Irrigation Controller (up to 16 valves with Shift Registers)

Topdawg2881

@dbemowsk
I had this same issue. What I did to fix the issue was I commented out in the void loop the line to goGetValveTimes. I then added the timeAlarms library and set a timer to get valve times once every five minutes. The section of code looks like this. Alarm.timerRepeat (300,goGetValveTimes);
I inserted that line as the last line of cade in the void setup

dbemowsk

Okay, so I was just looking over the code. I first did a search for "Valve Data:" as that was what was showing on the screen. I found that in the goGetValveTimes() method. According to the code, that is only supposed to show if the inSetup variable evaluates to true. I then searched on that variable, and in the code just before the setup() method, I see this:

bool inSetup = true;

But I don't see anywhere in the code where it sets that value to false. So every time the main loop() calls goGetValveTimes();, it is going to display that since inSetup never gets changed to false. At the very end of the setup routine I see this bit of code:

//
  //Update valve data when first powered on 
  for (byte i = 1; i <= NUMBER_OF_VALVES; i++)
  {
    lcd.clear();
    goGetValveTimes();
  }
  lcd.clear();

I think that it is just after that for loop, or after the lcd.clear(); that it is supposed to set inSetup to false. I have not tested this theory yet as I need to unmount my controller and open it up to push the new code to it, but I am pretty sure that this is the issue. That would explain why everything else with it appears to work normally.

I double checked with the example code on the build page to see if possibly I may have deleted something when doing my edits. Looking it over, I found the same thing. If you ask me, this looks to be a bug in the code and it should be fixed and updated.

Topdawg2881

@dbemowsk
I am in front of my computer and I have my controller in front of me and hooked up. Give me a couple minutes and I will run it. See what happens.

dbemowsk

I just made the change and tested it. That was definitely the problem. Works perfect now.

Not sure who can change the example code, but all that needs to be added is this:

//
  //Update valve data when first powered on 
  for (byte i = 1; i <= NUMBER_OF_VALVES; i++)
  {
    lcd.clear();
    goGetValveTimes();
  }
  lcd.clear();
  //Add this line
  inSetup = false;

Topdawg2881

@dbemowsk
You beat me too it. I added the same line in same location and it works perfect. Every so often I see the raindrop icon to show that it is pulling data to update the valve times.

dbemowsk

So it is definitely a confirmed bug. I ended up finding some old sample code from when I started this last year and this bit of code was actually in the setup method and not in goGetValveTimes:

      lcd.print(F(" Updating  "));
      lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
      lcd.print(F(" Valve Data: "));
      lcd.print(valveIndex);

So some time in the past year the sample code had been changed.

BulldogLowell

@dbemowsk

good to see you found it. I haven't looked at the code for two years, and mine is still working. (@petewill 's demo worked well too). there must have been some change that managed its way into the source

maybe look on GitHub and do a pull request if you the problem is there...

tombstone

Hi I just order all the parts that was listed. Do I need to read the 230 post or it's ok just watched the video.

dbemowsk

@tombstone You shouldn't need to read all the posts. Maybe just search the thread if you run into any snags. What kind of setup are you dropping this into? Do you currently have valves installed? Does your setup have a master valve or pump relay? Is it a standard 24V AC system?

tombstone

Ok I read it all. Just want to start with the basic then change to pH reader soil reader water reader rain detector.

tombstone

It's really hard to work out what's good post over bad post. Lol

tombstone

Its my 1st project and I have learnt alot but have got myself a snag and I am getting this....

Arduino: 1.8.3 (Windows 10), Board: "Arduino Pro or Pro Mini, ATmega328 (5V, 16 MHz)"

C:\Users\HTPC\Documents\Arduino\Irrigation_Controller_1\Irrigation_Controller_1..ino:82:21: fatal error: TimeLib.h: No such file or directory

#include <TimeLib.h>

compilation terminated.

exit status 1
Error compiling for board Arduino Pro or Pro Mini.

gohan

go to library manager and install Time library

tombstone

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tombstone

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tombstone

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tombstone

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tombstone

ok I almost there but my pro mini has just Analog 1 to 3. I say I have to change the coda were abouts...
I also have not setup up my Vera Controller as I see you have to pay...

Is there another one that is eazy as I have try some but can not get it to work. eg HomeGenie is download and on my pc but don't think its not to good. don't know how to find my pro mini. happy to chagaen to someing eazer to get me started thanks guys....

tombstone

Domoticz LOOKS GOOD
BUT new to all this

Black Cat

If you are looking for Software, try openhab.

