[Wizza]

Next up I want to look at the BMP280 module (sensor).  The sensors that I ordered came as bare boards again, in that the header pins were not pre-soldered.  

Interesting! My BMP280 board has 6 pins, (all that I saw at the time I ordered it were also 6 pin) the additional 2 being CS and MISO/SDO as the module can use both I2C and SPI modes. By default the address is 0x76 but it can be changed to 0x77 by tying pin 6 to VCC. Alternatively, the address could be changed to 0x76 in the Meduino sketch, Werk_AG??

An example of the module I have is here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMP280-Module-...Sw74FXO7Cx

Can I ask where you got your 4 pin module please Mark - and does it use the 0x77 address??

Allan

Hi Allan,  Trust you are well.   I bought my 280 baro modules from eBay.  Below is the URL for this modules that I bought:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/262384536825 

Not sure about the addressing yet, and will report back once I run them up...

Mark R

[Wizza]

Nice work Wizza!

I take the opportunity to write a little note, specially for those that chose to use the BME280 sensor (not the BMP280).

As the BME280 will also act as your inside Temperature / Humidity sensor, I think its better install it outside of the Pro2 PLUS box, and connect it to the RX board using some wires.

Werk raises a very good point above.  The pictured BME module and header socket on the PCB board in the photos above (Pro2+ assembly) is ok for testing and setup, however once you put your finished RX board into a case/enclosure, you will probably want to move the BME sensor to outside of the enclosure for best environment sensing/readings.

In the past I have used these little black plastic enclosures with great success.  Below is the URL to the cases that I bought on eBay, and I'll be sure to report back and show some more photos once I get to the case build stage.    

eBay Sensor cases:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Black-Cover-f...xyUrZS4fBu


Below is a photo of my last receiver station showing the temp module mounted on the rear in one of these enclosures.

   

[AllanG]

Next up I want to look at the BMP280 module (sensor).  The sensors that I ordered came as bare boards again, in that the header pins were not pre-soldered.  

Interesting! My BMP280 board has 6 pins, (all that I saw at the time I ordered it were also 6 pin) the additional 2 being CS and MISO/SDO as the module can use both I2C and SPI modes. By default the address is 0x76 but it can be changed to 0x77 by tying pin 6 to VCC. Alternatively, the address could be changed to 0x76 in the Meduino sketch, Werk_AG??

An example of the module I have is here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMP280-Module-...Sw74FXO7Cx

Can I ask where you got your 4 pin module please Mark - and does it use the 0x77 address??

Allan

Hi Allan,  Trust you are well.   I bought my 280 baro modules from eBay.  Below is the URL for this modules that I bought:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/262384536825 

Not sure about the addressing yet, and will report back once I run them up...

Mark R

Hi Mark and thanks for the response. Sorry, I've misunderstood, I thought you were using a BMP but the item you have is the BME.

My own build is coming along nicely. I'm waiting for a couple of pcb header connectors to arrive, then should be able to apply power and see what happens....

Allan.

[AllanG]

Interesting! My BMP280 board has 6 pins, (all that I saw at the time I ordered it were also 6 pin) the additional 2 being CS and MISO/SDO as the module can use both I2C and SPI modes. By default the address is 0x76 but it can be changed to 0x77 by tying pin 6 to VCC. Alternatively, the address could be changed to 0x76 in the Meduino sketch, Werk_AG??

Hi AllanG

If the default address of your BMP280 is 0x76 (and it should be), don't worry it will work.
In the unlikely case you need to change the default address, it can only be done in the library (BMP280.h).
If needed PM me.

That's great Werk_AG, thank you. I'm just waiting for a couple of header connectors to arrive and then should be able to power up and see what happens....

Allan

[Wizza]

PRO2+ Power Supply

Just a quick note re the power supply for your Pro2+ receiver.  You will note on the PCB that it states 9V DC power input.  Some of the 'wall-wart' or 'plug-pack' style power supplies are "unregulated" meaning that under no or little load the outlput voltage will float high, and in some cases I have see upwards of 14v and 15v on a so called 9v PSU.  Therefore you want to get yourself a "regulated" 9V DC power supply and it will output a steady 9V supply.

