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    qqlapraline

    @qqlapraline

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    Best posts made by qqlapraline

    • RE: Low power Distance Sensor - Hardware issues

      Here is the schematics (freshly made for you :))
      0_1496348113224_upload-8af864a8-ed84-400a-ad21-5adc67c72da4

      And here the part list:

      • Arduino pro mini (3.3v with BOD disabled) or Sensebender Micro
      • Ultrasonic sensor: ME007-ULS (available here)
      • NRF24L01+ (I use the PA - LNA version for long range communication)
      • NPN Transistor: BC548 (the B version if prefered)
      • Base resistor: 1k
      • 3.3V Step-up Voltage regulator: NCP1402 (available here)
      • Logic Level Converter (available here๐Ÿ˜ž it says 3.3/5 but actually it's any to any voltage.
      • Waterproof case (available here)

      And finally here is my code (not cleaned, sorry).
      0_1496348693347_DistanceSensebenderMicro.ino
      And the Eagle SCH
      0_1496348714531_Low power Distance Sensor.sch

      And now, I realize that it may have been wise to upload that to openhardware.io ๐Ÿ™‚

      Regards,

      QQ.

      ME007-ULS V1 Waterproof Ultrasonic Sensor Module Measuring Range 25cm-8m

      $12.38
      Sold out

      Pololu 3.3V Step-Up Spannungsregler NCP1402

      $7.84
      167 available
      posted in Hardware
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • Pellet burner Monitoring

      I'm following-up on this thread Sensor for pellet burner.
      On my side, I have started to monitor my pellet burner about 1-year ago.
      I'm measuring global power consumption of the boiler as well as departure and return temperature of the heating circuit.
      Even though, I do that since one year only, I've been thinking about how to monitor pellet consumption for at least 5 years (yeah, failure is an option ๐Ÿ™‚ ).
      What I have tested:

      • IR sensor on the fan of the pellet convoying motor: it failed because it was too far
      • Magnetic sensor on this same fan: same failure for the same reason
      • Vibration sensor: the heater vibrates ...all the time ๐Ÿ™‚

      Now, I'm about to test something quite simple: mains presence at the convoying motor. This one is quite easy (I will show you how) to design and relates quite easily to the pellet consumption: 1 second equals x grams of pellet.

      How do I know the time mains are activating the motor ? Well, a zero-crossing detector.
      0_1515932396714_b2440fa1-25f0-40fc-a390-e7f030ba09a7-image.png

      Beware, main resistance values are key: they depend on mains value, optocoupler characteristics and ..their power. Using the displayed value (56k) will keep the power under 1/4W. The optocoupler is a LTV-814 (cheap and efficient !).

      Here is a quick schema of such a detector. I will keep you posted with the results.

      Hope my experience will help others.

      QQ.

      posted in General Discussion
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Low power Distance Sensor - Hardware issues

      Oh, for whom is interested, here is a (very very bad) schema of the setup ๐Ÿ™‚

      0_1477256371969_SenseBender - Distance Sensor 2.png

      posted in Hardware
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Low power Distance Sensor - Hardware issues

      The finale update !
      After numerous tests (using used batteries, adapted software and a lot of patience), it appears that the step up booster was not working under a certain voltage (around 2.7v).
      Futhermore, the sleep time before distance measure was very variable.

      I have questionned myself a lot and finally, my doubts went to the capacity of the Arduino to feed the dc-dc converter with enough current.
      To fix this issue, I have used a BC548B transistor with a base resistor of 1K to drive the step-up converter. And, miracle, it works !
      My finale test was with a set of used batteries delivering 2 V !

      Now, I have a sensor that tests distance, temp/hum and battery level every 15 minutes. The average power consumption is 55 ยตA (25 ยตA during sleep time and 15 mA for 1 second during measures).

      QQ.

      posted in Hardware
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Sensebender Micro - Abnormal power consumption

      I've found it...Yep, several months later, I've found it.
      Actually, there were some ghost connections. I have cleaned the different soldering flows using an Exacto. Furthermore, I have re-done the connection (to the NRF and the batteries) using a pump...
      And...tadah ! now the sleep current consumption is around 25ยตA.

      ๐Ÿ˜‰

      posted in Hardware
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Distance / Time measure and clock tuning

      Well, I've adapted the NewPing library in order to handle different clocks (using inline definition of millis(), micros(), ...) and....it works perfectly !
      Now I have a low power, low clock ultrasonic sensor that will last for years on a set of 2 AA batteries.
      If I'm not too busy, I might packed it up and publish it ๐Ÿ™‚

      QQ.

      posted in Development
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Low power Distance Sensor - Hardware issues

      A quick update on this topic.
      I have pimped it up using a ME-007 ULS sensor. This one is waterproof, more acurate and can measure longer distances (up to 8 meters).
      After some issues related to delay between measures, it works like a charm.

      posted in Hardware
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • Domoticz full integration

      It is a popular request (just make a search on the forum to be sure..): Domoticz full integration !
      Let's go further python/lua scripts with dummy sensors.