You need to buy Vera, but the software is free.

tombstone

@Black-Cat thanks

tombstone

ok so when adding to Domoticz..
I go to hardware...
I name is..... test...
then choose.. MySensors Gateway with LAN interface....
Data Timeout: .... Disabled.....
Remote Address.... (I have tryed)....

IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, Primary DNS, Secondary DNS.

(i try everythinbg I can think of and still not work)

Port: ... 5003
My pro min has the red light on and blink blue occassionally.

what I get from the Domoticz log is



2017-07-30 18:00:00.627 Error: MySensors: Can not connect to: 61.9.211.33:5003
2017-07-30 18:00:00.627 TCP: Connection problem (Unable to connect to specified IP/Port)
2017-07-30 18:00:00.627 TCP: Reconnecting in 30 seconds...
'''

tbowmo

@tombstone

What hardware are you using for the gateway? Arduino, Sensebender GW, ESP8266, is it wired or wireless?

Does it get an IP address from your router?

Can you successfully telnet to the above IP address on port 5003? (And what is the output)

Does the gateway send any logs to the serial port? If yes, then post them on the forum.

tombstone

@tbowmo
The hardware I'am using for the gateway is the Arduino pro mini and its wireless from the NRF24L01+ 2.4GHz Wireless Transceiver

I don't know if it is getting IP address from my router.

have not use telnet before (I have just youtube it and enabled it... all what i got from youtube was that you can send email lol cool)

Does the gateway send any logs to the serial port? If yes, then post them on the forum. (were do I get them logs the ones from Domoticz and below but not much info to go on)

Thanks

tbowmo

@tombstone

How is the promini connected to the device runnning domoticz?

To me it sounds like that you have the promini connected directly to your computer where domoticz is running, then you should add it as a serial gateway, and not ethernet gateway

If you haven't already done this, I suggest that you read about the mysensors network so you have a basic understanding on how mysensors works.

tombstone

@tbowmo
I have it runing both ways but with serial gateway there no errors but when going to setup there is no NODES.

2017-07-30 19:20:55.764 TCP: Connection problem (Unable to connect to specified IP/Port)
2017-07-30 19:20:55.766 TCP: Reconnecting in 30 seconds...
2017-07-30 19:21:26.035 TCP: Reconnecting...
2017-07-30 19:21:37.093 MySensors: TCP/IP Worker stopped...
2017-07-30 19:27:03.150 MySensors: Using serial port: COM4

tombstone

@tombstone

//#define MY_NODE_ID 1  // Set this to fix your Radio ID or use Auto

IS there someing I have missed with adding NODES???

tombstone

0 MCO:BGN:INIT NODE,CP=RNNNA--,VER=2.1.1
3 TSM:INIT
4 TSF:WUR:MS=0
11 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
13 TSM:FPAR
15 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
2022 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
2024 TSM:FPAR
2026 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
4034 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
4036 TSM:FPAR
4038 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
6046 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
6048 TSM:FPAR
6050 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
8058 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
8059 TSM:FAIL:CNT=1
8061 TSM:FAIL:PDT
18065 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
18067 TSM:INIT
18074 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
18076 TSM:FPAR
18078 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
20086 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
20088 TSM:FPAR
20090 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
22099 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
22102 TSM:FPAR
22104 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
24112 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
24114 TSM:FPAR
24116 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
26124 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
26125 TSM:FAIL:CNT=2
26127 TSM:FAIL:PDT
36130 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
36132 TSM:INIT
36140 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
36142 TSM:FPAR
36144 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
38152 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
38154 TSM:FPAR
38156 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
40164 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
40166 TSM:FPAR
40168 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
42176 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
42178 TSM:FPAR
42180 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
44188 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
44189 TSM:FAIL:CNT=3
44191 TSM:FAIL:PDT
54194 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
54196 TSM:INIT
54203 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
54205 TSM:FPAR
54207 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
56215 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
56217 TSM:FPAR
56219 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
58227 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
58229 TSM:FPAR
58231 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
60239 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
60241 TSM:FPAR
60243 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
62252 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
62254 TSM:FAIL:CNT=4
62255 TSM:FAIL:PDT
72258 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
72260 TSM:INIT
72267 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
72269 TSM:FPAR
72271 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
74280 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
74283 TSM:FPAR
74285 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
76293 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
76295 TSM:FPAR
76297 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
78305 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
78307 TSM:FPAR
78309 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
80317 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
80318 TSM:FAIL:CNT=5
80320 TSM:FAIL:PDT
90323 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
90326 TSM:INIT
90333 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
90335 TSM:FPAR
90337 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
92345 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
92347 TSM:FPAR
92349 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
94357 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
94359 TSM:FPAR
94361 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
96369 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
96371 TSM:FPAR
96373 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
98381 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
98383 TSM:FAIL:CNT=6
98384 TSM:FAIL:PDT
108387 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
108389 TSM:INIT
108396 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
108398 TSM:FPAR
108401 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
110408 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
110410 TSM:FPAR
110413 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
112420 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
112422 TSM:FPAR
112425 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
114433 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
114435 TSM:FPAR
114438 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
116445 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
116447 TSM:FAIL:CNT=7
116449 TSM:FAIL:PDT

This is my debug log. will like to know if there some thing I missed as I learning thanks

tbowmo

@tombstone

Just to be sure, you have one pro mini with NRF24 working as a gateway, connected to your computer?

