Hello,

few days ago I accidentally came across mysensors (how is it that I did not find it earlier as I am looking into rpi, arduino and home automation for about 2 years?) and I was exited from the first moment . For some time now I was working on several small sensors for my home but did not really like any of the solutions I met so far - my idea was ethernet + poe + rest api + simple progressive mobile UI. Closest I got was arduino pro mini with W5500 + 5V poe splitter + custom sketch using webduino to provide REST API + mozilla iot gateway.

I had (nearly) finished the HW for my window/door reed switches. But I got into trouble with REST API + mozilla iot gateway. Testing the REST API worked ok from browser but somehow the mozilla iot gateway was unable to load all the presented switches reliably. I have to say that until this problem I had quite a good experience with it - I had it connected to few thermometers and relays to operate heating.

I saw the sample sketches for mysensors + mycontroller.org and it "just clicked" to my idea. I edited the sketch and installed mycontroller and successfully tested both Ethernet Gateway and MQTT Gateway in few hours. I think I will stick with MQTT for more compatibility (I did not find any description about the mysensors communication protocol so I have no idea how standardized it is).

So I want to share my HW + say thanks for the great project!

Designed to be powered over usb micro (so it can run without poe) as these chargers are everywhere now.

The barrel connector is temporary until I modify the poe splitter output to usb micro.

Sample connection - I have such reed switches installed in my windows and doors.

Of course I will be happy for any constructive criticism and suggestions (I do not have any education in electronics so try not to be very harsh about my circuit design and soldering though ).

Prototype of room sensor for stardard electric box

• arduino pro mini 3.3V
• sx1276 radio
• bme680
• 2x1.5V AA battery holder
• battery measuring circuit according to https://www.mysensors.org/build/battery
• ABB Tango cover (drilled)

Cover is not fully closed to allow air circulation. But I would preffer some method to drill holes/grill into it - any tips to get decent looking result?

Hello

(brainstorming)

If you have the "original choice selector" you can tap to each wire and see what happens over individual wires when you press each button. An then simulate this from MCU (like arduino).

Or open the "original choice selector" and connect wires to the existing buttons. (That will probably void warranty.) That wires then you can connect to some MCU and "push" the buttons programmatically.

Tomas

I would like to thank everyone for suggestions and comments.

I did 3 quick tests with two SX1276 based chips (868MHz LoRa) I already had.

I made simple 5V poe powered mysensors mqtt gateway with arduino pro mini 3.3V, W5500 lite and SX1276 radio

Simple 9V battery powered mysensors passive node with arduino pro mini 3.3V, BME680 (for some reason the sensor does not work when connected over SPI with the radio module at the same time - I have to investigate that ) and SX1276 radio

First test was inside house - I placed the node inside the freezer on the opposite side of house (approx 15m from gw) with concrete ceiling between. All messages were delivered.

Second test was outside the house - I placed the node under the beehives (approx 50m from gw). All messages were delivered.

Third test was also outside the house - I placed the node at the end of our property (approx 140m from gw). But no message was delivered.

I expected 140m would not be problem for LoRa chip but I think this may be improved with some antenna fiddling. But overall I am very happy with the results. So my current decision is to go with this setup but to use 2 or 3 1.5V AA batteries instead of 9V.

Hello, also beginner here so take my advice with some reserve.

1 - It seems to me that your ethernet connection does not work - https://www.mysensors.org/apidocs/group__MyGatewayTransportgrp.html

17:21:06.386 -> 2580 !GWT:TIN:ETH FAIL

Can you ping the gateway?

2 - I am also using openHab but with MQTT gateway and MQTT binding as I did not find mysensors binding in the official list. But there is no autodiscovery - but I prefer to configure it manually anyway.

MYS PoE MQTT Gateway with 868Mhz LoRa radio in IP55 85mm x 85mm box

• arduino pro mini 3.3V clone
• SX1276 with spring antenna
• W5500 lite
• 5V 802.3at power over ethernet splitter (gutted)
• SPELSBERG IP55 box

@frits Cool! So you already had this?

I was exactly thinking of using most simple HTTP server example from Arduino examples (although you have it nicely dynamic using the defines etc.). But I was not sure if it would not interfere with mysensors library in some way or if maybe mysensors already had such functionality build-in (because if I remember correctly Ethernet gateway return some data to browser of you call the 5003 port).

Does anyone know if it would be possible to add static information that would be available over HTTP (default port 80)?

My idea is to put some kind of description/useful information in the MQTT GW itself. So in case Controller fails. There is some information resource what is the purpose, functionality and how to use it in some limited/emergency way eg. from phone or any computer.

EDIT: Thinking of it - it might also provide some kind of configuration interface...

Looks the same to me (5V, only 4 relays) except this is controlled by some app over wifi.

Honestly I am not a person that can give you 100% working solution. Only ideas. I am a beginner myself.

If I were you I would buy the dispenser, create the extension cord, measure with multi-meter what is happening over the wires when you press individual buttons and try to simulate this. I think if you manage to simulate it manually then you will be able to build some more sophisticated remote control. (The last module you linked would be cool that you could dispense it using voice command. Like "Alexa, rum please! :)" )

And seriously what is with the joystick?

I am not sure the relay will work you need to test that first.

But if yes then I think it should work in the "Momentary" mode. But:

• you probably need 6 relays
• this is infrared so you will need line of sight with the controller
• and this module runs on 5V not 12V

According to the following picture there seems to be RJ45 connector.

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-cznxq08r7/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/3940/8899/sidebar-010__28625.1591116709.jpg

So you could create RJ45 socket -> RJ45 connector cable to get in the middle without cutting anything. From there you could easily measure whats happening on the wires and maybe then simulate this with MCU.

• Is there any connector with which the "original choice selector" is connected to the pump unit? Maybe you could create some extension without cutting the original cable.

• Joystick seems like a strange controller to me. What is the whole idea you want to achieve with this system?

• Most of the Arduinos can be powered with 12V.

• If attaching to the buttons you could use relays to close the circuit and simulate the button press.

• Do you plan to keep the "original choice selector" or replace it ?

Hello

(brainstorming)

If you have the "original choice selector" you can tap to each wire and see what happens over individual wires when you press each button. An then simulate this from MCU (like arduino).

Or open the "original choice selector" and connect wires to the existing buttons. (That will probably void warranty.) That wires then you can connect to some MCU and "push" the buttons programmatically.

Tomas

@sundberg84 Really like the shape and look of the PCB! I hope I can achieve similar result for my room sensor.

I would like to ask about the radio module connection - I am using SX1276 and I connect it the same way as described by @sundberg84 said in Connecting the Radio except I additionally connect also RST (NRESET) pin according to this https://github.com/sandeepmistry/arduino-LoRa/blob/master/README.md#semtech-sx1276777879-wiring

Is it necessary?

Thanks

Prototype of room sensor for stardard electric box

• arduino pro mini 3.3V
• sx1276 radio
• bme680
• 2x1.5V AA battery holder
• battery measuring circuit according to https://www.mysensors.org/build/battery
• ABB Tango cover (drilled)

Cover is not fully closed to allow air circulation. But I would preffer some method to drill holes/grill into it - any tips to get decent looking result?