Although the specs on the Mega2560 Pro Mini module say 7 - 12V power input, we need to consider the other modules on the board.  After talking with Werk it seems that the TX modules can burn-out if receiving 12V for too long.

If your not sure about a PSU that you may have sitting around, just check it with a mulitmeter "before" you use it. If you seeing a nice 9v DC reading on your meter, then all good...

As for current draw, it is advised to get at least a 1A PSU, if not larger, to cater for the total current draw on all of the modules and the backlight on the screen.  A 1.5A suppply will be a safe bet, and the one I found at the local Altronics store was 2A, so no worries there.

Altronics PSU - P/N M8925B
http://www.altronics.com.au/p/m8925b-pow...-plugpack/

Mark R

[Wizza]

Pre-Program Testing

Ok, by this stage you should now have your receiver board assembled, you've got your 9V "regulated" power supply and you have checked all of your solder joints under the magi-lamp and also cleaned the dry rosin from the PCB with some Isopropyl Alcohol and a clean tooth brush or similar.

Insert "just" the Mega2560 Pro Mini module (no other modules) and power up the receiver board with your plug-pack. I like to perform a few preliminary checks before I insert my active modules.  Referring to the photo below which shows an easy GND point to use and all of the voltage spots on the board that we are going to check.  

   

If all looks good in the tests above, you should be right to install your Baro module, RTC module, TX and RX modules.  At this stage, since we are now installing the TX module, I like to always have 433MHz antenna fitted ( to the TX SMA connector) from this point forward whenever power is applied.  This is always good "radio" practice and will avoid any chance of the TX module being damaged by not having any load to dump the power into.

[Zack_ster]

Interesting! My BMP280 board has 6 pins, (all that I saw at the time I ordered it were also 6 pin) the additional 2 being CS and MISO/SDO as the module can use both I2C and SPI modes. By default the address is 0x76 but it can be changed to 0x77 by tying pin 6 to VCC. Alternatively, the address could be changed to 0x76 in the Meduino sketch, Werk_AG??

Hi AllanG

If the default address of your BMP280 is 0x76 (and it should be), don't worry it will work.
In the unlikely case you need to change the default address, it can only be done in the library (BMP280.h).
If needed PM me.

Hi AllanG,

Just to confirm Werk's comments above, I have the same 6 pin module as you and I can confirm it works fine and there is no need to tie pin 6 high.

Regards,

Zak

[Wizza]

Software Download and Verify

The very next step you should do is "check for latest WeatherDuino software"..!!!!!!  Go to the following URL and check / download the latest release of WeatherDuino Pro2 PLUS software:

http://www.meteocercal.info/forum/Thread...st-Release 


From the earlier testing (above in this thread) of your Mega2560 Pro Mini module you should already have your IDE software loaded on your computer and know what COM port the module is linked to on your computer.  You should have a folder called "Arduino" located under your "My Documents" folder.  Extract the zipped/compressed download into the folder.  You should now have "My Documents\Arduino\WeatherDuino_Pro2_PLUS".  Browse down to the v1.0 folder and copy the contents of the "Library" folder to your "My Documents\Arduino\Libraries" folder.

Now launch your IDE software and open:

"H:\My Documents\Arduino\WeatherDuino_Pro2_PLUS\v1.0\software\RX software\
        WeatherDuinoPro2Plus_RX_v100_b017\WeatherDuinoPro2Plus_RX_v100_b017.ino" file

Click the "Verify" Button and all should go through with no errors - DON'T UPLOAD JUST YET..!!!!!  

If you got this far with no errors, well done, and next we need to set the "user options" in the WeatherDuino RX software.

[Wizza]

My Pro2+ coming along nicely. It's officially alive..!!!!!

   

[Wizza]

Connecting a 20x4 LCD Screen

For those who wish to connect a 20x4 LCD screen, this process is pretty straight forward.  Simply connect the four (4) pins on the I2C/LCD connector to the corresponding pins on the back of the LCD screen.

Also ensure that you have selected the 20x4 LCD screen in the user options:

// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//   Define your Display type
// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#define DisplayType       1      // 1= LCD 20x4, 3= TFT 320x240 ILI9341

// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------