Hi Folks

After leaving my garage door open all night for several times, I had to go ahead and make a MySensors contraptions for it.

The garage door system I have has 1 single button it will either open or close the door depending on position, the safety beams and the last operations.

Since I know nothing about electronics, hacking the motor electronics was beyond my skill set, so I decide to sensorize the button operations. In order to figure out if the door was opening or closing I used a sonic distance relative to de door rail. I was expecting to have issues with precision but I was rather surprised it worked so well.

The base is the fantastic Easy/Newbie PCB for MySensors by @sundberg84 with a bumper/box of my own creation.

Coupled with some extra pieces as the rail support, the insert for the sonic sensor and the box lid it self.

On the controller it looks like this

With door Open

With door Closed

On the other side, I've created a simple led sensor which receives a door open/closed signal directly from the garage sensor to turn on or off a led.

As always feedback is appreciated

Cheers

Hi Folks

While adding mqtt feature to my controller and inspired by @cranky and his node-red controller, I've created a simple nodejs app to do 2 things:

• Get the information from the serial gateway and publish it to a broker
• Subscribe from the broker and send it to the serial gateway.

Here is the app.js

// LIBS
var com = require("serialport");
var mqtt = require('mqtt');

// SERIAL PORT SETTINGS
var serial_port = '/dev/ttyACM0';
// var serial_port = 'COM3'; // windows

// MQTT SETTINGS
var mqtt_host     = 'mqtts://m10.cloudmqtt.com';
var mqtt_port     =  8883;
var mqtt_username =  'user name';
var mqtt_password =  'password';

var KEY = 'yourkey';

// publications will be made into /haall/yourkey/out/x/x/x/x
// subcriptions will come from /haall/yourkey/in/x/x/x/
// adjust as necessary

// MQTT CLIENT OPTIONS
var mqtt_Options = {
     port:              mqtt_port
    ,keepalive:         10                  //seconds, set to 0 to disable
    ,clientId:          'haall_' + KEY
    ,protocolId:        'MQTT'
    //,protocolVersion: 4
    ,clean:             false               //set to false to receive QoS 1 and 2 messages while offline
    ,reconnectPeriod:   1000                // milliseconds, interval between two reconnections
    ,connectTimeout:    30 * 1000           //milliseconds, time to wait before a CONNACK is received
    ,username:          mqtt_username       //the username required by your broker, if any
    ,password:          mqtt_password       //the password required by your broker, if any
    /*
    ,incomingStore: , // a Store for the incoming packets
    ,outgoingStore: , // a Store for the outgoing packets
    */
    //a message that will sent by the broker automatically when the client disconnect badly. The format is:
    ,will: {topic:  '/haall/'+KEY+'/out',                           // the topic to publish
            payload:'Client haall_' + KEY +'has lost connection',   // the message to publish
            qos:    1,                                              // the QoS
            retain: false                                           // the retain flag 
    }    
}

// SERIAL PORT
var serialPort = new com.SerialPort(serial_port, {
    baudrate: 115200,
	parser: com.parsers.readline('\n')
  });

// START SERIAL PORT 
console.log('Opening Serial port...');
serialPort.open(function (error) {
  if ( error ) {
    console.log('failed to open: '+error);
  } else {
    console.log('Serial port opened!');
  }
});

// START MQTT
console.log('Starting MQTT...'); 
var mqtt_client  = mqtt.connect(mqtt_host,mqtt_Options);

console.log('Subscribing MQTT...'); 
mqtt_client.subscribe('/haall/'+KEY+'/in/#');

console.log('Publish MQTT...'); 
mqtt_client.publish('/haall/'+KEY+'/out', 'HAALL mqtt client started at '+ new Date());

// SERIAL PORT OUTGOING
serialPort.on('data', function(data) {
	
	if (data.indexOf('0;0;3;0;9;') == 0) {
		console.log('        I_LOG: '+data);
        mqttPublish(data);	
	}
	else{
		console.log(data);
		mqttPublish(data);
	}
});

