Posts made by funky81

Hi @ericvdb , you can use multi tester like in this link....

@Tibus my suggestion is that try other nrf radio.
Right now I can low as 10uA while sleeping

@Tibus do you have other nrf to try? I'm affraid you're using fake nrf.
30% of my nrf (out of 10), are fake...

one more thing, sleep method in above post dont turn off nrf radio while sleep.
you can try gw.sleep() if you want turn off nrf radio while sleep (MyGateway gw)

@iask how is the result?

@iask I haven't upload my latest door sketch to my node yet. But if I'm using above sketch, idle 4uA and around 18mA while transfer.

Do you have any issues like me before?

@Fredrik-Carlsson please try it, please notice me if you find any bugs.
I'm in the middle of pull request to @Dheeraj

@Fredrik-Carlsson info you havent got one, please check my development git

• Pulse sensor ( Watt, KWh and Ampere )
  {
  "id": "EnergySensor,
  "name": "Energy Sensor",
  "class": "MySensorsPulseMeter",
  "nodeid": 3,
  "batterySensor": true,
  "sensorid": 1,
  "appliedVoltage" : 220
  }

@mainali have you finished the sketch? do you mind to share?

@mainali I think @ferpando solution is quite nice. He add RF switch to existing button. @ferpando could we track physical switch state using this?

@AWI yes, it can communicate with the gateway normally.
Following is my test result

1. First code

/**
 */
#include <SPI.h>
#include <MySensor.h>  
#include <avr/sleep.h>
//#include <avr/wdt.h>

MySensor gw;

// watchdog interrupt
//ISR (WDT_vect) { wdt_disable();  /* disable watchdog*/ }  // end of WDT_vect

void setup()  
{ 
//  pinMode(7,OUTPUT);
//  digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
//    gw.begin();
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Serial.print("Setup");
}

void loop()      
{  
//  gw.powerUp();
  //digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
//  gw.sendBatteryLevel(0);  
  Serial.print("Loop");  
  Serial.flush();
//  gw.powerDown();
  //gw.sleep(30*1000);
  sleep();
//  digitalWrite(7, LOW);
//  sleep();
}

void sleep(){
   // disable ADC
  ADCSRA = 0;  

  // clear various "reset" flags
  MCUSR = 0;     
  // allow changes, disable reset
  WDTCSR = bit (WDCE) | bit (WDE);
  // set interrupt mode and an interval 
  WDTCSR = bit (WDIE) | bit (WDP3) | bit (WDP0);    // set WDIE, and 1 second delay
  wdt_reset();  // pat the dog
  
  set_sleep_mode (SLEEP_MODE_PWR_DOWN);  
  noInterrupts ();           // timed sequence follows
  sleep_enable();
 
  // turn off brown-out enable in software
  MCUCR = bit (BODS) | bit (BODSE);
  MCUCR = bit (BODS); 
  interrupts ();             // guarantees next instruction executed
  sleep_cpu ();  
  
  // cancel sleep as a precaution
  sleep_disable();
}

With this code I've got

1. Test_Current_0 : 0.004 mA - Plain, Just Arduino (w/o LED, w/o Voltage Regulator)
2. Test_Current_0 : 0,009 mA - Config in point 1 + Voltage Regulator (HT7333)
3. Test_Current_0 : 1,58 mA - Config in point 2 + NRF24L01+

Another test

/**
 */
#include <SPI.h>
#include <MySensor.h>  
#include <avr/sleep.h>
//#include <avr/wdt.h>

MySensor gw;

// watchdog interrupt
//ISR (WDT_vect) { wdt_disable();  /* disable watchdog*/ }  // end of WDT_vect

void setup()  
{ 
//  pinMode(7,OUTPUT);
//  digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
  gw.begin();
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Serial.print("Setup");
}

void loop()      
{  
  //gw.powerUp();
  //digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
  gw.sendBatteryLevel(0);  
  Serial.print("Loop");  
  Serial.flush();
  //gw.powerDown();
  gw.sleep(30*1000);
  //sleep();
//  digitalWrite(7, LOW);
//  sleep();
}

void sleep(){
   // disable ADC
  ADCSRA = 0;  

