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  3. Rain node suddenly draw much power

Rain node suddenly draw much power

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  • sundberg84S Offline
    sundberg84S Offline
    sundberg84
    Hardware Contributor
    wrote on last edited by sundberg84
    #2

    Im using a reed switch with a external pullup and experience the same thing. My modified code (I t looks its what you are using) checks for a change so sometimes its high and sometimes its low. I get a feeling that it draws more power when its one of the states, and if there is not rain...

    You also use internal ref to measure bat, im using a voltage divider.

    I have bought myself a good multimeter for my upcoming birthday :) and will check that theory then but will follow this thread with interest.

    Controller: Proxmox VM - Home Assistant
    MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - W5100 Ethernet, Gw Shield Nrf24l01+ 2,4Ghz
    MySensors GW: Arduino Uno - Gw Shield RFM69, 433mhz
    RFLink GW - Arduino Mega + RFLink Shield, 433mhz

    F 1 Reply Last reply
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    • sundberg84S sundberg84

      Im using a reed switch with a external pullup and experience the same thing. My modified code (I t looks its what you are using) checks for a change so sometimes its high and sometimes its low. I get a feeling that it draws more power when its one of the states, and if there is not rain...

      You also use internal ref to measure bat, im using a voltage divider.

      I have bought myself a good multimeter for my upcoming birthday :) and will check that theory then but will follow this thread with interest.

      F Offline
      F Offline
      flopp
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      @sundberg84
      It can be more power when reed switch passes magnet but that is only for a few milliseconds. It has actual been raining more the last days.

      I don't use external pull-up maybe internal pull-up, I just copied the code :)

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • F flopp

        It has been running for 1-2 weeks, last week without that I have touched/open it.
        This is how the voltage look like. Send data every 3 hour or until it get a signal from tiping bucket.
        0_1456062312248_image.png

        This is from other sensor sending data every 30 minutes
        0_1456062786023_image.png

        Both have LiPo battery.

        #include <SPI.h>
        #include <MySensor.h> 
        
        // Running this in Domoticz stable version 2.5 will not work - upgrade to beta.
        
        #define DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR 3 // The reed switch you attached. (Only 2 and 3 generates interrupt!)
        #define INTERRUPT DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR-2 // Usually the interrupt = pin -2 (on uno/nano anyway)
        
        #define CHILD_ID 1 // Id of the sensor child
        #define BATT_CHILD 2
        #define NODE_ID 24 // or AUTO to let controller assign
        #define SKETCH_NAME "Rain Gauge" // Change to a fancy name you like
        #define SKETCH_VERSION "1.8" // Your version
        
        unsigned long SLEEP_TIME = 180*60000; // Sleep time (in milliseconds).
        //unsigned long SLEEP_TIME = 20000; // use this instead for debug
        
        float hwRainVolume = 0; // Current rainvolume calculated in hardware.
        int hwPulseCounter = 0; // Pulsecount recieved from GW
        float fullCounter = 0; // Counts when to send counter
        float bucketSize = 0.5; // Bucketsize mm, needs to be 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.2 or 0.1
        boolean pcReceived = false; // If we have recieved the pulscount from GW or not 
        boolean reedState; // Current state the reedswitch is in
        boolean oldReedState; // Old state (last state) of the reedswitch
        unsigned long lastSend =0; // Time we last tried to fetch counter.
        
        MySensor gw;
        MyMessage volumeMsg(CHILD_ID,V_RAIN);
        MyMessage lastCounterMsg(CHILD_ID,V_VAR1);
        MyMessage battMsg(BATT_CHILD, V_VOLTAGE);
        
        //=========================
        // BATTERY VOLTAGE DIVIDER SETUP
        // 1M, 470K divider across battery and using internal ADC ref of 1.1V
        // Sense point is bypassed with 0.1 uF cap to reduce noise at that point
        // ((1e6+470e3)/470e3)*1.1 = Vmax = 3.44 Volts
        // 3.44/1023 = Volts per bit = 0.003363075
        /*
        #define VBAT_PER_BITS 0.003363075 
        #define VMIN 1.9 // Vmin (radio Min Volt)=1.9V (564v)
        #define VMAX 3.0 // Vmax = (2xAA bat)=3.0V (892v)
        int batteryPcnt = 0; // Calc value for battery %
        int batLoop = 0; // Loop to help calc average
        int batArray[3]; // Array to store value for average calc.
        int BATTERY_SENSE_PIN = A0; // select the input pin for the battery sense point
        //=========================
        */
        
        long result;
        float batteryPcnt;
        float batteryVolt;
        
        void setup() 
        { 
        pinMode(6,OUTPUT);
        digitalWrite(6,HIGH);
        // use the 1.1 V internal reference
        //analogReference(INTERNAL); // For battery sensing
        
        pinMode(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR, INPUT_PULLUP); // sets the reed sensor digital pin as input
        
        reedState = digitalRead(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR); // Read what state the reedswitch is in
        oldReedState = reedState; // Set startup position for reedswitch
        
        delay(500); // Allow time for radio if power used as reset
        
        //Begin (Change if you dont want static node_id! (NODE_ID to AUTO)
        gw.begin(incomingMessage, NODE_ID, false);
        
