Make Your Own Connected Heating Thermostat and Make Savings With Heating -

Increase the comfort by heating your house exactly as you want
Make savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by heating your house only when you need
Keep control on your heating wherever you are
Be proud you did it yourself

Step 1: How Does It Increase Your Comfort ?

You will define 4 different temperature instructions that will be automatically selected based on your schedule.

You will express your need as a expected temperature at a time of the day and the system will start to heat at the optimal time to reach your expectation.

Back home earlier today, use your phone to anticipate the start of your heating

The system will deliver a very stable temperature that will fit precisely with your need.

Step 2: How Will You Make Savings and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions ?

Knowing your schedule, the system will heat only when you need it.

The system will take the outisde temperature into account optimize heating.

Back home later today, use your phone to postpone the start of your heating.

You will able to tune the system to fit with your equipment.

Step 3: How Will You Control of Your Heating Wherever You Are ?

The system is WIFI connected.
You will use your laptop to set up, tune and update the schedule of your system.

Out of home, you will use your phone to anticipate or postpone the start of your heating

Step 4: Temperature Control

A PID controller is used for the heating regulation.

It is used to control the way to reach the expected temperature and keep it as close as possible to the target.

The PID parameters can be adjust to your environment (see tunning the system documentation).

Step 5: Instruction Controller

An instruction controller is designed to determine the heating starting time.
It takes into account inside, outside temperatures and the boiler capacity to determine dynamically the best time to start heating regarding your requirements.

This regulation can be tuned to your need with the “reactivity” parameter that you can modify.

Step 6: The Schedule

Temperature instructions are expressed as target (temperature, time). Meaning you want your house to be at that temperature at that definite time.

Temperature must be selected between the 4 references.

One instruction must be defined for each half hour of the schedule.

You can define one weekly based schedule and 2 daily ones.

Step 7: Architecture Overwiew

Take a look at the global architecture

It works with every boiler thru a normally open or normally closed contact.

Step 8: Micro-controllers Overview

The core system runs on an Atmel ATmega micro-controller.

After code and parameters has been downloaded and clock synchronized, it can run 100% autonomously.

It communicates thru the serial link to take into account external information.

A ESP8266 micro-controller runs the gateway code for transforming serial link connection to a WIFI one.

Parameters are initially written in the eeprom and can be remotely modified and saved.

Step 9: Network Connection Overview

The network connection is made with a ESP8266 WIFI microcontroller. It is quite the same as the Gateway description “instructables” . Nevertheless the following changes have been made from this description: some useless GPIOs for this project are not used and the Arduino and ESP8266 are soldered on the same PCB.

Step 10: Server Overview

Java runs the server part of the system. HMIs use TOMCAT. MySQL is the database.

Step 11: Parts List

You will need these maincomponents

2 x micro-controllers

· 1 x Arduino – I chose a Nano 3.0 – you can find some at around 2.5$ (Aliexpress)

· 1 x ESP8266 – I chose -ESP8266-DEV Olimex – at 5.5€

1 x temperature sensor DS1820

· I chose a waterproof one – you can get 5 for 9€ (Amazon)

1 x double relay module (0 command)

· I chose SONGLE SRD-05VDC – you can find some at 1.5€ (Amazon)

1 x I2C LCD 2×16 characters

I already had one – you can find some for less than 4$ (Aliexpress)

1 x I2C DS1307 Real Time Module with CR2032 battery

· I already had one – you can find some for less than 4$ (Aliexpress)

you can find for a few euros

1 x Infrared receiver

· I chose AX-1838HS you can find 5 for 4€

1 x FTDI

1 x IR remote controller (you can buy a dedicated on or use your TV one)

2 x power regulators (3.3v & 5v)

· I chose I x LM1086 3.3v & 1 x L7850CV 5v

And some few stuff

5 x LED

9 x 1K resistors

1 x 2.2K resistor

1 x 4.7K resistor

1 x 100
microF ceramic capacitor

1 x 330 microF ceramic capacitor

2 x 1 microF tentalum capacitor

2 x NPN transistors

4 x Diodes

2 PCB breadboard

2 x 3 pins switches

Some connectors and wires

Of course you need soldering iron and tin.