  // clear various "reset" flags
  MCUSR = 0;     
  // allow changes, disable reset
  WDTCSR = bit (WDCE) | bit (WDE);
  // set interrupt mode and an interval 
  WDTCSR = bit (WDIE) | bit (WDP3) | bit (WDP0);    // set WDIE, and 1 second delay
  wdt_reset();  // pat the dog
  
  set_sleep_mode (SLEEP_MODE_PWR_DOWN);  
  noInterrupts ();           // timed sequence follows
  sleep_enable();
 
  // turn off brown-out enable in software
  MCUCR = bit (BODS) | bit (BODSE);
  MCUCR = bit (BODS); 
  interrupts ();             // guarantees next instruction executed
  sleep_cpu ();  
  
  // cancel sleep as a precaution
  sleep_disable();
}

Config is the same with no 3 (above), but the power consumption in sleep I take around 2.37 mA.

Is it maybe I've got bad NRF24L01+ ?

----- Updated
It seems my suspicion, it seems the cause of high power consumption is NRF24L01+ radio. I've checked all of my radio, it appears that 2 of 9 seems fake / bad condition.

Thanks for contribution of @HarryDutch @AWI @Dheeraj @tbowmo @GuyP and others, so now I can play with other level of MySensor.

Thanks

@HarryDutch thanks for we'll explained information. I really really appreciate it. Thanks to you, my adventure go to land of low power start to Gammon website. Well explained also in that website.
And finally I can make justification about what cause that give me bad power consumption. Start with plain arduino, either using led or not, finally I can dive to 4uA (thanks to you). After that, slowly but sure, I attach RF, the result still quite the same (without calling mysensor library) - few uA differences - not significant.

Then I start with mysensor code, and guess what, it now bump to 2.2mA like my first email. At this point, I realized the one that cause high power consumption is mysensor library. Until now, I still doing test about this. Will update it here for sketches and result for every sketch.

I hope from this thread at least I can learn something from you guys, on how to achieve uA while sleep. The arduino that I'm using is Deek Robot version (yes, it's a clone) from Alicia Store ebay, and the nrf24l01+radio I also got from store link.

@Dheeraj I don't know what happen. It all happen with arduino pro mini from Deek Robot. I have 4 of them, and almost all indicate the same number.

Any suggestions?

@AWI in the above code, I already try to sleep for 8 seconds... But still don't get till uA

@tbowmo said:

@funky81

is your measuring device capable of measuring low currents below 1mA?

Yes, it can

And what have you done software wise, for lowering power usage of the arduino?

following is my result (after cut voltage regulator, cut led, put RF radio, @ 1MHz):

1. running below code : 1,89mA

void setup(){

}

void loop(){

}

1. running below code : 2,07mA

void setup(){
  Serial.begin(4800);
  Serial.println("Setup");
}

void loop(){
  Serial.println("Loop");
  delay(1000);
}

1. running below code : 2,26mA

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

MySensor gw;

void setup()  
{ 
  gw.begin();
  Serial.print("Setup");
}

void loop()      
{  
  Serial.print("Loop");  
  gw.sleep(1000*8);
}

1. running below code : 3,86mA

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

MySensor gw;

void setup()  
{ 
  gw.begin();
  Serial.print("Setup");
}

void loop()      
{  
  gw.powerDown();
}

All the power consumption taken after one minute after power is on.

adding more capacitor just like in the tutorial fixed this problem.