      Regards,

      QQ.

      posted in Feature Requests
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Distance / Time measure and clock tuning

      I will publish my voltage curve once I get enough history.

      And yes, I do shut down the sensor (and the booster, and the logic level adapter) between measures ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Qq.

      posted in Development
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Pellet burner Monitoring

      With please. Here is a global schema of the pellet burner:
      0_1515945785318_02f852a5-91a8-40f2-a1c7-fdb98d8cb25f-image.png

      I have circled the part displaying the beginning of the pellet conveyor and the motor.

      posted in General Discussion
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline

    Latest posts made by qqlapraline

    • RE: Low power Distance Sensor - Hardware issues

      Great, @peerv !
      That's a very good idea.
      Do you have reasonable power consumption ?

      posted in Hardware
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Low power Distance Sensor - Hardware issues

      @chbla, I'm quite puzzled.
      As it works on the breadboard, of course, I would chase for bad soldering. For instance, the mosfet gate controled by pin 7.

      Any picture of the arduino pro mini ?

      posted in Hardware
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Low power Distance Sensor - Hardware issues

      @chbla, you are right. As mentionned on the schema, it should be connected to GNDT (the triggered GND). And now I do understand your point.

      posted in Hardware
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Low power Distance Sensor - Hardware issues

      @chbla well, yes. As the level adapter AND the booster are triggered only when needed (during the measure time), I don't see where it closes the loop.
      By maybe I misunderstand something. Where do you loose some current ? The trigger pin from the HC-SR04 ?

      QQ.

      posted in Hardware
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Pellet burner Monitoring

      Yep ! And that's why it's fun ! ๐Ÿ™‚
      But my zc detector will work too. My first tests are OK ๐Ÿ™‚

      QQ.

      posted in General Discussion
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Pellet burner Monitoring

      @zboblamont : it's not exposed under the tank and totally shrouded on the boiler side

      @gohan: right, by I really don't want to touch the wires. And neutral and phase are inside a single cable with not enough space to put a clamp..;)

      posted in General Discussion
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Low power Distance Sensor - Hardware issues

      From my experience, the transistor (or mosfet) is key to allow enough current to the DC-DC booster. Otherwise, it will not provide the appropriate voltage because max current getting out of a digital pin from Arduino is around 40 mA.

      QQ.

      posted in Hardware
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Pellet burner Monitoring

      @Nca78, actually, I did not want to touch the existing cables to avoid any claim from the maintenance guy ๐Ÿ˜‰ And as I could not access one single wire, I had to find another way. Interesting enough, using the existing connecting screws was easier.

      @zboblamont: the picture is quite not clear but the motor is very well protected to avoid any mechanical injury. And, probably as a consequence, there is not detectable magnetic field coming out of it.

      @bjacobse: I have considered this as well (as well as some kind of a gauge based on pressure or anything else in the tank). But, unfortunatly, as this is a 7 tons / 11 m3 pellet tank, it is filled by a truck blowing pellets into it....making the life of the ultrasonic sensor really not long ๐Ÿ™‚
      Furthermore, ultrasonic sensor would be good to measure a level with a very large error margin. With my sensor, I will be close to a 1-gram quantum...measuring the current consumption very accurately.
      For the story of it, I already have a way to measure pellet consumption in a rough approximation: but weighting the ashes ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚

      QQ.

      posted in General Discussion
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • RE: Pellet burner Monitoring

      With please. Here is a global schema of the pellet burner:
      0_1515945785318_02f852a5-91a8-40f2-a1c7-fdb98d8cb25f-image.png

      I have circled the part displaying the beginning of the pellet conveyor and the motor.

      posted in General Discussion
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline
    • Pellet burner Monitoring

      I'm following-up on this thread Sensor for pellet burner.
      On my side, I have started to monitor my pellet burner about 1-year ago.
      I'm measuring global power consumption of the boiler as well as departure and return temperature of the heating circuit.
      Even though, I do that since one year only, I've been thinking about how to monitor pellet consumption for at least 5 years (yeah, failure is an option ๐Ÿ™‚ ).
      What I have tested:

      • IR sensor on the fan of the pellet convoying motor: it failed because it was too far
      • Magnetic sensor on this same fan: same failure for the same reason
      • Vibration sensor: the heater vibrates ...all the time ๐Ÿ™‚

      Now, I'm about to test something quite simple: mains presence at the convoying motor. This one is quite easy (I will show you how) to design and relates quite easily to the pellet consumption: 1 second equals x grams of pellet.

      How do I know the time mains are activating the motor ? Well, a zero-crossing detector.
      0_1515932396714_b2440fa1-25f0-40fc-a390-e7f030ba09a7-image.png

      Beware, main resistance values are key: they depend on mains value, optocoupler characteristics and ..their power. Using the displayed value (56k) will keep the power under 1/4W. The optocoupler is a LTV-814 (cheap and efficient !).

      Here is a quick schema of such a detector. I will keep you posted with the results.

      Hope my experience will help others.

      QQ.

      posted in General Discussion
      qqlapraline
      qqlapraline