💬 Battery Powered Sensors
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To answer my own question: yes, it seems to work. Searched around and read a while, found this:
https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/6511/hc-sr501-3-3v-randomly-sends-tripped-when-radio-is-on/22
Best addition imho ,no need for step up / down. :D -
Hi,
I'm trying to build a Soil Moisture sensor with NiMh battery and solar panel as in another post. I use a stepup converter to 3.3V connected on the VCC of a pro-mini 3.3V. The sensor seems working when connected to FTDI USB device, ut once I remove the power from FTDI, no more communication. I measured the voltage on the output of the stepup which indicates 3.26V. Is it norml or a defective step-up ? And should I remove the regulator of the pro-mini as suggested above or not ? (in article above, it states the regulator is not necessary, but it doesn't say if pro-mini would still work if regulator remains there).
Thanks for your support -
Hi,
I'm trying to build a Soil Moisture sensor with NiMh battery and solar panel as in another post. I use a stepup converter to 3.3V connected on the VCC of a pro-mini 3.3V. The sensor seems working when connected to FTDI USB device, ut once I remove the power from FTDI, no more communication. I measured the voltage on the output of the stepup which indicates 3.26V. Is it norml or a defective step-up ? And should I remove the regulator of the pro-mini as suggested above or not ? (in article above, it states the regulator is not necessary, but it doesn't say if pro-mini would still work if regulator remains there).
Thanks for your support@ricorico94 what does the debug output from the node and the gateway say?
What regulator are you using? Most regulators produce power that is too noisy to be usable by the nrf24 radio (you didn't state which radio you're using so I'm just guessing here, based on the most common problems). What capacitor(s) are you using after the regulator?
See https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/666/debug-faq-and-how-ask-for-help/ for the most common problems and how to diagnose them.
Also see https://www.mysensors.org/build/battery for more information about battery powered sensors.
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Hi,
As regulator I use a stepup like that one:
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/DC-DC-0-8-3-3V-to-3-3V-Step-Up-Boost-Power-Module-For-Arduino/32819660926.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27426c37HEbdczI use a NRF24L01 as radio module following the connection guidelines from Mysensors. I did not add any capacitor to 3.3 and ground of the NRF24L01.
I connected the vO of the stepup to the VCC (the VCC between RX and GRD and not the RAW) of the arduino pro mini 3.3V as indicated in this post:https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/4045/solar-powered-soil-moisture-sensor
I use indeed a similar lamp with its small NiMh battery (1.2v) and its solar panel.
The NRF24L01 is connected on GRD (between RST and RAW) and on VCC (between A3 and RST). I hadn't put any capacitor.
I tried following your advice to add a 0.1uF ceramic capcitor between VCC (the one between RX and GRD) of pro mini and its ground, but apparently, I face same issue.
(I did not solder the capcitor yet, I only connected through the pins I usually use for the FTDI)16 MCO:BGN:INIT NODE,CP=RNNNA---,VER=2.2.0 26 TSM:INIT 28 TSF:WUR:MS=0 34 TSM:INIT:TSP OK 36 TSF:SID:OK,ID=4 38 TSM:FPAR 75 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 2084 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 2086 TSM:FPAR 2123 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 4130 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 4132 TSM:FPAR 4169 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 6176 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 6178 TSM:FPAR 6215 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 8222 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL 8224 TSM:FAIL:CNT=1 8226 TSM:FAIL:DIS 8228 TSF:TDI:TSL 18229 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT 18231 TSM:INIT 18237 TSM:INIT:TSP OK 18241 TSF:SID:OK,ID=4 18243 TSM:FPAR 18280 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 20289 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 20291 TSM:FPAR 20328 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 22337 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 22339 TSM:FPAR 22376 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 24385 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 24387 TSM:FPAR 24424 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 26433 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL 26435 TSM:FAIL:CNT=2 26437 TSM:FAIL:DIS 26439 TSF:TDI:TSL 36442 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT 36444 TSM:INIT 36450 TSM:INIT:TSP OK 36454 TSF:SID:OK,ID=4 36456 TSM:FPAR 36493 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 38502 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 38504 TSM:FPAR 38541 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 40550 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 40552 TSM:FPAR 40589 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 42598 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 42600 TSM:FPAR 42637 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 44646 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL 44648 TSM:FAIL:CNT=3 44650 TSM:FAIL:DIS 44652 TSF:TDI:TSL 54657 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT 54659 TSM:INIT 54665 TSM:INIT:TSP OK 54669 TSF:SID:OK,ID=4 54671 TSM:FPAR 54708 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 56717 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 56719 TSM:FPAR 56756 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 57493 TSF:MSG:READ,0-0-4,s=255,c=3,t=8,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:0 57499 TSF:MSG:FPAR OK,ID=0,D=1 58765 TSM:FPAR:OK 58767 TSM:ID 58767 TSM:ID:OK 58769 TSM:UPL 58806 !TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=NACK:1 60815 TSM:UPL 60852 !TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=1,st=NACK:1 62861 TSM:UPL 62863 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=2,st=OK:1 64872 TSM:UPL 64909 !TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=NACK:1 66918 !TSM:UPL:FAIL 66920 TSM:FPAR 66957 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=1,st=OK: 68964 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 68966 TSM:FPAR 69003 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 71012 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 71014 TSM:FPAR 71051 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 73060 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 73062 TSM:FPAR 73099 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 75108 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL 75110 TSM:FAIL:CNT=4 75112 TSM:FAIL:DIS 75114 TSF:TDI:TSLApparently, it sends correctly packets but can't receive any ACK or message from the gateway.
