Software to test RFM12

Submitted by jb79 on Tue, 02/07/2013 - 15:11

Hello!

I've just built a modified version of the EmonTX with a custom pcb for measuring the charging voltage/current from a solar cell to a battery and for the current from the battery going to a load using two different ACS712 sensors (5A for charge and 30A for discharge) and a voltage divider. There is also a connector for DS18B20 sensors for later use and connectors for the unused pins of the processor

I used the standard EmonTX firmware and modified the needed parts: deleted the part with the CT, added DC voltage measurement with 3 channels. Everything is looking good via the serial connection, I get the voltage and current readings, even the LED blinking every few seconds, but I don't receive any data on my raspberry.

The raspberry itself is working fine, actual data from 2 other EmonTX is received.

I also checked the wireing and solder connections between the ATMEL and the RFM12 but couldn't find any problem.

Is there a software to test if the processor <=> RFM12 connection is working correct, maybe a self-test function of the RFM12 that sends back information to the processor if the module is ok or not ok?

best regards

Juergen Brenner

Re: Software to test RFM12

Submitted by Robert Wall on Tue, 02/07/2013 - 16:58.

I am not aware that there is a self-test.

I assume you have tried using a sketch that is known to work with the other emonTx's (OK, I know the data will be wrong but if anything gets through...).

"even the LED blinking every few seconds" That indicates that it is not hanging, so it appears to be accepting the instructions?

In cases like this where you think you have checked everything, my usual advice is to go back and carefully check the things that are so simple and obvious that they could not possibly be wrong ;-)

Finally, you might find some information over at JeeLibs. There are many example sketches in the JeeLib library that might be helpful.

Re: Software to test RFM12

Submitted by calypso_rae on Tue, 02/07/2013 - 19:07.

Have a look at this thread which records my efforts to get started with the RFM12B

http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/node/2084

Re: Software to test RFM12

Submitted by jb79 on Wed, 03/07/2013 - 20:07.

Hello!

I checked again everything, it is still not working now but I've got a possible reason: the RFM12 modules I get some days again are 433MHz instead of the orderd 868Mhz version. I hope this is the only problem, but I will know if this is the solution when I get the correct modules.

For the future: always check the frequency of the modules before installing them into a pcb, removing is no fun.

best regards

Re: Software to test RFM12

Submitted by calypso_rae on Wed, 03/07/2013 - 21:11.

I believe there's a subtle difference in their appearance. The 868 MHz ones that I've always use have a couple of unsoldered pads on them. So if they look different, they probably are ...

Re: Software to test RFM12

Submitted by Robert Wall on Wed, 03/07/2013 - 22:23.

http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/node/2220#comment-11110

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