()  {
  // Register all sensors to gw (they will be created as child devices)
  sendSketchInfo(SKETCH_NAME, SKETCH_VERSION);
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
  present(CHILD_ID_RAIN_LOG, S_RAIN);
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
  present(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_INDICATOR, S_MOTION);
  wait(DWELL_TIME);

#ifdef DHT_ON
  present(CHILD_ID_HUM, S_HUM);
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
  present(CHILD_ID_TEMP, S_TEMP);
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
#endif


#ifdef LUX_ON
  present(CHILD_ID_LIGHT, S_LIGHT_LEVEL);
#endif

  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Sensor Presentation Complete"));
}

void setup()
{
  #ifndef MY_DEBUG
  SERIAL_START(115200);  //Start serial if MySensors debugging isn't enabled
  #endif
  //
  // Set up the IO
  pinMode(TIP_SENSOR_PIN, INPUT);
  attachInterrupt (digitalPinToInterrupt(TIP_SENSOR_PIN), sensorTipped, FALLING);  // depending on location of the hall effect sensor may need CHANGE
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
  //
  //Sync time with the server
  //
  unsigned long functionTimeout = millis();
  while (timeStatus() == timeNotSet && millis() - functionTimeout < 30000UL)
  {
    requestTime();
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Getting Time"));
    wait(1000); // call once per second
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("."));
  }
  currentHour = hour();
  lastHour = hour();
  //
  //retrieve from EEPROM stored values on a power cycle.
  //
  bool isDataOnEeprom = false;
  for (int i = 0; i < E_BUFFER_LENGTH; i++)
  {
    uint8_t locator = loadState(EEPROM_BUFFER_LOCATION + i);
    if (locator == 0xFE)  // found the EEPROM circular buffer index
    {
      eepromIndex = EEPROM_BUFFER_LOCATION + i;
      M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("EEPROM Index "));
      M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(eepromIndex);
      //Now that we have the buffer index let's populate the rainBucket[] with data from eeprom
      loadRainArray(eepromIndex);
      isDataOnEeprom = true;
      break;
    }
  }
  //
  if (!isDataOnEeprom) // Added for the first time it is run on a new Arduino
  {
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("I didn't find valid EEPROM Index, so I'm writing one to location 0"));
    eepromIndex = EEPROM_BUFFER_LOCATION;
    saveState(eepromIndex, 0xFE);
    saveState(eepromIndex + 1, 0xFE);
    //then I will clear out any bad data
    for (int i = 2; i <= E_BUFFER_LENGTH; i++)
    {
      saveState(i, 0x00);
    }
  }
  #ifdef DEBUG_ON
  dataMillis = millis();
  #endif
  lastTipTime = millis(); 
  //
  request(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_INDICATOR, V_VAR1);
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
  request(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_INDICATOR, V_VAR2);
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
  //
#ifdef DHT_ON
// 20170621 by Enfeet
  #ifndef DHT_ADAFRUIT
    dht.setup(HUMIDITY_SENSOR_DIGITAL_PIN);
  #else
    dht.begin();
  #endif
  metric = getControllerConfig().isMetric;
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
#endif
  //
#ifdef LUX_ON
  lightSensor.begin();
#endif
  //
  transmitRainData(); //Setup complete send any data loaded from eeprom to gateway
}

