Esp8266... Blynk Water level sensor

[Nelson_Fletcher]

Hello all, this is my first project ever and I have a esp8266 with wifi and I copied the terracontrol v3 project on instructibles and everything works lovely other then my water level sensor, it’s a conductive sensor… a flat pcb with 10 metal lines on it, no matter what I do I cant seem to get the sensor to work, it will not output any readings. The sensor is connected to pin A0 and v+/ground respectively, any help would be greatly appreciated

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/*------------------ LIBRARIES ------------------*/
#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <DHT.h>
#include <BlynkSimpleEsp8266.h>

/*------------------ YOUR WIFI AND BLYNK SETTINGS ------------------*/
const char ssid[] = "";
const char pass[] = "";
char auth[] = "";
/*----------------- DEFINE WATER LEVEL SENSOR ----------------*/
#define SENSOR_IN A0
/*------------------ DEFINE DHT SENSOR PIN ------------------*/
#define SENSOR_IN D6
#define SENSOR_IN_Type DHT22
/*------------------ DEFINE RELAY PINS ------------------*/
#define relayLight D1
#define relayHeat D2
#define relayFan D9 //RX pin on NodeMCU 
#define relayHeat2 D5

/*---------- OTHER ----------*/
float humIN, tempIN;
DHT dht_IN(SENSOR_IN, SENSOR_IN_Type);
SimpleTimer timer;

/*---------- SYNC ALL SETTINGS ON BOOT UP ----------*/
bool isFirstConnect = true;
BLYNK_CONNECTED() {
  if (isFirstConnect) {
    Blynk.syncAll();
    isFirstConnect = false;
  }
}
/*---------- LIGHT CONTROL ----------*/
BLYNK_WRITE(V10)
{
  if (param.asInt()) {
    digitalWrite(D1, HIGH);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V0, 255);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(D1, LOW);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V0, 0);
  }
}
/*--------------WATER LEVEL--------*/
BLYNK_WRITE(V20) 
 {
 analogRead(A0); // read input value
  
int sensorValue = analogRead (A0);
  Blynk.virtualWrite(V20, 0); //sending to Blynk
  Serial.print("Sensor = A0 ");
  }

/*---------- HEAT CONTROL ----------*/
BLYNK_WRITE(V11)
{
  if (param.asInt()) {
    digitalWrite(D2, HIGH);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V1, 255);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(D2, LOW);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V1, 0);
  }
}
/*---------- HEAT2 CONTROL ----------*/
BLYNK_WRITE(V12)
{
  if (param.asInt()) {
    digitalWrite(D5, HIGH);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V2, 255);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(D5, LOW);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V2, 0);
  }
}
/*---------- FAN CONTROL ----------*/
BLYNK_WRITE(V13)
{
  if (param.asInt()) {
    digitalWrite(D9, HIGH);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V3, 255);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(D9, LOW);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V3, 0);
  }
}
/*----------READ DHT SENSOR ----------*/
void sensorRead() {
  tempIN = dht_IN.readTemperature();
  humIN = dht_IN.readHumidity();
  Blynk.virtualWrite(V8, tempIN);
  Blynk.virtualWrite(V9, humIN);
}

void setup()
{
  Blynk.begin(auth, ssid, pass);
  Blynk.notify("Terrarium: Successfully connected to: " + String(ssid));
  pinMode(relayLight, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(relayHeat, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(relayFan, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(relayHeat2, OUTPUT);
  timer.setInterval(1000L, sensorRead);
}

void loop()
{
  Blynk.run();
  timer.run();
}
void loop()

[PeteKnight]

I don’t understand why you’re doing your analogRead in the BLYNK_WRITE(V20) callback rather than in your sensorRead function.

Pete.

[Nelson_Fletcher]

Hello Peter, me either, this is the first time I have done anything like this, the project as a whole was a copy of a diy, but I am trying to the water level sensor into the project and I was trying to copy/paste the existing code and change the perimeters and I realize that is why the sensor does not seem to have any output, I have tried adjusting the code since last night with no avail… I will continue to look for a similar project and adjust/copy/paste till I get it to function

[PeteKnight]

I guess that the V20 widget is meant to be configured with a Refresh Interval, which is meant to trigger the readings - which may be why it’s not working for you. But that’s a very poor approach to triggering the readings, especially when your code already includes a timed function to take readings.

Pete.

[Nelson_Fletcher]

Thanks Pete, so how would I go about assigning the level indicator to pin A0 and reading on blink, I don’t expect you to write the code for me but where would I look to start with?, This project is for a pet lizard and this is the last piece of the puzzle and as I stated, this is my first time programming anything or assembling anything like this.

Thank you
Nelson

[PeteKnight]

@Nelson_Fletcher

assigning the level indicator to pin A0

Not sure what you mean by this. You’ve said that the sensor is already connected to A0

@Nelson_Fletcher

reading on blink

Put this code in your sensorRead function…

int sensorValue = analogRead (A0); 
Blynk.virtualWrite(V20, sensorValue); //sending to Blynk 
Serial.print("Sensor A0 = ");
Serial.println(sensorValue);

Pete.

[Nelson_Fletcher]

Thank you Pete, I now get a ‘blynk’ does name a tye message when I try to compile the code with arduino ide. Below is the error copy/paste, I am assuming I now have a library error?

