Rain Guage

[petewill]

@BulldogLowell Great, thanks! You are a way better coder than me and I was struggling to understand the code. I did learn quite a bit about interrupts when I was trying to figure it out though.

[petewill]

@BulldogLowell Any luck finding the sketch? Sorry to bug you, I was just hoping to get this project completed soon so I can work on the irrigation controller next. It's almost time to start watering the lawn/plants... Thanks!

[BulldogLowell]

@petewill
I am embarrassed to tell you that after updating my arduino software a while back, I cannot locate a compilable sketch!

I have Time Machine, but still can't find it... and it is running on my rain guage!!!

Here is a version that I have (which is titled RainGuage_V1.4.1.ino in my directory) which i found but cannot compile, it looks like a first save without edit?

I need to completely update Arduino, the version and mySensors but please look at this:

/*
 Arduino Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge
 
 June 15, 2014
 
 Version 1.00b   
 
 Arduino Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge
 
 Utilizing a tipping bucket sensor, your Vera home automation controller and the MySensors.org 
 gateway you can measure and sense local rain.  This sketch will create two devices on your 
 Vera controller.  One will display your total precipitation for the last 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120
 hours.  The other, a sensor that changes state if there is recent rain (up to last 120 hours) 
 above a threshold.  Both these settings are user definable. 
 
 This sketch features the following:
 
 * Allows you to set the rain threshold in mm  
 * Allows you to determine the interval window up to 120 hours.
 * Displays the last 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours total rain in Variable1 through Variable5
   of the Rain Sensor device
 * Configuration changes to Sensor device updated every 3 hours.
 * SHould run on any Arduino
 * Will retain Tripped/Not Tripped status and data in a power outage, saving small ammount
   of data to EEPROM (Circular Buffer to maximize life of EEBPROM
 * There is a unique setup requirement necessary in order to properly present the Vera device 
   variables.  The details are outlined in the sketch below.
 * LED status indicator
 
 by BulldogLowell@gmail.com for free public use
 
 */
#include <SPI.h>
#include <EEPROM.h>  
#include <RF24.h>
#include <Sensor.h>
//
#define STATE_LOCATION 513 // stay away from EEPROM used with Sensor.h
#define EEPROM_BUFFER 514  // location of the EEPROM circular buffer
#define BUFFER_LENGTH 121
//
Sensor gw;
boolean metric = false;
//
int eepromIndex;
int tipSensorPin = 3;
int ledPin = 5; //PWM capable required
unsigned long dataMillis;
unsigned long serialInterval = 10000UL;
const unsigned long oneHour = 60000UL;
unsigned long lastTipTime;
unsigned long lastBucketInterval;
unsigned long startMillis;
int dayBuckets [5] [2] = {
 { V_VAR1, 24 },
 { V_VAR2, 48 },
 { V_VAR3, 72 },
 { V_VAR4, 96 },
 { V_VAR5, 120},
 };
volatile byte rainBucket [120] ; // 5 days of data
const unsigned long calibrateFactor = 1UL; //Calibration in milimeters of rain per single tip
unsigned long rainRate = 0;
float currentRain = 0;
boolean wasTipped = false;
boolean updateVera;
int rainCount;
volatile int tipBuffer = 0;
byte rainWindow = 72;//default rain window in hours
int rainSensorThreshold = 15;//default rain sensor sensitivity in mm
byte hourCount = 24;
byte state;
byte oldState = -1;
unsigned long ledPulseTime = 500UL;
unsigned long pulseStart;
//
void setup()  
{ 
  Serial.begin(115200);
  gw.begin();
  //
  pinMode(tipSensorPin, OUTPUT);
  attachInterrupt (1, sensorTipped, CHANGE);
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
  gw.sendSketchInfo("Rain Guage", "1.00b"); 
  gw.sendSensorPresentation(1, S_RAIN);
  gw.sendSensorPresentation(2, S_MOTION);
  Serial.println(F("Sensor Presentation Complete"));
  pinMode(tipSensorPin, INPUT);
  //
  state = EEPROM.read(STATE_LOCATION);
  for (int i = 0; i < BUFFER_LENGTH; i++)
  {
    byte locator = EEPROM.read(EEPROM_BUFFER + i);
    if (locator == 0xFF)
    {
      eepromIndex = EEPROM_BUFFER + i;
      loadRainArray(eepromIndex);
      Serial.println(eepromIndex);
      break;
    }
  }
  //
  gw.sendVariable(2, V_TRIPPED, state);
  dataMillis = millis();
  startMillis = millis();
  lastTipTime = millis() - oneHour;
  // uncomment the following block the first time you include this device.  The delays
  // are necessary in order to create the five Variable buckets in the correct order.
  // Once you create them, you can comment out these lines and re-upload to your arduino
  //------------------------------------------------------
  /*
  for (int j = 0; j < 5; j++)
   {
   delay(2000);
   gw.sendVariable(1, dayBuckets[j] [0], 1);
   }
   delay(2000);
   gw.sendVariable(2,V_VAR1, 1);
   delay(2000);
   gw.sendVariable(2,V_VAR2, 1);
   */
  //------------------------------------------------------  
  rainWindow = atoi(gw.getStatus(2, V_VAR1));
  delay(2000);
  rainSensorThreshold = atoi(gw.getStatus(2, V_VAR2));
  gw.sendVariable(1, V_RAINRATE, 0);
  Serial.print(F("Radio Done"));  
  analogWrite(ledPin, 20);
}
//
void loop()     
{ 
  unsigned long measure = 0; // Check to see if we need to show sensor tripped in this block
  for (int i = 0; i < rainWindow; i++)
  {
    measure = measure + rainBucket [i];
  }
  measure >= rainSensorThreshold ? state = 1: state = 0;
  if (millis() - pulseStart < ledPulseTime)
  {
    analogWrite(ledPin, 255);
  }
  else 
  {
    analogWrite(ledPin, 20);
  }
  if (state != oldState)
  {
    gw.sendVariable(2, V_TRIPPED, state);
    EEPROM.write(STATE_LOCATION, state);
    oldState = state;
  }
  //
  if (millis() - lastTipTime >= oneHour)// timeout for rain rate
  {
    if (rainRate != 0)
    {
      rainRate = 0;
      gw.sendVariable(1, V_RAINRATE, rainRate);
    }
  }
  if (updateVera)
  {
    gw.sendVariable(1, V_RAINRATE, rainRate);
    updateVera = false;
  }
  //
  if ( (millis() - dataMillis) >= serialInterval)//Comment back in this block to enable Serial prints
  {
    for (int i = 24; i <= 120; i=i+24)
    {
      updateSerialData(i);
    }
    dataMillis = millis();
  }
  //
  if (tipBuffer > 0)
  {
    Serial.println(F("Sensor Tipped"));
    rainBucket [0] ++;
    pulseStart = millis();
    if (rainBucket [0] > 253) rainBucket[0] = 253; // odd occurance but prevent overflow
    int dayTotal = 0;
    for (int i = 0; i < 24; i++)
    {
      dayTotal = dayTotal + rainBucket [i];
    }
    gw.sendVariable(1, V_RAIN, dayTotal);
    unsigned long tipDelay = millis() - lastTipTime;
    if (tipDelay <= oneHour) 
    {
      rainRate = ((oneHour) / tipDelay);
      gw.sendVariable(1, V_RAINRATE, rainRate);
      Serial.print(F("RainRate= "));
      Serial.println(rainRate);
    }
    lastTipTime = millis();
    updateVera = true;
    tipBuffer--;
  }
  if ( (millis()- startMillis) >= oneHour)
  {
    Serial.println("one hour elapsed");
    //EEPROM write last value
    EEPROM.write(eepromIndex, rainBucket[0]);
    eepromIndex++;
    if (eepromIndex > EEPROM_BUFFER + BUFFER_LENGTH) eepromIndex = EEPROM_BUFFER;
    Serial.println(eepromIndex);
    EEPROM.write(eepromIndex, 0xFF);
    //
    for (int i = BUFFER_LENGTH - 1; i >= 0; i--)//cascade an hour of values
    {
      rainBucket [i + 1] = rainBucket [i];
    }
    rainBucket[0] = 0;
    gw.sendVariable(1, V_RAIN, tipCounter(24));// send 24hr tips
    startMillis = millis();
    for (int j = 0; j < 5; j++)
    {
      int total = 0;
      for (int i = 0; i < dayBuckets[j][1]; i++)
      {
        total = total + rainBucket [i];
      }
      gw.sendVariable( 1, dayBuckets[j] [0], total);
    }
    hourCount++;
    if (hourCount >=3)//8 times daily update the Sensor variables
    {
      rainWindow = atoi(gw.getStatus(2, V_VAR1));
      if (rainWindow < 6) 
      {
        rainWindow = 6;
        gw.sendVariable( 2, V_VAR1, rainWindow);
      }
      if (rainWindow > 120) 
      {
        rainWindow = 120;
        gw.sendVariable( 2, V_VAR2, rainWindow);
      }
      rainSensorThreshold = atoi(gw.getStatus(2, V_VAR2));
      delay(2000);
      //
      if (rainSensorThreshold < 1) 
      {
        rainSensorThreshold = 1;
        gw.sendVariable( 2, V_VAR2, rainSensorThreshold);
      }
      if (rainSensorThreshold > 1000) 
      {
        rainSensorThreshold = 1000;
        gw.sendVariable( 2, V_VAR2, rainSensorThreshold);
      }
      //
      hourCount = 0;
    }
  }
}
//
void sensorTipped()
{
  static unsigned long last_interrupt_time = 0;
  unsigned long interrupt_time = millis();
  if (interrupt_time - last_interrupt_time > 200)
  {
    tipBuffer++;
  }
  last_interrupt_time = interrupt_time;
}
//
unsigned long tipCounter(int x)
{
  int tipCount = 0;
  for ( int i = 0; i < x; i++)
  {
    tipCount = tipCount + rainBucket [i];
  }
  return tipCount;
}
//
void updateSerialData(int x)
{
  Serial.print(F("Tips last "));
  Serial.print(x);
  Serial.print(F("hours: "));
  int tipCount = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < x; i++)
  {
    tipCount = tipCount + rainBucket [i];
  }
  Serial.println(tipCount);
}
void loadRainArray(int value)
{
  for (int i = 0; i < BUFFER_LENGTH - 1; i++)
   {
     value--;
     Serial.println(value);
     if (value < EEPROM_BUFFER) 
       {
         value = EEPROM_BUFFER + BUFFER_LENGTH;
       }
     byte rainValue = EEPROM.read(value);
     Serial.println(rainValue);
     if (rainValue < 255)
     {
       rainBucket[i] = rainValue;
     }
     else
     {
       rainBucket [i] = 0;
     }
   }
}

