ESP8266 Water Pump Controller: Troubleshooting WiFi Issues and Code Loops

Improving the ESP8266 Water Pump Controller: Optimized Solution Using Modular Approach

The following code uses C++ for Arduino, applying a modular approach to enhance the automatic water pump controller functionality. We address WiFi connection loops and improve the overall reliability of the system. It is split into transmitter and receiver scripts, with optimized methods for better error handling and performance.

#include <SPI.h>
#include <nRF24L01.h>
#include <RF24.h>
RF24 radio(2, 16); // CE, CSN pins
const byte address[6] = "00001"; // Communication address
const int floatSwitch1Pin = 3;
const int floatSwitch2Pin = 4;
const int floatSwitch3Pin = 5;
const int floatSwitch4Pin = 6;
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(floatSwitch1Pin, INPUT);
  pinMode(floatSwitch2Pin, INPUT);
  pinMode(floatSwitch3Pin, INPUT);
  pinMode(floatSwitch4Pin, INPUT);
  radio.begin();
  radio.openWritingPipe(address);
  radio.setChannel(76);
  radio.setPayloadSize(32);
  radio.setPALevel(RF24_PA_LOW); // Low power level
}
void loop() {
  bool floatSwitch1 = digitalRead(floatSwitch1Pin);
  bool floatSwitch2 = digitalRead(floatSwitch2Pin);
  bool floatSwitch3 = digitalRead(floatSwitch3Pin);
  bool floatSwitch4 = digitalRead(floatSwitch4Pin);
  int dataToSend[4] = {(int)floatSwitch1, (int)floatSwitch2, (int)floatSwitch3, (int)floatSwitch4};
  if (radio.write(&dataToSend, sizeof(dataToSend))) {
    Serial.println("Data sent successfully!");
  } else {
    Serial.println("Data sending failed!");
  }
  delay(2000);
}

ESP8266 Receiver Code: Enhanced Blynk Integration and Error Handling

This solution focuses on improving the receiver code for the ESP8266, addressing the recurring WiFi connection loop and incorporating better control for water level management and motor control. The following code is structured to ensure proper functionality even when facing connectivity issues.

#define BLYNK_TEMPLATE_ID "TMPL3byZ4b1QG"
#define BLYNK_TEMPLATE_NAME "Automatic Motor Controller"
#define BLYNK_AUTH_TOKEN "-c20kbugQqouqjlAYmn9mvuvs128MkO7"
#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_SSD1306.h>
#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <BlynkSimpleEsp8266.h>
#include <AceButton.h>
WiFiClient client;
RF24 radio(2, 16);
const byte address[6] = "00001";
#define wifiLed 7
#define BuzzerPin 6
#define RelayPin 10
#define ButtonPin1 9
#define ButtonPin2 8
#define ButtonPin3 11
Adafruit_SSD1306 display(SCREEN_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT, &Wire, -1);
bool toggleRelay = false;
bool modeFlag = true;
int waterLevel = 0;
char auth[] = BLYNK_AUTH_TOKEN;
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  WiFi.begin(ssid, pass);
  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(500);
    Serial.print(".");
  }
  Serial.println("WiFi connected");
  pinMode(wifiLed, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(RelayPin, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(wifiLed, HIGH);
  Blynk.config(auth);
  if (!display.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C)) {
    Serial.println(F("SSD1306 allocation failed"));
    for (;;);
  }
  display.clearDisplay();
}
void loop() {
  Blynk.run();
  if (radio.available()) {
    int receivedData[4];
    radio.read(&receivedData, sizeof(receivedData));
    waterLevel = receivedData[0] * 25;
    if (receivedData[1]) waterLevel += 25;
    if (receivedData[2]) waterLevel += 25;
    if (receivedData[3]) waterLevel += 25;
    Blynk.virtualWrite(VPIN_WATER_LEVEL, waterLevel);
    if (modeFlag && waterLevel < 25) {
      digitalWrite(RelayPin, HIGH);
      toggleRelay = true;
    } else {
      digitalWrite(RelayPin, LOW);
      toggleRelay = false;
    }
    if (waterLevel == 100) {
      digitalWrite(BuzzerPin, HIGH);
    }
  }
}

Common Questions About ESP8266 and nRF24L01 in IoT Projects

1. How can I fix the WiFi connection loop in the ESP8266?
2. Check the credentials passed into WiFi.begin(ssid, pass) and ensure there’s a delay between reconnection attempts. Also, inspect if the ESP is resetting due to power issues.
3. What is the role of radio.write() in nRF24L01 communication?
4. This command is used to send data from the transmitter to the receiver, and it's essential for wireless communication between devices.
5. How do I update the OLED display with new information?
6. You can use the display.clearDisplay() and display.display() commands to refresh the OLED screen with updated water levels and system status.
7. What happens if the water pump runs too long?
8. You can prevent the pump from running indefinitely by implementing a timer with millis(), ensuring the motor turns off after a set period.
9. Can Blynk be used to send notifications?
10. Yes, you can use Blynk.notify() to send alerts to the user’s phone when certain conditions, like high water levels, are met.

Final Thoughts on Optimizing Water Pump Controller Code

Improving the efficiency of an ESP8266 water pump controller requires careful examination of both hardware and code. Fixing issues such as WiFi connection loops and enhancing the communication between the nRF24L01 modules are essential steps toward making the system more reliable and robust.

By incorporating advanced features like push notifications through Blynk and implementing timers to control motor run time, this project can offer better control and security. These changes ultimately help the system to function more efficiently and provide a better user experience overall.