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I had a setup posting to local fixed IP emoncms running for a week, without one dropped packet. I changed the sketch to post to emoncms beta using DNS, and the NanodeRF lost network connectivity after 90 mins.

I am new to Arduino, but it looks like the error flags (dhcp_status, dns_status, request_attempt and error) are not reset when restarting with a watchdog event or too many attempts. I changed the sketch to reset the flags in the setup procedure, and when request_attempt > 10.

Running for 14 hours now without a problem. Will update later.

I think the issue is around the DNS lookup, and the dns status never reset if an error is detected.

1. Stable: YES (local fixed IP)  and NO (using DNS)

2. If yes, length of time online without hang or reset: 1 week 

3. Type of emonBase: NanodeRF

4. If Nanode RF, has capacitor fix been implemented?: YES

5. Type of bootloader: Duemilanove 

6. emonBase sketch: see attachment (change network group from default)

7. ENC28J60 Arduino Etherent Library: EtherCard 3rd Jan

8. JeeLib (RFM12) library version or date: 15th Jan

9. Arduino IDE version: 1.0

10. Computer OS: Windows

11. Posting to server: ok to local fixed IP emoncms, locks up with beta (vis.openenergymonitor.org)

12. How you is your nanode powerd? : USB power supply

13. emonTx data rate: 10mins

14. emonTx sketch? : Tx board running on Microchip PIC, not emonTx

 Hi fjhug,

Thanks your your post, this sounds intersting. I have had a look at the code which you attached, I cannot see what you describe (resetting the variables) in the code. Have you attached the correct version? 

 Hi Glyn,

I sent the wrong sketch. I updated the attachment. Thanks

My NanodeRF is still running without drops. I will look into waht could cause the issue. For now, is is resolved by resetting the error flags when more than 10 request attempt occurs, or on watchdog restart.

Thanks

Francois

1. No

2. Longest time online, ~ 3-4 days

3. NanodeRF, (no RTC, purchased pre-made from Wicked Device)

4. Yes

5. Duemilanove

6. https://github.com/znorris/LazySmoker/tree/master/Smoker_Base

7. Jan 3rd Commit

8. Jan 15 Commit

9. 1.0

10. Win 7

11. Tested both FTDI and USB

12. ~4s

13. https://github.com/znorris/LazySmoker/tree/master/Smoker_TX , This is also utilizing a NanodeRF while I test everything.

At the moment I don't see using the NanodeRF as a posibility for the base. I'll be testing an Arduino Uno base in the future. Hope this helps.

 Thanks for that Francois, I have added the resetting of the variables into Github emonBase example sketches. 

znorris: thanks for posting. Since you are not using the Uno (optboot bootloader) you should comment out #define UNO near the beginning of the sketch. This will disable the watchdog reset which is only supported in the Uno bootloader. I have just updated emonBase examples on github to come wtih //#define UNO commented out by default. 

You should consider upgrading the bootloader to Uno optiboot. You can use the isp_repair sketch in the JeeLib library and a spare arduino/emonTx/JeeNode hocked up via ISP like: http://www.openenergymonitor.org/emon/node/377#comment-2880

 NanodeRF still going flawlessly. Didn't have one dropped post in the last 48 hours, and I am not using watchdog.

I will update to optiboot at the weekend, but I will keep the watchdog for firmware getting stuck, and test the status of the network link when posting. If too many retrys, I'll reset the error flags.

I'll post my sketch after a full week without issue.

Have more NanodeRF in the post... I think it is perfect as emonBase. Can always get bigger/faster/more modern chips, but for my need, it does the job beautifully..., and cheaply !

Live view available at www.riadesign.com

 1. Stable: NO :-( 

2. If yes, length of time online without hang or reset: 45 min

3. Type of emonBase: NanodeRF?

4. If Nanode RF, has capacitor fix been implemented?: YES

5. Type of bootloader: Duemilanove / Uno (the one you sell here?)

6. emonBase sketch: latest from hub

7. ENC28J60 Arduino Etherent Library: EtherCard 094

8. JeeLib (RFM12) library version or date: 15th Jan  

9. Arduino IDE version: 1.0 

10. Computer OS: Windows 

10. Posting to server: emoncms own remote installation, static ip

11. How you is your nanode powerd? : USB power supply 

12. emonTx data rate: 10s 

The strange thing is, that it can run all night, but during the day only for about 45min before it hangs, and i have to reset it.

11/2:

Added a small cooling to the board (3,3v reg) and it has been running all night an all day. Maybe its the heat?

Got the Nanode/Duemilanove running for 18 days without a glitch. Posting every 10 mins, but not with EmonTX. Using PIC based boards. I updated to Optiboot all my ardiuno boards this week-end, and uploaded the Uno sketch. I disabled the 10sec timeout in case of too many server error, and kept the error flags reset. Just have to wait and see now...

I had some errors counter implemented in the sketch with Duemilanove, and I had 1 error in the 18 days: radio link timeout. The emonbase missed 1 packet. The error was reset when the next packet was received.

Here is a message from Debbie/Nanode.biz that may shed some light on the subject

"We did run out of Nanode RFX's,  but then we also had quite a few returns that were not within the usual tolerance level of failure so we decided to withdrawn the item from sale until we got to bottom of high failure rates. We have now decided that the RFX will be sold as a surface mount product and we are currently testing the first batch. We hope to have it on sale in 9-12 weeks. "

No its not the small cooling.

It can run for 2-3 days, and then somethime it only run for 3 hours, and need a reset. It respond well to the reset, and start running again.

Wonder if its possible to make a software reset function for every 3 hours.

everything else is running with out problems.

1. Stable: NO :-( 

2. If yes, length of time online without hang or reset: anywhere between 24hours - 36hours

3. Type of emonBase: NanodeRF?

4. If Nanode RF, has capacitor fix been implemented?: YES

5. Type of bootloader: Uno (optiboot 4.4) 

6. emonBase sketch: Default NanodeRF_singleCT_Pachube

7. ENC28J60 Arduino Etherent Library: How do i find this?

8. JeeLib (RFM12) library version or date: again how can i confirm which version i have?

9. Arduino IDE version: 1.0

10. Computer OS: Windows 7 64bit

10. Posting to server: pachube

11. How you is your nanode powerd? : Apple ipod USB power supply with usb - mini usb cable.

12. emonTx data rate: 5s

13. emonTx sketch? : OEM

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the emon base seems to freeze up every 24 hours or so. think the longest i have had it running is just under 2 days.

Can figure it out. Would it be possible to add a capacitor and a spare pin to the reset button to 'auto' reset the emonbase every say 5 hours or every 100 updates?

Cheers.