And then you have one (or more) pro minis also with NRF24, acting as nodes?

gohan

@tombstone said in Irrigation Controller (up to 16 valves with Shift Registers):

@tombstone
//#define MY_NODE_ID 1  // Set this to fix your Radio ID or use Auto
IS there someing I have missed with adding NODES???

yuo need to uncomment that line

tbowmo

@gohan

Only if he won't use auto id assignment from domoticz.

tombstone

@tbowmo
I habe one pro mini with NRF24 and, connected to my computer. I have done everything from the video up too 22mins were I got stuck.

tombstone

@tbowmo
Do the debug log. Look normal.. don't know how to read.

0 MCO:BGN:INIT NODE,CP=RNNNA--,VER=2.1.1
3 TSM:INIT
4 TSF:WUR:MS=0
11 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
13 TSM:FPAR
15 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
2022 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
2024 TSM:FPAR
2026 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
4034 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
4036 TSM:FPAR
4038 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
6046 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
6048 TSM:FPAR
6050 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
8058 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
8059 TSM:FAIL:CNT=1
8061 TSM:FAIL:PDT
18065 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
18067 TSM:INIT
18074 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
18076 TSM:FPAR
18078 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
20086 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
20088 TSM:FPAR
20090 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
22099 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
22102 TSM:FPAR
22104 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
24112 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
24114 TSM:FPAR
24116 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
26124 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
26125 TSM:FAIL:CNT=2
26127 TSM:FAIL:PDT
36130 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
36132 TSM:INIT
36140 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
36142 TSM:FPAR
36144 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
38152 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
38154 TSM:FPAR
38156 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
40164 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
40166 TSM:FPAR
40168 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
42176 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
42178 TSM:FPAR
42180 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
44188 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
44189 TSM:FAIL:CNT=3
44191 TSM:FAIL:PDT
54194 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
54196 TSM:INIT
54203 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
54205 TSM:FPAR
54207 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
56215 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
56217 TSM:FPAR
56219 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
58227 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
58229 TSM:FPAR
58231 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
60239 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
60241 TSM:FPAR
60243 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
62252 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
62254 TSM:FAIL:CNT=4
62255 TSM:FAIL:PDT
72258 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
72260 TSM:INIT
72267 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
72269 TSM:FPAR
72271 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
74280 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
74283 TSM:FPAR
74285 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
76293 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
76295 TSM:FPAR
76297 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
78305 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
78307 TSM:FPAR
78309 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
80317 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
80318 TSM:FAIL:CNT=5
80320 TSM:FAIL:PDT
90323 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
90326 TSM:INIT
90333 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
90335 TSM:FPAR
90337 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
92345 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
92347 TSM:FPAR
92349 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
94357 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
94359 TSM:FPAR
94361 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
96369 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
96371 TSM:FPAR
96373 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
98381 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
98383 TSM:FAIL:CNT=6
98384 TSM:FAIL:PDT
108387 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT
108389 TSM:INIT
108396 TSM:INIT:TSP OK
108398 TSM:FPAR
108401 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
110408 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
110410 TSM:FPAR
110413 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
112420 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
112422 TSM:FPAR
112425 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
114433 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY
114435 TSM:FPAR
114438 TSF:MSG:SEND,255-255-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK:
116445 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL
116447 TSM:FAIL:CNT=7
116449 TSM:FAIL:PDT

there alot of failing

tbowmo

@tombstone

It seems that you have not read up on how mysensors works.. The purpose of mysensors is to create wireless sensors. To do this, we normally have a gateway connected to a computer running some kind of controller software.

Then we have sensor nodes that transmit (wireless) sensor data to the gateway which sends this to the controller software.

Again, please read up on how mysensors are designed, find more here https://www.mysensors.org/about

tombstone

@tbowmo
can you tell me if I got this wrong

The "brain" is my pro min
"The radio" is nRF24
the brain (promiin) get and sends info to the (Radio)
the controller (my PC that is running Domoticz)" gets and send info to the radio.
That's how I get it after reading

tbowmo

But how are the radio connected to your pc then? that needs an arduino as well.