Arduino: 1.8.12 (Windows Store 1.8.33.0) (Windows 10), Board: "NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E Module), 80 MHz, Flash, Legacy (new can return nullptr), All SSL ciphers (most compatible), 4MB (FS:2MB OTA:~1019KB), 2, v2 Lower Memory, Disabled, None, Only Sketch, 115200"

TerraControl_v3.0_INSTRUCTABLES:47:1: error: 'Blynk' does not name a type

 Blynk.virtualWrite(V20, 255); //sending to Blynk

 ^

TerraControl_v3.0_INSTRUCTABLES:48:1: error: 'Serial' does not name a type

 Serial.print("Sensor A0 = ");

 ^

TerraControl_v3.0_INSTRUCTABLES:49:1: error: 'Serial' does not name a type

 Serial.println(sensorValue);

 ^

TerraControl_v3.0_INSTRUCTABLES:50:1: error: expected declaration before '}' token

 }

 ^

exit status 1
'Blynk' does not name a type

This report would have more information with
"Show verbose output during compilation"
option enabled in File -> Preferences.

[PeteKnight]

I think you need to post your full code.

Pete.

[Nelson_Fletcher]

Not sure what happened but it did compile and upload but still no activity on the sensor, Pete I am sure there are tons of “dumb” questions from newbies but I truly do appreciate the help you are providing

Thank you
Nelson

/*------------------ LIBRARIES ------------------*/
#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <DHT.h>
#include <BlynkSimpleEsp8266.h>
#include <Adafruit_Sensor.h>
/*------------------ YOUR WIFI AND BLYNK SETTINGS ------------------*/
const char ssid[] = "";
const char pass[] = "";
char auth[] = "";
/*----------------- DEFINE WATER LEVEL SENSOR ----------------*/
#define SENSOR_IN A0
/*------------------ DEFINE DHT SENSOR PIN ------------------*/
#define SENSOR_IN D6
#define SENSOR_IN_Type DHT22
/*------------------ DEFINE RELAY PINS ------------------*/
#define relayLight D1
#define relayHeat D2
#define relayFan D9 //RX pin on NodeMCU 
#define relayHeat2 D5

/*---------- OTHER ----------*/
float humIN, tempIN;
DHT dht_IN(SENSOR_IN, SENSOR_IN_Type);
SimpleTimer timer;

/*---------- SYNC ALL SETTINGS ON BOOT UP ----------*/
bool isFirstConnect = true;
BLYNK_CONNECTED() {
  if (isFirstConnect) {
    Blynk.syncAll();
    isFirstConnect = false;
  }
}
/*---------- LIGHT CONTROL ----------*/
BLYNK_WRITE(V10)
{
  if (param.asInt()) {
    digitalWrite(D1, HIGH);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V0, 255);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(D1, LOW);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V0, 0);
  }
}
/*----------------- WATER LEVEL SENSOR ----------------*/
BLYNK_WRITE(V20)
{
  int sensorValue = analogRead (A0);
  Blynk.virtualWrite(V20, sensorValue); //sending to Blynk
  Serial.print("Sensor A0 = ");
  Serial.println(sensorValue);
}


/*---------- HEAT CONTROL ----------*/
BLYNK_WRITE(V11)
{
  if (param.asInt()) {
    digitalWrite(D2, HIGH);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V1, 255);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(D2, LOW);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V1, 0);
  }
}
/*---------- HEAT2 CONTROL ----------*/
BLYNK_WRITE(V12)
{
  if (param.asInt()) {
    digitalWrite(D5, HIGH);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V2, 255);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(D5, LOW);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V2, 0);
  }
}
/*---------- FAN CONTROL ----------*/
BLYNK_WRITE(V13)
{
  if (param.asInt()) {
    digitalWrite(D9, HIGH);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V3, 255);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(D9, LOW);
    Blynk.virtualWrite(V3, 0);
  }
}

/*----------READ DHT SENSOR ----------*/
void sensorRead() {
  tempIN = dht_IN.readTemperature();
  humIN = dht_IN.readHumidity();
  Blynk.virtualWrite(V8, tempIN);
  Blynk.virtualWrite(V9, humIN);
}

void setup()
{
  Blynk.begin(auth, ssid, pass);
  Blynk.notify("Terrarium: Successfully connected to: " + String(ssid));
  pinMode(relayLight, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(relayHeat, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(relayFan, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(relayHeat2, OUTPUT);
  timer.setInterval(1000L, sensorRead);
}

void loop()
{
  Blynk.run();
  timer.run();
}

[PeteKnight]

@Nelson_Fletcher

void sensorRead() {
tempIN = dht_IN.readTemperature();
humIN = dht_IN.readHumidity();
Blynk.virtualWrite(V8, tempIN);
Blynk.virtualWrite(V9, humIN);
}

You don’t appear to have added my code in here as I suggested.

Pete.

[Nelson_Fletcher]

I have put the code you suggested in, it’s directly under “/----------------- WATER LEVEL SENSOR ----------------/” , clearly I have no idea what I am doing, I am guessing I placed the code in the wrong place?

[PeteKnight]

I’ve already said that I do t understand why the code to read the analog sensor is in the BLYNK_WRITE(V20) callback function, and that you should add the code I provided in to your sensorRead function.

Paste the code I provided into your sensorRead function, after this line of code Blynk.virtualWrite(V9, humIN); but before the closing curly bracket }

Pete.

[Nelson_Fletcher]

Thank you so much Pete, that resolved it, should I remove the whole “/ ----------------- WATER LEVEL SENSOR ---------------- /” code above? and I can’t thank you enough for this, now I have to see if I can get an lcd to provide live feeds at the terrarium itself lol

[PeteKnight]

@Nelson_Fletcher

should I remove the whole “/ ----------------- WATER LEVEL SENSOR ---------------- /” code above?

Yes.

@Nelson_Fletcher

now I have to see if I can get an lcd to provide live feeds at the terrarium itself

Just be careful that when you add a physical LCD you don’t dump all the LCD code in the void loop. Read this…

http://help.blynk.cc/getting-started-library-auth-token-code-examples/blynk-basics/keep-your-void-loop-clean

@Nelson_Fletcher

I can’t thank you enough for this

You’re welcome!

Pete.