@Jan-Gatzke i've tried this bootloader with several of my arduino pro mini.
most of them run @ 1 Mhz, thanks to you. but somehow the current consumption dont decrease. but i've check with my usbtiny for the fuse, it already @ 1MHz....

no clue what happen here

Finally, i've success flash my arduino pro mini to run at 1MHz.
But somehow the message never come to gateway and when I debug, it said something like these

sensor started 1, id 1
send: 1-1-0-0 s=255,c=0,t=17,pt=0,l=5,st=fail:1.4.1
send: 1-1-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=6,pt=1,l=1,st=fail:0
send: 1-1-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=11,pt=0,l=21,st=fail:Basic-Sketch-MySensor
send: 1-1-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=12,pt=0,l=3,st=fail:1.0
send: 1-1-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=0,pt=1,l=1,st=fail:100
Startup Finished
send: 1-1-0-0 s=255,c=3,t=0,pt=1,l=1,st=fail:100

What is that fail mean? Please help
btw, I have properly setup my nrf with arduino pro mini (cable, etc)

Thanks

@jurasek I found out that pimatic installation in the website quite general.
for more details, you can use following link for the forum.
it gives me clear idea and more details step by step

@Jan-Gatzke Thank you very much Sir....Now this is getting excited

@Jan-Gatzke mind to share it how?

@jovo my experiences quite different with you. I can successfully compiled and upload the sketches. Unfortunately, the packet from node, never reach gateway. Even though I pump the NRF24L01+ power with step up regulator, but still the same. Since then, I never try it with 1MHz again...

To revert it again, burn your fuses again. Check this in Using the internal clock section

@m26872 in my previous sketch, yes, i'm trying to use EasyIOT's (Thanks @EasyIoT )
anyway, i'll flash with yours. I'll let know the result

@jovo said:

• battery life time min 6 months.
  While searching I read about different aspects to improve power consumption. My initial conclusion is that I need to include the following items:
• using a step-up converter to squeeze all energy from the batteries (which one has best performance/price?)
• signaling down the unused digital ports (seems to be the most easy item)
• low power sleep mode: there seems to be many different ways and status of sleep mode. I don't need external trigger. the default sleep mode from the sensor sketches seems not to give the power right saving (measurement show still 5mA while in sleep mode). It was written that we should be able to go down to 100's of uA but how?
• lowering clock freq and "burning fuses", etc..

I have the same questions. I've tried so many things, but the lowest still 2.4mA (I corrected my previous state that the lowest that I can go is 1mA - true,but it's not working actually).
I want to achieve xxx on uA as well....but still can't and stuck.

@m26872 I still dont get it. Why I cant get the same efficient power like you.
I already follow all of your requirement in the first thread - difference only I use breadboard.
The minimum consumption (sleep) that I've got still 2.4mA, compare to you, it still huge differences. I dont know what's wrong with my setup.

My sketch wake up every 10s (consumption up to 3.5mA), while sleep the lowest is 2.4mA.

#include <avr/sleep.h>    // Sleep Modes
#include <MySensor.h>
#include <SPI.h>

MySensor gw;
#define BATTERY_SENSE_PIN 
#define SLEEP_IN_MS 86400000 // 1 day
#define PROD false

int oldBatLevel;

void setup()
{
  gw.begin(NULL,1);
  gw.sendSketchInfo("Basic-Sketch-MySensor", "1.0");


  pinMode(2,INPUT);
  digitalWrite (2, LOW);

  pinMode(3,INPUT);
  digitalWrite (3, LOW);

  pinMode(4,OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite (4, LOW);

  pinMode(5,INPUT);
  digitalWrite (5, LOW);

  pinMode(6,INPUT);
  digitalWrite (6, LOW);

  pinMode(7,INPUT);
  digitalWrite (7, LOW);

  pinMode(8,INPUT);
  digitalWrite (8, LOW);
  
  oldBatLevel = -1; 

  sendValue();
  Serial.println("Startup Finished");
  TurnOnLed();
}

void TurnOnLed(){

    digitalWrite(4,HIGH);
 gw.sleep(1000);
        digitalWrite(4,LOW);
  
  gw.sleep(100);
}

void loop ()
{  
  sendValue();
  gw.sleep(1000*10);
}  // end of loop

void sendValue()
{
  gw.powerUp(); 

  int batLevel = getBatteryLevel();
  if (!PROD){
    gw.sendBatteryLevel(batLevel);  
    TurnOnLed();
  }
  else{
    if (oldBatLevel != batLevel)
    {
      gw.sendBatteryLevel(batLevel);   
      oldBatLevel = batLevel;
      TurnOnLed();
    }
  }

  gw.powerDown(); 
}

// Battery measure
int getBatteryLevel ()
{
  int results = (readVcc() - 2000)  / 10;  

  if (results > 100)
    results = 100;
  if (results < 0)
    results = 0;
  return results;
} // end of getBandgap