Step 12: Build the Power Sources

This fritzing file describes what to do.

It is better to start to build the power sources with a breadboard even if there are no difficulties.

Regulators can easily be replaced by other ones: just modify connections and capacitors according to your regulators characteristics.

Check it delivers a constant 5v and 3.3v even with a load (100 ohms resistors for instance).

You can now solder all the components on a breadboard PCB as below

Step 13: Prepare the ESP8266

Plug your ESP8266 in a breadboard for an easiest soldering a below

Step 14: Build the Electronics

Reproduce the Fritzing reference.

I strongly suggest starting to build the electronics with a breadboard.

Put all parts together on the breadboard.

Connect carefully the power sources

Check power LEDs on the Arduino and ESP8266.

The LCD must light on.

Step 15: Let’s Do With the Gateway Configuration

Connect the FTDI USB to your development station.

Set the serial link switch in order to connect ESP8266 to the FTDI as this

Step 16: Prepare to Download the Gateway Code

Start Arduino on your workstation.

You need ESP8266 to be known as board by the IDE.

Select the USB port and the appropriate board with Tools / boards menu.

If you do not see any ESP266 in the list that means you may have to install ESP8266 Arduino Addon (you can find here the procedure).

All the code you need is available on GitHub. It is time to download it !

The main code of the Gateway is there:

https://github.com/cuillerj/Esp8266UdpSerialGatewa…

On top of standard Arduino and ESP8266 includes the main code need these 2 includes:

LookFoString that is used to manipulate strings and is there: https://github.com/cuillerj/LookForString

ManageParamEeprom that is used to read and store parameters in Eeprom ans is there: https://github.com/cuillerj/ManageParamEeprom

Once you get all the code it’s time to upload it into the ESP8266.

First connect the FTDI to an USB port of your computer.

I suggest you check the connection before trying to upload.

· Set the Arduino serial monitor to the new USB port.
· Set the speed to 115200 both cr nl (defaut speed for Olimex)
· Power on the breadboard (ESP8266 comes with software that deals with AT commands)
· Send “AT” with the serial tool.
· You must get “OK” in return.

If not check your connection and look at your ESP8266 specifications.

If you got “OK” your are ready to upload the code

Step 17: Download the Gateway Code 1/2

Power off the breadboard, wait a few seconds,
Press on the push button of the breadboard and power on
Release the push button It is normal to get some garbage on the serial monitor.
Press on the upload IDE as for an Arduino.
After the upload completed set serial speed to 38400.

Step 18: Download the Gateway Code 2/2

You would see something as in the picture.

Congratulation you successfully uploaded the code !

Step 19: Set Your Own Gateway Parameters

Keep opened the Serial Monitor (speed 38400) of the IDE

Power off the breadboard, wait a few seconds
Use the switch to set the configGPIO to 1 (3.3v)
Scan the WIFI by entering the command:
ScanWifi. You will see a list of the detected network.
Then set your SSID by entering “SSID1=yournetwork
Then set your password by enterind “PSW1=yourpassword
Then enter “SSID=1” to define the current networ
Enter “Restart” to connect the Gateway to your WIFI.

You can verify you got an IP by entering “ShowWifi”.

The blue LED will be on and the red LED blinking

It’s time to define your IP server address by entering the 4 subaddresses (server that will run the Java test code). For instance for IP=192.168.1.10 enter :

“IP1=192”
“IP2=168”
“IP3=1”
“IP4=10”

Define IP ports as:

· routePort=1840 (or else according to your application configuration see “Server installation guide”)Enter “ShowEeprom” to check what you just stored in EepromNow set the GPIO2 to ground to leave the configuration mode (use the switch to do so)Your Gateway is ready to work !The blue LED must go on as soon as the gateway is connected to your WIFI.There are some others commands you could find in the gateway documentation.
Set the ESP8266 IP address as permanent inside your DNS

Step 20: Prepare Arduino Connection

Firstly, unplug the serial link connectors to avoid USB conflict.