void loop()
{
  if (state)
  {
    prettyFade();  // breathe if tripped
  }
  else
  {
    slowFlash();   // blink if not tripped
  }
#ifdef DEBUG_ON  // Serial Debug Block
  if ( (millis() - dataMillis) >= serialInterval)
  {
    for (int i = 24; i <= 120; i = i + 24)
    {
      updateSerialData(i);
    }
    dataMillis = millis();
  }
#endif
  //
  // let's constantly check to see if the rain in the past rainWindow hours is greater than rainSensorThreshold
  //
  int measure = 0; // Check to see if we need to show sensor tripped in this block
  for (int i = 0; i < rainWindow; i++)
  {
    measure += rainBucket [i];
    if (measure != lastMeasure)
    {
      //      M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("measure value (total rainBucket within rainWindow): "));
      //      M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(measure);
      lastMeasure = measure;
    }
  }
  //
  state = (measure >= (rainSensorThreshold * 100));
  if (state != oldState)
  {
    send(msgTripped.set(state));
    wait(DWELL_TIME);
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("New Sensor State... Sensor: "));
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(state ? "Tripped" : "Not Tripped");
    oldState = state;
  }
  //
  unsigned long tipDelay = millis() - lastRainTime;
  if (wasTippedBuffer) // if was tipped, then update the 24hour total and transmit to Vera
  {
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Sensor Tipped"));
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("rainBucket [0] value: "));
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(rainBucket [0]);
    send(msgRain.set((float)rainTotal(currentHour) / 100, 1)); //Calculate the total rain for the day
    wait(DWELL_TIME);
    wasTippedBuffer--;
    rainRate = ((oneHour) / tipDelay);
    if (rainRate != lastRainRate)
    {
      send(msgRainRate.set(rainRate, 1));
      wait(DWELL_TIME);
      M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("RainRate= "));
      M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(rainRate);
      lastRainRate = rainRate;
    }
    lastRainTime = lastTipTime;
  }
  //
  currentHour = hour();
  if (currentHour != lastHour)
  {
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("One hour elapsed."));
    send(msgRain.set((float)rainTotal(currentHour) / 100, 1)); // send today's rainfall
    wait(DWELL_TIME);
    saveState(eepromIndex, highByte(rainBucket[0]));
    saveState(eepromIndex + 1, lowByte(rainBucket[0]));
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("Saving rainBucket[0] to eeprom. rainBucket[0] = "));
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(rainBucket[0]);
    for (int i = RAIN_BUCKET_SIZE - 1; i >= 0; i--)//cascade an hour of values back into the array
    {
      rainBucket [i + 1] = rainBucket [i];
    }
    request(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_INDICATOR, V_VAR1);
    wait(DWELL_TIME);
    request(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_INDICATOR, V_VAR2);
    wait(DWELL_TIME);
    rainBucket[0] = 0;
    eepromIndex = eepromIndex + 2;
    if (eepromIndex > EEPROM_BUFFER_LOCATION + E_BUFFER_LENGTH)
    {
      eepromIndex = EEPROM_BUFFER_LOCATION;
    }
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("Writing to EEPROM.  Index: "));
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(eepromIndex);
    saveState(eepromIndex, 0xFE);
    saveState(eepromIndex + 1, 0xFE);
    requestTime(); // sync the time every hour
    wait(DWELL_TIME);
    transmitRainData();
    rainRate = 0;
    send(msgRainRate.set(rainRate, 1));
    wait(DWELL_TIME);
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Sending rainRate is 0 to controller"));
    lastHour = hour();
  }
  if (millis() - sensorPreviousMillis > DHT_LUX_DELAY)
  {
    #ifdef DHT_ON  //DHT Code
      doDHT();
    #endif
    #ifdef LUX_ON
      doLUX();
    #endif
    sensorPreviousMillis = millis();
  }
}
//
#ifdef DHT_ON
void doDHT(void)
{
  // 20170621 by Enfeet
  #ifndef DHT_ADAFRUIT
    float temperature = dht.getTemperature();
    if (isnan(temperature))
  #else
    dht.temperature().getEvent(&event);
    float temperature = event.temperature;
    if (isnan(event.temperature))
  #endif
  // /20170621 by Enfeet   
    {
      M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Failed reading temperature from DHT"));
    } else if (temperature != lastTemp) 
    {
      lastTemp = temperature;
      #ifndef DHT_ADAFRUIT
        if (!metric) 
        {
          temperature = dht.toFahrenheit(temperature);
        }
      #endif
      send(msgTemp.set(temperature, 1));
      wait(DWELL_TIME);
      M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("Temperature is: "));
      M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(temperature);
    }
  // 20170621 by Enfeet
  #ifndef DHT_ADAFRUIT
    float humidity = dht.getHumidity();;
    if (isnan(humidity)) 
  #else
    dht.humidity().getEvent(&event);
    float humidity = event.relative_humidity;
    if (isnan(event.relative_humidity))
  #endif
  // /20170621 by Enfeet     
    {
      M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Failed reading humidity from DHT"));
    } else if (humidity != lastHum) 
    {
      lastHum = humidity;
      send(msgHum.set(humidity, 1));
      wait(DWELL_TIME);
      M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("Humidity is: "));
      M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(humidity);
    }
}
#endif
//
#ifdef LUX_ON
void doLUX(void)
{
  unsigned int lux = lightSensor.readLightLevel();// Get Lux value
  M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("Current LUX Level: "));
  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(lux);
  heartbeat++;
  if (lux != lastlux || heartbeat > 10) 
  {
    send(msg.set(lux));
    lastlux = lux;
  }
  if (heartbeat > 10) 
  {
    heartbeat = 0;
  }
}
#endif
//
void sensorTipped()
{
  unsigned long thisTipTime = millis();
  if (thisTipTime - lastTipTime > 100UL)
  {
    rainBucket[0] += CALIBRATE_FACTOR; // adds CALIBRATE_FACTOR hundredths of unit each tip
    wasTippedBuffer++;
  }
  lastTipTime = thisTipTime;
}
//
int rainTotal(int hours)
{
  int total = 0;
  for ( int i = 0; i <= hours; i++)
  {
    total += rainBucket [i];
  }
  return total;
}

