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  3. Needing to reset sensors constantly

Needing to reset sensors constantly

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  • I Offline
    I Offline
    Igpels
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    I have built several sensors (PIR sensors, dust sensors, and distance sensors) using 5V Nanos that all work but need to be reset every couple weeks because they keep going down. All of them are connected via phone charges to the outlets. I am not sure what the problem is exactly. Some of them are more reliable than others, but it has nothing to do with distance to the gateway as the one closest to the gateway fails just as often as the one furthest from it. What can I do to improve reliability/durability?

    mfalkviddM sundberg84S M 3 Replies Last reply
    0
    • I Igpels

      I have built several sensors (PIR sensors, dust sensors, and distance sensors) using 5V Nanos that all work but need to be reset every couple weeks because they keep going down. All of them are connected via phone charges to the outlets. I am not sure what the problem is exactly. Some of them are more reliable than others, but it has nothing to do with distance to the gateway as the one closest to the gateway fails just as often as the one furthest from it. What can I do to improve reliability/durability?

      mfalkviddM Offline
      mfalkviddM Offline
      mfalkvidd
      Mod
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      I recommend starting by checking the "power issues" flowchart at https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/666/debug-faq-and-how-ask-for-help especially if you are using nrf24.

      The most thorough way to find out what's wrong is to capture the debug output. Since we're talking long-term logging, sundberg84's logger machine can be useful.

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      • gohanG Offline
        gohanG Offline
        gohan
        Mod
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        Try swapping power supplies around to see if problem follows the power supply, later you could try the radio modules

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        • I Igpels

          I have built several sensors (PIR sensors, dust sensors, and distance sensors) using 5V Nanos that all work but need to be reset every couple weeks because they keep going down. All of them are connected via phone charges to the outlets. I am not sure what the problem is exactly. Some of them are more reliable than others, but it has nothing to do with distance to the gateway as the one closest to the gateway fails just as often as the one furthest from it. What can I do to improve reliability/durability?

          sundberg84S Offline
          sundberg84S Offline
          sundberg84
          Hardware Contributor
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          @igpels do you have any fluctuations in the power mains ? As mentioned it's most likely power issues if all nodes just randomly freeze. Or do you use any unregular code? A watchdog timer could be good but finding the issue best.

          Controller: Proxmox VM - Home Assistant
          MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - W5100 Ethernet, Gw Shield Nrf24l01+ 2,4Ghz
          MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - Gw Shield RFM69, 433mhz
          RFLink GW - Arduino Mega + RFLink Shield, 433mhz

          I 1 Reply Last reply
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          • I Igpels

            I have built several sensors (PIR sensors, dust sensors, and distance sensors) using 5V Nanos that all work but need to be reset every couple weeks because they keep going down. All of them are connected via phone charges to the outlets. I am not sure what the problem is exactly. Some of them are more reliable than others, but it has nothing to do with distance to the gateway as the one closest to the gateway fails just as often as the one furthest from it. What can I do to improve reliability/durability?

            M Offline
            M Offline
            manutremo
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            @igpels Which radio are you using?

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            • sundberg84S sundberg84

              @igpels do you have any fluctuations in the power mains ? As mentioned it's most likely power issues if all nodes just randomly freeze. Or do you use any unregular code? A watchdog timer could be good but finding the issue best.

              I Offline
              I Offline
              Igpels
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              @sundberg84 I use the example code for all sensors. I am not sure about the mains power fluctuations, how would I check that?

              @gohan I changed all the chargers when I first had problems, I hope the problem is elsewhere. I am using 5V 2.5A mini usb chargers

              @manutremo I am using NRF24L01+, bought from the ebay link on connecting radio page

              sundberg84S 1 Reply Last reply
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              • gohanG Offline
                gohanG Offline
                gohan
                Mod
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                You could try to install boards definitions 1.6.11 in Arduino ide. Did you add a watchdog in the code? Also you could add a good size capacitor on vcc and gnd to help smoothing fluctuations.

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                • I Igpels

                  @sundberg84 I use the example code for all sensors. I am not sure about the mains power fluctuations, how would I check that?

                  @gohan I changed all the chargers when I first had problems, I hope the problem is elsewhere. I am using 5V 2.5A mini usb chargers

                  @manutremo I am using NRF24L01+, bought from the ebay link on connecting radio page

                  sundberg84S Offline
                  sundberg84S Offline
                  sundberg84
                  Hardware Contributor
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  @igpels said in Needing to reset sensors constantly:

                  @sundberg84 I use the example code for all sensors. I am not sure about the mains power fluctuations, how would I check that?

                  Well, if you dont have regular fluctuations in the lights and other electric components that behaves strange I guess the AC mains are fine.

                  A long term logging would be good to exclude software issues. I have one node sitting and the radio range edge and sometimes it doesnt reach and re-initialise the radio call/route for the gw.

                  Another thing is to add some bigger capacitors on the 5v input to smooth the power if this is needed.

                  Controller: Proxmox VM - Home Assistant
                  MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - W5100 Ethernet, Gw Shield Nrf24l01+ 2,4Ghz
                  MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - Gw Shield RFM69, 433mhz
                  RFLink GW - Arduino Mega + RFLink Shield, 433mhz

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                  0
                  • M Offline
                    M Offline
                    manutremo
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    It certainly looks to me like some issue with power supply.

                    Have you added a capacitor close to the power pins of the radio?

                    It's also a good idea to power the radio directly from the power supply instead of through the arduino supply which is very limited.

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