Table of Contents
Data Collection Node Hardware
Monitoring of power outages will require battery backed power.
Requirements
Requirements for the data collection node hardware:
- Wall power (no battery needed)
- Low cost
- WiFi capable comms to the gateway
- Single board with features to support all sensors
- No OS to manage
Controller Hardware Evaluation
The following boards are candidates for data collection node hardware:
Board | Cost | RAM | Flash | Net | IO | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sparkfun Pro Micro RP2040 | $10.95 | 264k | 16MB | 802.11 | USB-C (host/device) QWICC 4x12ADC 30 GPIO I2C SPI 2xUART | MicroPython, C/C++ |
Sparkfun ESP8266 Thing | $18.50 | 32k inst/80k data | 4MB | 802.11 pnp | micro USB 32 GPIO I2C SPI UART | Arduino IDE |
Sparkfun ESP32 Thing | $23.50 | 520k | 4MB | 802.11 | micro USB 28 GPIO I2C SPI UART | Arduino IDE |
Raspberry Pi Pico W | $6.00 | 256k | 2MB | 802.11g | micro USB (host+dev) 26 GPIO 2 SPI 2 I2C 2 UART 3×12 ADC | RPI Linux |
Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W | $15.00 | 512MB | 4MB | 802.11 b/g/n | micro USB mini HDMI GPIO I2C SPI UART | RPI Linux |
Sparkfun Thing Plus DA16200 | $34.95 | 512MB | 802.11 b/g/n | USB-C QUIC 16 GPIO I2C SPI 2 UART 12 bit ADC |
Sensors
Air Flow Sensor
This sensor is used to monitor air flow in HVAC ducts.
Part: SparkFun Air Velocity Sensor Breakout - FS3000-1005 (Qwiic)
- $59.95
- QUICC
- Arduino library
- 0-16mph, 12-bit resolution
Current Measurement
This sensor is used to measure device usage (like an EV charger) and also to detect when a device is running (HVAC unit).
Requirements
- Non-intrusive
- 120v, 240v
Device | Cost | Max Current | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Digikey Current sense transformer CTV1X60A333MV | $56.00 | 60A | snap on, no lead |
Sparkfun Non-Invasive Current Sensor - 30A | $10.95 | 30A | snap on, lead with 3.5mm audio connector |
Water Temperature Sensor
This sensor is intended to measure temperate of a pool.
Requirements
- Submersible
- I2C
Temperature Sensor - Waterproof (DS18B20)
$10.95
1-wire interface
Ambient Temperature/Humidity Sensor
Used to monitor ambient temperature and humidity, especially in HVAC vents to help monitor HVAC health.
Component: Qwiic Pressure/Humidity/Temp (PHT) Sensor - MS8607
- $19.95
- QUICC
- Arduino library
- +/- 1degC
- Pressure, temperature, humidity