Newbie Problem! Get Started with NRF24L01+

fakeJake

@hek said:

How are you powering your node? Your node's radio is constantly fail to transmit (st=fail).

It's actually the gateway having problems transmitting acks back to node.

I'm powering the nrf modules from same 3.3V supply since I haven't bought a regulator yet. I'll test it again later. I'll be going out to buy them now.

Just to give me a heads up. What should the serial gateway get after i press the inclusion button?

fakeJake

Sorry for the late reply

Each modules are now supplied with 5V and 3.3V.

This is the serial gateway output:

0;0;3;0;14;Gateway startup complete.
0;0;3;0;9;read: 1-1-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5:30.2
1;0;1;0;0;30.2
0;0;3;0;9;Inclusion started by button.
0;0;3;0;5;1
0;0;3;0;5;0

This is the temp output:

sensor started, id 1
send: 1-1-0-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=5,st=fail:1.4.1
send: 1-1-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,st=ok:0
send: 1-1-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=18,st=fail:Temperature Sensor
send: 1-1-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,st=fail:1.0
send: 1-1-0-0 s=0,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=5,st=fail:1.4.1
send: 1-1-0-0 s=0,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,st=fail:30.2

st keeps on failing. I checked the nrf supply and it ranges from 3.1v to 3.3 v. Is this bad? I'm using spx2815 since it's the only thing available to me. I placed 10uF capacitor in the 5v input and 3.3v output to ground

fakeJake

@rvendrame said:

Maybe this may cover it http://www.mysensors.org/download/serial_api_14

It only explains the "0;0;3;0;14;" but not the "s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=18,st=fail:Temperature Sensor" that it sends or reads

rvendrame

@fakeJake , are the node far from gateway, or any obstacle (such as a wall) in between? Another source of interference is for example a microwave.

fakeJake

@rvendrame said:

@fakeJake , are the node far from gateway, or any obstacle (such as a wall) in between? Another source of interference is for example a microwave.

They are just 6 inches apart :worried:

rvendrame

Some people reported trouble with cheap fake radios. If you have spares nRF try replacing one of them or both.

You mentioned a flotation (3.1 to 3.3) in radio VCC, this can also be a reason, as these nRF are very sensible to power variations.

Post your sketches too, just incase...

fakeJake

I'm using the DallasTemperatureSensor.ino on MySensors library. I just change the gw.begin(); to gw.begin(NULL, 1);

// Example sketch showing how to send in OneWire temperature readings
#include <MySensor.h>  
#include <SPI.h>
#include <DallasTemperature.h>
#include <OneWire.h>

#define ONE_WIRE_BUS 3 // Pin where dallase sensor is connected 
#define MAX_ATTACHED_DS18B20 16
unsigned long SLEEP_TIME = 30000; // Sleep time between reads (in milliseconds)
OneWire oneWire(ONE_WIRE_BUS);
DallasTemperature sensors(&oneWire);
MySensor gw;
float lastTemperature[MAX_ATTACHED_DS18B20];
int numSensors=0;
boolean receivedConfig = false;
boolean metric = true; 
// Initialize temperature message
MyMessage msg(0,V_TEMP);

void setup()  
{ 
  // Startup OneWire 
  sensors.begin();

  // Startup and initialize MySensors library. Set callback for incoming messages. 
  gw.begin(NULL,1); 

  // Send the sketch version information to the gateway and Controller
  gw.sendSketchInfo("Temperature Sensor", "1.0");

  // Fetch the number of attached temperature sensors  
  numSensors = sensors.getDeviceCount();

  // Present all sensors to controller
  for (int i=0; i<numSensors && i<MAX_ATTACHED_DS18B20; i++) {   
     gw.present(i, S_TEMP);
  }
}


void loop()     
{     
  // Process incoming messages (like config from server)
  gw.process(); 

  // Fetch temperatures from Dallas sensors
  sensors.requestTemperatures(); 

  // Read temperatures and send them to controller 
  for (int i=0; i<numSensors && i<MAX_ATTACHED_DS18B20; i++) {
 
