My super simple NRF51 touch buttons. I mostly use these to toggle overhead lights that I've converted to Tasmota.

Compact, simple NRF52 motion sensor
Ebyte E104-BT5032A NRF52832 module
MH-SR602 Motion Sensor
LiFePO4 AA Battery

@neverdie Yep, I had the same experience with this LTC3108 breakout.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/LTC3108-1-Ultra-Low-Voltage-Boost-Converter-Power-Manager-Breakout-Development-Board-Module-Diy-Kit/32867270266.html

I also intended to try the following modules which have a ton of functionality baked in. Unfortunately, they multiply the cost of a basic node by 2-5x.

BQ25570
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32903287631.html

BQ25504
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32976994195.html

From an energy harvesting perspective, I think rechargeable watch battery + 0.2F super cap + 4 100uf is my favorite setup. Cheap, fault tolerant, very small profile if you use 1206 ceramic capacitors (not shown in this prototype). Based on this design: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/overview-of-the-ble-solar-beacon-from-cypress-semiconductor/

0.2F 3.3v Capacitors
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32577753501.html

3v Rechargeable Battery
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32813917590.html

1206 100uf Capacitors
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32376068793.html

Cheapest amorphous, indoor solar panels I have found: 2.7-3v
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1854641441.html

Tiny S4 1N5817 Diodes
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32813213875.html

LTC3108 -1 Ultra Low Voltage Boost Converter Power Manager Breakout Development Board Module Diy Kit

$6.51

Energy Harvesting Module Boost Converter Solar Cell Management Energy Collector CJMCU-25504 bq25504

$8.84

HOT NEW battery MS412FE MS412FE-FL26E 3V Rechargeable Button battery charging with leg 20pcs/lot

$26.04

1206 SMD capacitor 100uf 16V 107Z 100pcs X7R

$3.60

Free Shipping! 10pcs TRONY low-light-type amorphous silicon solar panel photo module sensor

$5.74

New 1N5817 SOD-523 silk screen S4 Schottky diode 1A 20V 5817 SOD523

$1.00

USB + ESP8266 adapter for W2812B LED strip.

Well, this is actually a Tasmota + Openhab build, but could easily be MySensors.

Also worth noting, this 5m 150 led strip draws too much current to reliably use with a USB wall adapter.

@neverdie according to a few datasheets 2v at 200lux. The solar cells delivered were HENGYANG SC-3514.

http://www.vimun.cn/en/ProductInfo.asp?pid=18
http://www.solars-china.com/solars/indoor-solar-cells.pdf

On my windowsill, 2.5v typical in-direct sunlight, 2.7v is the highest I've recorded in direct sunlight.

So far, most of my Aliexpress buys have been fine for my needs. Haven't really gotten close to making a "production ready" module, so for prototyping it's been fine.

One exception: I thought I had a genius idea to repurpose these $1 solar powered keychain flashlights. They had an amorphous solar panel, rechargeable battery, button, leds and a housing...for $1. I bought 20 of them. First one I opened up, I realized it's a lie!

The solar panel is just glued to the circuit. The battery is just a normal non-rechargeable CR2016.

A bed occupancy sensor. 4 50kg load cells, an HX711, and a Wemos D1 to make a wifi scale that rests on a bed slat under the boxspring.

Given the placement and weight distribution it doesn't turn the bed into a huge bath scale, but definitely accurate enough to use the deltas to estimate if there is someone in the bed. I can also tell when our 12lb (5.5kg) dog is on the bed.

I have rules in openhab to turn the overhead fan on and off. Also disables some TTS notifications if somebody is in bed.

With all the NRF52 modules from EBYTE I've tried, the only way I can flash them is over SWDIO, SWCLK, GND, VCC via JLink clone.

And, before flashing is possible, I have to unlock the module by following these directions: https://github.com/micooke/arduino-nRF5-smartwatches/blob/master/nrf52_disable_read_protection.txt

@neverdie they work super well. I've been testing them for a few months now, very reliable.

One of the first supercap setups I made, "SolarRed". It's been running non-stop for 8ish months sitting indoors on a windowsill.

6 Month History SolarRed

Testing platform for different solar panel / super cap combos

@berkseo said in What did you build today (Pictures) ?:

https://youtu.be/kucVWKBBSWk

Looks really good! I like the LED bridge.

@sebex

I've tried a lot of the aliexpress modules.

My experience with cheap modules

• Cheap, generic SMD NRF24L01+ have always outperformed the non-smd cheap versions
  • https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32840721455.html
• Avoid the cheap PA/LNA modules at all cost
• eByte, cdsenet, cojxu (all ebyte companies) have the best of the chinese modules. They are on sale often. I exclusively use their PA/LNA modules for gateways and repeaters.
  • https://www.aliexpress.com/store/2798183
  • https://cdebyte.aliexpress.com/store/2077046
  • https://www.aliexpress.com/store/4836041

5PCS WAVGAT Component Kit NRF24l01+ 2.4GHz Wireless Module Mini Version Power enhanced version SMD

$4.19

Compact, simple NRF52 motion sensor
Ebyte E104-BT5032A NRF52832 module
MH-SR602 Motion Sensor
LiFePO4 AA Battery

A bed occupancy sensor. 4 50kg load cells, an HX711, and a Wemos D1 to make a wifi scale that rests on a bed slat under the boxspring.

Given the placement and weight distribution it doesn't turn the bed into a huge bath scale, but definitely accurate enough to use the deltas to estimate if there is someone in the bed. I can also tell when our 12lb (5.5kg) dog is on the bed.

I have rules in openhab to turn the overhead fan on and off. Also disables some TTS notifications if somebody is in bed.

@mfalkvidd Yeah, I realize I can only use a portion of the strip, or keep it very dim. I actually bought this with the hopes of flashing with Tuya Convert, but turns out they switched to non ESP modules. So, I figured I would make my own.

USB + ESP8266 adapter for W2812B LED strip.

Well, this is actually a Tasmota + Openhab build, but could easily be MySensors.

Also worth noting, this 5m 150 led strip draws too much current to reliably use with a USB wall adapter.

@berkseo Very nice. I wasn't aware that MySensors was working on NRF52840. Any different than the NRF52832 when it comes to flashing bootloader, uploading sketches, or executing code?

@berkseo said in What did you build today (Pictures) ?:

https://youtu.be/kucVWKBBSWk

Looks really good! I like the LED bridge.

@NeverDie Buttons -> Mysensors Gateway -> OpenHab Rules -> Tasmota Switches / Outlets / Extension cords.

I am tempted to explore the BLE route. It seems to support a majority of my sensor use cases, I like the idea of standardizing on the GATT protocol, and there are already a ton of tools and connectors in place.

My super simple NRF51 touch buttons. I mostly use these to toggle overhead lights that I've converted to Tasmota.

With all the NRF52 modules from EBYTE I've tried, the only way I can flash them is over SWDIO, SWCLK, GND, VCC via JLink clone.

And, before flashing is possible, I have to unlock the module by following these directions: https://github.com/micooke/arduino-nRF5-smartwatches/blob/master/nrf52_disable_read_protection.txt

@Joost For the price, this could be a simple way to start
https://www.electrodragon.com/product/atmega328p-arduino-plus-lora-sx1278-board-loraduino/, though it's not exactly what you're asking for.