Office plant monitoring

LastSamurai

@mfalkvidd So after running my sensor for 3 days with the "fork" connected I had a pretty big loss of voltage. So (as you suggested) I ran it for ~2 days without the fork connected (just the pro mini + radio) and the loss has gone down to ~0 (it keeps alternating between 2806 and 2799mV).
So its obviously the fork itself that is the problem. I connected it directly to A0 and A1 and my code is above.
Any idea where the error might be? I will try some other cables later because thats the only idea I have...

@LastSamurai said:

@mfalkvidd That sounds great! Are you using a pro mini too?
I am using a 3V pro mini with power led and regulator removed and the nrf + sensor (on A0 and A1) connected and in about 1 day it dropped from 2945mV to 2907mV. Its running of of 2aa batteries and its on a breadboard for now (for testing).
I am using your (slightly modified) code from above. Any idea why my power usage is so much higher?

Here is my code:

/*
Based on https://github.com/mfalkvidd/arduino-plantmoisture

This sketch uses the soilmoisture "forks" only that are found on ebay. They are connected between 2 analog pins where one gets pulled low and the other one measures.
The pins are switched every time to avoid corrosion. Between readings the sensos sleeps to preserve batterylife.

21.06.2016 V1.0 Base sketch
*/

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

#define round(x) ((x)>=0?(long)((x)+0.5):(long)((x)-0.5))

#define CHILD_ID_MOISTURE 0
#define CHILD_ID_BATTERY 1
#define SLEEP_TIME 1800000 // Sleep time between reads (in milliseconds) - 30 minutes
#define THRESHOLD 1.1 // Only make a new reading with reverse polarity if the change is larger than 10%.
#define STABILIZATION_TIME 1000 // Let the sensor stabilize before reading
#define BATTERY_FULL 3143 // 2xAA usually give 3.143V when full
#define BATTERY_ZERO 1900 // 2.34V limit for 328p at 8MHz. 1.9V, limit for nrf24l01 without step-up. 2.8V limit for Atmega328 with default BOD settings.
const int SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[] = {A0, A1}; // Sensor is connected to these two pins. Avoid A3 if using ATSHA204. A6 and A7 cannot be used because they don't have pullups.

MySensor gw;
MyMessage msg(CHILD_ID_MOISTURE, V_HUM);
MyMessage voltage_msg(CHILD_ID_BATTERY, V_VOLTAGE);
long oldvoltage = 0;
byte direction = 0;
int oldMoistureLevel = -1;

void setup()
{
  gw.begin();

  gw.sendSketchInfo("Plant moisture w bat", "1.0 21062016");

  gw.present(CHILD_ID_MOISTURE, S_HUM);
  delay(250);
  gw.present(CHILD_ID_BATTERY, S_CUSTOM);

  Serial.println("Setting up pins...");  
  // init sensor pins
  pinMode(SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[0], OUTPUT);
  pinMode(SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[1], OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[0], LOW);
  digitalWrite(SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[1], LOW);
}

void loop()
{
  int moistureLevel = readMoisture();

  // Send rolling average of 2 samples to get rid of the "ripple" produced by different resistance in the internal pull-up resistors
  // See http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/2147/office-plant-monitoring/55 for more information
  if (oldMoistureLevel == -1) { // First reading, save current value as old
    oldMoistureLevel = moistureLevel;
  }
  if (moistureLevel > (oldMoistureLevel * THRESHOLD) || moistureLevel < (oldMoistureLevel / THRESHOLD)) {
    // The change was large, so it was probably not caused by the difference in internal pull-ups.
    // Measure again, this time with reversed polarity.
    moistureLevel = readMoisture();
  }

  // send value and reset level
  gw.send(msg.set((moistureLevel + oldMoistureLevel) / 2.0 / 10.23, 1));
  oldMoistureLevel = moistureLevel;


  long voltage = readVcc();

  if (oldvoltage != voltage) { // Only send battery information if voltage has changed, to conserve battery.
    gw.send(voltage_msg.set(voltage / 1000.0, 3)); // redVcc returns millivolts. Set wants volts and how many decimals (3 in our case)
    gw.sendBatteryLevel(round((voltage - BATTERY_ZERO) * 100.0 / (BATTERY_FULL - BATTERY_ZERO)));
    oldvoltage = voltage;
  }