// when ADC completed, take an interrupt
EMPTY_INTERRUPT (ADC_vect);

long readVcc() {
  long result;
  // Read 1.1V reference against AVcc
  ADMUX = _BV(REFS0) | _BV(MUX3) | _BV(MUX2) | _BV(MUX1);
  delay(2); // Wait for Vref to settle
  noInterrupts ();
  // start the conversion
  ADCSRA |= _BV (ADSC) | _BV (ADIE);
  set_sleep_mode (SLEEP_MODE_ADC);    // sleep during sample
  interrupts ();
  sleep_mode ();
  // reading should be done, but better make sure
  // maybe the timer interrupt fired
  while (bit_is_set(ADCSRA,ADSC));
  result = ADCL;
  result |= ADCH<<8;
  result = 1126400L / result; // Back-calculate AVcc in mV

  return result;
}```

Please share it with us...

@lininger Anyway, have anyone realize the consumption every deek-robot pro mini (before cutting the power regulator and led) are not the same?

My first board takes 3.2mA while the other takes 2.4mA. All using the same battery, nrf24l01+ radio also sketch. And until now, I don't know where's the differences...

@Sidey I had sames experience few days ago.. What i do is that I check the bootloader condition. I dont know if my case same with you, but I do that and its working well now.

Thanks guys for your replies...I'll try it one by one.

Thanks

Like in the title, are there any guide to differentiate between these two items?
especially when you buy from ebay or aliexpress.

thanks

@GuyP could you share more about your project?

For the past 4 months, I've been searching combination for possible lowest power consumption for arduino pro mini with NRF24L01. So far, the lowest that I could get is 1 ma. What I already done is using arduino pro mini 8MHz (remove LED, power regulator, and change freq 1MHz) + NRF24L01. all components I buy from recommendation store in this site.

Could one suggest what should I do to run over 3 or 4 months battery using this combination? I'm using 2AA right now.

Thanks

same opinion with @BulldogLowell, I'll vote plot.ly...the free version enough for me.
And it support my programming languages also platforms.

@tbowmo my arduino pro mini working fine in 2xAA and connect to Vcc. I can calculate my battery consumption with internal 1V1 voltage function. I dont use internal voltage regulator and battery directly supply to arduino pro mini and radio.

In the future, I wanna test battery connect to step up regulator then connect to radio and arduino pro mini

@celonunes thanks

Hi Guys,
Just wondering, are there any easiest way to learn Github?
I used to use git, but only for local development, never interested to push it to github, since recently want to contribute in MySensor Github. If you guys have links / urls to share, please share here.

Thanks

@C.r.a.z.y. Thanks for the code, very useful, coz I've found out is that i have to restart my pro mini every couple of days...

@hek Thanks for the clarification

Well, this looks good. but i still confused.
arduino only support VDC right? not VAC. mind to explain how you supply arduino with VAC?

thanks @hek

@C.r.a.z.y.

@C.r.a.z.y. said:

if (re.indexOf("fail") >=0)
{
asm volatile (" jmp 0"); //reboot
}

sorry for asking this, but is this the code for reboot?
does it work?

which power supply method are you using?
Battery, or AC voltage? looks like interesting

I'd love to do it for you.
Unfortunately, roomba too expensive in my country
Anyway, good luck for your project.
Hopefully, you can share it here

@hek noted... Thanks

@hek does it mean that the radio in repeater side has to be always in awake position?

sometimes I also experience the same thing.
the current consumption extreme high, similiar like it sent something (but nothing on the gateway).
and one way to solve it only change battery. i'm using pro mini 3.3v with 2x AA batteries.

I only know the workaround but never know why it happen.