Step 21: Let’s Do Some Tests

Before working with the Thermostat code let’s do some tests with the IDE example sources

Connect the Arduino USB to your workstation.

Chose Serial Port, set speed to 9600 and set card type to Nano.

Check the temperature sensor

Open Files/ examples /Max31850Onewire / DS18x20_Temperature and modify OneWire ds(8); (8 instead of 10).

Upload and check it works. In case not check your DS1820 connections.

Check the clock

Open Files/ examples / DS1307RTC / setTime program

Upload the code and check you get the right time.

Check the LCD

Open Files/ examples / liquid cristal / HelloWorld program

Upload the code and check you get the message.

Check the remote control

Open Files/ examples / ArduinoIRremotemaster / IRrecvDemo program

Modify the PIN to 4 – upload the code

Use your remote controller and check you get the IRs code on the monitor.

It is time to choose the remote control 8 different keys you want to use as below:

· increase temperature instruction
· decrease temperature instruction
· switch off the thermostat
· select the week agenda mode
· select the first day agenda mode
· select the second day agenda mode
· select the not freezing mode
· power on/off the WIFI gateway

Since you made your choice use the key, copy and save in a text document the received codes. You will need this information later.

Step 22: Check the Network Connection

To check your work the best is to use the Arduino and Java examples.

Arduino

You can download it there: https://github.com/cuillerj/TestSerialLinkLibrary

It includes SerialNetwork library that is here: https://github.com/cuillerj/SerialNetwork

Just upload the code inside your Arduino.

Server

The server example is a Java program that you can download here: https://github.com/cuillerj/ESP8266SerialUdpGatew…

Just run it

Look at the Java console.

Look at the Arduino monitor.

Arduino send 2 different packets.

· The first one contains the digital pins 2 to 6 status.

· The second one contains 2 random values, the voltage level of A0 in mV and incremental count.

The Java program

· print the received data in hexadecimal format

· reply to the first kind of data with a random on/off value to set on/off the Arduino LED

· reply to the second kind of data with the received count and a random value.

You must see something like above.

You are now ready to work on Thermostat code!

Step 23: Prepare the Arduino

Connect the Arduino USB to your workstation.

Set speed to 38400.

We need to set the Arduino in configuration mode

Plug a connector on the ICSP so that GPIO 11 is set to 1 (5v)

Step 24: Download Arduino Code

Thermostat sources are available on GitHub

First download this library and copy files in your usual library.

Then download these sources and copy files in your usual Arduino sources folder.

Open Thermosat.ico and compile and check you do not get errors

Download the Arduino code.

The Arduino will start automatically.

Wait for the message “end init eeprom”.

The default parameter’s values are now written in the eeprom.

Step 25: Restart the Arduino

The arduino has been initialized and must be set in running mode before being restarted.

Plug the connector on the ICSP so that GPIO 11 is set to 0 (ground) to set the Arduino in running mode.

Reset the Arduino.

You must see time on the LCD and the yellow LED must be on. (You will see 0:0 if the clock has not be synchronized or time lost (powered of and no battery)).

Step 26: Check LCD

You will see alternatively 3 different screens.

Common to screen 1 & 2:

at the left of the top: the actual time
at the left of the bottom: the actual temperature instruction
at the middle of the bottom the: actual inside temperature (DS1820)

Screen 1:

at the middle of the top: actual running mode

Screen 2:

at the middle of the top: actual day of the week
at the right of the top: day & month numbers

The 3rd one is described in the maintenance guide.

