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cjthomson · 02-07-2017, 16:33

Hi Everyone

I hope you might be able to help me. I've finally gotten round to finishing off and testing my WeatherDuino TX Board (v3.12) and it seems that it is not transmitting at all. The TX LED light's up every few seconds as expected but my RX unit does not detect any signal from it. My RX unit has for the last 12 months been setup to receive data from my Auriol sensors so I know that it's receiver is absolutely fine.

I have tried using my USB RTL SDR dongle and Gqrx software for scanning the RF signals and do not see any transmissions that match moments that the TX LED flashes. I'm only every seeing the transmissions coming from my existing Auriol sensors.

I have limited experience in electronics and wondered if you can give me some pointers as to what to test.

In the TX configuration file I've enabled the debug options and can see that the board is reading from my Davis Wind Vane/Speed sensor and the SHT-31 temperature sensor.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Regards
Chris

hornychz · 02-07-2017, 22:58

Hi,

Could you send some PCB photos (in details, please) to this forum???

werk_ag · 03-07-2017, 02:38

Hi Chris,

Pictures of the TX board will be very helpful, and please add copies of your configuration files (both, RX and TX). Don't forget to omit any personal data as passwords to wifi, etc, etc

cjthomson · 03-07-2017, 07:53

No problem guys, I will get pictures posted this evening when I'm home from work.

cjthomson · 04-07-2017, 21:21

Hi everyone

Sorry for the delay in getting these posted.

Here are the images of my PCB -

This is the config code for the TX unit

Code:
// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

//    WeatherDuino Pro2 Universal TX - Version: 3.1 b002

//           Start of user configurable options 

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

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

//   Define ID and TX unit number

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

#define StationID  0xA1    // Must be equal to your RX Unit (Value from 0x00 to 0xFF)  

#define UnitID        0    // If you use only one TX unit define it as UnitID = 0

                           // For a second TX unit, define it as UnitID = 1

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

//   Define type of Temperature / Humidity sensor used as Sensor 0 and / or Sensor 1

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

#define TH_Sensor0  1      // [SENSOR 0] - 0 for SHT2x sensor, 1 for SHT31 sensor, 2 for HTU21 sensor, 9 for Not Used

#define TH_Sensor1  9      // [SENSOR 1] - 0 for SHT1x sensor, 1 for DHT22 sensor, 9 for Not Used

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

//   Define which Temp / Hum sensor controls the fan, and threshold values

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

#define FanControlSensor  0      // 0 for Sensor 0, 1 for Sensor 1 (which sensor is used to control the RS Fan)

#define fanOn_HiTemp     38      // RS Fan turn on when outside temperature is >= than this value (ºC) 

#define fanOn_LowTemp     2      // RS Fan turn on when outside temperature is <= than this value (ºC) 

#define fanOn_LowWind     1      // RS Fan turn on when Wind Average is <= than this value (m/s)

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

//   Define type of Wind Speed sensor. See below for allowed types

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

/*

 --- Fine Offset Anemometers ---

 Use 1O for standard FO anemometers

 Use 11 for FO anemometer modified with 1 hall effect sensor

 --- Inspeed Anemometers ---

 Use 20 for Inspeed Vortex, digital 8 pulse revolution anemometer

 Use 21 for Inspeed Vortex, hall efect sensor

 Use 22 for Inspeed Vortex, read switch sensor

 --- Davis Anemometers ---

 Use 30 for Davis 6410, 7911 anemometer

 --- Novalynx Anemometers ---

 Use 40 for Novalynx, model 200-WS-02F

 --- Environmental Measurements Limited ---

 Use 50 for EML, model WSD1

 --- Didcot Instrument Company ---

 Use 60 for DIDCOT, model DWR205

*/

#define WSpeedSensor_Type 30             // SEE INFO ABOVE!!!

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

//   Define type of Wind Direction sensor

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

/*

 --- Fine Offset Wind Vane ---

 Use 1O for standard FO wind vane

 --- Inspeed Wind Vane ---

 Use 20 for Inspeed E-Vane 2

 --- Davis Wind Vane ---

 Use 30 for Davis 6410 wind vane

 --- Novalynx Wind Vane

 Use 40 for Novalynx, model 200-WS-02F

 --- Environmental Measurements Limited Wind Vane ---

 Use 50 for EML, model model WSD1

   --- Didcot Instrument Company ---

 Use 60 for DIDCOT, model DWD205

*/

#define WDirSensor_Type  30  // SEE INFO ABOVE!!!