To have a functional mysensors network, you usually have 2 (or more) arduino compatible boards. One of thar m running SerialGateway (or another suitable sketch) with NRF24 connected. This connect to the computer running domoticz

Then you have all the sensor nodes, they are also running on arduino compatible hardware (but separate to the gateway hardware), also with radio connected. THIS is running your sensor sketches, and communicates with the gateway arduino via the NRF24 radios.

When the gateway receives messages on the NRF24, it sends these via UART to the computer at which you are running domoticz (or any other suitable controller software).

gohan

@tbowmo according to the log nothing is assigning any ID

mfalkvidd

@gohan where do you see that? I can't see anything in the log about id assignment.

gohan

255-255-255-255 isn't it sent when asking for ID?

mfalkvidd

@gohan yes, but also when asking for parent (as indicated by TSM:FPAR). Id-related messages are indicated by TSM:ID.

tombstone

I feel so stupid thought the first video that Pete made serial gateway was just the wiring your your radio up for the irrigation.

Grubstake

@tbowmo said in Irrigation Controller (up to 16 valves with Shift Registers):

It seems that you have not read up on how mysensors works.. The purpose of mysensors is to create wireless sensors. To do this, we normally have a gateway connected to a computer running some kind of controller software.

Then we have sensor nodes that transmit (wireless) sensor data to the gateway which sends this to the controller software.

Again, please read up on how mysensors are designed, find more here https://www.mysensors.org/about

Hi Thomas,

You have hit on a point that I see over and over here, and that I shared with @tombstone for a long time before I was able to get a successful MySensors node working. (And I've worked with electronics and tech much of my life.)

Understanding the key components and how they fit together is essential for newcomers to MySensors, and is not very complex, but the information is widely scattered and completely missing from the the top level of the website. This discourages newcomers and creates endless questions on the forums as it is quite difficult to get anything working without many hours of reading and experimenting.

There is no obvious place on the website that explains the big picture as well as your last message! Newcomers to MySensors do not benefit from a clear simple picture of sensor nodes, gateways, and controllers and how they fit together.

The Getting Started page does not mention controllers at all. And it's NOT as easy as 1, 2, 3!
The Controller page does not describe the basic purpose of a controller, or how it connects to gateways and nodes. It's a useful advanced comparison of controller details, not beginner content.
The Build page mentions some of the key components but again not how they fit together. (Nor is it about 'building'.)
The Hardware doesn't really talk about the hardware.

(I'm sure there is much of this elsewhere on the website, but its not easy to find from the obvious links.)

It would be hugely helpful if Getting Started was an actual detailed overview of MySensors diagramming examples of complete end-to-end systems.

sensor->arduino+radio node---->arduino+radio gateway->controller (Domoticz etc).
sensor->gateware/node software->ESP8266 wifi->controller (no 'radio')
etc.

Gateways are difficult to understand at the beginning as there are so many different ones and the Gateway names don't help...some are named by a single transport protocol (i.e. MQTT) some for an interface (Serial) some for a hardware platform (ESP8266), etc. I'm sure this seems obvious to lifelong engineers/developers but not so much for regular hobby geeks like many hobbyists.

I'm impressed with the work that has gone into MySensors and am grateful for all the hard work by the many developers and users who have contributed to it. I don't mean my comments to be a complaint. Presenting technical systems to often less technical newcomer/users is a challenging area. Improving the first impression of the big picture to newcomers would be a huge move forward.

Tim

tombstone

@Grubstake
I was think of writing a post or making a video (like Pete) for the beginner's. Just an add-on of his work. Not saying his video are not good just saying I like to make more.... Aftrr I know how everything works. Not off on a good start but I get there.

gohan

@Grubstake I think you missed the page https://www.mysensors.org/about/network
IMHO mysensors made it "easy" to create a sensors network but it can't teach you the basics of arduino programming, I have already told many newbies that first they need to learn with the tutorials and simple exercises otherwise they would have no idea where to look for problems that they will face. Learning how to debug it's as hard as learning to program and in a complex environment like a sensors network it is very easy to get lost.

tombstone

@Grubstake still may have a pont if there's been overs. Not saying we right or your right. But learning is a difficult thing. So is teaching. That's good that we have lots of open source site and when we get stuck members step ins and give a hand.

tombstone

Thanks guys now I understand, felling stupid but it was like a mind blank as was thinking it worked another way.

Can some one point me to the a link (error sending switch command check device/hardware) this comes up when turning on lights on the irrigation controller.

