CD108

Callbacks are set to between 10 and 60 second intervals over 8 bricklets so less than 1/sec. High speed measurement isn't required for the application. I call all 3 connections on a single thread with each different type of bricklet directed to common callbacks, however it doesn't appear to be the problem - sometimes 1 of the bricks freezes and the others continue to operate. I'll try separating them out to see if i still get the problem

One application which connects to all 3 using different ipconnection objects (all running at the same time). Access point shows the devices as not connected when they freeze. Devices are no longer pingable. Devices are not near any other electronics. I have not tried connecting via usb as they are powered through the usb ports. Disconnecting would result in a power cycle. It looks like either the brick or wifi are hanging and never recovering

I have 3 master bricks with wifi extensions measuring temperatures etc around my house. Lately I've noticed that the bricks are freezing and becoming unreachable. The only thing I can do to connect is reset the master bricks. The bricks are connected to dedicated wifi and are set to use static ips. Everything is using the latest firmware. I am using c# and connecting using the 'rugged' approach i.e. using enumerate callbacks. Failures are not all 3 at once - one brick freezes then the others at random times. Sometimes they run for days, but lately they have only been working for hours. Any ideas?

As i mentioned before, this is an inductive load problem. The brick has crashed and can't be reset remotely.

@Rafael Here is a link to the basic theory http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/vdivider.htm You are correct - it is a voltage divider that will move the voltage between the high & low voltages of the digital pin to create a pulse. I have also used this to detect the on/off status of various appliances using their power on LED.

Sure. I did this with a LDR and a few resistors on an arduino. With the TF hardware you could set a threshold value on the analogue bricklet and get the callback to increment a counter in your software. Should work the same way. Google the theory for setting up the resistors. You are essentially creating a light dependant potentiometer and then measuring the voltage changes. It is of course better to use some electronics to create a voltage pulse that the digital i/o can process as this will be considerably cheaper

It lives on a small mini itx atom based server with a cheap laptop HD. Over a year now reading/writing approx 50 times/sec to the SQL database with no problems. It also hosts a website where I can display the data however i choose - i have a full data historian which took me about a day to write in asp.net (c#). A small program handles all the incoming data and processes it based on a customisable rule set - Also administered by the website. The program can send/receive http commands so anything connected via LAN(or WAN) can be added to the sensor network

Log to a SQL Server. I write all the sensors as the values come in to a table for viewing live values, then log each sensor value to a log table every minute. My sensors have been logging for months

I've done something similar with a grey water supply to my house. Works very well! Just one tip - when using the dual relay, put a varistor (or resistor/capacitor pair) in parallel with the pump to stop voltage spikes. These can interfere with the tf hardware and cause the master brick to stop responding. Not a problem with the hardware, just an inductance problem when using motors. Googling will advise you on the varistor you need. I also advise using the monoflop time setting incase you lose comms. In your case it might be better to use the normally closed contact to connect the pump so that if the hardware/comms fail it will call the pump to run. Just update your code to call the relay on (ie stop pump) when the level is low. This will hopefully keep you dry!

Ok, In about 2 simple changes to my code i now have this working perfectly! Thanks again for the quick reply!

OK, i have got this to work using static void Temp1CB(BrickletTemperature sender, short temperature) { string uid; string connecteduid; char position; byte[] hardwareversion; byte[] firmwareversion; int deviceidentifier; sender.GetIdentity(out uid,out connecteduid,out position,out hardwareversion,out firmwareversion,out deviceidentifier); //code to update database with uid and temperature } Is there simpler way to get the uid without all the other information? As you pointed out there doesn't seem to be a sender.uid Thanks for the quick help!

Guys, I'm looking for a way to be able to add bricklets without coding for each one individually. For example i want to add a database row in a table that allows me to put in the bricklet info and have the value updated in that row. Currently i have to add a callback in the code for each sensor which is a pain when i want to add more sensors. Is there an easy way to do this so that the sensor network can be expanded without changing the code in the application?

Guys, when can we expect the Arduino like API for modifying brick firmware? Can you give us some details of what is possible, such as communication between bricks/bricklets/computer. For example will it be possible for a sensor to trigger a relay across wifi extensions without the need for a computer to control it? This would be really useful in my home automation project

Great idea guys, something with function blocks would be good for quickly creating projects. Unfortunately I'm not able to write java, but would love to see a development platform like this. I think it would open the Tinkerforge products to more people who aren't comfortable with coding. As with most products, the more people who own them, the better the development

Hey guys, Is it possible to do a software reset on the master bricks? This would be useful for a chibi master to search for new slaves. Maybe there is a way to do this already? Thanks

I thought this might be the case. I have tried connecting only one relay block at a time, but the same thing happens. I have tried cycling the relays with no load connected for about 100 cycles each and everything is fine. I have a small heater (100W) and a small pump (20W) connected to each brick - the resistive load seems to switch fine - i think the problem may be with the inductive load of the small motor (20W) as switching it seems to give the error. Is it possible that it could be giving some sort of feedback which is causing an error on the master brick? Edit: This definately seems to be the problem. I have tried several resistive loads with no problems. I have also tried 4 different inductive loads which all give the same error

I've got 2 dual relay bricklets attached to a brick and for some reason when i power up the 240V side of the relays they work for a few times and then the brick stops repsonding. If i reset the master brick everything is fine, and then it stops responding again. If i remove power from the 240V side then everything works as normal after the reset until I turn the power back on. The wiring is definately correct on the switched side of the relay. This originally happened over the chibi extension, however I have tried it directly connected to usb and the same thing happens.

Thanks guys, Just tested with the new firmware and it works great!

Is it possible to use a usb power source (not computer) to power a chibi extension with master brick? I've been trying this with no success. To add another dc power supply brick makes the whole thing to big for remote sensors (3 bricks)

Thanks guys. Order now placed. Hopefully the wait wont be as long the next time you are sold out! I'm going to install the chibi ext in my house so i'll post about indoor range too

Why is there currently no antenna with the chibi extension? I cant place an order until there is.

Guys, are there any plans for an ethernet brick with PoE. This would be great for home automation. The beauty of your product is the transparent communication between the bricks/bricklets. Developing software which does not require me writing a communication method between nodes is very appealing. I've tried this with arduino, but it gets very messy.

I've started to do this by implementing a small C# program to control my heating. It works great! I use a SQL database & asp.net website to allow it to be controlled via the web. With the master extensions this would be much easier though as the long wire to my boiler could be removed. I have very little coding experience. Tinkerforge products are so easy to control!