I got this log by connecting a FTDI adapter with only the RX/TX cables. If ever I connect also the GRD and 3.3V of the FTDI, then I get no error message at all (even without the capacitor) and Domoticz receives all updates (and also sends as I use Domoticz to send customized sleep duration to the sensor).Should I try adding both the 0.1uF to VCC/GRD of arduino and also a 4.7uF to the 3.3/GRD of the NRF24 as suggested in the "Connect the Radio" page ?
Any idea ?
br,
Rico -
Hi,
As regulator I use a stepup like that one:
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/DC-DC-0-8-3-3V-to-3-3V-Step-Up-Boost-Power-Module-For-Arduino/32819660926.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27426c37HEbdczI use a NRF24L01 as radio module following the connection guidelines from Mysensors. I did not add any capacitor to 3.3 and ground of the NRF24L01.
I connected the vO of the stepup to the VCC (the VCC between RX and GRD and not the RAW) of the arduino pro mini 3.3V as indicated in this post:https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/4045/solar-powered-soil-moisture-sensor
I use indeed a similar lamp with its small NiMh battery (1.2v) and its solar panel.
The NRF24L01 is connected on GRD (between RST and RAW) and on VCC (between A3 and RST). I hadn't put any capacitor.
I tried following your advice to add a 0.1uF ceramic capcitor between VCC (the one between RX and GRD) of pro mini and its ground, but apparently, I face same issue.
(I did not solder the capcitor yet, I only connected through the pins I usually use for the FTDI)16 MCO:BGN:INIT NODE,CP=RNNNA---,VER=2.2.0 26 TSM:INIT 28 TSF:WUR:MS=0 34 TSM:INIT:TSP OK 36 TSF:SID:OK,ID=4 38 TSM:FPAR 75 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 2084 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 2086 TSM:FPAR 2123 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 4130 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 4132 TSM:FPAR 4169 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 6176 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 6178 TSM:FPAR 6215 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 8222 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL 8224 TSM:FAIL:CNT=1 8226 TSM:FAIL:DIS 8228 TSF:TDI:TSL 18229 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT 18231 TSM:INIT 18237 TSM:INIT:TSP OK 18241 TSF:SID:OK,ID=4 18243 TSM:FPAR 18280 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 20289 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 20291 TSM:FPAR 20328 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 22337 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 22339 TSM:FPAR 22376 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 24385 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 24387 TSM:FPAR 24424 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 26433 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL 26435 TSM:FAIL:CNT=2 26437 TSM:FAIL:DIS 26439 TSF:TDI:TSL 36442 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT 36444 TSM:INIT 36450 TSM:INIT:TSP OK 36454 TSF:SID:OK,ID=4 36456 TSM:FPAR 36493 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 38502 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 38504 TSM:FPAR 38541 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 40550 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 40552 TSM:FPAR 40589 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 42598 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 42600 TSM:FPAR 42637 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 44646 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL 44648 TSM:FAIL:CNT=3 44650 TSM:FAIL:DIS 44652 TSF:TDI:TSL 54657 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT 54659 TSM:INIT 54665 TSM:INIT:TSP OK 54669 TSF:SID:OK,ID=4 54671 TSM:FPAR 54708 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 56717 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 56719 TSM:FPAR 56756 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 57493 TSF:MSG:READ,0-0-4,s=255,c=3,t=8,pt=1,l=1,sg=0:0 57499 TSF:MSG:FPAR OK,ID=0,D=1 58765 TSM:FPAR:OK 58767 TSM:ID 58767 TSM:ID:OK 58769 TSM:UPL 58806 !TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=NACK:1 60815 TSM:UPL 60852 !TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=1,st=NACK:1 62861 TSM:UPL 62863 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=2,st=OK:1 64872 TSM:UPL 64909 !TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-0-0,s=255,c=3,t=24,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,ft=0,st=NACK:1 66918 !TSM:UPL:FAIL 66920 TSM:FPAR 66957 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=1,st=OK: 68964 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 68966 TSM:FPAR 69003 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 71012 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 71014 TSM:FPAR 71051 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 73060 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 73062 TSM:FPAR 73099 TSF:MSG:SEND,4-4-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 75108 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL 75110 TSM:FAIL:CNT=4 75112 TSM:FAIL:DIS 75114 TSF:TDI:TSLApparently, it sends correctly packets but can't receive any ACK or message from the gateway.