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

//          Inspeed Vane Calibration

//    Calibration values for Inspeed E-Vane 2

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

#define WDir_min         60

#define WDir_max        990

#define WDir_offs         0

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

//   Define Rain Gauge tip boucket value (mm)

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

/*

  Use 0.280 for standard FineOfset rain gauges (Datasheet value = 0.2794)

  Use 0.200 for standard metric Davis rain gauges

  Use 0.254 for standard imperial Davis rain gauges

*/  

#define COLLECTOR_TYPE  0.280  // Please note: Values must be in metric units. Max. resolution: 3 decimal digits

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

//   Define type of UV Sensor

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

#define UV_Sensor  9      // 0= UVM-30A, 1= VEML6075, 9= Not used

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

//   Soil / Leaf Interface Enable Disable

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

#define SoilLeaf_Interface     0   // 0 = Soil Leaf Interface not used, 1 = Enable Soil Leaf Interface

#define Number_AnalogSensors   2   // Up to 4 analog sensors

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

//   Define which data this unit will send. 0 = Not send this data, 1= Send this data 

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

#define ID0  1  // Temp/Hum Data 

#define ID1  0   // Not Used

#define ID2  1   // Wind data

#define ID3  0   // Rain data

#define ID4  0   // SolRad / UV data

#define ID5  1   // Hardware Status - System Temp, Battery Voltage etc

#define ID7  0   // Send Soil & Leaf Temperature Data

#define ID9  0   // Send Soil & Leaf Moisture / Wetness Data

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

//   Hardware settings 

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

// SHT31 I2c Address

// Default address will work most of the times!

#define SHT31_address 0x44           // Default value is 0x44, but it can be changed to 0x45 

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

//   Debug

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

#define Debug_Enable      true

#define DebugID0          true

#define DebugID2          true

#define DebugID3          false

#define DebugID4          false

#define DebugID5          true

#define Easyweather_Test  false

#define Debug_SLinterface true

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

//     End of user configurable options

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

Here is the code for the RX unit

Code:
// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

//  WeatherDuino Pro2 RF Receiver - Version: 2.10 b002

//             User configurable options 

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

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

//   Define ID's for this weather station

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

#define Station_ID     0xA1   // Station_ID, use the same value in all TX units

#define Relay_ID       0xA3   // Relay_ID,   use the same value in all WD units

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

//   Define your Weather Station location

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

#define LATITUDE      0    // Put here your Station latitude in tenths of degrees North

#define LONGITUDE     0    // Put here your Station longitude in tenths of degrees (minus for West)

#define ELEVATION     28    // Put here your Station height above sea level in Meters

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

//   Define Roll Over Hour for Meteorological Day

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

#define MeteoDay_HStart   0   // Use values from 0 to 23

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

//   Define Software Operation Mode

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

#define Work_Mode         0   // Mode 0= Davis VP2 Emulation Mode, Mode 1= EasyWeather Mode

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

//   Define your Display type

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

#define DisplayType       0   // 0= LCD 20x4, 2= LCD 16x2

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

//   Define Display Backlight TimeOut

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

// ---- For old RX boards, version <= 3.01 always set this value to 0

const byte  BackLight_Timeout =  30;   // Timeout for display backlight in minutes (1 to 255). 0 = Always ON 

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

//   Define data display units

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

#define Date_Time_Format    0    // 0 for dd-mm-yyyy, 1 for yyyy/mm/dd

#define Temp_Display_Unit   0    // 0 for ºC, 1 for ºF

#define ATM_Display_Unit    0    // 0 for mBar, 1 for inHg

#define Rain_Display_Unit   0    // 0 for mm (no other options)

#define Wind_Display_Unit   1    // 0 for Km/h, 1 for mph, 2 for m/s, 3 for Knots

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

//   Fine adjusts for Inside Temperature and Barometer

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

const int   TemperaturaInt_offset = 0;   // Inside Temperature Fine Adjust in Tenths of Degree (-4 = -0,4ºC) 

const float SeaLevel_ATM_offset   = 0;   // Pressure Fine Adjust in mB

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

//   Define Wind Speed and Wind Gust resolution

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

#define VP2_WindRes     2    // If set to 2, set Cumulus Wind Speed and Wind Gust multipliers to 0.448. Wind Resolution 0.72 Km/h (limite 183.6 Km/h)

                             // If set to 1, set Cumulus Wind Speed and Wind Gust multipliers to 0.224. Wind Resolution 0.36 Km/h (limite 91.8 Km/h)

                             // WARNING !!! Setting this variable to 1 allows a better wind speed and gust resolution,

                             // but also limits both of them, to a maximum reading of just 91.8 Km/h

                             // This setting only have effect when the software is used in Davis VP2 emulation mode

                             // If set to 0, system uses Standard Davis 1 mph wind resolution (limite 241 Km/h).