// MQTT INCOMING
mqtt_client.on('message', function (topic, message) {
	var m = topic.toString();
	m = m.replace('/haall/'+KEY+'/in/','');
	m = m.split('/').join(';');
	m = m + ';' + message.toString();
	serialPort.write('' + m + '\n');

  	console.log('INCOMING MQTT: ' + topic + ':' + message.toString());
});

// MQTT OUTGOING
function mqttPublish(data){
	var topic = '/haall/'+KEY+'/out/';
	var params = data.split(';');
	topic = topic + params[0] + '/';
	topic = topic + params[1] + '/';
	topic = topic + params[2] + '/';
	topic = topic + params[3] + '/';
	topic = topic + params[4] + '';
	var payload = params[5];
	mqtt_client.publish(topic,payload);
	console.log('OUTGOING MQTT: ' + topic + ' Payload: ' + payload);
}

and the package.json

{
  "name": "gw",
  "version": "0.0.2",
  "description": "Gateway Module for MySensors",
  "dependencies": {
    "serialport": "^1.4.5",
    "mqtt": "^1.7.0"
  },
  "main": "gw.js",
  "devDependencies": {},
  "scripts": {
    "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1"
  },
  "author": "",
  "license": "ISC"
}

Cheers

Hi Folks,

My controller first version lives...

Meet HAALL (Home Automation for ALL) yeah, very old school!

The source is available here. I know this is not the traditional way of releasing code but... give it a shot!

So far it only reads from sensors and not all message types are implemented. Lot of work still to be done.
I need to find a way to represent all types of sensors, to be able to send messages to the sensors and build some form of rule engine so I can actually have some automation.

Some screen shots:

Questions and feedback are very welcome, I'm guessing a lot of stuff, so some sanity check from peers is most welcome.

Cheers

Hi Folks

Here is a first update on this project.

First some pictures of the hardware.

(please ignore the dying plants, they are from another experiment)

The plant fountain was 100% home designed and printed and I added a 5 gallon bucket, lid and pump inside. The electronics are not connected yet.

And my development/test electronics

Arduino, relay for the pump and an RTC module

This will allow me to complete phase 1 which is basically running the pump for x minutes, stoping for y minutes during a time interval (e.g. 8am 6pm)

This first pump module is obviously using MySensors and although I want it to work independently of a controller i'm using MySensor to report data and implement some commands.

I've tried to do things with some architecture, using classes but C++ is still a bit of a mystery to me, so feedback is welcome as always.

The current and planned architecture goes as follows:

Hydro.ino Module

• Main Module
• Implements MySensors Library
• Updates controller on data being monitored
• Receives ad-hoc commands from controller (such as turn pump on) and sends them to the correct module

/**


**/

// Enable debug prints to serial monitor
#define MY_DEBUG

// Enable and select radio type attached
#define MY_RADIO_NRF24
//#define MY_RADIO_RFM69

// Enabled repeater feature for this node
//#define MY_REPEATER_FEATURE

// Define Node ID
#define MY_NODE_ID 7

// INCLUDES //
#include <SPI.h>
#include <MySensor.h>
#include <Bounce2.h>
#include <Time.h>
#include <DS1302RTC.h>  // A  DS3231/DS3232 library

#include "HydroConfig.h"
#include "MyPump.h"

// Skecth name and version
#define SKETCH_NAME "Hydro9"
#define SKETCH_VERSION "v0.1"

// Pin Assignments

#define BUTTON_PIN  4  // Arduino Digital I/O pin number for button 

Bounce debouncer = Bounce();
int oldValue = 0;
unsigned long lastUpdate = 0;

MyMessage msgPump(MY_PUMP_ID, V_STATUS);

MyPump myPump(MY_PUMP_RELAY_PIN);
void setup()
{
  // Setup the button
  pinMode(BUTTON_PIN, INPUT);
  // Activate internal pull-up
  digitalWrite(BUTTON_PIN, HIGH);

