Earlier, I wrote some posts on a Capacitive Soil Humidity sensor, Two years down the line this still functions well.
However, a recent video of Andreas Spiess, presented a rather interesting capacitive soil sensor that works according to a somewhat different principle
My earlier sensor was an oscillator in which the soil sensor formed the capacitor determining the frequency of the oscillator. This frequency was subsequently measured with PulseIn The sensor that Andreas touched upon does it different: There is a fixed frequency oscillator, built with a 555. The square wave generated is then fed to the sensor that -as we know- is in fact a capacitor. To a square wave signal that capacitor however has a certain reactance, or for arguments sake a resistance that forms a voltage divider with a pure ohm type resistor (the 10k one on pin 3). The wetter the soil, the higher the capacitance of the sensor, the smaller the reactance to the square wave, the lower the voltage on the signal line.
The voltage on the signal pin -that can be measured by an analog pin on the Arduino‐ is thus a representation of the humidity in the soil.
Sadly some of the sensors sold come with some problems.
Some have an NE555 (4.5-16V) rather than the TLC555 (needs 2-15V) you will need to remove the voltage regulator. If you have a board with an NE555, you will not be able to use it with an ESP8266 or ESP32. Version V1.2 should have the voltage regulator and a TLC555. It runs at 1.5MHz with a 34%duty cycle.
The 1 M resistor (R4 picture below) is not connected to ground. Easiest solution here is to add a 1M resistor over Aout and ground pins
It is possible to modify these sensors to get a frequency output. Basically it involves picking up the signal from pin3 of the 555. This guy explains how.
Contrary to the ESP8266 or the Arduino, the Raspberry Pi has no analog ports. In order to measure analog values, you can add an ADC. These usually are driven by the I2C port or by SPI.
If however you only need to measure one analog value with a variable resistor sensor, there is a quick and easy way to do that without adding an ADC converter on your I2C. But, it will still cost you two pins.
If you take a look at the picture, the working appears pretty simple: The Charge pin, when made HIGH starts charging the 100nF capacitor through the NTC. When at a certain time the voltage over the 100nF capacitor is high enough to be seen as a HIGH by the Raspberry, the ‘measure pin’ gets set from LOW (in fact from Zero) to HIGH. The time it takes from the start of the charge till the measure pin goes to HIGH is then a time value that is a measure for the value of the NTC. It is only influenced by the value of the NTC. When we feed a Raspberry with 3.3 Volt, a HIGH on a pin means a minimum of 1.6 Volt, so in fact we are measuring the time it takes to charge a capacitor from zero to 1.6 Volt. The 1k resistor is just a safety precaution to prevent too much current coming from the capacitor when it is discharged.
It is paramount that the measurement is always taken from the same starting position, meaning an empty capacitor. The measurement procedure thus looks like this:
Empty capacitor
Start charging capacitor
Start timer
Wait till capacitor is HIGH
Read timer
to decharge the capacitor we can use the measuring pin.
Fortunately very often someone already has written a code that can be used and in this case it was SimonMonk
import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time
# declare GPIO mode
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
# define GPIO pins with variables charge_pin and measure_pin
# 18=chargepin 23=measure
charge_pin=18
measure_pin =
# discharge the capacitor
def discharge():
GPIO.setup(charge_pin, GPIO.IN) #stop charging
GPIO.setup(measure_pin, GPIO.OUT) #make the measure pin an output
GPIO.output(measure_pin, False) # set it low to discharge the capacitor
time.sleep(0.005)
def charge_time():
GPIO.setup(measure_pin, GPIO.IN)
GPIO.setup(charge_pin, GPIO.OUT)
count = 0
GPIO.output(charge_pin, True) #start charging the capacitor
while not GPIO.input(measure_pin): #wait till the pin goes HIGH
count = count +1
return count
def analog_read():
discharge()
return charge_time()
# loop to display analog data count
while True:
print(analog_read())
time.sleep(1)
Driving a 4 channel relay board with ESP8266-01 through MQTT or Webserver
In a previous post I discussed making a WiFi relay inspired by the trouble Ralph Bacon had with a single relayboard from Aliexpress. Given the fact that the Sonoff SV is relatively cheap (don’t forget the shipping cost though), and the WiFi relay at AliExpress even cheaper, it is a nickle and dime question whether it is wise to DIY such a project yourself. However, if you already have an unused ESP8266-01 and a relay lying around, basically all you need are some DuPont cables to connect the two (as shown in my previous post).
It becomes more interesting to use all 4 pins of an idle lying ESP8266-01 and add a 4 channel relay board.
The ESP8266-01 however is a bit particular with the pins it has,as two of the 4 I/O pins are the pins that need to be pulled HIGH on startup whereas the remaining two pins are the UART. Those UART pins can be used as GPIO, but the problem is that they do not know that, they need to be told that they are no longer UART but in fact GPIO. We do that with a special pinMode command (more about that later).
The relayboard I had in mind is a bit peculiar. I discussed the full workings of this board in an earlier post.