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

//   Define use of Wind Gust Spike prevention routines

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

#define WindSpikeControl 1   // 0= Disable, 1= Enable

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

//   Define the type of your inside Temperature / Humidity Sensor

//   * Auriol users can't use the SHT31 sensor 

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

#define InsideTH_Sensor  1   // 0= DHT22, 1= HTU21D, 2= SHT21, 3*= SHT31

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

//   Define the type of your outside Temperature / Humidity Sensor

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

#define MainOutTH_Sensor 0   // 0 for sensor type SHT31, SHT2x or HTU21D, 1 for sensor type SHT1x or DHT22 (Always 0 when working with Auriol and clones)

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

//   Define the source of your main outside sensors

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

// ---- If you have all the sensors connected to only one TX board, always select Unit 0 as source

// ---- Define the source of your main Temperature / Humidity sensor

#define TH_OutUnit       0   // 0 for Temp/Hum sensor connected to TX_Unit 0, 1 for Temp/Hum sensor connected to TX_Unit 1, 3 for Auriol RF Wind Speed

// ---- Define the source of your Main Wind sensor

#define WIND_OutUnit     0  // 0 for Wind instruments connected to TX_Unit 0, 1 for TX_Unit 1, 3 for Auriol RF Wind Dir 

// ---- Define the source of your main Rain Gauge

#define RAIN_OutUnit     3   // 0 for Rain Gauge connected to TX_Unit 0, 1 for TX_Unit 1, 3 for Auriol RF Rain Gauge

// ---- Define the source of your main Solar / UV sensores

#define SRUV_OutUnit     9   // 0 for Solar Rad / UV sensors connected to TX_Unit 0, 1 for TX_Unit1, 9 for not used

// ---- Define installed Solar / UV Sensors

// ---- Define type of Solar Radiation / UV Sensors

#define Solar_Sensor     0   // 0 not used, 1= Solar Cell "Pyranometer", 2= Apogee SP-110 Self-Powered Pyranometer

#define UV_Sensor        0   // 0 not used, 1= UVM-30A, 2= Reserved, 3= Reserved 

#define UV_Transmission 70   // UV Transmission percentage of UV sensor cover material

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

//   Extra Sensors Settings and Mapping

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

// ---- Define the TX source and sensor number of each of the five extra sensors, insert 9 if not used.

// ---- Source 0 means TX unit0, 1 means TX unit1... (sensor type SHT21 or HTU21D is number 0, sensor type SHT1x or DHT22 is number 1)

// ---- First field is Source = TX unit number, Second field = Sensor number (0 or 1) in the TX unit

// ---- Example:

// ----                          ES0   ES1   ES2   ES3   ES4   ES5   ES6     

//#define ExtraSensors_Source { {0,1},{1,0},{9,9},{9,9},{9,9},{9,9},{9,9} }

//                              {0,1} - First extra sensor, is sensor 1 from TX unit0

//                                    {1,0} - Second extra sensor, is sensor 0 from TX unit1            

//-----                        ES1   ES2   ES3   ES4   ES5

#define ExtraSensors_Source { {9,9},{9,9},{9,9},{9,9},{9,9} }

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

//   ADVANCED FEATURE - Soil / Leaf Interface Settings

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

#define SoilLeaf_Interface 0  // 0= Not used, 1= In use

// ---- Soil & Leaf Sensors Mapping

// ---- Use the same logic than for Extra Sensors

// ---- As source use the TX Unit number where the Soil / Leaf is connected 

// ---- For an unused sensor use 9 in both fields

//                                 S1    S2    S3    S4

#define SoilTempSensors_Source  { {9,9},{9,9},{9,9},{9,9} }

#define LeafTempSensors_Source  { {9,9},{9,9},{9,9},{9,9} }

#define SoilMoistSensors_Source { {9,9},{9,9},{9,9},{9,9} }

#define LeafWetSensors_Source   { {9,9},{9,9},{9,9},{9,9} }

// Define VWC calculation method

// Method 1 applies only for VH400 soil moisture sensor

//

// METHOD 1 - Conversion from voltage to VWC (volumetric water content) is done using the piecewise regressions provided by the manufacturer 

// at http://www.vegetronix.com/Products/VH400/VH400-Piecewise-Curve.phtml 

//

// METHOD 2 - Used for any sensor which have a linear output between voltage and VWC (0V=0VWC, maxV=100VWC) .