@petewill

I will convert this this weekend.

[BulldogLowell]

@petewill

Her is an untested go at it, and a very down and dirty update... I will test it probably Wednesday night, when I am back home. Let me know if you can!

/*
 Arduino Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

 April 26, 2015

 Version 1.01b for MySensors version 1.4.1

 Arduino Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

 Utilizing a tipping bucket sensor, your Vera home automation controller and the MySensors.org
 gateway you can measure and sense local rain.  This sketch will create two devices on your
 Vera controller.  One will display your total precipitation for the last 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120
 hours.  The other, a sensor that changes state if there is recent rain (up to last 120 hours)
 above a threshold.  Both these settings are user definable.

 This sketch features the following:

 * Allows you to set the rain threshold in mm
 * Allows you to determine the interval window up to 120 hours.
 * Displays the last 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours total rain in Variable1 through Variable5
   of the Rain Sensor device
 * Configuration changes to Sensor device updated every 3 hours.
 * SHould run on any Arduino
 * Will retain Tripped/Not Tripped status and data in a power outage, saving small ammount
   of data to EEPROM (Circular Buffer to maximize life of EEPROM)
 * There is a unique setup requirement necessary in order to properly present the Vera device
   variables.  The details are outlined in the sketch below.
 * LED status indicator

 by BulldogLowell@gmail.com for free public use

 */
#include <SPI.h>
#include <MySensor.h>
#include <EEPROM.h>

#define RADIO_ID 99

#define STATE_LOCATION 513 // stay away from EEPROM used with Sensor.h
#define EEPROM_BUFFER 514  // location of the EEPROM circular buffer
#define BUFFER_LENGTH 121  // buffer plus the current hour
//
MySensor gw;
//
MyMessage msgRainRate(1, V_RAINRATE);
MyMessage msgRain(1, V_RAIN);
MyMessage msgRainVAR1(1, V_VAR1);
MyMessage msgRainVAR2(1, V_VAR2);
MyMessage msgRainVAR3(1, V_VAR3);
MyMessage msgRainVAR4(1, V_VAR4);
MyMessage msgRainVAR5(1, V_VAR5);

