Any RFM95 user reports?

[gohan]

How are you powering the radio module?

[Sweeman]

@gohan
I am powering the sensor-sided Moteino with 3AA batteries.

When I unplug the 433MHz-Gateway from the RPi I at least get an autocreate and exactly one temperature reading.
Then it is dead again :expressionless:

[gohan]

I'm referring to the vcc of the Rfm95, where are you getting the power from?

[Sweeman]

@gohan
Ah sorry, I misunderstood.
The RFM95s VCC is factory-wired to a regulator on the moteino. It is an out of the box MCU+Radio-Unit.
See this link for clarification:
Moteino with RFM95

Sorry for the confusion.

EDIT: I just tried changing my normal 433MHz Gateway with Arduino Nano + RFM69HCW on the RPi for a Moteino-integrated-RFM69HCW one.
I have the same problem with that as with the LoRa Moteino GW... It works fine with the PC and even gets readings far away, I normally do not get.
Hooking it up to the RPi with FHEM it stops working...
I can't really explain that? :confused:

EDIT 2: I checked the debug of the sensor-sided unit. It says st=OK...
So I guess I'll have to check my hardware (FTDI etc.)

[gohan]

Ok, the on board regulator should able to provide 250mA while the Rfm95 uses 120mA max, so that should be OK.

[Sweeman]

@gohan
Your point made me look something up. Even though I do use the 2.5 amps powersupply for the RPi3 Model B I did find, that the RPi can only take up to 1Amp max. and depending on what's it doing, it can consume between 700-1000 mA.
So hooking up the Moteino + FTDI may max that out even though the USB-Port should supply up to 500mA.
raspberrypi.org

Typically, the model B uses between 700-1000mA depending on what peripherals are connected; the model A can use as little as 500mA with no peripherals attached. The maximum power the Raspberry Pi can use is 1 Amp. If you need to connect a USB device that will take the power requirements above 1 Amp, then you must connect it to an externally-powered USB hub.

So I'll try an active HUB next. And if that works I might give this a try:
Boost USB-Power
This site claims that a change in the RPi's config file should boost the max output current to 1.2 A... Sounds a little wild and unhealthy but I'll give it a shot.

Also FTDIchip.com claims that you should use an external USB-power-supply when powering devices with more than 100mA. Everything points into one direction :scream:

[gohan]

From my tests I did draw more than 1A when using an 8 relays board attached to the Pi 3, but still it is worth a look at increasing power delivery quality

[Sweeman]

Hey guys, a little later but still I've got "kind of" news.
Everything I tried to get the Moteino as GW to work consistently failed.
It seems the problem either lay with the FTDI or the Moteino as GW. Since I am using a Nano with an Adafruit Breakout RFM95W everything just works fine. It is a little unsatisfying but as I only need Moteinos for Nodes (low battery drain) I will go with this (cheaper) GW.

[gohan]

Are you powering the gateway throught the FTDI?

[Sweeman]

I tried both. 3.3/5V over FTDI and 5V externally.