Posts made by krisha

Nice project!

What about adding two resistors to measure and send the battery level as well?

Not sure where to start, I have several things in mind...

Maybe first a big thanks! It's an amazing and interesting project!

Before mysensors I used Z-Wave (and custom stuff over WiFi), but I faced some problems with it and it costs much. It is closed source and for me not well documented enough. Many manufacturers seem to not test it in real environments (compatibilty to other products/range).

Someone on domoticz forum told me he switched to mysensors, so I thought to give it a try.

So far I built some nodes and got some experience. I'm using NRF24L01(+), gateway on a WiFi ESP8266, integrated into domoticz.

Maybe some of the following questions I could answer by myself after research, but if you know it on the spot, I would be quite happy if you can share it

My problems/questions/experiences are:

1. Some days ago a temperature node with DS18B20 reported 0.0°C. This sensor was working for around a month. It for sure was 15°C or more. I'm using DallasTemperature Lib v3.7.7. I think this is related to an invalid read of my temp sensor. After that it continued to work, but now it reports 2x S_DOOR with the first having V_TEMP in domoticz (probably correctly measured). How a S_TEMP can become a S_DOOR with temperature?
   1a) Is there any code implemented to restart the node automatically? What will happen if a SPI or I²C connection needs again a setup()?

2. I bought some chinese clones that did not work. Took me some hours to find out what's going on...
   2a) What about selling kits containing every needed component? Of course genuine parts for a fair price.
   2b) Is that possible if a third party will do it (license)?

3. I setup a node with an BME280, feeded from 2xAA battery and a 1.8 to 3.3V chinese voltage converter. This worked for 1 day. Now it just sends one message after I press reset. (Lib Adafruit BME280 1.0.5) Anyone with similiar experience?

4. I have setup a node (arduino pro mini) with 2x NTC resistors (actually bought DS18B20 but just got NTCs w/o datasheet...) and a DS18B20. Node is feed by 2xAA directly and stopped working after around 2-3 weeks. Sleep current is ~0.110mA. Current during transmission around 20mA. The DS18B20 just reported a value ~2-3 hours on a day. The NTCs were sending data more continuesly but now also stopped. (ok, might be I moved the node by 2 meters) Does this make sense?

5. I flashed the node mentioned in 4) several times by a cheap USBasp without erasing the eeprom, but it got always a new ID. ID is stored in eeprom, no?

6. If I add 1-2 repeater nodes will this make everything more stable and packets will find its path dynamically?
   6a) I plan to create some actuators (light switches). What happens if a packet is lost? What is the default timeout after a packet gets discarded?
   6b) Will a NRF24L01 with PA(+LNA) bring more stability?

7. Does the NRF24L01 interfere with WiFi?
   7a) How to know about the channel and frequency it is using?

8. If my neighbour is also using mysensors, will his new nodes be registered on my network? (I recommended him...:-))
   8a) Signing alone probably does not help here, or?

9. Is there any congestion control implemented or does this happen a layer above on the NRF24L01 chip?

10. Out of interest: Is there any rough estimation about how many people are using mysensors?

I'm ready to create and share some new soft-/hardware. So far setting up all the stuff took a lot of time and I lost a bit of mood. Actually, I would have bought a ready solution, but I don't know of any satisfying my needs (except mysensors)

@GertSanders
ok, strange. standard pin headers fit for me only into FTDI and ICSP pin holes. Into the other two 8 pin rows it does not fit.

another thing, I ordered the PCB at OSH park...

Is there any possibility that you and/or MySensors will gain something (affiliate)?

the pin holes are a bit small for standard pin headers. Would be nice if you could increase the diameter a bit on version 3

I think for this node an ISP programmer is needed. It might be nice, if you can put a notice for that on mysensors.org.

Maybe also mention that you should not use the VCC of your programmer. In most cases it will deliver 5V which will fry the NRF chip

what about adding a step-up converter to drain the battery more? or does it waste too much power?

thx for design and this small battery powered node

There is a mini module of the NRF 24L01+. Unfortunately some pinouts on the web were not correct. Not sure if many people use that, but here is a pinout that worked for me: http://s2.electrodragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NRF24-Mini-02.jpg