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Build your own IoT/MQTT node for less than $2

albert-david.blogspot.com

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Re: Build your own IoT/MQTT node for less than $2

#11

Post by wybiral »

StavrosK wrote: post #9
diafygi wrote: post #5

Is there an hobby equivalent for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)? Wifi tends to be power hungry for battery-operated devices. With BLE, you can get months of lifespan while still being able to connect to it with your phone. I was looking at the micro:bit, but it's still $15. Anything in the $2 range for BLE?

Try the ESP32, it might fit the bill, although I've never worked with its Bluetooth capabilities and don't know much about them.

I've experimented with those ESP32 chips from a few sources on a handful of boards (lots of cheapo knockoffs floating around) and haven't been happy with the performance or reliability of any of them for BLE. So far Nordic nRF52 holds the lead in my experience (they do cost a bit more though).

Re: Build your own IoT/MQTT node for less than $2

#12

Post by neeleshs »

StavrosK wrote: post #7
rzzzt wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those are really cool. Here's an esp8266 framework primarily intended for home automation: https://github.com/xoseperez/espurna

I use this in about ten devices (one of which is a custom-built dog feeder) and love it. I hate using closed-source IoT devices and this is a perfect alternative.

Please do tell more! Is there a blog?

Re: Build your own IoT/MQTT node for less than $2

#15

Post by megaremote »

blattimwind wrote: post #14

I don't get why DIY/Maker folks are so extremely bent on finding and buying the cheapest shit from China in every regard of their builds.

Are you serious? It make it easier for everyone to get into, especially kids.

Also makes it so you can use it on small projects that might not work and not worry about it failing, or losing it.

Re: Build your own IoT/MQTT node for less than $2

#16

Post by carbocation »

StavrosK wrote: post #10
benj111 wrote: post #2

For those new to this, you can get little esp8266 based modules with usb, header pins etc for about the same price. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NodeMCU Arduino software compatible too.

I would go with the Lolin D1 mini, it's better designed and has a more convenient form factor, in my opinion.

Having worked with a ton of ESP8266 variants, I agree with this. (The D1 Mini Pro has more RAM and is great.)

The ESP32 is good out of the box, and can be even better if you need dual core or Bluetooth.

Re: Build your own IoT/MQTT node for less than $2

#18

Post by sokoloff »

megaremote wrote: post #15
blattimwind wrote: post #14

I don't get why DIY/Maker folks are so extremely bent on finding and buying the cheapest shit from China in every regard of their builds.

Are you serious? It make it easier for everyone to get into, especially kids. Also makes it so you can use it on small projects that might not work and not worry about it failing, or losing it.

Or make it so you just buy a handful of them to have on hand when an idea strikes, when you wonder if you burned up a GPIO, when you want to give one away to a friend or interested kid, when you want a few to talk in a mesh project, etc.

Price is a product feature in a lot of cases.

Re: Build your own IoT/MQTT node for less than $2

#19

Post by blackfawn »

samstave wrote: post #13

Can someone ELI5 what can be accomplished with these devices? I am not familiar with them, and the build looks simple - but what do once created? Is it simply a BLE beacon?

The ESP8266 is wifi. The slightly more expensive ESP32 adds Bluetooth and some extra features. You can use them to run mini web server, MQTT, etc. Think of them like a supercharged Arduino with connectivity built in.

Re: Build your own IoT/MQTT node for less than $2

#20

Post by turbinerneiter »

samstave wrote: post #13

Can someone ELI5 what can be accomplished with these devices? I am not familiar with them, and the build looks simple - but what do once created? Is it simply a BLE beacon?

On the one side, you have WiFi and therefore can communicate with servers using different protocols. On the other side, you have spi, i2c and gpio, to talk to sensors, blink LEDs, move motors.

It's a real-world-to-web interface.

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