I need advice on how to troubleshoot this problem. I think I have a bad RFM69CW chip or a bad connection. My solder joints look good, I've looked them over a few times. If I replace one of my MotionMotes with a Motineo Mega, it works fine. I looked at the solder connections on the RFM69 chip to try and verify it was not the HCW (I couldn't tell another way to spot the difference, anyone know a better way?). I am making sure I comment out the code snippet for the HCW variant. Also of interest, on both MotionMotes, I've tested the LED and Speaker and they work fine. On the one that's not working I also tested the PIR and button.
I am using the example Gateway and Node code from LowPowerLab's git repo:
https://github.com/LowPowerLab/RFM69/blob/master/Examples/Gateway/Gateway.ino (https://github.com/LowPowerLab/RFM69/blob/master/Examples/Gateway/Gateway.ino)
https://github.com/LowPowerLab/RFM69/blob/master/Examples/Node/Node.ino (https://github.com/LowPowerLab/RFM69/blob/master/Examples/Node/Node.ino)
Here's a link to the MotionMote:
https://lowpowerlab.com/shop/product/114 (https://lowpowerlab.com/shop/product/114)
Here's the line the code hangs on:
radio.sendWithRetry(GATEWAYID, payload, sendSize)
Thanks for your help friends!
So you have 1 that works, and one that doesn't.
Could be several different things. It's a modular design so between headers, antennas, radio modules, solder joints, and code, there are many possible fail points.
But anyway, if you have multiple identical motes, and they all work except the one in question, then we can assume you're doing everything right, and it sounds like you checked all the common things that are overlooked.
FWIW, I do test all the Moteinos going out regardless of the radio configuration, to ensure they can receive a sketch and can transmit and receive packets. So .... perhaps some kind of conflict or electrical short/open somewhere.If I redo this kit, I will likely highly integrate it and eliminate all the headers and redundancy, in hope of making a better product and better experience for the DIY-er.
Please see my email for a path to resolution. Please do follow up here once we do get it resolved or find the culprit.
Thanks
It looks like the problem has something to do with having the PIR sensor in place. When I have the PIR in the kit, it seems to cause an issue. This time I had the MotionMote with the PIR as the gateway and it never received anything. But with the PIR out, it worked okay as a gateway.
Is the PIR and RFM69 sharing pins? I believe the answer is NO, looks like the PIR output is on D3 and RF on D2.
I'll do a little bit more experimentation, but wanted to share as this is a real good lead.
EDIT:
I tried putting the PIR back in, and it worked, so not sure what's going on, maybe it was just not all the way in the first time. But the GOOD news is that I've got two MotionMotes talking to each other. My next step is to verify PIR and radio can play well together.