MyMessage msgTripped(2, S_MOTION);
MyMessage msgTrippedVar1(2, V_VAR1);
MyMessage msgTrippedVar2(2, V_VAR2);
//
boolean metric = false;
//
int eepromIndex;
int tipSensorPin = 3;
int ledPin = 5; //PWM capable required
unsigned long dataMillis;
unsigned long serialInterval = 10000UL;
const unsigned long oneHour = 60000UL;
unsigned long lastTipTime;
unsigned long lastBucketInterval;
unsigned long startMillis;
int dayBuckets [5] [2] = {
  { V_VAR1, 24 },
  { V_VAR2, 48 },
  { V_VAR3, 72 },
  { V_VAR4, 96 },
  { V_VAR5, 120},
};
volatile byte rainBucket [120] ; // 5 days of data
const unsigned long calibrateFactor = 1UL; //Calibration in milimeters of rain per single tip
unsigned long rainRate = 0;
float currentRain = 0;
boolean wasTipped = false;
boolean updateVera;
int rainCount;
volatile int tipBuffer = 0;
byte rainWindow = 72;         //default rain window in hours
int rainSensorThreshold = 15; //default rain sensor sensitivity in mm
byte hourCount = 24;
byte state;
byte oldState = -1;
//
void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(115200);
  gw.begin(getVariables, RADIO_ID);
  //
  pinMode(tipSensorPin, OUTPUT);
  attachInterrupt (1, sensorTipped, CHANGE);
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
  gw.sendSketchInfo("Rain Guage", "1.01b");
  gw.present(1, S_RAIN);
  gw.present(2, S_MOTION);
  Serial.println(F("Sensor Presentation Complete"));
  pinMode(tipSensorPin, INPUT);
  //
  state = EEPROM.read(STATE_LOCATION);    //retreive prior state from EEPROM
  gw.send(msgTripped.set(state), false);  //send state to Vera
  delay(250);                             // recharge the capacitor
  //
  boolean isDataOnEeprom = false;
  for (int i = 0; i < BUFFER_LENGTH; i++)
  {
    byte locator = EEPROM.read(EEPROM_BUFFER + i);
    if (locator == 0xFF)  // found the EEPROM circular buffer index
    {
      eepromIndex = EEPROM_BUFFER + i;
      loadRainArray(eepromIndex);
      isDataOnEeprom = true;
      Serial.println(eepromIndex);
      break;
    }
  }
  //
  if (!isDataOnEeprom)
  {
    // load all zeroes to EEPROM?
    // I gotta check this out!!!
  }
  //
  // reset the timers
  dataMillis = millis();
  startMillis = millis();
  lastTipTime = millis() - oneHour;
  gw.request(2, V_VAR1);
  delay(250);
  gw.request(2, V_VAR2);
  delay(250);
  Serial.print(F("Radio Done"));
  analogWrite(ledPin, 20);
}
//
void loop()
{
  gw.process();
  pulseLED();
  //
  // let's constantly check to see if the rain in the past rainWindow hours is greater than rainSensorThreshold
  //
  int measure = 0; // Check to see if we need to show sensor tripped in this block
  for (int i = 0; i < rainWindow; i++)
  {
    measure += rainBucket [i];
  }
  state = (measure >= rainSensorThreshold);
  if (state != oldState)
  {
    gw.send(msgTripped.set(state), false);
    delay(250);
    EEPROM.write(STATE_LOCATION, state);
    oldState = state;
  }
  //
  // Now lets reset the rainRate to zero if no tips in the last hour
  //
  if (millis() - lastTipTime >= oneHour)// timeout for rain rate
  {
    if (rainRate != 0)
    {
      rainRate = 0;
      gw.send(msgRainRate.set(0));
      delay(250);
    }
  }
  // if tipped,send updates to VERA
  //
  if (updateVera)
  {
    gw.send(msgRainRate.set(rainRate));
    delay(250);
    updateVera = false;
  }
  /*
  if ( (millis() - dataMillis) >= serialInterval)//Comment back in this block to enable Serial prints
  {
    for (int i = 24; i <= 120; i = i + 24)
    {
      updateSerialData(i);
    }
    dataMillis = millis();
  }
  */
  if (tipBuffer > 0)
  {
    Serial.println(F("Sensor Tipped"));
    rainBucket [0] ++;
    //
    if (rainBucket [0] > 253) rainBucket[0] = 253; // odd occurance but prevent overflow
    int dayTotal = 0;
    for (int i = 0; i < 24; i++)
    {
      dayTotal = dayTotal + rainBucket [i];
    }
    gw.send(msgRain.set(dayTotal));
    delay(250);
    unsigned long tipDelay = millis() - lastTipTime;
    if (tipDelay <= oneHour)
    {
      rainRate = ((oneHour) / tipDelay);
      gw.send(msgRainRate.set(rainRate));
      Serial.print(F("RainRate= "));
      Serial.println(rainRate);
    }
    lastTipTime = millis();
    updateVera = true;
    tipBuffer--;
  }
  if (millis() - startMillis >= oneHour)
  {
    Serial.println("one hour elapsed");
    //EEPROM write last value
    EEPROM.write(eepromIndex, rainBucket[0]);
    eepromIndex++;
    if (eepromIndex > EEPROM_BUFFER + BUFFER_LENGTH) eepromIndex = EEPROM_BUFFER;
    Serial.println(eepromIndex);
    EEPROM.write(eepromIndex, 0xFF);
    //
    for (int i = BUFFER_LENGTH - 1; i >= 0; i--)//cascade an hour of values
    {
      rainBucket [i + 1] = rainBucket [i];
    }
    rainBucket[0] = 0;
    gw.send(msgRain.set(tipCounter(24)));// send 24hr tips
    delay(250);
    transmitRainData(); // send all of the 5 buckets of data to controller
    startMillis = millis();
  }
}
//
void sensorTipped()
{
  static unsigned long last_interrupt_time = 0;
  unsigned long interrupt_time = millis();
  if (interrupt_time - last_interrupt_time > 200)
  {
    tipBuffer++;
  }
  last_interrupt_time = interrupt_time;
}
//
int tipCounter(int hours)
{
  int tipCount = 0;
  for ( int i = 0; i < hours; i++)
  {
    tipCount = tipCount + rainBucket [i];
  }
  return tipCount;
}
//
void updateSerialData(int x)
{
  Serial.print(F("Tips last "));
  Serial.print(x);
  Serial.print(F("hours: "));
  int tipCount = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < x; i++)
  {
    tipCount = tipCount + rainBucket [i];
  }
  Serial.println(tipCount);
}
void loadRainArray(int value)
{
  for (int i = 0; i < BUFFER_LENGTH - 1; i++)
  {
    value--;
    Serial.println(value);
    if (value < EEPROM_BUFFER)
    {
      value = EEPROM_BUFFER + BUFFER_LENGTH;
    }
    byte rainValue = EEPROM.read(value);
    Serial.println(rainValue);
    if (rainValue < 255)
    {
      rainBucket[i] = rainValue;
    }
    else
    {
      rainBucket [i] = 0;
    }
  }
}

void transmitRainData(void)
{
  int rainUpdateTotal = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < 24; i++)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
  }
  gw.send(msgRainVAR1.set(rainUpdateTotal));
  delay(250);
  for (int i = 24; i < 48; i++)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
  }
  gw.send(msgRainVAR2.set(rainUpdateTotal));
  delay(250);
  for (int i = 48; i < 72; i++)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
  }
  gw.send(msgRainVAR3.set(rainUpdateTotal));
  delay(250);
  for (int i = 72; i < 96; i++)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
  }
  gw.send(msgRainVAR4.set(rainUpdateTotal));
  delay(250);
  for (int i = 96; i < 120; i++)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
  }
  gw.send(msgRainVAR5.set(rainUpdateTotal));
  delay(250);
}

void getVariables(const MyMessage &message)
{
  if (message.sensor == 1)
  {
    // nothing to do here
  }
  else if (message.sensor == 2)
  {
    if (message.type == V_VAR1)
    {
      rainWindow = atoi(message.data);
      if (rainWindow > 120)
      {
        rainWindow = 120;
      }
      else if (rainWindow < 6)
      {
        rainWindow = 6;
      }
      if (rainWindow != atoi(message.data))   // if I changed the value back inside the boundries, push that number back to Vera
      {
        gw.send(msgTrippedVar1.set(rainWindow));
      }
    }
    else if (message.type == V_VAR2)
    {
      rainSensorThreshold = atoi(message.data);
      if (rainSensorThreshold > 1000)
      {
        rainSensorThreshold = 1000;
      }
      else if (rainSensorThreshold < 1)
      {
        rainSensorThreshold = 1;
      }
      if (rainSensorThreshold != atoi(message.data))  // if I changed the value back inside the boundries, push that number back to Vera
      {
        gw.send(msgTrippedVar2.set(rainSensorThreshold));
      }
    }
  }
}
void pulseLED(void)
{
  static boolean ledState = true;
  static unsigned long pulseStart = millis();
  if (millis() - pulseStart < 500UL)
  {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, !ledState);
    pulseStart = millis();
  }
}