For now however suffice to say the inputs need an active LOW to close the relays, while in rest, the inputs are HIGH.
That is in fact quite handy when using an ESP8266-01, as two of the 4 pins, GPIO0 and GPIO2, need to be pulled high on start-up, something this circuit actually does. It is necessary though to feed the board, including the optocoupler with 5Volt. The connections between the ESP8266-01 and the relay board are made as follows:
If you are using a different relay board that does not have it’s inputs pulled high in rest and you are using the ‘old’ ESP8266 module, then you need to add 10k pull-ups on GPIO 0 and GPIO2. Not necessary if you are using the ESP8266-01S.
A reminder: the relayboard needs 5Volt and the ESP-01 needs 3.3Volt. You could use an LDO like the AMS1117 3.3 to drop the 5Volt to 3.3 however,do not connect the two Vcc’s directly. Wait, let me emphasize that: DO NOT CONNECT THE Vcc OF THE ESP TO THE VCC OF THE RELAY BORD, JUST DONT!!!!
The full boardThe ESP8266-01 adapter board
Finally, put it in a nice enclosure
4 Channel relay housing
Software
MQTT
For theMQTT program I followed the structure that is used by computourist with regard to the use of MQTT messages.
The idea behind that is that commands going from MQTT broker to the node are called ‘southbound’ (‘sb’), while the ones going to the broker (so usually the ‘ state’) are called ‘northbound’ (‘nb’). (with ‘southbound being a command and northbound being the status). The specific functions in the node are addressed as numbered devices.
This has advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage being that you get codes like: “home/sb/node01/dev17” rather than something like: “home/cmd/wifirelay/relay1“.
Also the handling of the incoming MQTT is bound to a specified length, so altering it needs to be done with some consideration.
The advantages are that the handling of the code is easier and in fact extending the code with more functions is fairly easy.
What happens in fact is that once a subscribed MQTT code comes in, it is stripped to a its last two digits. These digits define the function it fulfills.
The Payload can be “ON”, “OFF”, “READ”, or a number, depending on the function chosen. The “READ” payload reads and returns the state of the specific function (‘device’) that is being read. Some ‘devices’ -as for instance the IP number or the MAC address, can only be read and not ‘set’.
The full list of devices is as follows:
00 uptime: read uptime in minutes
01 interval: read/set transmission interval for push messages
02 RSSI: read WiFi signal strength
03 version: read software version
05 ACK: read/set acknowledge message after a ‘set’ request
16 read/set relay1 output
17 read set relay2 output
18 read set relay3 output
19 read set relay4 output
92 error: tx only: device not supported
91 error: tx only: syntax error
99 wakeup: tx only: first message sent on node startup
As I mentioned earlier, the UART pins need to be told that they should behave like GPIO pins. That can be done with the statement:
pinMode(1,FUNCTION_3);
pinMode(3,FUNCTION_3);
However, this will not work when there are any hardware serial statements left (such as Serial.print, Serial.begin).
Also, the device will not boot if you happen to pull pin 1 (Tx) down.
So in order to control the relays from e.g. OpenHAB, this is what you add to your itemsfile:
Switch rel1 "WiFi relay 1 [%s]" (GF_Corridor) { mqtt="[mosquitto:home/sb/node01/dev17:command:*:default]" }
Switch rel2 "WiFi relay 2 [%s]" (GF_Corridor) { mqtt="[mosquitto:home/sb/node01/dev18:command:*:default]" }
Switch rel3 "WiFi relay 3 [%s]" (GF_Corridor) { mqtt="[mosquitto:home/sb/node01/dev19:command:*:default]" }
Switch rel4 "WiFi relay 4 [%s]" (GF_Corridor) { mqtt="[mosquitto:home/sb/node01/dev16:command:*:default]" }
this will render the following menu:
The program can be downloaded here. FYI, I trimmed down an existing, bigger program of mine. I left a bit of code here and there that might not be of immediate use in this project, but may come in handy if you want to use the code on a Wemos.
Wifi relay with ESP8266-01 and STC15F104 microprocessor
His frustration is understandable as that particular module is needlessly complicated. It seems the ESP8266-01 is mainly there to make the WiFi connection, while the relay is triggered by yet another microprocessor, the STC15F104. Communication between the two is via the serial port of the ESP8266, as if the designers thought, how can we make this in the dumbest way possible.
If you want to use this relay, this is how to do it:
Set the serialport to 9600 with : Serial.begin(9600);
To enable the Relay send the proper command bytes to serial port:
To disable the Relay send the following bytes to the serial port:
const byte reBufferOFF[] = {0xA0, 0x01, 0x00, 0xA1};
Serial.write(ReBufferON, sizeof(ReBufferOFF));
Apparently it will also work with AT commands.
