Domoticz

Hi,
I'm new with domoticz, but in few hours with a raspberry, domoticz and a esp8266 i have a domotic house controlled by telegram

My problem is the power source of esp8266.. I have tried 2 AA but nothing.. so at the moment I'm using a usb cable connected to an usb hub to give enought powert to the module (connect with a humidity and temperature sensor dht11).
What are your solutions for "realy" indipendent sensor with esp8266?

thx

3xAA. Thats is also how you find some boards on dx. Com

Be aware the ESP8266 draws a lot of current when transmitting. if it is a sensor sending periodic data, better implement 'deep sleep' mode or use an external power source.

dijkdj wrote:3xAA. Thats is also how you find some boards on dx. Com

Don't go over 3.3v, the module will die

so. an AA is 1.5
3 AA == 4.5 right?

pietrondo wrote:3 AA == 4.5 right?

That will probably brick your ESP module (Datasheet: "Operating voltage" 3.0 ~ 3.6 V)

so what can I do?

Voltage stepdown, or measure 3x aa rechargable (1.2v) but remember deepsleep. What do you want the esp to do

pietrondo wrote:so what can I do?

If you know how to make electronics, you could use a low drop 3.3v voltage regulator between the batteries and the ESP module. Then you need at least 3 1.5V batteries. Again, the ESP without deep sleep is not suitable for long time battery operation (year or more).

There is quite a lot on the web around how to power ESP8266s and as mentioned voltage regulator combined the deep sleep function is the way to go for longest life - http://hackaday.com/2015/05/03/esp8266-wifi-throwies/.

I have taken a very simple approach, I would be very interested to hear why what I am doing is not a good idea or how I could do it better.

I never went down the Arduino route, a bit too electronicy, software seemed a bit too low level, communication did not seem to be well standardised and the cost was not as low as I would have liked.

ESP8266 is very cheap, flexible software from ESPEasy to Lua to Arduino and wifi built in - so can be used like a computer than a microcontroller.

Wifi means that ESP8266 has to wake up / transmit for 10s of seconds in order to send data, whereas an something based on 433MHz technology only wakes up / transmits data for fractions of a second - is there a $5 ESP8266 which has an integrated 433 instead of wifi?

I have taken a rather pragmatic approach to using / powering ESP8266s.

I decided that aside for power usage the Wemos D1 Mini had the right combination of features and ease of use - easy fit on breadboard - microusb for serial connection / power / programming, takes in 5V but operates at 3.3V and supplies a 3.3V supply for sensors.

So in general I am attaching ESP8266 inside to cheap USB power supplies with cheap 5m USB cables.

For remote use I am experimenting a number of once again cheap backup phone power supplies - 2500mAh and 5000mAh - not sure how these will work out or how long they will last.

This is a Wemos D1 Mini with ESPEasy firmware feeding 4 DHT22 temperature and humidity data to Domoticz, 2500mAh USB power brick and a 5m USB cable.

@ Simonrg...
What is the battery live with a USB powerpack? [ hum and pir? ]


For firmware:
http://www.esp8266.nu/index.php/ESPEasy

Perhaps mysensors is a better option.:
http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/486/my ... -sensor/72
Or:
Openhardware:
https://www.openhardware.io/

simonrg, can you tell me if this powerbank 5000 can charge and discharge at same time?

maluko wrote:simonrg, can you tell me if this powerbank 5000 can charge and discharge at same time?

Not sure will give it a try.

note...
I do have 2 power banks they are going off when i connect my nano... [ for others when you buy one ]
1 powerbank is always on, and is working great...

If there is for outside try solar power supply, got one ESP who with this since Septembre:

ESPEasy + ESP12E + DHT22 + Deepsleep + sending info every Hour.

Solar composants come from a gardenlight who works with a 3.6v battery.


For inside got some wemos + dht shield : they are juste plug to device with USB port who have to always stay ON : ISP box, Clock, printer.

The more difficult is to find good enclosure with WAF...

If you don't use deepsleep don't forget ESP is getting warm, you'll have to apply correction to a temp value.