#define VWC_CalcMethod 1    // Use 1 or 2

// Max and Min output voltage of the analog sensors connected to Soil / Leaf Interface

// Default value for Decagon Devices LWS Leaf Wetness Sensor (5V power): Max. Output Voltage - 1400mV (max wetness), Min Output Voltage - 530mV (dry)

//                                                  ADC1  ADC2  ADC3  ADC4  

const unsigned int AnalogSensor_MaxVoltOut[4]   = { 3000, 1400, 5000, 5000 };    // Values in miliVolt

const unsigned int AnalogSensor_MinVoltOut[4]   = {    0,  530,    0,    0 };

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

//   Enable / Disable Relay Data to Wireless Display Units  (Don't enable without an antenna attached to RF output)

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

#define Relay_Data       0   // 0= Disable, 1= Enable

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

//   Davis compatible Data Logger Settings

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

#define Logger_Enable    1   // 0= Disable, 1= Enable

byte ARCHIVE_PERIOD  =   5;  // Default Archive Period in Minutes (Usable values: 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 or 120)

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

//   Enable / Disable GPO - General Purpose Output (on boards <= v5.xx use Led+, Led- pins)

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

#define UseGPO           0   // 0=Disable, 1= Enable

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

//   Test Mode : Never run a live system in test mode 

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

#define TestMode    false   // false or true

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

//   Hardware settings 

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

// ---- Define your RX board, main version number

#define Board_Version    6     // 6 for all RX boards v6.xx, 5 for all RX boards v5.xx, 4 for all RX boards v4.xx

// ---- Define LCD I2C address 

// Only change this if your LCD don't display any data. I2C_Scanner utility may help you to find the address of your LCD display

// Default address will work most of the times!

#define LCD_I2C_Address 0x27   

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

//   Presure Sensor Address (no need to change)

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

//#define BMP085_ADDRESS 0x77    // I2C address of BMP085 or BMP180

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

//   SHT31 I2C Address - Default address will work most of the times!

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

#define SHT31_address 0x44       // Default value is 0x44, but it can be changed to 0x45

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

//     End of user configurable options

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

I hope the photos are detailed enough.
Thanks
Chris

werk_ag · 04-07-2017, 23:28

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the pictures and config files, I don't see anything wrong on the configuration.
If the TX LED lights up every few seconds, this means the TX module is being powered correctly, however if you can't see any signal with the SDR dongle this may indicate that the TX module isn't working. Also check if the TX module is the 433Mhz model, some times sellers send 315Mhz versions.
By the pictures, it also seems that the Ant pin is not completely welded, could you check that?
If you have a spare module try changing it, if you have to buy another TX module, try this ones:

Your and the one above, usually have the same reference, but I suspect that those new KXD10036 doesn't work very well when powered by more than 5V, despite the sellers say they can be powered to up to 12V.

cjthomson · 05-07-2017, 22:58

I have good news! The cause of the problem has been found and fixed and the TX unit is definitely working Smile

I asked one of my colleagues to take a look at it for his opinion, he did a continuity test on the 9V pin on the transmitter module and found there was no power getting to it. On closer inspection it looked like the solder hadn't flowed properly so he kindly re-soldered the transmitter. If I use my SDR dongle I can see a transmission every five seconds and my RX unit is now receiving data from the TX unit.

I should have checked that first before coming on here for help but thank you for your time anyway.

When I get back from my holiday I hope to install a solar panel on my garden shed and setup the new weather instruments, charge controller and battery and start using the TX unit.

Chris

hornychz · 05-07-2017, 23:03

Congratulations! Smile

werk_ag · 06-07-2017, 04:20

(05-07-2017, 22:58)cjthomson Wrote: I should have checked that first before coming on here for help but thank you for your time anyway.

You did the right thing. The forum is here to try to help when people have problems.

I'm glad to know that your TX unit is now working.
Thanks to you, now we all know that those new KXD10036 modules work.

Thank you.

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