I got this log by connecting a FTDI adapter with only the RX/TX cables. If ever I connect also the GRD and 3.3V of the FTDI, then I get no error message at all (even without the capacitor) and Domoticz receives all updates (and also sends as I use Domoticz to send customized sleep duration to the sensor).Should I try adding both the 0.1uF to VCC/GRD of arduino and also a 4.7uF to the 3.3/GRD of the NRF24 as suggested in the "Connect the Radio" page ?
Any idea ?
br,
Rico -
Thanks for the advice, I'll try that.
For the log on the gateway side : I use a gateway on the raspberry pi itself (as per https://www.mysensors.org/build/raspberry ) of my Domoticz installation. Is there an easy way (like via telnet) to get the logs other than by creating the new line in the config file ? Maybe the 3rd option proposed with "mysgw.pipe" ? (in such case, do I need to reboot whole raspberry after modifying the config file?) -
Thanks for the advice, I'll try that.
For the log on the gateway side : I use a gateway on the raspberry pi itself (as per https://www.mysensors.org/build/raspberry ) of my Domoticz installation. Is there an easy way (like via telnet) to get the logs other than by creating the new line in the config file ? Maybe the 3rd option proposed with "mysgw.pipe" ? (in such case, do I need to reboot whole raspberry after modifying the config file?)@ricorico94 follow the instructions at https://www.mysensors.org/build/raspberry#troubleshooting
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Thanks to another arduino forum, I found what was wrong.. probably indeed a stability of power due to step-up converter. In that forum, they were explaining that receiving is more sensitive to power noise than sending data and that in such case, it's good to add a 100uF capacitor on 3.3V and GRD of radio module. I tried 100uF and it worked.. I then tried with 47uF and it's still working. (I had tried with 0.47uF and it was not working at all)
In the "Connect Radio" guidelines, of Mysensors, it is stated that a capacitor of 0,47-47uF is improving reliability but that "the exact size usually doesn't matter" which was misleading in my case.
Could I suggest to rephrase that sentence into "the exact size usually doesn't matter, but you can try 47uF if 0.47uF still doesn't work, especially if sending data works well and not receiving data." ?Edit for Erratum: please read 4.7-47uF instead of 0,47uF-47uF. Tests I had made were with 4.7uF as well, not 0.47uF
br,
Ricorico94 -
Thanks to another arduino forum, I found what was wrong.. probably indeed a stability of power due to step-up converter. In that forum, they were explaining that receiving is more sensitive to power noise than sending data and that in such case, it's good to add a 100uF capacitor on 3.3V and GRD of radio module. I tried 100uF and it worked.. I then tried with 47uF and it's still working. (I had tried with 0.47uF and it was not working at all)
In the "Connect Radio" guidelines, of Mysensors, it is stated that a capacitor of 0,47-47uF is improving reliability but that "the exact size usually doesn't matter" which was misleading in my case.