        // Send the Sketch Version Information to the Gateway
        gw.sendSketchInfo(SKETCH_NAME, SKETCH_VERSION);
        
        // Register this device as Rain sensor (will not show in Domoticz until first value arrives)
        gw.present(CHILD_ID, S_RAIN); 
        gw.present(BATT_CHILD, S_MULTIMETER);
        
        Serial.println("Startup completed");
        }
        
        void loop() 
        { 
        
        digitalWrite(6,HIGH);
        delay(100);
        
        gw.process();
        //gw.begin(incomingMessage, NODE_ID, false);
        unsigned long currentTime = millis();
        
        //See if we have the counter/pulse from Domoticz - and ask for it if we dont.
        if (!pcReceived && (currentTime - lastSend > 5000)) { 
        gw.begin(incomingMessage, NODE_ID, false);
        gw.request(CHILD_ID, V_VAR1);
        Serial.println("Request pulsecount");
        lastSend=currentTime;
        gw.process();
        return;
        }
        if (!pcReceived) {
        return;
        }
        
        //Read if the bucket tipped over
        reedState = digitalRead(DIGITAL_INPUT_SENSOR);
        boolean tipped = oldReedState != reedState; 
        
        //BUCKET TIPS!
        if (tipped==true) {
        gw.begin(incomingMessage, NODE_ID, false);
        Serial.println("The bucket has tipped over...");
        oldReedState = reedState;
        hwRainVolume = hwRainVolume + bucketSize;
        gw.send(volumeMsg.set((float)hwRainVolume,1));
        gw.wait(1000);
        fullCounter = fullCounter + bucketSize;
        
        //Count so we send the counter for every 1mm
        if(fullCounter >= 1){
        hwPulseCounter++;
        gw.send(lastCounterMsg.set(hwPulseCounter));
        gw.wait(1000);
        fullCounter = 0;
        }
        readVcc(); 
        }
        
        if (tipped==false) {
        
        //No bucket tipped over last sleep-period, check battery then...
        readVcc(); 
        }
        
        lastSend=currentTime;
        Serial.println("sleep");
        digitalWrite(6,LOW);
        delay(1000);
        gw.sleep(INTERRUPT, CHANGE, SLEEP_TIME); 
        //The interupt can be CHANGE or FALLING depending on how you wired the hardware.
        }
        
        
        
        
        
        
        //Read if we have a incoming message.
        void incomingMessage(const MyMessage &message) {
        if (message.type==V_VAR1) {
        hwPulseCounter = message.getULong();
        hwRainVolume = hwPulseCounter;
        pcReceived = true;
        Serial.print("Received last pulse count from gw: ");
        Serial.println(hwPulseCounter); 
        }
        }
        /*
        void batM() //The battery calculations
        {
        delay(500);
        // Battery monitoring reading
        int sensorValue = analogRead(BATTERY_SENSE_PIN); 
        delay(500);
        
        // Calculate the battery in %
        float Vbat = sensorValue * VBAT_PER_BITS;
        int batteryPcnt = static_cast<int>(((Vbat-VMIN)/(VMAX-VMIN))*100.);
        Serial.print("Battery percent: "); Serial.print(batteryPcnt); Serial.println(" %"); 
        
        // Add it to array so we get an average of 3 (3x20min)
        batArray[batLoop] = batteryPcnt;
        
        if (batLoop > 1) { 
        batteryPcnt = (batArray[0] + batArray[1] + batArray[2]);
        batteryPcnt = batteryPcnt / 3;
        
        if (batteryPcnt > 100) {
        batteryPcnt=100;
        }
        
        Serial.print("Battery Average (Send): "); Serial.print(batteryPcnt); Serial.println(" %");
        gw.sendBatteryLevel(batteryPcnt);
        batLoop = 0;
        
        //Sends 1 per hour as a heartbeat.
        gw.send(volumeMsg.set((float)hwRainVolume,1));
        gw.send(lastCounterMsg.set(hwPulseCounter));
        }
        else 
        {
        batLoop++;
        }
        }
        */
        long readVcc() {
        Serial.println("readVcc");
        // Read 1.1V reference against AVcc
        ADMUX = _BV(REFS0) | _BV(MUX3) | _BV(MUX2) | _BV(MUX1);
        delay(2); // Wait for Vref to settle
        ADCSRA |= _BV(ADSC); // Convert
        while (bit_is_set(ADCSRA,ADSC));
        result = ADCL;
        result |= ADCH<<8;
        result = 1126400L / result; // Back-calculate AVcc in mV
        //return result;
        gw.begin(incomingMessage, NODE_ID, false);
        batteryPcnt = (result - 3300) * 0.111111;
        batteryVolt = result/1000.000;
        gw.sendBatteryLevel(batteryPcnt);
        gw.send(battMsg.set(batteryVolt, 3));
        /*Serial.print("battery volt:");
        Serial.println(batteryVolt, 3);
        Serial.print("battery percent:");
        Serial.println(batteryPcnt);
        */
        }
        