    // Fetch and round temperature to one decimal
    float temperature = static_cast<float>(static_cast<int>((gw.getConfig().isMetric?sensors.getTempCByIndex(i):sensors.getTempFByIndex(i)) * 10.)) / 10.;
 
    // Only send data if temperature has changed and no error
    if (lastTemperature[i] != temperature && temperature != -127.00) {
 
      // Send in the new temperature
      gw.send(msg.setSensor(i).set(temperature,1));
      lastTemperature[i]=temperature;
    }
  }
  gw.sleep(SLEEP_TIME);
}

fakeJake

Good news! The gateway is now working :)
I changed the dallas temperature to relay actuator and, yes, it's now working!
Bad news is I still don't know what went wrong with my temperature sensor.
I'll investigate on it soon.

This is the gateway output:

0;0;3;0;14;Gateway startup complete.
0;0;3;0;9;read: 2-2-0 s=255,c=0,t=18,pt=0,l=5:1.4.1
2;255;0;0;18;1.4.1
0;0;3;0;9;read: 2-2-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1:0
2;255;3;0;6;0
0;0;3;0;9;read: 2-2-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=5:Relay
2;255;3;0;11;Relay
0;0;3;0;9;read: 2-2-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3:1.0
2;255;3;0;12;1.0
0;0;3;0;9;read: 2-2-0 s=1,c=0,t=3,pt=0,l=5:1.4.1
2;1;0;0;3;1.4.1

This is the relay output:

repeater started, id 2
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=0,t=18,pt=0,l=5,st=ok:1.4.1
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,st=ok:0
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=5,st=ok:Relay
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,st=ok:1.0
send: 2-2-0-0 s=1,c=0,t=3,pt=0,l=5,st=ok:1.4.1

I just need to test it.
Since I'll be using a gsm to control the relay. Can you help me on what to send to the relay to turn it on/off?

rvendrame

@fakeJake , I' m glad it worked with relay sketch.

Regarding the temperature, try to move the sensor to other arduino pin. Pin 2 & 3 are used by interrupts and may not play nice with gw.sleep depending on the lib used.

To send a message to the relay , you need a controller connected to the GW, either via USB or ethernet. You can also simulate it by entering the message on the Serial monitor.

The protocol is described here http://www.mysensors.org/download/serial_api_14

fakeJake

I tried entering message on the serial monitor of the gateway but still no luck.
This is the closest thing that I did to tell the relay to turn the light on.

Gateway output after I enter "2;0;1;1;2;1;" to the Serial monitor:

0;0;3;0;14;Gateway startup complete.
0;0;3;0;9;read: 2-2-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=5:1.4.1
2;255;0;0;17;1.4.1
0;0;3;0;9;read: 2-2-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1:0
2;255;3;0;6;0
0;0;3;0;9;read: 2-2-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=5:Relay
2;255;3;0;11;Relay
0;0;3;0;9;read: 2-2-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3:1.0
2;255;3;0;12;1.0
0;0;3;0;9;read: 2-2-0 s=1,c=0,t=3,pt=0,l=5:1.4.1
2;1;0;0;3;1.4.1
0;0;3;0;9;send: 0-0-2-2 s=0,c=1,t=2,pt=0,l=1,st=ok:1
0;0;3;0;9;read: 2-2-0 s=0,c=1,t=2,pt=0,l=1:1
2;0;1;1;2;1

Relay output after "2;0;1;1;2;1;" :

sensor started, id 2
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=5,st=ok:1.4.1
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,st=ok:0
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=5,st=ok:Relay
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,st=ok:1.0
send: 2-2-0-0 s=1,c=0,t=3,pt=0,l=5,st=ok:1.4.1
read: 0-0-2 s=0,c=1,t=2,pt=0,l=1:1
send: 2-2-0-0 s=0,c=1,t=2,pt=0,l=1,st=ok:1
Incoming change for sensor:0, New status: 1

Still it doesn't turn on the light

rvendrame

Maybe you can you connect the node also in a USB port, and open a serial monitor for it? You would see if it is receiving the message correctly.

fakeJake

@rvendrame Sorry I forgot to include that, I edited the post

fakeJake

It still doesn't open the light even if I change it to "2;255;1;1;2;1;"
I checked the relay using relay.ino from an instructable controlling ac light with relay and it's working.

rvendrame

Can we see your sensor's sketch?

fakeJake

I just changed the gw.begin();

// Example sketch showing how to control physical relays. 
// This example will remember relay state even after power failure.