[petewill]

@BulldogLowell Awesome, thank you very much! I know what it's like to lose code that way. I have done the same thing myself...

Yes, I will test this. I'll do my best to get it tested tonight. I'm combining it with some other sensors (light and temp/humidity) so once I get everything merged I'll be able to upload it.

I'll let you know what I find.

Thanks again!

Pete

[petewill]

@BulldogLowell

Ok, I made the necessary changes for my application and I had a couple of questions along the way.

• I have never worked with eeprom so I don't pretend to know anything about it (it's now on my list of things to research though). Anyway, I noticed above hek recommended using the "saveState()/loadState() function in the MySensors library". Is that necessary in your code or are we ok as is? It seems to be functioning ok for me when I compile it so maybe not...

• I would like to trigger my rain sensor as soon as the first bucket has tipped (I have scenes that tell me to close the windows etc. when it's raining). Is changing the rainSensorThreshold value to 1 an appropriate way to do that or should I create another child node for my purposes? Maybe I should use rainRate in my PLEG instead?

• My tipping bucket was pulled from an existing rain gauge and according to my calculations (which may be off) each bucket is .7mm of rain. I don't know much about unsigned long variables but I'm wondering if I need to change "const unsigned long calibrateFactor" to a float or something?

Thanks for all your help!!

Pete

[petewill]

Jim,

I uploaded the code but it didn't seem to work for me. Do I need to upload some additional files to Vera? When I added the nodes a lot of my devices stopped displaying correctly (not just the newly added ones). They look like this:

When I deleted the rain gauge nodes everything came back:

As I was looking at the code I came up with some additional questions:

• There is a dayBuckets array but it doesn't seem to do anything in the code?

• I also couldn't find "const unsigned long calibrateFactor" used anywhere.

I fully admit I'm not a very good with code and I could be missing something. I was just trying to find how the variables were working together and being calculated.

Thanks for all your help with this! I could not do it without you.

Pete

[korttoma]

@petewill The reason your MySensor plugin brakes when you add the rain gauge is that the device_files are missing. I don't know if there are any device files for the rain gauge since they are not included in the github branch for the vera plugin.

You could check under your rain gauge which device_file it is trying to use maybe you can search for it online and hope it exists.
Worst case is that you need to create them your self.

[BulldogLowell]

yeah, you need the implemention files:

D_RainSensor1.xml:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<root xmlns="urn:schemas-upnp-org:device-1-0">
  <specVersion>
    <major>1</major>
    <minor>0</minor>
  </specVersion>
  <device>
    <deviceType>urn:schemas-micasaverde-com:device:RainSensor:1</deviceType>
    <Category_Num>12</Category_Num>
	<staticJson>D_RainSensor1.json</staticJson>
    <serviceList>
      <service>
        <serviceType>urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:RainSensor:1</serviceType>
        <serviceId>urn:upnp-org:serviceId:RainSensor1</serviceId>
        <SCPDURL>S_RainSensor1.xml</SCPDURL>
      </service>
      <service>
        <serviceType>urn:schemas-micasaverde-com:service:HaDevice:1</serviceType>
        <serviceId>urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HaDevice1</serviceId>
        <SCPDURL>S_HaDevice1.xml</SCPDURL>
      </service>
    </serviceList>
  </device>
</root>

and

D_RainSensor1.json

{
    "flashicon": "icons/Humidity_Sensor.swf",
    "imgIconBody": "",
    "imgIconDimmable": "",
    "imgIconTurnable": "",
    "imgIconMin": "",
    "imgIconMax": "",
    "halloIconsDir": "pics\/hallo",
    "inScene": "0",
    "DisplayStatus": {},
    "doc_url": {
        "doc_language": 1,
        "doc_manual": 1,
        "doc_version": 1,
        "doc_platform": 0,
        "doc_page": "sensors" 
    },
	