  // After setting up the button, setup debouncer
  debouncer.attach(BUTTON_PIN);
  debouncer.interval(5);

  myPump.rtc_init();
  // Request latest time from controller at startup
  requestTime();
  wait(2000);// Wait for time form controller
  Serial.print("Current time: ");
  Serial.println(myPump.currentDateTime().c_str());
  myPump.pumpCycleRun(1);
  myPump.pumpCycleStop(1);
}

void presentation()  {
  // Send the sketch version information to the gateway and Controller
  sendSketchInfo(SKETCH_NAME, SKETCH_VERSION);

  // Register all sensors to gw (they will be created as child devices)
  present(MY_PUMP_ID, S_BINARY, "Pump");
}


void loop()
{
  debouncer.update();
  // Get the update value
  int value = debouncer.read();
  if (value != oldValue && value == 0) {
    send(msgPump.set(myPump.pumpSwitch()), false);
  }
  oldValue = value;
  if(myPump.pumpCheck())
  {
    send(msgPump.set(myPump.isOn()), false);
  }
}

void receive(const MyMessage &message) {
  // We only expect one type of message from controller. But we better check anyway.
  if (message.isAck()) {
    Serial.println("This is an ack from gateway");
  }

  if (message.type == V_STATUS) {
    // Change relay state
    if (message.getBool())
      myPump.pumpOn();
    else
      myPump.pumpOff();
      
    send(msgPump.set(myPump.isOn()), false);
    
    // Write some debug info
    Serial.print("Incoming change for sensor:");
    Serial.print(message.sensor);
    Serial.print(", New status: ");
    Serial.println(message.getBool());
  }
}

void receiveTime(unsigned long controllerTime)
{
  myPump.rtc_set(controllerTime);
}

MyPump Module:

• Handles all pump related features
• Turn pump on/off
• Check cycle to verify if pump should be on or off
• X min On, Y min Off Cycle
• Run Cycle from start time to end time (e.g. 8:00 to 18:00)
• Run Cycle based on light of day (TBI)
• Select Normal vs Circulate water (TBI) - Using solenoid valves to direct the water between the plant fountain and the bucket

Here is the pump running at 1 minute on, 1 minute off cycle

Starting sensor (RNNNA-, 1.6.0-beta)
Radio init successful.
RTC module activated

RTC Sync TieStatus: 2 timeSet 2 Ok!
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=1,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=ok:
Current time: 2015/12/12 16:28:55 
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=10,sg=0,st=ok:1.6.0-beta
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,st=ok:0
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=6,sg=0,st=ok:Hydro9
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=4,sg=0,st=ok:v0.1
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=0,t=3,pt=0,l=4,sg=0,st=ok:Pump
Init complete, id=7, parent=0, distance=1
2015/12/12 16:29:52 PUMP ON
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=1,t=2,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:1
2015/12/12 16:30:52  PUMP OFF
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=1,t=2,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:0
2015/12/12 16:31:52 PUMP ON
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=1,t=2,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:1
2015/12/12 16:32:52  PUMP OFF
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=1,t=2,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:0
2015/12/12 16:33:52 PUMP ON
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=1,t=2,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:1
2015/12/12 16:34:53  PUMP OFF
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=1,t=2,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:0
2015/12/12 16:35:52 PUMP ON
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=1,t=2,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:1

Again, feedback is welcome

Cheers

Hi Folks,

While building my custom controller i've run into a problem of not having enough arduinos/material to produce each type of supported sensors.

So in order to create visualizations for each sensor I've decided to create an arduino sketch to fake sensors and send dummy data.

Of course I'm running out of Global/Local variable space half way through (about 12 sensors, even with debug off) but plan to comment/uncomment the sersors to fake.

Also I havent had a proper chance to test this.

Is anyone interested in this?
Want to give it a go?
Check it on MySensors Github

Usual stuff, open source, as is, terrible code, blá blá blá, have fun!

Cheers

I'm not sure this is the best place to put this but here goes.

Here are some files to create a 3D printed box or bumper for the popular Easy PCV by @sundberg84

The STL file
0_1490735357002_EasyBoard_Base.stl

the SketchUp
0_1490735391058_GarageDoorMonitor.zip

Have fun

@micah

Not sure about the radios issue.