I find this but it didn't makes sense. https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/2553/error-sending-switch-command-check-device-hardware

Sergio Rius

@tbowmo If I can give an opinion, if we want to reach the newcomers, we must start to think on a integrated solution for burning mcus without programming knowledge. I'm also a software architect and my father caught me on electronics, but this is a public project and will also reach people without knowledge.
NodeManager is a great jump on that direction and now we miss a small utility for computers.
And signing+encryption is a problem here.

Anticimex

@Sergio-Rius why is signing and encryption a problem? We have a simplified option that enables both using a single define. It can't be made simpler than that without making it enabled by default and then with a common PSK which is pointless. Although still only available in beta it will soon be released.
If you find that too complex, I am all ears for improvement suggestions.

Sergio Rius

@Anticimex Sorry, but I don't follow the development code on a day basis, I was not aware of this feature.
Anyways, a common psk will be like grease. Any psk would be better than no-one.

Let me explain: I was thinking on a small Pc program that you can select options (NodeManager) and then burn the chip by a click of a button. But also crossed my mind the possibility that a user, with a running secure network, wanted to get a sensebender gateway already programmed. It would be no use.

I was thinking on a way of "programming the crypto chip" separately from the cpu program. I don't know if it clearer now or I made it worse.

gohan

@Sergio-Rius there is also a project to integrate NodeManager with a web page to really mask all the code behind to the user.

Anticimex

@Sergio-Rius I am still a bit confused.
A default PSK would be the same for everyone so how is that better than no one?
Also, nrf24 radios have problem with full size payloads so enabling signing by default would give some users radio problems by default as well. It is not a problem with signing, it is a problem with the radio.

Anticimex

@Sergio-Rius the crypto chip (I prefer the term authentication chip as it does not do cryptography) is connected to the MCU so you need a program on the MCU to program the chip in one way or another. Lest you program the chip before soldering it to the board. And I think the personalization procedure (improved in beta) is documented and simplified enough so that having a separate pc program and do off board programming of the chip would be a far more complicated procedure for "non programmers".

gohan

@Anticimex I'd add that encryption and signing are more advanced features and should be dealt once newbies get used to the mysensors framework and after they get used to how to debug, otherwise it would also add too much complexity

Anticimex

@gohan it is, but it is documented enough so that it should be available to everyone. Obviously that implies people actually read the documentation

tombstone

Guys if you look I been on here for about a year so yes I been reading alot before I started to build. An been look at YouTube video about code and all this.
I have given up on this one for now and I got an pre build one from a another site he have an set by set with networks and so on. I be back later. After I get openhab and MQTT worked out. As I going to be using esp8266 and the MQTT.

Newzwaver

Hi

Having some issues with the sketch compiling, I am using the 1.84 arduino and the latest libraries 2.1.1 mysensors. I have not made any changes to the sketch at all. Debug is remarked out.

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated .

Arduino: 1.8.4 (Windows 10), Board: "Arduino Pro or Pro Mini, ATmega328P (5V, 16 MHz)"

In file included from C:\Users\Audrey\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_modified_sketch_110779\IrrigationController.ino:95:0:

C:\Users\Audrey\Documents\Arduino\libraries\MySensors/MySensors.h:328:2: error: #error No forward link or gateway feature activated. This means nowhere to send messages! Pretty pointless.

#error No forward link or gateway feature activated. This means nowhere to send messages! Pretty pointless.

^

C:\Users\Audrey\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_modified_sketch_110779\IrrigationController.ino:99:31: fatal error: LiquidCrystal_I2C.h: No such file or directory

#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

compilation terminated.

exit status 1
Error compiling for board Arduino Pro or Pro Mini.

This report would have more information with
"Show verbose output during compilation"
option enabled in File -> Preferences.

dbemowsk

@Newzwaver
First, the "error No forward link or gateway feature activated. This means nowhere to send messages! Pretty pointless."
this means that you most likely don't have a radio or other gateway connection type defined. Basically you need to tell it how it is going to communicate to your controller and/or other devices. You need to remove the // from one of the options.

/ Enable and select radio type attached
//#define MY_RADIO_NRF24
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM69
//#define MY_RS485

Next, do you have the LiquidCrystal library installed? If so, is it the correct one? My guess is that it isn't since it cannot find the LiquidCrystal_I2C.h file. You should get the one from GitHub. Start there and let us know what happens.

eric

Hello,

Has anybody succeeded in adapting Irrigation Controller to OpenHAB2?

Although a long time experienced programmer, I am new to domotic and begining to explore the subject. OpenHAB seems to be a nicely architectured software, and well documented. The bindings for MySensors define a number of devices types. Which one would be the best choice in that case? How could the Irrigation Controller sketch be adaptated? Is it possible to add V_VAR1..3 to light thing type?