    "Tabs": [
        {
            "Label": {
                "lang_tag": "tabname_control",
                "text": "Information" 
            },
            "Position": "0",
            "TabType": "flash",
            "SceneGroup": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "top": "1.5",
                    "left": "0",
                    "x": "2",
                    "y": "2"
                }
            ],
            "ControlGroup": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "scenegroup": "1",
                    "type": "info"
                },
                {
                    "id": "2",
                    "scenegroup": "1",
                    "type": "info"
                }
            ],
            "Control": [
              {
                "ControlGroup":"1",
                "ControlPair": "1",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "1",
                "left": "0",
                "x": "1.25",
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "rain_rate",
                    "text": "Rate of Rain" 
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 20,
                    "Left": 50,
                    "Width": 75,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },             
              {
                "ControlGroup":"1",
                "ControlPair": "1",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "1",
                "left": "1.25",
                "x": "0.75",
   		     "ControlType": "variable",
                "Display": {
                    "Service": "urn:upnp-org:serviceId:RainSensor1",
                    "Variable": "CurrentRain",
                    "Top": 20,
                    "Left": 150,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },
              {
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "total_rain_unit",
                    "text": "mm/hr" 
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 20,
                    "Left": 200,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },
              {
                "ControlGroup":"2",
                "ControlPair": "2",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "0",
                "left": "0",
                "x": "1.25",
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "total_rain",
                    "text": "24hrs Total:",
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 55,
                    "Left": 50,
                    "Width": 75,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },             
              {
                "ControlGroup":"2",
                "ControlPair": "2",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "0",
                "left": "1.25",
                "x": "0.75",
   		     "ControlType": "variable",
                "Display": {
                    "Service": "urn:upnp-org:serviceId:RainSensor1",
                    "Variable": "CurrentTRain",
                    "Top": 55,
                    "Left": 150,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },
              {
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "rain_rate_unit",
                    "text": "mm" 
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 55,
                    "Left": 200,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },
              {
                "ControlGroup":"3",
                "ControlPair": "3",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "0",
                "left": "0",
                "x": "1.25",
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "rain_forty",
                    "text": "48hrs Total:" 
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 80,
                    "Left": 50,
                    "Width": 75,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },             
              {
                "ControlGroup":"3",
                "ControlPair": "3",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "0",
                "left": "1.25",
                "x": "0.75",
   		     "ControlType": "variable",
                "Display": {
                    "Service": "urn:upnp-org:serviceId:VContainer1",
                    "Variable": "Variable2",
                    "Top": 80,
                    "Left": 150,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },
              {
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "rain_unit",
                    "text": "mm" 
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 80,
                    "Left": 200,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },
              {
                "ControlGroup":"4",
                "ControlPair": "4",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "0",
                "left": "0",
                "x": "1.25",
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "rain_seventy",
                    "text": "72hrs Total:" 
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 105,
                    "Left": 50,
                    "Width": 75,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },             
              {
                "ControlGroup":"4",
                "ControlPair": "4",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "0",
                "left": "1.25",
                "x": "0.75",
   		     "ControlType": "variable",
                "Display": {
                    "Service": "urn:upnp-org:serviceId:VContainer1",
                    "Variable": "Variable3",
                    "Top": 105,
                    "Left": 150,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },
              {
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "rain_unit1",
                    "text": "mm" 
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 105,
                    "Left": 200,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },
              {
                "ControlGroup":"5",
                "ControlPair": "5",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "0",
                "left": "0",
                "x": "1.25",
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "rain_forty",
                    "text": "96hrs Total:" 
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 130,
                    "Left": 50,
                    "Width": 75,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },             
              {
                "ControlGroup":"5",
                "ControlPair": "5",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "0",
                "left": "1.25",
                "x": "0.75",
   		     "ControlType": "variable",
                "Display": {
                    "Service": "urn:upnp-org:serviceId:VContainer1",
                    "Variable": "Variable4",
                    "Top": 130,
                    "Left": 150,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },
              {
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "rain_unit2",
                    "text": "mm" 
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 130,
                    "Left": 200,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },
              {
                "ControlGroup":"6",
                "ControlPair": "6",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "0",
                "left": "0",
                "x": "1.25",
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "rain_hundred",
                    "text": "120hrs Total:" 
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 155,
                    "Left": 50,
                    "Width": 75,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },             
              {
                "ControlGroup":"6",
                "ControlPair": "6",
                "ControlHeader": "1",
                "top": "0",
                "left": "1.25",
                "x": "0.75",
   		     "ControlType": "variable",
                "Display": {
                    "Service": "urn:upnp-org:serviceId:VContainer1",
                    "Variable": "Variable5",
                    "Top": 155,
                    "Left": 150,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              },
              {
                "ControlType": "label",
                "Label": {
                    "lang_tag": "rain_unit3",
                    "text": "mm" 
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Top": 155,
                    "Left": 200,
                    "Width": 25,
                    "Height": 20 
                } 
              }
          ]
         },
        {
            "Label": {
                "lang_tag": "advanced",
                "text": "Advanced" 
            },
            "Position": "1",
            "TabType": "javascript",
            "ScriptName": "shared.js",
            "Function": "advanced_device" 
        },
        {
            "Label": {
                "lang_tag": "logs",
                "text": "Logs"
            },
            "Position": "2",
            "TabType": "javascript",
            "ScriptName": "shared.js",
            "Function": "device_logs"
        },
        {
            "Label": {
                "lang_tag": "notifications",
                "text": "Notifications"
            },
            "Position": "3",
            "TabType": "javascript",
            "ScriptName": "shared.js",
            "Function": "device_notifications"
        }
    ],
    "eventList2": [
        {
            "id": 1,
            "label": {
                "lang_tag": "total_rain_goes_above",
                "text": "Total rain goes above"
            },
            "serviceId": "urn:upnp-org:serviceId:RainSensor1",
            "norepeat": "1",
            "argumentList": [
                {
                    "id": 1,
                    "dataType": "r8",
                    "name": "CurrentTRain",
                    "comparisson": ">",
                    "prefix": {
                        "lang_tag": "total_rain",
                        "text": "Total rain"
                    },
                    "suffix": {
                        "lang_tag": "total_rain_unit",
                        "text": "mm"
                    },
                    "HumanFriendlyText": {
                        "lang_tag": "hft_total_rain_goes_above",
                        "text": "Total rain for _DEVICE_NAME_ goes above _ARGUMENT_VALUE_"
                    }
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": 2,
            "label": {
                "lang_tag": "total_rain_goes_below",
                "text": "Total rain goes below"
            },
            "serviceId": "urn:upnp-org:serviceId:RainSensor1",
            "norepeat": "1",
            "argumentList": [
                {
                    "id": 1,
                    "dataType": "r8",
                    "name": "CurrentTRain",
                    "comparisson": "<",
                    "prefix": {
                        "lang_tag": "total_rain",
                        "text": "Total rain"
                    },
                    "suffix": {
                        "lang_tag": "total_rain_unit",
                        "text": "mm"
                    },
                    "HumanFriendlyText": {
                        "lang_tag": "hft_total_rain_goes_below",
                        "text": "Total rain for _DEVICE_NAME_ goes below _ARGUMENT_VALUE_"
                    }
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": 3,
            "label": {
                "lang_tag": "rain_rate_goes_above",
                "text": "Current rain goes above"
            },
            "serviceId": "urn:upnp-org:serviceId:RainSensor1",
            "norepeat": "1",
            "argumentList": [
                {
                    "id": 1,
                    "dataType": "r8",
                    "name": "CurrentRain",
                    "comparisson": ">",
                    "prefix": {
                        "lang_tag": "rain_rate",
                        "text": "Current rain"
                    },
                    "suffix": {
                        "lang_tag": "rain_rate_unit",
                        "text": "mm/hr"
                    },
                    "HumanFriendlyText": {
                        "lang_tag": "hft_rain_rate_goes_above",
                        "text": "Current rain for _DEVICE_NAME_ goes above _ARGUMENT_VALUE_"
                    }
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": 4,
            "label": {
                "lang_tag": "rain_rate_goes_below",
                "text": "Current rain goes below"
            },
            "serviceId": "urn:upnp-org:serviceId:RainSensor1",
            "norepeat": "1",
            "argumentList": [
                {
                    "id": 1,
                    "dataType": "r8",
                    "name": "CurrentRain",
                    "comparisson": "<",
                    "prefix": {
                        "lang_tag": "rain_rate",
                        "text": "Current rain"
                    },
                    "suffix": {
                        "lang_tag": "rain_rate_unit",
                        "text": "mm/hr"
                    },
                    "HumanFriendlyText": {
                        "lang_tag": "hft_rain_rate_goes_below",
                        "text": "Current rain for _DEVICE_NAME_ goes below _ARGUMENT_VALUE_"
                    }
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": 5,
            "label": {
                "lang_tag": "battery_level_goes_below",
                "text": "Battery level goes below"
            },
            "serviceId": "urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:HaDevice1",
            "argumentList": [
                {
                    "id": 1,
                    "prefix": {
                        "lang_tag": "Level",
                        "text": "Level"
                    },
                    "dataType": "i4",
                    "name": "BatteryLevel",
                    "comparisson": "<",
                    "suffix": {
                        "lang_tag": "percent_sign",
                        "text": "%"
                    },
                    "HumanFriendlyText": {
                        "lang_tag": "hft_battery_level_goes_below",
                        "text": "Battery level for _DEVICE_NAME_ go below _ARGUMENT_VALUE_%"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "DeviceType": "urn:schemas-micasaverde-com:device:RainSensor:1"
}