#ifdef DEBUG_ON
void updateSerialData(int x)
{
  M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("Rain last "));
  M_DEBUG_PRINT(x);
  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F(" hours: "));
  float tipCount = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < x; i++)
  {
    tipCount = tipCount + rainBucket [i];
  }
  tipCount = tipCount / 100;
  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(tipCount);
}
#endif

void loadRainArray(int eValue) // retrieve stored rain array from EEPROM on powerup
{
  for (int i = 1; i < RAIN_BUCKET_SIZE; i++)
  {
    eValue = eValue - 2;
    if (eValue < EEPROM_BUFFER_LOCATION)
    {
      eValue = EEPROM_BUFFER_LOCATION + E_BUFFER_LENGTH;
    }
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("EEPROM location: "));
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(eValue);
    uint8_t rainValueHigh = loadState(eValue);
    uint8_t rainValueLow = loadState(eValue + 1);
    unsigned int rainValue = rainValueHigh << 8;
    rainValue |= rainValueLow;
    rainBucket[i] = rainValue;
    //
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("rainBucket[ value: "));
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(i);
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("] value: "));
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(rainBucket[i]);
  }
}

void transmitRainData(void)
{
  M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("In transmitRainData. currentHour = "));
  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(currentHour);
  int rainUpdateTotal = 0;
  for (int i = currentHour; i >= 0; i--)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("Adding rainBucket["));
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(i);
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("] to rainUpdateTotal."));
  }
  M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("TX Day 1: rainUpdateTotal = "));
  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN((float)rainUpdateTotal / 100.0);
  send(msgRainVAR1.set((float)rainUpdateTotal / 100.0, 1)); //Send current day rain totals (resets at midnight)
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
#ifdef USE_DAILY
  rainUpdateTotal = 0;
#endif
  for (int i = currentHour + 24; i > currentHour; i--)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("Adding rainBucket["));
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(i);
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("] to rainUpdateTotal."));
  }
  M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("TX Day 2: rainUpdateTotal = "));
  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN((float)rainUpdateTotal / 100.0);
  send(msgRainVAR2.set((float)rainUpdateTotal / 100.0, 1));
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
#ifdef USE_DAILY
  rainUpdateTotal = 0;
#endif
  for (int i = currentHour + 48; i > currentHour + 24; i--)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("Adding rainBucket["));
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(i);
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("] to rainUpdateTotal."));
  }
  M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("TX Day 3: rainUpdateTotal = "));
  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN((float)rainUpdateTotal / 100.0);
  send(msgRainVAR3.set((float)rainUpdateTotal / 100.0, 1));
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
#ifdef USE_DAILY
  rainUpdateTotal = 0;
#endif
  for (int i = currentHour + 72; i > currentHour + 48; i--)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("Adding rainBucket["));
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(i);
