I am no longer allowed to see active updates on the in-app “Gauge” and Blynk Console says my message limit is up. I know the free plan is 30,000 messages a month (even though I feel like I haven’t received this many) also the gauge doesn’t send me updates or anything like notifications, so I assumed this would not count to the messaging system?
Every time you write data from your hardware to a virtual pin, this is a message between your hardware and the Blynk server. It makes no difference whether there is a widget attached to the virtual pin you’re updating, the messages are still being sent to the Blynk server so are still using-up your monthly allowance.
If you’re updating the virtual pin that your gauge is attached to once every minute then that’s 1,444 messages per day, or 43,200 messages per 30 day period.
As you can see, you’ll run out of message allowance after around 20 days at that rate.
If you’re updating multiple virtual pins, or using input widgets such a buttons, sliders etc that send at least one message when they are operated, then your message limit will be used-up quicker.
The Free Blynk plan is designed for testing and evaluation, not as a useable platform for a long-term monitoring and control project.
Pete.