Thank you for your help.

eric

I'm replying to myself. After reading OpenHAB doc, I managed to have all functionnalities working without changing the Irrigation Controller code.
I cannot put the whole howto here, but basically I created .things and .items files listed here. In addition, I installed the MySensor gateway on the same Raspberry Pi as OpenHAB, connected as an Ethernet gateway. I also installed MapDB persistence, as explained in the documentation.

/etc/openhab2/things/house.things

Bridge mysensors:bridge-eth:gateway [ ipAddress="127.0.0.1", tcpPort=5003, sendDelay=200 ] {
        light           all_zones       "Toutes zones"  [ nodeId=1, childId=0 ]
        rgbLight        zone1           "Zone 1"        [ nodeId=1, childId=1 ]
        rgbLight        zone2           "Zone 2"        [ nodeId=1, childId=2 ]
        rgbLight        zone3           "Zone 3"        [ nodeId=1, childId=3 ]
        rgbLight        zone4           "Zone 4"        [ nodeId=1, childId=4 ]
        rgbLight        zone5           "Zone 5"        [ nodeId=1, childId=5 ]
        rgbLight        zone6           "Zone 6"        [ nodeId=1, childId=6 ]
        rgbLight        zone7           "Zone 7"        [ nodeId=1, childId=7 ]
        rgbLight        zone8           "Zone 8"        [ nodeId=1, childId=8 ]
  }

/etc/openhab2/items/house.items

Group House
Group Irrigation        <water> (House)
Group AllZones          <water> (Irrigation)
Group Zone1             <water> (Irrigation)
Group Zone2             <water> (Irrigation)
Group Zone3             <water> (Irrigation)
Group Zone4             <water> (Irrigation)
Group Zone5             <water> (Irrigation)
Group Zone6             <water> (Irrigation)
Group Zone7             <water> (Irrigation)
Group Zone8             <water> (Irrigation)
Switch  zone0_s "On/Off"                (AllZones)      { channel="mysensors:light:gateway:all_zones:status" }
Switch  zone1_s "On/Off"                        (Zone1)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone1:status" }
Number  zone1_1 "Temps toutes zones [%d mn]"    (Zone1)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone1:var1" }
Number  zone1_2 "Temps individuel [%d mn]"      (Zone1)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone1:var2" }
String  zone1_3 "Nom [%s]"                      (Zone1)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone1:var3" }
Switch  zone2_s "On/Off"                        (Zone2)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone2:status" }
Number  zone2_1 "Temps toutes zones [%d mn]"    (Zone2)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone2:var1" }
Number  zone2_2 "Temps individuel [%d mn]"      (Zone2)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone2:var2" }
String  zone2_3 "Nom [%s]"                      (Zone2)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone2:var3" }
Switch  zone3_s "On/Off"                        (Zone3)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone3:status" }
Number  zone3_1 "Temps toutes zones [%d mn]"    (Zone3)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone3:var1" }
Number  zone3_2 "Temps individuel [%d mn]"      (Zone3)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone3:var2" }
String  zone3_3 "Nom [%s]"                      (Zone3)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone3:var3" }
Switch  zone4_s "On/Off"                        (Zone4)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone4:status" }
Number  zone4_1 "Temps toutes zones [%d mn]"    (Zone4)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone4:var1" }
Number  zone4_2 "Temps individuel [%d mn]"      (Zone4)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone4:var2" }
String  zone4_3 "Nom [%s]"                      (Zone4)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone4:var3" }
Switch  zone5_s "On/Off"                        (Zone5)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone5:status" }
Number  zone5_1 "Temps toutes zones [%d mn]"    (Zone5)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone5:var1" }
Number  zone5_2 "Temps individuel [%d mn]"      (Zone5)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone5:var2" }
String  zone5_3 "Nom [%s]"                      (Zone5)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone5:var3" }
Switch  zone6_s "On/Off"                        (Zone6)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone6:status" }
Number  zone6_1 "Temps toutes zones [%d mn]"    (Zone6)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone6:var1" }
Number  zone6_2 "Temps individuel [%d mn]"      (Zone6)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone6:var2" }
String  zone6_3 "Nom [%s]"                      (Zone6)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone6:var3" }
Switch  zone7_s "On/Off"                        (Zone7)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone7:status" }
Number  zone7_1 "Temps toutes zones [%d mn]"    (Zone7)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone7:var1" }
Number  zone7_2 "Temps individuel [%d mn]"      (Zone7)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone7:var2" }
String  zone7_3 "Nom [%s]"                      (Zone7)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone7:var3" }
Switch  zone8_s "On/Off"                        (Zone8)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone8:status" }
Number  zone8_1 "Temps toutes zones [%d mn]"    (Zone8)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone8:var1" }
Number  zone8_2 "Temps individuel [%d mn]"      (Zone8)         { channel="mysensors:rgbLight:gateway:zone8:var2" }
String  zone8_3 "Nom [%s]"