#include <MySensor.h>
#include <SPI.h>

#define RELAY_1  3  // Arduino Digital I/O pin number for first relay (second on pin+1 etc)
#define NUMBER_OF_RELAYS 1 // Total number of attached relays
#define RELAY_ON 1  // GPIO value to write to turn on attached relay
#define RELAY_OFF 0 // GPIO value to write to turn off attached relay

MySensor gw;

void setup()  
{   
  // Initialize library and add callback for incoming messages
  gw.begin(incomingMessage, 2);
  // Send the sketch version information to the gateway and Controller
  gw.sendSketchInfo("Relay", "1.0");

  // Fetch relay status
  for (int sensor=1, pin=RELAY_1; sensor<=NUMBER_OF_RELAYS;sensor++, pin++) {
    // Register all sensors to gw (they will be created as child devices)
    gw.present(sensor, S_LIGHT);
    // Then set relay pins in output mode
    pinMode(pin, OUTPUT);   
    // Set relay to last known state (using eeprom storage) 
    digitalWrite(pin, gw.loadState(sensor)?RELAY_ON:RELAY_OFF);
  }
}


void loop() 
{
  // Alway process incoming messages whenever possible
  gw.process();
}

void incomingMessage(const MyMessage &message) {
  // We only expect one type of message from controller. But we better check anyway.
  if (message.type==V_LIGHT) {
     // Change relay state
     digitalWrite(message.sensor-1+RELAY_1, message.getBool()?RELAY_ON:RELAY_OFF);
     // Store state in eeprom
     gw.saveState(message.sensor, message.getBool());
     // Write some debug info
     Serial.print("Incoming change for sensor:");
     Serial.print(message.sensor);
     Serial.print(", New status: ");
     Serial.println(message.getBool());
   } 
}

rvendrame

@fakeJake said:

> Incoming change for sensor:0

Means your are asking to activate relay 'zero'.

digitalWrite(message.sensor-1+RELAY_1, message.getBool()?RELAY_ON:RELAY_OFF);

So digital pin will be 0 - 1 + RELAY_1 = 0 - 1 + 3 = 2

Conclusion: Try activating relay 1 instead 0. ;-)

fakeJake

@rvendrame The light is still not turning on :sweat:
I even change it to "2;257;1;1;2;1" just incase 255 is the message.sensor but it still prints "2;1;1;1;2;1" so I there's no problem there.

sensor started, id 2
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=5,st=ok:1.4.1
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,st=ok:0
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=5,st=ok:Relay
send: 2-2-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,st=ok:1.0
send: 2-2-0-0 s=1,c=0,t=3,pt=0,l=5,st=ok:1.4.1
read: 0-0-2 s=1,c=1,t=2,pt=0,l=1:1
send: 2-2-0-0 s=1,c=1,t=2,pt=0,l=1,st=ok:1
Incoming change for sensor:1, New status: 1

rvendrame

how the relay is connected to arduino pin 3? Is there a transistor in between?

fakeJake

@rvendrame No transistor. I just followed MySensors: Build Relay Actuator. I directly connected the 5v, gnd and signal to the arduino.

rvendrame

Do you have a standalone relay, or a arduino relay board, like this picture?
http://www.mysensors.org/relay/relayModule.png

The board contains a transistor. Some boards also have a 'hi-low' switch, if yours have it, you may try to play with it.

The arduino output is max of 40ma and will eventually burn or not operate correctly if connected directly to a relay. You must have a transistor in between.

Make sure you relay board contains at least this circuit: http://www.electroschematics.com/8975/arduino-control-relay/

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