@hek:
My radio communication using the MySensors library is now successful. I am able to transmit my soil moisture data from the prototype sensor node to a gateway - which I have connected to a computer. I am looking into building a basic windows app (using visual studio, C#) that will read from the serial port and log data into a database. Later this data can be made accessible via queries/graphs.
I think this should be doable given that serial protocol used by MySensors library is a semicolon separated string of values. Is this is a reasonable assumption?
From your experience(and expertise!) do you foresee any difficulties/incompatibilities in implementing this?

P.S: I am also looking into using Vera - just bought a lite version off of Amazon - but if the Visual studio plan works out, I will return the Vera. Btw, Vera's customer service rep told me about this 'datamine' plugin that can log and display graphs. Thought you'd like to know.

@EasyIoT Does anybody know if there are any basic instructions available on how to installing/using EasyIoT ? I haven't used a Raspberry Pi before.

The instructions given on MySensors for the Vera controller are really good. Is anything similar available for EasyIoT?

I plan to make around 20 more of these sensors, so I am still in the process of optimizing the circuitry, but so far this is what I've done for my prototype node:

Regarding Solar powered:
I used a solar charger module from Seeed Studio (Li-Po rider); its pretty neat, in that it switches power from solar to battery only when needed. Moreover, v1.2 supplies up-to 350mA. I connected a 3.7V 2000mA Li-Polymer rechargeable battery and a 5V 100mA solar panel to this Li-Po rider which sources my Atmega328. The battery continues to charge while the sensor node is sleeping. I logged the sensor data in the ATmega EEPROM every hour. (As it’s not wireless yet! - that's what brought me to 'MySensors')

Regarding sensors:
After researching about the different options available, I bought a few different ones including a Watermark 200SS and Delmhorst GB-1. They are all based on the same principle – change in soil water tension – affecting resistance value. Watermark claims that their sensors do not dissolve. Their stainless steel jacket seems to gives it an increased life. I also created my own sensors, based on some information found on Van der Lee Vineyard blogsite. A simple series of resistance measurements from completely wet to completely dry for these sensors – home made as well as the ones I bought, helped me calibrate my home made sensors. I now feel comfortable using my own sensors and have acquired a reliable degree of accuracy and precision on my little tensiometer. Which is why I am ready to expand them into a network.

Now:

• I'm looking for different ways to log this data and have it available on simple graphs. (Currently, studying various controllers mentioned here. Btw, it is possible at all to use EasyIoT directly on a PC instead of on a Raspberry Pi?)
• I've bought some nRF24L01 modules with PA and SMA antenna and will perhaps have to design a simple 3.3V regulator to source it directly from the the Lipo Rider board (since the pro mini wont be able to meet my current requirements(?) for a longer range - I want to be able use them on maximum power for long range.)

I will try to keep posting more updates as I have them.

Meanwhile, any help/ideas are appreciated.

@hek From your knowledge and experience, is there a particular controller that you think is better suited for data logging and possibly displaying (PC interface) ?

Meanwhile I will investigate further into all the different controllers listed.

My first post here. I am building a tensiometer sensor network. So far I've successfully built and calibrated a soil moisture measurement device (uses gypsum block sensors) which works on ATmega328 mini pro and supporting 4 sensor-blocks(on one node), measures soil moisture every 30 minutes. It's solar powered and also has a rechargeable battery.

While researching for different ways to create a network of these that can communicate wirelessly with a central console to log data, I came across 'MySensors' and cant seem to appreciate it enough! (No, Really.. Great Job!)

I was thinking of building my own console to communicate with the sensors (tensiometers - in my case) and log data, and after reading about "Vera" controllers, I am debating if I should use one of those instead. I could use some help with the following:

• Since I do not have any actuators in my project, (only passive data logging) is there an alternative way to communicate my data from the gateway to a computer terminal where I can log it? (instead of using of using a Vera Controller)
• If I do buy a Vera controller, can their GUI be customized at all? I am looking for ways to display the logged moisture data in graphs according to different sensor zones.

Appreciate any/all the help!

(P.S. Is this the right place to ask such a question?)