I can compile and use door sample from mysensor.
the difference is that i'm using old arduino ide 1.0.5, while you're using 1.5.5.
possible to change the ide ?

Hope it's not too late...Happy Birthday @hek

Hi, just wanna give my contribution to the community.
Following is the serial gateway code with support of auto ID, which is still missing in the latest of MySensor (1.4) library (CMIIW).

links : bitbucket

@C.r.a.z.y. is this confirm? coz i'm having the same problem.
and Yes, i'm using serial for my gateway and usb for my sensor.
Please share if there's possible answer for this problem.

thanks

Hi @dopustko , i've checked your cool website. can I ask few question regarding your setup?
I saw this page, in order to get low power consumption, you did burn fuse and disable brown-out? Possible to use it without usbtinyisp?

Keep this post updated...please

Hi @tbowmo, do you mind to explain a bit about the design? I'm interested with your design.

I will use these steps for removing voltage regulator, http://goo.gl/CsZaNg
So the design will be battery > external step up regulator (http://goo.gl/PFt99R - to stabilize 3.3v) > vcc pin ?

with these then I can use my first post design?

Thanks

Hi @m26872

The radio is powered straight from the batteries because it's high qauality demand on its supply and that it's good with a voltage all the way down to 1.9V. I still use the 4,7uF capacitor on radio as precaution.

So straigh the setup look like this ? battery > stablize regulator > radio ?

Since its battery and low power is wanted, I always remove the voltage regulator and power led from the Arduino pro mini and the power led from the step-up regulator (or the series resistor).

Do you mind to share the how to?

I set my power monitoring to report linear with 1.9V as 0% (Vmin_radio) and 3.3V as 100% (instead of 3.44 just to increase resolution). Power consumption looks good.

Which method do you use? voltage divider or the using internal vRef ?

Thanks

@m26872 said:

I'm confused. Are you trying to use a 3.3v step-up to an 5V Uno?

I'm sorry to make you confused. Currently I'm using 3.3v arduino pro mini.
What I mean is not step up converter, but step up power converter (http://goo.gl/PFt99R) => to stablize 3.3v to maintain a steady 3.3 VDC even as the battery capacity diminishes. (like in this page http://www.mysensors.org/build/battery)

Hmm..after I read your post (http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/486/my-2aa-battery-sensor/4), it seems I have the same goal like you. I'll asked few thing in your thread, if that's okay with you

@m26872 right now, i dont have any plans to use more than 2 batteries in series.
but if i do, i will use step up power converter to stable it.

but ofcourse this is my theory. am I correct ?

@tbowmo right now, the battery will be connected only to vin, coz it raw.
my step up power converter (in this link) havent arrived yet. So i will use vin only.

if it stable enough I will connect battery => step up power converter => vcc
then i will use the link that you provide before

is my theory correct?

Hi Guys,

Need your advice for arduino battery level measurement.
The goal is that I want to monitor my battery consumption so I can get notice for battery replacement if it's already low.
This is my setup. is it correct already? I'm using this link as reference.

Thanks

And also, is it correct to take power directly from the batteries instead from the arduino itself?

@sundberg84

@sundberg84 said:

Hi!

Ok, i wanted to share my "sollution" or atleast current setup if someone else in the future has the same problem.

The radio and battery voltage sensor (R1/R2) is not connected to Step up regulator.
Also DHT22 sensor needs atleast 3v to operate so i put the arduino and DHT22 after the voltage regulator.

Im sleeping the node for 15min, then sends temp and hum. The Battery status is sent each 8 loop. Now i will have a look how fast the battery is drained. I have not removed the led in the aurdino or step up reg so im guessing quite fast.

I have the radio about 15 meter (1 wall) from the gw - 100% seems to be st=ok.

Any improvement ideas - let me know,

Br
Andreas

Hi all, I'm newbie with these libraries.
And I'm a bit confused about the picture.
I'm guessing is that the picture still similar with the battery page in build sites. What makes me confused is that resistor position. And also what is the source to measure in the voltage divider? Is it vcc?