Could I suggest to rephrase that sentence into "the exact size usually doesn't matter, but you can try 47uF if 0.47uF still doesn't work, especially if sending data works well and not receiving data." ?Edit for Erratum: please read 4.7-47uF instead of 0,47uF-47uF. Tests I had made were with 4.7uF as well, not 0.47uF
br,
Ricorico94 -
oups, indeed. I'll edit my post as well to avoid confusion as well. Thank you for your support, I appreciated a lot.
By the way, I could never find how to get the logs in my gateway installed on raspPI. But that's another post. ;-) -
Hello together,
I'm just trying to get the voltage measurement to work. But there is something wrong. I built everything as shown above and uploaded the program to the Arduino pro mini. The only thing I changed is the sensing Pin A0 -> A3
In debug mode I see the following (the supply voltage is constant 3.3V):Battery Voltage: 3.12 V Battery percent: 92 % Battery Voltage: 2.40 V Battery percent: 71 % Battery Voltage: 2.32 V Battery percent: 69 % Battery Voltage: 2.31 V Battery percent: 68 % Battery Voltage: 2.29 V Battery percent: 68 % Battery Voltage: 2.30 V Battery percent: 68 % Battery Voltage: 2.33 V Battery percent: 69 %What could be the reason? That doesn't make sense to me.
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Hello together,
I'm just trying to get the voltage measurement to work. But there is something wrong. I built everything as shown above and uploaded the program to the Arduino pro mini. The only thing I changed is the sensing Pin A0 -> A3
In debug mode I see the following (the supply voltage is constant 3.3V):Battery Voltage: 3.12 V Battery percent: 92 % Battery Voltage: 2.40 V Battery percent: 71 % Battery Voltage: 2.32 V Battery percent: 69 % Battery Voltage: 2.31 V Battery percent: 68 % Battery Voltage: 2.29 V Battery percent: 68 % Battery Voltage: 2.30 V Battery percent: 68 % Battery Voltage: 2.33 V Battery percent: 69 %What could be the reason? That doesn't make sense to me.
@maschler You may be picking up noise which will give an unsteady voltage during the ADC sample.
A 0.1uF electrolytic cap between the analogue pin and ground in parallel with the resistor should stabilise it sufficiently.
I use this arrangement with much higher resistances which are known to increase noise, the capacitor maintains a steady voltage sufficient for the ADC sample period.
One thing worth checking with a multimeter is what the actual voltage is on supply and on the pin. The 1.1v bandgap is sometimes not exactly 1.1v, particularly on clones. Once you know the two values you can modify the ratio and you should get reliable and accurate readings. -
I'm looking for a USB rechargeable battery that can deal with very low power drain, so that I can power an Arduino Nano. Most power packs will not work with very small currents - they turn themselves off. So ideally it should not be too clever..
Does anybody have a favourite?
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It would be great to add to this arctle that if you want to be battery powered outdoors with temperature below zero - you have to use lithium batteries (FR6 for AA) (yes, batteries, not li-ion accumulators!) (for example ultimate lithium energizer, also could be found lithium batteries from other vendors), because Alkaline (LR6 for AA) will be frozen and loose their capacity heavily. If i remember it is >50% at -10 C and death at -20 C. Same problem for li-ion accumulators - when liquid is frozen - electrons are stucked...
Also would be great to add some link about battery/accumulator types, advanteges and disadvantages, but i have no links in english, easy-to-read and in one place...But i have very great link about battery-powering that really should be added here, but in advanced section:
http://www.gammon.com.au/power -
It would be great to add to this arctle that if you want to be battery powered outdoors with temperature below zero - you have to use lithium batteries (FR6 for AA) (yes, batteries, not li-ion accumulators!) (for example ultimate lithium energizer, also could be found lithium batteries from other vendors), because Alkaline (LR6 for AA) will be frozen and loose their capacity heavily. If i remember it is >50% at -10 C and death at -20 C. Same problem for li-ion accumulators - when liquid is frozen - electrons are stucked...
Also would be great to add some link about battery/accumulator types, advanteges and disadvantages, but i have no links in english, easy-to-read and in one place...But i have very great link about battery-powering that really should be added here, but in advanced section:
http://www.gammon.com.au/power@nekitoss Not sure where you got your information but my Gas Node is on it's second year running on the same two Varta AA alkalines and been down to -20 on more than a few occasions last winter, typically 4 months below -10... Currently the temperature is -3 and headed to -8 overnight, voltage is 2.98, will probably need to replace them in autumn 2019...
