Irrigation Controller (up to 16 valves with Shift Registers)
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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.
@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 -
@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 -
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:PDTThis is my debug log. will like to know if there some thing I missed as I learning thanks :+1:
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//#define MY_NODE_ID 1 // Set this to fix your Radio ID or use AutoIS there someing I have missed with adding NODES???
@tombstone said in Irrigation Controller (up to 16 valves with Shift Registers):
//#define MY_NODE_ID 1 // Set this to fix your Radio ID or use AutoIS there someing I have missed with adding NODES???
yuo need to uncomment that line
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@tombstone said in Irrigation Controller (up to 16 valves with Shift Registers):
//#define MY_NODE_ID 1 // Set this to fix your Radio ID or use AutoIS there someing I have missed with adding NODES???
yuo need to uncomment that line
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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?
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@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:PDTthere alot of failing
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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
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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
@tbowmo
can you tell me if I got this wrongThe "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 :-( -
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).
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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
@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
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@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
@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. -
@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
@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. -
@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
@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.