S_Rainsensor1.xml:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<scpd xmlns="urn:schemas-upnp-org:service-1-0">
  <specVersion>
    <major>1</major>
    <minor>0</minor>
  </specVersion>
  <serviceStateTable>
    <stateVariable>
      <name>CurrentTRain</name>
      <sendEventsAttribute>yes</sendEventsAttribute>
      <dataType>r8</dataType>
      <shortCode>total_rain</shortCode>
    </stateVariable>
    <stateVariable>
      <name>CurrentRain</name>
      <sendEventsAttribute>yes</sendEventsAttribute>
      <dataType>r8</dataType>
      <shortCode>rain_rate</shortCode>
    </stateVariable>
  </serviceStateTable>
  <actionList>
    <action>
      <name>GetCurrentTRain</name>
      <argumentList>
        <argument>
          <name>RainValue</name>
          <direction>out</direction>
          <relatedStateVariable>CurrentTRain</relatedStateVariable>
        </argument>
      </argumentList>
    </action>
	<action>
      <name>GetCurrentRain</name>
      <argumentList>
        <argument>
          <name>RainValue</name>
          <direction>out</direction>
          <relatedStateVariable>CurrentRain</relatedStateVariable>
        </argument>
      </argumentList>
    </action>
  </actionList>
</scpd>

[BulldogLowell]

@petewill said:

As I was looking at the code I came up with some additional questions:

There is a dayBuckets array but it doesn't seem to do anything in the code?

I also couldn't find "const unsigned long calibrateFactor" used anywhere.

dayBuckets[] was used in the old code and since I designed 1mm of rain per tip, I never had to implement calibration.

[BulldogLowell]

@petewill said:

I have never worked with eeprom so I don't pretend to know anything about it (it's now on my list of things to research though). Anyway, I noticed above hek recommended using the "saveState()/loadState() function in the MySensors library". Is that necessary in your code or are we ok as is? It seems to be functioning ok for me when I compile it so maybe not...

I developed the code before hek integrated EEPROM in his libraries. This uses a circular buffer, so it would take me some time to reprogram for hek's library, so I just kept using the arduino EEPROM.h library I used to develop the original code.

@petewill said:

changing the rainSensorThreshold value to 1 an appropriate way to do that

yes, I hardcoded boundaries, which you will will allow a minimum of 1 (one)

@petewill said:

My tipping bucket was pulled from an existing rain gauge and according to my calculations (which may be off) each bucket is .7mm of rain. I don't know much about unsigned long variables but I'm wondering if I need to change "const unsigned long calibrateFactor" to a float or something?

Sorry, I never put a bucket calibration into my code, I lucked out with the 1mm per tip working.

[petewill]

@BulldogLowell Thanks for the responses! Ok, I suspected I was missing some implementation files. Thanks for them. Did you create them from scratch? If so, nice!

I will take a look at the code to see if I can implement the calebrateFactor. I will most likely be back with more questions. :) Thanks again.

[petewill]

@BulldogLowell
I have been doing lots of research and working to understand the code so it will work with the calibrateFactor and I have another question... Why is the "tipSensorPin" set to OUTPUT then INPUT? Does that have to do with the interrupt?

pinMode(tipSensorPin, OUTPUT);
attachInterrupt (1, sensorTipped, CHANGE); //* should this be RISING instead??
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
gw.sendSketchInfo(SN, SV);
gw.present(CHILD_ID_RAIN, S_RAIN);
gw.present(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_RAIN, S_MOTION);
Serial.println(F("Sensor Presentation Complete"));
pinMode(tipSensorPin, INPUT);

Thanks again for your help! I'll post the full code back here when I have it working in case anyone else wants to use a different size tipping bucket.

[BulldogLowell]

@petewill said:

Why is the "tipSensorPin" set to OUTPUT then INPUT? Does that have to do with the interrupt?

it looks a lot like a bonehead error in the code!!

funny how the brain works, I never noticed that...

[petewill]

@BulldogLowell said:

it looks a lot like a bonehead error in the code!!

Ok, thanks. I make those constantly...

I have been testing the code for the last couple of days and I think this is working but another set of eyes would be good. I added functionality to set the "calibrateFactor" to a decimal. I also updated the save/load EEPROM to work with the MySensors standard. It seems to be working in my testing but I'm no programmer.

I also have two questions:

1. Is it necessary to save/load "state" to/from EEPROM? It seems that from my testing the state is set when "measure" is calculated in this line: state = (measure >= rainSensorThreshold);. It seems that measure is evaluated when the sensor first loads and rainBucket [] is loaded from EEPROM. Hopefully that makes sense what I'm asking.

2. I'm still trying to understand interrupts but I'm wondering if changing to "FALLING" would be more appropriate? Maybe it doesn't matter but I thought I'd check. Here is the line I'm referring to: attachInterrupt (1, sensorTipped, FALLING);

Here is the code if you wanted to take a look:

 /*
 Arduino Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge
 
 April 26, 2015

 Version 1.01b for MySensors version 1.4.1

 Arduino Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

 Utilizing a tipping bucket sensor, your Vera home automation controller and the MySensors.org
 gateway you can measure and sense local rain.  This sketch will create two devices on your
 Vera controller.  One will display your total precipitation for the last 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120
 hours.  The other, a sensor that changes state if there is recent rain (up to last 120 hours)
 above a threshold.  Both these settings are user definable.

 This sketch features the following:

 * Allows you to set the rain threshold in mm
 * Allows you to determine the interval window up to 120 hours.
 * Displays the last 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours total rain in Variable1 through Variable5
   of the Rain Sensor device
 * Configuration changes to Sensor device updated every 3 hours.
 * SHould run on any Arduino
 * Will retain Tripped/Not Tripped status and data in a power outage, saving small ammount
   of data to EEPROM (Circular Buffer to maximize life of EEPROM)
 * There is a unique setup requirement necessary in order to properly present the Vera device
   variables.  The details are outlined in the sketch below.
 * LED status indicator

 by BulldogLowell@gmail.com for free public use

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

//*No longer need the EEPROM.h?
//#include <EEPROM.h>

#define NODE_ID 24
#define SN "Rain Gauge"
#define SV "1.01b"

#define CHILD_ID_RAIN 3 
#define CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_RAIN 4