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("] to rainUpdateTotal."));
  }
  M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("TX Day 4: rainUpdateTotal = "));
  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN((float)rainUpdateTotal / 100.0);
  send(msgRainVAR4.set((float)rainUpdateTotal / 100.0, 1));
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
#ifdef USE_DAILY
  rainUpdateTotal = 0;
#endif
  for (int i = currentHour + 96; i > currentHour + 72; i--)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("Adding rainBucket["));
    M_DEBUG_PRINT(i);
    M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("] to rainUpdateTotal."));
  }
  M_DEBUG_PRINT(F("TX Day 5: rainUpdateTotal = "));
  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN((float)rainUpdateTotal / 100.0);
  send(msgRainVAR5.set((float)rainUpdateTotal / 100.0, 1));
  wait(DWELL_TIME);
}

void receive(const MyMessage &message)
{
  if (message.sensor == CHILD_ID_RAIN_LOG)
  {
    // nothing to do here
  }
  else if (message.sensor == CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_INDICATOR)
  {
    if (message.type == V_VAR1)
    {
      rainWindow = atoi(message.data);
      if (rainWindow > 120)
      {
        rainWindow = 120;
      }
      else if (rainWindow < 1)
      {
        rainWindow = 1;
      }
      if (rainWindow != atoi(message.data))   // if I changed the value back inside the boundries, push that number back to Vera
      {
        send(msgTrippedVar1.set(rainWindow));
      }
    }
    else if (message.type == V_VAR2)
    {
      rainSensorThreshold = atoi(message.data);
      if (rainSensorThreshold > 10000)
      {
        rainSensorThreshold = 10000;
      }
      else if (rainSensorThreshold < 1)
      {
        rainSensorThreshold = 1;
      }
      if (rainSensorThreshold != atoi(message.data))  // if I changed the value back inside the boundries, push that number back to Vera
      {
        send(msgTrippedVar2.set(rainSensorThreshold));
      }
    }
  }
}

void prettyFade(void)
{
  float val = (exp(sin(millis() / 2000.0 * PI)) - 0.36787944) * 108.0;
  analogWrite(ledPin, val);
}

void slowFlash(void)
{
  static bool ledState = true;
  static unsigned long pulseStart = millis();
  if (millis() - pulseStart < 100UL)
  {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, !ledState);
    pulseStart = millis();
  }
}

void receiveTime(unsigned long newTime)
{
  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Time received..."));
  setTime(newTime);
  char theTime[6];
  sprintf(theTime, "%d:%2d", hour(), minute());
  M_DEBUG_PRINTLN(theTime);
}

i take an original .stl files from the link provided: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B3KGTJHUgpw1fkwtM3RreEF2QWg4eUdsUHdSQjl6UWx2Q3dPS19WSGdqd0pZQ3hhQk1TMkE

but in order to save a support material recreate and split it a little ;-)

The result are visible on photos

here is an .scad code of my modifications on top of original files, also i print them up side down ;-)

$fn=300;
difference(){
translate([35,0,0])
import("Can.stl");
cube([210,150,150],center=true);
}




translate([62,0,0])
rotate([0,90,0])
difference(){
cylinder(d=10,h=3,center=true);
cylinder(d=4,h=6,center=true);
}


difference(){
translate([-88,0,0])
sphere(d=300);
translate([-90,0,0])
sphere(d=300);
translate([61,0,0])
rotate([0,90,0])    
cylinder(d=4,h=4,center=true);
rotate([0,90,0])
difference(){
cylinder(d=310,h=208,center=true);
cylinder(d=122.5+4,h=310,center=true);
}    
}


translate([54,0,0])
rotate([0,90,0])
difference(){
cylinder(d=122.5+4,h=108,center=true);
cylinder(d=122.5,h=310,center=true);
} 