However in your test I noticed the initialization of the eeprom to 0

The eeprom clear example in the mysendor writes 255 in all positions and I think it is influencing your test.

void setup()  
{ 
  Serial.begin(MY_BAUD_RATE);
  Serial.println("Started clearing. Please wait...");
  for (int i=0;i<EEPROM_LOCAL_CONFIG_ADDRESS;i++) {
    hwWriteConfig(i,0xFF);  
  }
  Serial.println("Clearing done. You're ready to go!");
}

Try it with the clear eeprom sketch and see it if works.

Also if you want to use a static id why not just use

// Define Node ID
#define MY_NODE_ID 16

Cheers

Hi Folks,

Another update on this project

I've finally finished with the software. Added a DHT22 for air temperature and humidity and also a Dallas for the water temperature.

Assembling the hardware was a bit more challenging then anticipated, but with no PCB, i've decided to use a proto shield and maintain support/flexibility for both UNO and MEGA boards. Soon after I've realized the code does not fit a UNO (too much debug eventually)

Also created a simple case to enclose it all.

The Column it self

If anyone would likr to take a look at the code, feed back is much appreciated!

Hydro9.zip

Finally the dashboard looks like this

Cheers

EDIT: Forgot to add the startup log

Starting sensor (RNNNA-, 1.6.0-beta)
Radio init successful.
Initializing DHT... Done!
Dallas Temperature IC Control Library Demo
Locating devices...Found 1 devices.
Parasite power is: OFF
Device 0 Address: 2817611D070000C3
Device 0 Resolution: 9
RTC module activated

The DS1302 is write protected. This normal.

RTC Sync TieStatus: 2 timeSet 2 Ok!
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=1,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=ok:
read: 0-0-7 s=255,c=3,t=1,pt=0,l=10,sg=0:1454110229
Time value received: 1454110229
Pump Time:2016/01/29 23:30:28 
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=15,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,st=ok:0
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=10,sg=0,st=ok:1.6.0-beta
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,st=ok:0
read: 0-0-7 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=0,l=1,sg=0:M
Starting presentation
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=6,sg=0,st=ok:Hydro9
send: 7-7-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=4,sg=0,st=ok:v0.1
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=0,t=3,pt=0,l=11,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Switch
send: 7-7-0-0 s=2,c=0,t=23,pt=0,l=10,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Cycle
send: 7-7-0-0 s=3,c=0,t=25,pt=0,l=9,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Mode
send: 7-7-0-0 s=4,c=0,t=23,pt=0,l=14,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Scheduler
send: 7-7-0-0 s=5,c=0,t=23,pt=0,l=13,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Daylight
send: 7-7-0-0 s=6,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=10,sg=0,st=ok:Air Sensor
send: 7-7-0-0 s=7,c=0,t=6,pt=0,l=12,sg=0,st=ok:Water Sensor
send: 7-7-0-0 s=10,c=0,t=23,pt=0,l=9,sg=0,st=ok:Pump Time
End presentation
Init complete, id=7, parent=0, distance=1
**************** PUMP STATUS ***********************
Pump Mode is:  Daylight
Pump Cycle:    On:15 Off:15
Pump Schedule: Start:07:33 Stop:17:30
Pump Daylight: Start:70 Current:59
Pump Time:     2016/01/29 23:30:34 
****************************************************
************* ENVIRONMENT STATUS *******************
Air temperature:10.60 Air humidity:37.90
Water temperature:10.00
****************************************************
send: 7-7-0-0 s=1,c=1,t=2,pt=1,l=1,sg=0,st=ok:0
send: 7-7-0-0 s=3,c=1,t=19,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:3
send: 7-7-0-0 s=4,c=1,t=24,pt=0,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:07:33
send: 7-7-0-0 s=4,c=1,t=25,pt=0,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:17:30
send: 7-7-0-0 s=5,c=1,t=37,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:70
send: 7-7-0-0 s=5,c=1,t=35,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:59
send: 7-7-0-0 s=2,c=1,t=37,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:15
send: 7-7-0-0 s=2,c=1,t=35,pt=2,l=2,sg=0,st=ok:15
send: 7-7-0-0 s=10,c=1,t=24,pt=0,l=20,sg=0,st=ok:2016/01/29 23:30:34 
send: 7-7-0-0 s=6,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:10.6
send: 7-7-0-0 s=6,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:37.9
send: 7-7-0-0 s=7,c=1,t=0,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=ok:10.0
2016/01/29 23:30:34 Light level: 59

@sundberg84 , absolutely, please do!
Cheers

@samuel235

Thanks for your enthusiastic support!!!