#define STATE_LOCATION 0 // location to save state to EEPROM
#define EEPROM_BUFFER 1  // location of the EEPROM circular buffer
#define BUFFER_LENGTH 121  // buffer plus the current hour
//
MySensor gw;
//
MyMessage msgRainRate(CHILD_ID_RAIN, V_RAINRATE);
MyMessage msgRain(CHILD_ID_RAIN, V_RAIN);
MyMessage msgRainVAR1(CHILD_ID_RAIN, V_VAR1);
MyMessage msgRainVAR2(CHILD_ID_RAIN, V_VAR2);
MyMessage msgRainVAR3(CHILD_ID_RAIN, V_VAR3);
MyMessage msgRainVAR4(CHILD_ID_RAIN, V_VAR4);
MyMessage msgRainVAR5(CHILD_ID_RAIN, V_VAR5);

MyMessage msgTripped(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_RAIN, V_TRIPPED);
MyMessage msgTrippedVar1(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_RAIN, V_VAR1);
MyMessage msgTrippedVar2(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_RAIN, V_VAR2);
//
boolean metric = false;
//
int eepromIndex;
int tipSensorPin = 3; //Do not change (needed for interrupt)
int ledPin = 5; //PWM capable required
unsigned long dataMillis;
unsigned long serialInterval = 10000UL;
const unsigned long oneHour = 3600000UL;
unsigned long lastTipTime;
unsigned long lastBucketInterval;
unsigned long startMillis;

float rainBucket [120] ; // 5 days of data  //*120 hours = 5 days

float calibrateFactor = .7; //Calibration in milimeters of rain per single tip.  Note: Limit to one decimal place or data may be truncated when saving to eeprom. 

float rainRate = 0;
volatile int tipBuffer = 0;
byte rainWindow = 72;         //default rain window in hours
int rainSensorThreshold = 10; //default rain sensor sensitivity in mm.  Will be overwritten with msgTrippedVar2. 
byte state = 0;
byte oldState = -1;
//
void setup()
{
  gw.begin(getVariables, NODE_ID);

  pinMode(tipSensorPin, INPUT);

//  attachInterrupt (1, sensorTipped, CHANGE); //* should this be FALLING instead??
  attachInterrupt (1, sensorTipped, FALLING);
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(tipSensorPin, HIGH); //ADDED. Activate internal pull-up 
  gw.sendSketchInfo(SN, SV);
  gw.present(CHILD_ID_RAIN, S_RAIN);
  gw.present(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_RAIN, S_MOTION);
//  Serial.println(F("Sensor Presentation Complete"));
  

  state = gw.loadState(STATE_LOCATION); //retreive prior state from EEPROM
//  Serial.print("Tripped State (from EEPROM): ");
//  Serial.println(state);
  
  gw.send(msgTripped.set(state==1?"1":"0"));
  delay(250);                             // recharge the capacitor
  //
  boolean isDataOnEeprom = false;
  for (int i = 0; i < BUFFER_LENGTH; i++)
  {

    byte locator = gw.loadState(EEPROM_BUFFER + i); //New code

    if (locator == 0xFF)  // found the EEPROM circular buffer index
    {
      eepromIndex = EEPROM_BUFFER + i;
      //Now that we have the buffer index let's populate the rainBucket with data from eeprom
      loadRainArray(eepromIndex); 
      isDataOnEeprom = true;
//      Serial.print("EEPROM Index ");
//      Serial.println(eepromIndex);
      break;
    }
  }

  // reset the timers
  dataMillis = millis();
  startMillis = millis();
  lastTipTime = millis() - oneHour;  //will this work if millis() starts a 0??
  gw.request(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_RAIN, V_VAR1); //Get rainWindow from controller (Vera)
  delay(250);
  gw.request(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_RAIN, V_VAR2); //Get rainSensorThreshold from controller (Vera)
  delay(250);
//  Serial.println("Radio Done");
//  analogWrite(ledPin, 20);

}
//
void loop()
{
  gw.process();
  pulseLED();

  //
  // let's constantly check to see if the rain in the past rainWindow hours is greater than rainSensorThreshold
  //

  float measure = 0; // Check to see if we need to show sensor tripped in this block

  for (int i = 0; i < rainWindow; i++)
  {
    measure += rainBucket [i];
//    Serial.print("measure value (total rainBucket within rainWindow): ");
//    Serial.println(measure);
  }
  state = (measure >= rainSensorThreshold);

  if (state != oldState)
  {
    gw.send(msgTripped.set(state==1?"1":"0"));
    delay(250);
    gw.saveState(STATE_LOCATION, state); //New Code
//    Serial.print("State Changed. Tripped State: ");
//    Serial.println(state);
    
    oldState = state;
  }
  //
  // Now lets reset the rainRate to zero if no tips in the last hour
  //
  if (millis() - lastTipTime >= oneHour)// timeout for rain rate
  {
    if (rainRate != 0)
    {
      rainRate = 0;
      gw.send(msgRainRate.set(0));
      delay(250);
    }
  }

////////////////////////////
////Comment back in this block to enable Serial prints
//  
//  if ( (millis() - dataMillis) >= serialInterval)
//  {
//    for (int i = 24; i <= 120; i = i + 24)
//    {
//      updateSerialData(i);
//    }
//    dataMillis = millis();
//  }
//  
////////////////////////////
  
  
  if (tipBuffer > 0)
  {
//     Serial.println("Sensor Tipped");
    

    //******Added calibrateFactor calculations here to account for calibrateFactor being different than 1
    rainBucket [0] += calibrateFactor;
//    Serial.print("rainBucket [0] value: ");
//    Serial.println(rainBucket [0]);
    
    if (rainBucket [0] * calibrateFactor > 253) rainBucket[0] = 253; // odd occurance but prevent overflow}}

    float dayTotal = 0;
    for (int i = 0; i < 24; i++)
    {
      dayTotal = dayTotal + rainBucket [i];
    }
    
//    Serial.print("dayTotal value: ");
//    Serial.println(dayTotal);
    
    gw.send(msgRain.set(dayTotal,1));
    delay(250);
    unsigned long tipDelay = millis() - lastTipTime;
    if (tipDelay <= oneHour)
    {

      rainRate = ((oneHour) / tipDelay) * calibrateFactor; //Is my math/logic correct here??
  
      gw.send(msgRainRate.set(rainRate, 1));