  // sleep to conserve energy
  gw.sleep(SLEEP_TIME);
}

/*
  Reads the current moisture level from the sensor.
  Alternates the polarity to reduce corrosion
*/
int readMoisture() {
  pinMode(SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[direction], INPUT_PULLUP); // Power on the sensor by activating the internal pullup
  analogRead(SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[direction]);// Read once to let the ADC capacitor start charging
  gw.sleep(STABILIZATION_TIME);

  int sensorRead = analogRead(SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[direction]);
  int moistureLevel = (1023 - sensorRead); // take the actual reading

  Serial.print("Sensor read: ");
  Serial.println(sensorRead);
  Serial.print("Moisture level: ");  
  Serial.println(moistureLevel);  

  // Turn off the sensor to conserve battery and minimize corrosion
  pinMode(SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[direction], OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[direction], LOW);

  direction = (direction + 1) % 2; // Make direction alternate between 0 and 1 to reverse polarity which reduces corrosion
  return moistureLevel;
}

long readVcc() {
  // From http://provideyourown.com/2012/secret-arduino-voltmeter-measure-battery-voltage/
  // Read 1.1V reference against AVcc
  // set the reference to Vcc and the measurement to the internal 1.1V reference
#if defined(__AVR_ATmega32U4__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega1280__) || defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)
  ADMUX = _BV(REFS0) | _BV(MUX4) | _BV(MUX3) | _BV(MUX2) | _BV(MUX1);
#elif defined (__AVR_ATtiny24__) || defined(__AVR_ATtiny44__) || defined(__AVR_ATtiny84__)
  ADMUX = _BV(MUX5) | _BV(MUX0);
#elif defined (__AVR_ATtiny25__) || defined(__AVR_ATtiny45__) || defined(__AVR_ATtiny85__)
  ADMUX = _BV(MUX3) | _BV(MUX2);
#else
  ADMUX = _BV(REFS0) | _BV(MUX3) | _BV(MUX2) | _BV(MUX1);
#endif

  delay(2); // Wait for Vref to settle
  ADCSRA |= _BV(ADSC); // Start conversion
  while (bit_is_set(ADCSRA, ADSC)); // measuring

  uint8_t low  = ADCL; // must read ADCL first - it then locks ADCH
  uint8_t high = ADCH; // unlocks both

  long result = (high << 8) | low;

  result = 1125300L / result; // Calculate Vcc (in mV); 1125300 = 1.1*1023*1000
  return result; // Vcc in millivolts
}

Fat Fly

I correct this and try again after work. Yesterday i do not find time.

@mfalkvidd said:

@Fat-Fly replace
const int SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[] = { 0 };
with
const int SENSOR_ANALOG_PINS[] = { A0 };
Connect like this, except use D8 instead of A1 (the connection displayed is for a newer version of the sketch, which supports alternating polarity)

Fat Fly

@mfalkvidd : Maybe change sleeping time to 60 min and STABILIZATION_TIME 1000 to 500 ms or smaller ? This place is pure lost energy. Why not to try without stablization time ?

mfalkvidd

@Fat-Fly with the current solution it looks like I will get many years of battery life. Why make the solution worse without any gain?

Without stabilization time you will get very unreliable results. I suggest you try and see what happens. Compare readings with and without stabilization times.

Fat Fly

I in home and try this at the moment.

Fat Fly

I upload sketch from here and pro mini not connect to gateway. GW from this pro mini away maybe 50 cm.

Fat Fly

end: 0-0-1-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=5,sg=0,st=fail:1.5.3
send: 0-0-1-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,st=fail:1
sensor started, id=0, parent=1, distance=2
send: 0-0-1-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=21,sg=0,st=fail:Plants moisture w bat
send: 0-0-1-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,sg=0,st=fail:1.2
send: 0-0-1-0 s=0,c=0,t=23,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=fail:
find parent

flopp

sensor started, id=0, parent=1, distance=2

You have no connection to GW since ID=0.