        AWIA Offline
        AWIA Offline
        AWI
        Hero Member
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        @flopp I'm kind of confused by the code for the rain sensor. Why is it calling "gw.begin(..)" and "return" in the main loop? At first glance my expectation is that the node stays awake when the communication with the controller is lost.. I would expect that the node remembers its own state in EEPROM when needed.

        F 1 Reply Last reply
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        • AWIA AWI

          @flopp I'm kind of confused by the code for the rain sensor. Why is it calling "gw.begin(..)" and "return" in the main loop? At first glance my expectation is that the node stays awake when the communication with the controller is lost.. I would expect that the node remembers its own state in EEPROM when needed.

          F Offline
          F Offline
          flopp
          wrote on last edited by
          #5

          @AWI
          Great that you noticed that, I forgot to write that I have a LDO ~5V->3.3V which I start up and shutdown with Digital pin 6.

          If I don't use gw.begin in each "session?" it seems to not be able to communicate with gateway. I power it off totally with pin 6.
          Maybe LDO is hanged in power ON? I have not done anything with it, I mean not restart, moved it etc. since 16/2 but suddenly it starts to drop quickly since 19/2, see picture above.

          AWIA 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • F flopp

            @AWI
            Great that you noticed that, I forgot to write that I have a LDO ~5V->3.3V which I start up and shutdown with Digital pin 6.

            If I don't use gw.begin in each "session?" it seems to not be able to communicate with gateway. I power it off totally with pin 6.
            Maybe LDO is hanged in power ON? I have not done anything with it, I mean not restart, moved it etc. since 16/2 but suddenly it starts to drop quickly since 19/2, see picture above.

            AWIA Offline
            AWIA Offline
            AWI
            Hero Member
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            @flopp Radio communication errors can have multiple causes.. relying/ waiting on a response from a controller is never a good idea (imo). The consumption of the radio is almost nothing while asleep. Using a low consumption LDO (i.e. 662k) eliminates any need for powering it down.

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            • AWIA AWI

              @flopp Radio communication errors can have multiple causes.. relying/ waiting on a response from a controller is never a good idea (imo). The consumption of the radio is almost nothing while asleep. Using a low consumption LDO (i.e. 662k) eliminates any need for powering it down.

              F Offline
              F Offline
              flopp
              wrote on last edited by
              #7

              @AWI said:

              @flopp relying/ waiting on a response from a controller is never a good idea (imo).

              I don't understand please explain. If I don't get any answer from controller(Domoticz) then I will not get any data in controller, or?

              The consumption of the radio is almost nothing while asleep. Using a low consumption LDO (i.e. 662k) eliminates any need for powering it down.

              One week ago I heard about 662k for my first time, I will use that and have ordered them so I will change it as soon as they arrive

              AWIA 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • F flopp

                @AWI said:

                @flopp relying/ waiting on a response from a controller is never a good idea (imo).

                I don't understand please explain. If I don't get any answer from controller(Domoticz) then I will not get any data in controller, or?

                The consumption of the radio is almost nothing while asleep. Using a low consumption LDO (i.e. 662k) eliminates any need for powering it down.

                One week ago I heard about 662k for my first time, I will use that and have ordered them so I will change it as soon as they arrive

                AWIA Offline
                AWIA Offline
                AWI
                Hero Member
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                @flopp I did not completely analyse you sketch but it seems to request data from the gateway/ controller and stays awake while waiting for it.

                F 1 Reply Last reply
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                • AWIA AWI

                  @flopp I did not completely analyse you sketch but it seems to request data from the gateway/ controller and stays awake while waiting for it.

                  F Offline
                  F Offline
                  flopp
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #9

                  @AWI
                  I think I will let this problem be for now and change the LDO to 662k and not use digital pin to power on/off

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                  • flylowgofastF Offline
                    flylowgofastF Offline
                    flylowgofast
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    I already had a problem with a nrf24L01 which suddenly started to consume a lot, but works right. Try with a new one ?

                    F 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • flylowgofastF flylowgofast

                      I already had a problem with a nrf24L01 which suddenly started to consume a lot, but works right. Try with a new one ?

                      F Offline
                      F Offline
                      flopp
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      @flylowgofast
                      I measured how much the NRF draw, it was ~0,8mA.
                      After change I was not able to measure the current because it was to low.
                      I didn't reset he arduino during this test and change.

                      I will recharge the battery and start over again.

                      Thanks everyone

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