Thank you for your answer.
Do you have any documentation on the messages exchanges to determine the parent ? The number of hops ?

Hi,

I didn't use MySensors yet, but I'm trying to understand how it works, especially the mesh network auto-linking.
I tried to find answers in the source code of the version 2.0, but finding answers isn't easy.

Could someone explain me the message exchanges allowing the mesh network to exist ?
I found few things:

• DISCOVERY
• PING
• FIND_PARENT

And specific questions:

• How are circular links avoided ?
• How the nearest repeater is chosen as a parent ?
• Does it works if two gateways are nearby (for example, my neighbor and I are both using MySensors)
• How does the sensor find the shortest way to the gateway ?

Thanks !

JM

@m26872 : Thanks for your link. I read your posts, and I'm quite interested about the results you got with the Chinese step-up converter.
You mentioned a dedicated post. Did you found some times to write it ?

After looking for some non-SMD components, I've ordered some Chinese step-up modules for less than 2€ a piece (but min order 5-8 pieces).
I hope that it will be better than the MT3608. At least it will be a more compact solution.

Step-up / step-down:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/5pcs-mini-1-8V-3V-3-7V-5V-to-3-3V-Boost-Buck-Low-Noise-Regulated/32365767349.html

Step-up only:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/8-pcs-Ultra-small-DC-DC-0-8-3-3V-to-DC-3-3V-Step-UP/32268496143.html

Hi @Mike-Musskopf
I didn't realize that the Alkaline batteries will not be used over 50% of their capacity with my circuit.
It is a very good point !

Do you also recommend the pololu step up converter at 3.3V ? Do you know other good references ?
Could you confirm that only switch regulators do not consume a lot of energy ?

I also order a US-100, which I didn't know before your answer.

Thanks ! It's very helpful !

Hi @Mike-Musskopf. Thank you for your help !

I'm using an Arduino Pro Mini 3.3V, without the power led (removed), but with the built-in regulator.
The sensor I want to use is a HC-SR04, witch only work at 5V.
I use 3 AAA batteries, powering my Arduino Pro Mini, and a step up converter for the sensor.
The power-up converter (and level converter) are power on / off through a NPN (I don't have any mofset yet).
Moreover, I'm using an NRF24L01+ to send the value of the sensor (3 or 4 times a day, with each time 5 reading in a row to compute an average value).

When the Arduino pro mini is sleeping, and the sensor not powered on (NPN as switch), and the NRF radio in sleep mode, it seems like I'm using 70µA (with my cheap multimeter).
I'm using more than 1mA when awake.

For step-up converter, I'm using a cheap MT3608 from aliexpress on PCB, but I don't like it because it's big, and have to be adjusted through a potentiometer.
I'm looking for a step-up converter as cheap as the MT3608, but more compact, to output 3.3V (for my other projects, with less than 3 batteries) or 5V.

Thank you

Thank you for your answers.

@flopp : I didn't noticed before the 662k, with seems great to get 3.3V (step-down). Unfortunately, it seems more difficult to find the same chip in 5V.

@Pavel-Hrudka :The MAX856CSA and LT1300CS8#PBF are way too expensive for my usage. But I will take the time to read the tutorials.

@Michael-Moebius : My node actually sleeps almost all the time. I just need to read the sensor 2 or 3 time per hour.
Which step-up component did you try to use ?

For now, I use a cheap MT3608 regulated to get 5V, and power-it on/off with an NPN when needed.
I also use an HT7333 as 3.3V regulator (step-down).
I still didn't find the components I dream of

Hi !

This is my first post on mysensors.
I tried to find the answer of my question on the existing posts, without success. If you know where I can find it, don't hesitate to tell it to me

I'm trying to build my first node, powered by AAA batteries, for at least 1 year.

I tried to find :

• A step up converter with 5V output
• A step down converter with 3.3V output
• A step down converter with 5V output

As I'm running on batteries, I'm looking for high efficiency components.
As I'm not rich, and it's just a hobby for me, I'm looking for cheap components (on aliexpress).
As I want to power some power-hungry components, I'm looking for an output between 100mA / 200mA...

For the step down converter with 3.3V output, I found the HT7333-1, less than 4€ / 50 pieces. What do you think ?
For the other two, I have no clue at all. I think that a lot of nodes need stable power supply. I'm surprised that I didn't find the answer.

Thank you a lot !