$fn=300;

/*
difference(){
translate([35,0,0])
import("Can.stl");
cube([210,150,150],center=true);
}




translate([62,0,0])
rotate([0,90,0])
difference(){
cylinder(d=10,h=3,center=true);
cylinder(d=4,h=6,center=true);
}


difference(){
translate([-88,0,0])
sphere(d=300);
translate([-90,0,0])
sphere(d=300);
translate([61,0,0])
rotate([0,90,0])    
cylinder(d=4,h=4,center=true);
rotate([0,90,0])
difference(){
cylinder(d=310,h=208,center=true);
cylinder(d=122.5+4,h=310,center=true);
}    
}
*/

translate([54,0,0])
rotate([0,90,0])
difference(){
cylinder(d=122.5+4,h=40
   ,center=true);
cylinder(d=122.5,h=310,center=true);
} 


translate([32,0,0])
rotate([0,90,0])
difference(){
cylinder(d=122.5+4+4,h=8
   ,center=true);
cylinder(d=122.5+4,h=9,center=true);
} 

--
SY
Enfeet

[dbemowsk]

@Enfeet What type of sensor did you use for the tipping bucket? Reed switch? Hall effect sensor?

[Enfeet]

@dbemowsk

20mm magnetic contact like this:

SY
Enfeet

[dbemowsk]

@Enfeet Thanks, it was hard to tell from your pics. It almost looked like a hall sensor. I too am using a reed switch. I have some reed switch boards that I salvaged from some old laptops. They were the sensors for closing the LCD.

[dbemowsk]

@Enfeet I was checking out your sketch and was confused on some of the numbers you had commented into your sketch. I am gathering that they are numbers you used to figure out your CALIBRATE_FACTOR number, but I am trying to understand them. These are the numbers I am referring to:

//d=112 mm
//11689.863832 mm2 =  116,89863832 cm2
//42,77209787776081 mm
//88 89 91 91 90 = 89,8
//0,4763039852757329

I am assuming that 112 mm is the diameter of your catchment funnel. I cannot however figure out your next number 11689.863832 mm2. What formula did you use to come up with that number? Knowing that may help me understand the rest of the numbers.

Thanks

[Enfeet]

@dbemowsk i use first found online calculator http://onlinemschool.com/math/assistance/figures_area/circle/
and... strange.... it gives other result ;-) So my calculations are incorrect ;-(
A = 1 4 π d2 = 1 4 π 1122 = 3136 π ≈ 9852.032512

SY
Sergey

[Enfeet]

@Enfeet o! d=122 not 112... uff correct ;-)

[dbemowsk]

@Enfeet I have been trying to wrap my head around the formulas for this. I have been basing numbers off of the formulas on this instructables page and after looking at his numbers, I think he has them wrong too. He states :

rainfall height = volume of rain collected / catchment area

In my rain collector, the length and breadth were 11 cm by 5 cm respectively giving a catchment area of 55 sq.cm. So a collection of 9 milliliters of rain would mean 9 cc/55 sq.cm = 0.16363... cm = 1.6363... mm = 0.394 inches.

9cc/55 is 0.16363 cm, but 1.6363 mm does not equal 0.394 inches as stated in the article. According to the conversion I did it is 0.064421. Did I do a calculation wrong?

[Enfeet]

@dbemowsk I think it's time to look in a book ;-) "The amount of precipitation is expressed in millimeters of a layer of water that would be formed from the precipitation, if they did not evaporate, did not seep into the soil and would not drain. Numerically, the amount of precipitation in millimeters is equal to the amount of kilograms of water left on the site in 1 sq.meter, i.e. 1 mm = 1 kg / 1 m2.