Note the "trick" is to use rgbLight item type instead of light item type, to have Var1..3 available. Look here: https://github.com/tobof/openhab2-addons/blob/MySensors_Binding/addons/binding/org.openhab.binding.mysensors/ESH-INF/thing/thing-types.xml

Now I have a fully fonctionnal Irrigation Controller, all integrated with OpenHAB

Spanners

Hi All,

Does anyone have a schematic/wiring diagram for this (especially the shift register)?

I may be too old, but the Fritzing image on the build page isn't clear to me.

dbemowsk

@Spanners Which part is confusing you, the wiring to the 74HC595? Does this help at all?
0_1508653409416_upload-8e238a1b-f1fe-4b8f-b1be-7d72004832a5

Spanners

@dbemowsk Thanks, that clears it up.

I ended up going with a Mega with LCD Shield and used additional digital pins for the relays. I wanted to enable the IRQ buffering for the NRF radio and some LCDText devices to report back to Vera some status information. Sadly I had to use Strings as I struggled to get char[] arrays to work. Got a bit hard to fit onto the memory of the Pro Mini.

I needed 2 controllers for front and back, one with Master Valve setup. The back reticulation is an extension of front zone - so Vera makes sure the front controller supplies water when the back controller is active.

alt text

If there's interest I'll post the code, maybe someone with better skills than me could rewrite the String section - I don't know if I'll have issues with memory fragmentation yet. Only installed them today.

A big thank you to @petewill and @BulldogLowell for sharing their code and design.

dbemowsk

@Spanners So you are saying that you just used digital IO lines instead of using the shift register? BTW, I like the case, looks expensive. Do you use the 5 keys on the keypad shield for anything?

Spanners

@dbemowsk yep, I left out the shift register and just used additional IO pins.

The case was AU$28 at a local electronics supplier, or AU$10 from ebay. IP66 rated, should keep the Arduino's safe from the elements.

The LCD keypad has a reset button (handy for reloading all valve changes) and a select button which I'm using to do the same thing as the external button in the original design (I still have the exterior button as well). The other buttons could be used for a local menu system or for dialling in a custom manual run time or something, but I haven't pursued it as I don't intend to physically touch them very often.

I've got a problem that'd developed with the front controller - almost like the button/interrupt is triggering whenever the relays are energised/de-energised. It's not consistent though and I'm betting its power related.

The whole unit is powered by a 12VDC adaptor. The relays are powered by a separate DC-DC 5V supply off that 12V, and the Mega takes 12V on VIN and powers the LCD and the radio.

Spanners

Ok, found my issue - hopefully you guys can give me a suggestion on how to fix it.

It basically is the external button being triggered (immediate irrigation halt or starts running all zones after shutdown). And it's caused by the 24VAC power running through the relays.

If I shut down the 24VAC power it works great. If I unplug the external button (brown wire in picture just above the LED), I have no issues either.

I'm not using an external resistor for that switch (PIN 21 to GND) - do you think that would solve the issue with interference from the 24VAC? Or is there another solution to these types of issues?

  pinMode(waterButtonPin, INPUT_PULLUP);																			
  attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(waterButtonPin), PushButton, LOW); //May need to change for your Arduino model

It seems a bit counterintuitive, because how would the 24VAC which is presumably creating a magnetic field and inductive current in brown wire result in it reading LOW?

dbemowsk

@Spanners Do you in any way have one leg of the 24V supply connected to low voltage side? Possibly the ground?

@Spanners said in Irrigation Controller (up to 16 valves with Shift Registers):

If I shut down the 24VAC power it works great.

When you have the 24V connected, is it under any load? And, What does this brown wire connect?

Spanners

@dbemowsk

The 24VAC is completely isolated - it connects to the relays to power solenoids only, common wire like @petewill shows in his video. The other connection for the 24VAC is to the common wire on the solenoids. There's no path from the 24VAC to the Arduino.

24VAC is only under load when a relay is active and powering a solenoid. It's when a relay opens or closes that the external button interrupt is triggered (about 80% of the time).