The circuit looks like this
###
An even simpler board
The ‘simple’ relay board
In his follow up video # 110 Ralph describes another, simpler relay board (pictured), that also frustrated him as the manufacturer apparently had not included the necessary pull-up resistors on the Chip Enable and on GPIO0 and GPIO2. (Edit: this turned out not to be entirely true as the board comes with an ESP8266-01S that has the necessary pullups on board)
Both videos came in my focus again, when i discussed the ‘simpler’ board with a diy mate and frequent commenter. It is very cheap to buy and once you add the resistors (to make it start up correctly) factually you have a Sonoff SV.
Ofcourse the Sonoff SV is less than 5 Euro (plus shipping), as opposed to the ‘brandless’ relay board only costing some 2.60 euro, so you might as well get the real thing, but it opens some interesting perspectives, especially as I had most of the stuff laying around namely an ESP8266-01 a relay module and a 3.3Volt power module, all fairly cheap. Just a couple of DuPont cables to connect the three, and it should be fine. I know it is all nickles & dimes stuff but lets do a quick calculation.
Total 2.08 euro as opposed to 2.62 euro (in a nicer package), so not really cost effective to ‘DIY’ but if you have the stuff laying around, better to use it than for it gather dust. It also allows you to choose another pin than GPIO2 to drive the relay.
Ralph also offers a program to replace the existing firmware in the ESP8266, as well as a phone app (all found in the description of his video). Ofcourse it is also possible to replace the firmware with MQTT responsive firmware. For that you could e.g. use my Sonoff Touch program, albeit that in line 17, you have to change “TouchLED=12;” to “TouchLED=2;”
But why stop there? the ESP8266-01 has 4 I/O pins, if we ad a small 220->5V power module and a 4 channel relay board, we could make a sonoff 4ch. These cost about 22 Euro. So that would be more rewarding to build. That however will be for part 2.
Although it is not really a big thing to solder an angled header in a SonOff Touch in order to reprogram it, one also has to solder a wire to the GPIO-0 pin of the ESP8285 chip as the SonOff Touch has no button that can be used to get it into flash mode.
I therefore wondered if it wouldn’t be possible to flash the Sonoff Touch without any soldering. Spoiler: yes it is possible, but you need some dexterity.
First open the Sonoff Touch. This is easiest done with cautiously prying a screwdriver on between the casing and the frontplate at the side.
once that is done you can see a small board that you can just pull-out. On that board there are 4 in line holes that we need to connect an FTDI programmer to. On the bottom side of the board is also a 2×2 male header. That is the one that we just pulled out of its header in the housing. We are going to need that header a bit later as well.
indicated the function of the 1×4 header in the image. You are going to need an FTDI to USB module THAT YOU CAN SET TO 3.3 VOLT. You also will need a 1×4 straight pinheader and 4 female to female DuPont wires.
Now make the following connection between the 1×4 male header and the FTDI to USB connector:
header
FTDI module
Ground
Ground
Tx
Rx
Rx
Tx
Vcc
Vcc
To make clear, if it already wasn’t, this is a connection to a loose, 4 pin male header.
The next thing you need is a female to male DuPont cable. Connect the female end to the ground connection on the 2×2 header.
Also, you need to identify GPIO0 on the ESP8285 chip:
For the final flashing you need a bit of dexterity but this is what you do:
Have your Arduino IDE available with the required program loaded.
Under tools-boards choose the generic 8285 module
Flash size 1 Mbyte 16k SPIFFS
Make sure the FTDI module is not connected to the USB port of your computer.
Now press the 4 pin male header that is connected to your FTDI module in the proper holes. Make sure it is the right way around, so Ground connects to ground, Vcc to Vcc, Rx to Tx and Tx to Rx. If there is a bit of slack between the header and the holes. push against the pins with the mouse of yr thumb or with your little finger, so it makes poper connection.
Now take the male pin of the DuPont cable that you connected to the ground on the 2×2 pin header and push it against GPIO 0.
Keep it in place with your thumb.
You still should have one hand free. Use that to push the FTDI module in the USB connection of your computer.
Once that is done, you can let go of the male pin pressed against GPIO0
In the IDE chose the right port and press ‘upload’.
That’s it.
So, what program should you upload to make the Sonof Touch work?
Of course there is Tasmota and many people are very happy with it. Truthfully, I found it cumbersome and couldn’t even compile it. Considering all we need to do is switch 1 pin, it shouldn’t be so hard to write something simple.
Given the fact that the Sonoff Touch will most likely disappear in the wall and you don’t want to have to take it out and flash it again, two things come in very handy in the program:
Earlier, I wrote some posts on a Capacitive Soil Humidity sensor, Two years down the line this still functions well.
The sensor that Andreas touched upon does it different: There is a fixed frequency oscillator, built with a 555. The square wave generated is then fed to the sensor that -as we know- is in fact a capacitor. To a square wave signal that capacitor however has a certain reactance, or for arguments sake a resistance that forms a voltage divider with a pure ohm type resistor (the 10k one on pin 3). The wetter the soil, the higher the capacitance of the sensor, the smaller the reactance to the square wave, the lower the voltage on the signal line.
Arduino, ESP8266, ESP32 & Raspberry Pi stuff 