Looks you have a Repeater node since distance=2?

Fat Fly

I deleted all my libaries catalog and unpack mysensors 1.4. Previous was 1.5. Too many options what i do not understand. After work i try again and to let you know from results.

Fat Fly

2016-07-04 14:58:10.793 MySensors: Gateway Ready...
2016-07-04 14:58:10.869 MySensors: Gateway Version: 1.4.2
This domoticz log

This from Arduino ide
sensor started, id 0
send: 0-0-1-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=5,st=fail:1.4.2
send: 0-0-1-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,st=fail:1
send: 0-0-1-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=8,st=fail:Humidity
send: 0-0-1-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,st=fail:1.0
send: 0-0-1-0 s=0,c=0,t=7,pt=0,l=0,st=fail:
send: 0-0-1-0 s=1,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=0,st=fail:
send: 0-0-1-0 s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,st=fail:80.2
send: 0-0-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,st=fail:
T: 80.24
send: 0-0-1-0 s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,st=fail:38.7
H: 38.70
send: 0-0-1-0 s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,st=fail:38.5
H: 38.50
send: 0-0-1-0 s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,st=fail:37.8
H: 37.80
send: 0-0-1-0 s=1,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,st=fail:80.1
T: 80.06

This is not moisture sketch. I try with different sketches.

Maybe need change nrf? I try.2016-07-04 15:42:12.816 MySensors: Gateway Ready...
2016-07-04 15:42:12.891 MySensors: Gateway Version: 1.5.3

LastSamurai

Version 1.5 should work if you do it right. It does for me.
In your case the sensor can't seem to get any connection to your gateway.
You should try adding a capacitor to the radio, check your power supply and change the nrf module. These are the reasons for most errors imo (especially the power supply)

There are extra Threads/Topics to finding an error with your setup here in the forum. I think this doesn't really belong to this thread anymore.

Fat Fly

Okay. I search

LastSamurai

@Fat-Fly said:

Okay. I search

This might help.

Fat Fly

Today morning i can say : working. I bought arduinos 3,3v 10 pcs from Aliexpress. Yesterday i change this to 5V pro mini and this sensor get work. I take picture from this Arduino. Maybe 5volts not 3,3. Voltage stabilizer on the arduino is S201 ?
0_1467781824908_13607043_10210198205936111_585322452755227500_n.jpg
I'll change this china moisture fork with something stainless steel

Fat Fly

One question. This sketch measure moisture every 60000 ms, 10 min.It is possible to measure every 30 min ? Battery power lost is minimal.
If this fork in water domoticz reported 88% of moisture. How to change value?

Fay Candiliari

@Fat-Fly Hi there! This is Fay from codebender.cc Thank you for using codebender! I just wanted to let you know that the sketch you are using here has been deleted and so it is not available for users to view it. Let me know if you have any question!
Cheers!
Fay

Fat Fly

@Fay Candiliari good morning.
I copied this scketch to my comp and delete all mysensors libraries and install development. After this all in ok.

clivec

Thought I would throw this in the pot
Why not change the sensor Probe ?? no credit to me , just was googleing as you do,
Home made sensors I think less prone to corrosion
here's the link

http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/how-to-make-cheap-soil-moisture-sensor-2/

Had some seeds from very tasty tomatoes last year ,have planted and this year growing like tiffids !!
Getting quite big so have move from kitchen to Greenhouse ASP really
Will try with this type of sensor

mfalkvidd

@mutantx nice idea, thanks for sharing!

Fat Fly

I build moisture sensors from stainless wire. If this in pot at a depth of 1 inch domoticz reported 83% of moistre level.Real plant was dry and needed watering. I put moisture level on the soil

and sensor reported moisture level 43%. I test and put moisture sensor to the soil at depth 1 inch

Sensor reported moisture level 96%.

Office plant monitoring

17

11.7k

11.2k

113.0k