The brown wire is PIN 21 to the external button, the other side of the button is connected to GND. If that wire is disconnected, I don't see the issue - so it's like the start/stop of 24VAC current flow is creating enough magnetic action/induced current or something on the wire and PIN 21 to trigger the interrupt.

dbemowsk

@Spanners Does the arduino input for the switch (brown wire) have a pull up (or pull down depending on your use case) resistor on it? Something like this:
0_1511631725978_upload-2a89c2cb-93b3-4cb1-89e5-49d0579fa42e
If the arduino input is left floating when the button is in an unpressed state, I suppose that induction could possibly cause enough fluctuation to cause it to trip that switch input. The arduino inputs are very sensitive and the brown wire may be acting like an antenna and picking up enough induced current from the 24v side to trip the input. The 24 volts used is typically AC which would affect something like that more than a DC voltage would, so when one of the relays turns on, then you have the AC current flowing which could easily be picked up by your brown wire (the antenna). When you disconnect the brown wire, there is no more antenna to sway the input. Read the first response to this guys question. Pull up/down resistors simply bias that input to a given state (high or low) when no expressed input is given (unpressed switch).

Spanners

@dbemowsk - you da man. Thanks for the help.

I was using the internal pull up on the Arduino and it wasn't enough to deal with the interference from the 24VAC. Added a 4.7k resistor to the switch with connection to Vcc as per your diagram and it's now working reliably.

Also needed to add a repeater node as the rear retic controller sits inside a garden feature that is made from 250mm thick limestone blocks. Comms were a little hit and miss.

mikee

Hi guys, I’m trying 2 days to compile this sketch for Domoticz. Still getting errors ones from library then from code...
Can someone share with me his working code for Domoticz in 2.0 version? Thanks a lot

dbemowsk

@mikee It helps for us to know what errors you are getting.

mikee

Hi @dbemowsk , Thanks for your reply. I had to reinstall Arduino IDE and all Libraries from my PC. I was fighting with „'POSITIVE' was not declared in this scope“ error, and installed over 6 Libraries for LCD. I got finally working the sketch for Vera from Mysensors/build, at least .
Unfortunately I’m not able to modify Sketch witch are guys using with Domoticz in this Topic.
Is there a way to get missing variables into Irrigation controller from domoticz or at least to set them manually in sketch? For me is enough one watering time for all valves.

dbemowsk

@mikee This was actually one of the reasons I switched from Domoticz to a Vera controller a couple years ago. The main issue at the time had to do with the use of V_VAR1 - V_VAR3 which is used to configure the valve names and the valve times. I wanted to have the ability to change the valve times.

For your situation though, you can modify your Zone names in the code by changing this bit:

// Name your Zones here or use Vera to edit them by adding a name in Variable3...
String valveNickName[17] = {
  "All Zones", "Zone 1", "Zone 2", "Zone 3", "Zone 4", "Zone 5", "Zone 6", "Zone 7", "Zone 8", "Zone 9", "Zone 10", "Zone 11", "Zone 12", "Zone 13", "Zone 14", "Zone 15", "Zone 16"
};

Depending on the number of zones you have, just change the names in quotes for Zone 1, Zone 2, etc... up to the number of valves that you have.

I have been told recently though that Domoticz now supports V_VAR(x), but I am not sure how to use it just yet.

annujbhatia

Hi, my module works with 8 relays but when i try to expand to 16 relays i have an issue. The 2nd register heats up and the pro mini keep restarting / re-initializing. I think i have the wrong connections for the 2nd register. Can anyone help / share what the wiring for the 2nd register should be?

zboblamont

@mfalkvidd Is this #3 of same question?

mfalkvidd

@zboblamont yes indeed.. If anyone can help @annujbhatia, please post in https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/9434/problem-with-2nd-register-heating instead of here, to keep all information in the same place.

pndgt0

Hi @johnecy, know it has been a long time from your post, but I have implemented the script recently and am having the same issue that you mentined. please, how do you solve it?

@johnecy said in Irrigation Controller (up to 16 valves with Shift Registers):

I have the irrigation controller all setup and working. I have one problem though as soon as I power it up with 5 volts for the pro mini sometimes one sometimes all the relays come on. If I am not home the water runs all day is there a programing change or a wire change I need to make to stop this. I was using the old wire diagram without the pull up on pin 13 of the 74hc I changed to the new version and added the lines off code but it still does not help.

edweather

Hello,

I have build the irrigation controler this weekend and just found out that there are some issues using this with domoticz.
Is there someone willing to share his customized code to get these zone and time variables working ?

Thanks in advance,

Edwin

dbemowsk

@edweather I had a lot of this working in Domoticz years ago. I have since switched to Vera, but here is a link to an old post I had on the subject.
https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/153/irrigation-controller-up-to-16-valves-with-shift-registers/216

edweather

@dbemowsk Thank you!

Irrigation Controller (up to 16 valves with Shift Registers)

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