//      Serial.print("RainRate= ");
//      Serial.println(rainRate);
    }

    //If this is the first trip in an hour send .1
    else
    {
      gw.send(msgRainRate.set(0.1, 1));
    }
    lastTipTime = millis();
    tipBuffer--;
  }
  if (millis() - startMillis >= oneHour)
  {
//    Serial.println("One hour elapsed.");
    //EEPROM write last value
    //Converting rainBucket to byte.  Note: limited to one decimal place.
    //Can this math be simplified?? 
    float convertRainBucket = rainBucket[0] * 10;
    if (convertRainBucket  > 253) convertRainBucket = 253; // odd occurance but prevent overflow
    byte eepromRainBucket = (byte)convertRainBucket;
    gw.saveState(eepromIndex, eepromRainBucket);

    eepromIndex++;
    if (eepromIndex > EEPROM_BUFFER + BUFFER_LENGTH) eepromIndex = EEPROM_BUFFER;
//    Serial.print("Writing to EEPROM.  Index: ");
//    Serial.println(eepromIndex);
    gw.saveState(eepromIndex, 0xFF);
    
    for (int i = BUFFER_LENGTH - 1; i >= 0; i--)//cascade an hour of values
    {
      rainBucket [i + 1] = rainBucket [i];
    }
    rainBucket[0] = 0;
    gw.send(msgRain.set(tipCounter(24),1));// send 24hr tips
    delay(250);
    transmitRainData(); // send all of the 5 buckets of data to controller
    startMillis = millis();
  }
}
//
void sensorTipped()
{
  static unsigned long last_interrupt_time = 0;
  unsigned long interrupt_time = millis();
  if (interrupt_time - last_interrupt_time > 200)
  {
    tipBuffer++;
  }
  last_interrupt_time = interrupt_time;
}
//
float tipCounter(int hours)
{
  float tipCount = 0;
  for ( int i = 0; i < hours; i++)
  {
    tipCount = tipCount + rainBucket [i];
  }
  return tipCount;
}
//
void updateSerialData(int x)
{
  Serial.print(F("Tips last "));
  Serial.print(x);
  Serial.print(F(" hours: "));
  float tipCount = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < x; i++)
  {
    tipCount = tipCount + rainBucket [i];
  }
  Serial.println(tipCount);
}
void loadRainArray(int value)
{
  for (int i = 0; i < BUFFER_LENGTH - 1; i++)
  {
    value--;
    Serial.print("EEPROM location: ");
    Serial.println(value);
    if (value < EEPROM_BUFFER)
    {
      value = EEPROM_BUFFER + BUFFER_LENGTH;
    }
    float rainValue = gw.loadState(value);

    if (rainValue < 255)
    {
      //Convert back to decimal value
      float decimalRainValue = rainValue/10;
      rainBucket[i] = decimalRainValue;
    }
    else
    {
      rainBucket [i] = 0;
    }
//    Serial.print("rainBucket[ value: ");
//    Serial.print(i);
//    Serial.print("] value: ");
//    Serial.println(rainBucket[i]);
  }
}

void transmitRainData(void)
{
  float rainUpdateTotal = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < 24; i++)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
  }
  gw.send(msgRainVAR1.set(rainUpdateTotal,1));
  delay(250);
  for (int i = 24; i < 48; i++)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
  }
  gw.send(msgRainVAR2.set(rainUpdateTotal,1));
  delay(250);
  for (int i = 48; i < 72; i++)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
  }
  gw.send(msgRainVAR3.set(rainUpdateTotal,1));

  delay(250);
  for (int i = 72; i < 96; i++)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
  }
  gw.send(msgRainVAR4.set(rainUpdateTotal,1));

  delay(250);
  for (int i = 96; i < 120; i++)
  {
    rainUpdateTotal += rainBucket[i];
  }
  gw.send(msgRainVAR5.set(rainUpdateTotal,1));
  delay(250);
}

void getVariables(const MyMessage &message)
{
  if (message.sensor == CHILD_ID_RAIN)
  {
    // nothing to do here
  }
  else if (message.sensor == CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_RAIN)
  {
    if (message.type == V_VAR1)
    {
      rainWindow = atoi(message.data);
      if (rainWindow > 120)
      {
        rainWindow = 120;
      }
      else if (rainWindow < 6)
      {
        rainWindow = 6;
      }
      if (rainWindow != atoi(message.data))   // if I changed the value back inside the boundries, push that number back to Vera
      {
        gw.send(msgTrippedVar1.set(rainWindow));
      }
    }
    else if (message.type == V_VAR2)
    {
      rainSensorThreshold = atoi(message.data);
      if (rainSensorThreshold > 1000)
      {
        rainSensorThreshold = 1000;
      }
      else if (rainSensorThreshold < 1)
      {
        rainSensorThreshold = 1;
      }
      if (rainSensorThreshold != atoi(message.data))  // if I changed the value back inside the boundries, push that number back to Vera
      {
        gw.send(msgTrippedVar2.set(rainSensorThreshold));
      }
    }
  }
}
void pulseLED(void)
{
  static boolean ledState = true;
  static unsigned long pulseStart = millis();
  if (millis() - pulseStart < 500UL)
  {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, !ledState);
    pulseStart = millis();
  }
}

[hek]

This starts to look really good. Maybe we should lift this into the examples on github?

Just wish someone could sell the tipping bucket hardware. :)

[BulldogLowell]

@petewill

Pete, let me look it all over again and see if we can get the calibration working. I think the EEPROM part can be updated for @hek 's addition into the mySensors library.

@hek maybe we can do a 100% printed design for the collector/funnel and mechanism. and offer that on github as well.

[hek]

@BulldogLowell said:

@hek maybe we can do a 100% printed design for the collector/funnel and mechanism. and offer that on github as well.

Good idea. We could probably just place the stl-file in the folder together with ino-file. Let me know when you feel ready.

[petewill]

@BulldogLowell said:

Pete, let me look it all over again and see if we can get the calibration working. I think the EEPROM part can be updated for @hek 's addition into the mySensors library.

Great! I think it should be working now (it did in my testing) but it could probably be cleaned up to work more efficiently.

@hek maybe we can do a 100% printed design for the collector/funnel and mechanism. and offer that on github as well.

That would be great! I was also hoping to make a step by step video of how I got mine all set up (with Jim's permission of course). That way pretty much any collector could be used when the calibration setting is changed. I was able to find one really cheap at a local store. The 3d print option would be really cool though.

@BulldogLowell one thing I forgot to mention in my post above is that I don't think the rainWindow and rainSensorThreshold are pulled from Vera except for when it's initially powered on. I thought I remember reading somewhere that it was designed to check every 3 hours. Maybe I'm remembering incorrectly though. I can make the change if you want but I wanted to check with you first.

[BulldogLowell]

@petewill said:

@BulldogLowell one thing I forgot to mention in my post above is that I don't think the rainWindow and rainSensorThreshold are pulled from Vera except for when it's initially powered on. I thought I remember reading somewhere that it was designed to check every 3 hours. Maybe I'm remembering incorrectly though. I can make the change if you want but I wanted to check with you first.

yeah, we need to add the:

gw.request(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_RAIN, V_VAR1);
gw.request(CHILD_ID_TRIPPED_RAIN, V_VAR2);

into a millis( ) timer, once an hour works, I'd think.

Try that out in here:

if (millis() - startMillis >= oneHour)

Once you get it done, let's take @hek 's idea and put it into github. I can clean it up, get Serial printing on a toggle and we can straighten out all the questions you had in the code.

Thanks for pushing this forward, it is good to get more eyes on it (remember, I may need to reinstall in my working sensor someday!)

@hek,

i think @korttoma has NetAtmo, maybe he will give us some rough dimensions for that size (the one I make was the standard eight inch diameter used by the US weather services, but a more portable version may be better). @korttoma?

Once I get that, I will work on a 3D printable design (for many to contribute I hope).

@petewill

we also need to create image files for the Sensor, but for now, if you want to do the tutorial, I say go for it!