The reason for the big power supply is that I intend to have 2 solenoid valves to control the water flow, one to send water to the column the other to recirculate the water in the bucket (needed when adding nutrients or adjusting the PH). Those run on 12v and can consume some amps.

The next step would be to add a water level sensor, I'll fry the pump if the water level drops to low.

The most difficult parts to get are the PH sensor and the TPM/TDS sensor, not only expensive but most of then are not designed to be permanently submerged.

In the long run I'm also planning for 3 peristaltic pumps to send nutrients, acidic solution and base solution to adjust PH and nutrients level. These often run on 12v.

The idea of getting the electronics on the column is quite interesting. It would have to be on top since the rest of the column is not water tight. I would need to find some clever way to deal with the cables.

Any way, I've just finished adding the plants. Not the ideal time to plant anything (its winter here) but the frost is gone and they say lettuce goes well with cold temperatures.
This is what it looks like week 0. We'll see how it goes.

Cheers

@koen01

I'm going for a similar next step.

The cars must be parked in a very specific position relative to the side wall and the garage door, or otherwise it's almost impossible to move around the garage.

Something like this Hek project.

Cheers

Hi @Grubstake,

Not much else...

You can have node running (as a service or daemon) on any device that has a USB port (PC, mac, RPI) and it is agnostic of what controller you have.

Are you interested in the code details? Check the MySensors post I included in the link.

The MySensors typical messages is something like this 30;5;1;0;37;70

Which gets translated to /whateverpathyouwant/out/30/5/1/0/37 Payload: 70

And vice versa.

The reason I did this was because I had no WiFi or Network enabled gateway.

Cheers

Hi @Grubstake

In my case, I just use a nodeJS script which reads from serial and publishes to mqtt. It also subscribes from mqtt and sends it to serial.

Pretty straight forward. For more details, look here.

Cheers

Hi @Samuel235 ,

And it works fine, whatever the calibration error is, it's consistent.

The base

The cover

So in reality, the finished part size might not be exactly that, but whatever the difference is, it is propagated to both parts. This probably wouldn't be true if I printed the parts separately in different printers.

Anyway, we're talking about tenths of millimeters.

3D printer generically are very precise.

Cheers

Hi @Samuel235 ,

It just snaps in. The lid sits on the first lip of the base. It's actually quite tight.

@dbemowsk , the problem is that I lost my screws... (portuguese joke meaning lost my marbles or gone crazy)

Anyway, do you create the threads for the screws in the plastic? or do you use self-threading...

When I do my supports I make them snap-on, like a little wider in the base and then a bit of plastic that goes through the board holes. If the holes are too thin the snap-on bit breaks.

cheers

@sundberg84 , absolutely, please do!
Cheers

@dbemowsk, I'm very interested in your decora style wall plate, maybe we can compare notes

I'm not sure this is the best place to put this but here goes.

Here are some files to create a 3D printed box or bumper for the popular Easy PCV by @sundberg84

The STL file
0_1490735357002_EasyBoard_Base.stl

the SketchUp
0_1490735391058_GarageDoorMonitor.zip

Have fun

Yeah, I wanted to know the exact position of the door, if it was opening or closing etc.

Anyway I'll gladly share the 3D files for the Easy board

0_1490732701131_Base.zip

This is the SketchUp file with the base, rail, lid and enclosure for the sonic.

0_1490732828480_GarageDoorMonitor.zip

And this one the base and lid for the monitor.

The Easy boards I have are v8 and the mounting holes are so small that I couldn't create a support that wouldn't break, so I decided to make some rail/slide system.

Also because I don't solder the Arduino or radio directly to the board, the lid becomes very tall. But its easy to adjust in the 3D files.

If you prefer STL files, I'll upload them

Cheers