Step 27: Test Relays

Test the Gateway relay

At this stage you must be WIFI connected and the blue LED must light on.

Press the remote controller key you selected to power on/off the WIFI gateway. The relay must switch off the ESP8266 and the blue LED.

Wait a few seconds and press again the remote controller key. The WIFI gateway must be powered on.

Within a minute le the gateway must be connected, and the blue LED must light on.

Test the boiler relay

First look at the red LED. If temperature instruction is much higher than the inside temperature the LED must light on. It takes a few minutes after the start for the Arduino to get enough data to decide whether or not to heat.

If the red LED is on, decrease the temperature instruction to set it low below the inside temperature. Within a few seconds the relay must switch off and the red LED light off.

If the red LED is off, increase the temperature instruction to set it low below the inside temperature. Within a few seconds the relay must switch on and the red LED light on.

If you do it more than one time, bear in mind that the system will not react immediately to avoid too fast switch the boiler.

That’s the end of the breadboard work.

Step 28: Solder the Power Supply 1/4

I suggest using 2 different PCB: one for the power supply and one for the micro-controllers.

You will need connectors for;

· 2 for 9v input power supply

· 1 for +9v output

· 1 for +3.3v output (I did 2)

· 2 for +5v output (I did 3)

· 2 for relay command

· 2 for relay power

Step 29: Solder the Power Supply 2/4

Here is the Frizting scheme to follow !

You can see above the parts numbers according to the Fritzing model.

Step 30: Solder the Power Supply 3/4

You can see above the parts numbers according to the Fritzing model.

Step 31: Solder the Power Supply 4/4

You can see above the parts numbers according to the Fritzing model.

Step 32: Solder the Micro-controllers on PCB 1/7

I suggest not soldering the Arduino and ESP8266 directly on the PCB

Instead use connectors as below in order to be able to replace easily the microcontrollers

Step 33: Solder the Micro-controllers on PCB 2/7

You will need connectors for:

3 x +5v (I did one spare)
6 x ground
3 x for DS1820
3 x for LED
1 x IR receiver
2 x for relay command
4 x for I2C bus

Here is the Frizting scheme to follow !

You can see above the parts numbers according to the Fritzing model.

Step 34: Solder the Micro-controllers on PCB 3/7

You can see above the parts numbers according to the Fritzing model.

Step 35: Solder the Micro-controllers on PCB 4/7

You can see above the parts numbers according to the Fritzing model.

Step 36: Solder the Micro-controllers on PCB 5/7

You can see above the parts numbers according to the Fritzing model.

Step 37: Solder the Micro-controllers on PCB 6/7

You can see above the parts numbers according to the Fritzing model.

Step 38: Solder the Micro-controllers on PCB 7/7

You can see above the parts numbers according to the Fritzing model.

Step 39: Connect and Check Altogether Before Putting in the Box

Step 40: Screw PCBs on a Piece of Wood

Step 41: Let’s Do the Wooden Cover Box

Step 42: Put All in the Box

Step 43: Create Server Code Project

Start your IDE environment

Download the batches sources from GitHub

Download the J2EE sources from GitHub

Start your Java IDE (Eclipse for instance)

Create Java project “ThermostatRuntime”

Import the downloaded batches sources

Create a J2EE project (Dynamic Web Project for Eclipse) “ThermostatPackage”

Import the downloaded J2EE sources

Step 44: Define Your SQL Connection

Create a “GelSqlConnection” class in both Java and J2EE project

Copy and past the GetSqlConnectionExample.java content.

Set your MySql server user, password and host you will use to store data.

Save GelSqlConnection.java

Copy and past GelSqlConnection.java int the ThermostatRuntime project

Step 45: Create the Database Tables

Create the following tables

Use Sql script to create indDesc table

Use Sql script to create indValue table

Use Sql script to create stations table

Initialize tables

Download loadStations.csv file

open the csv file

modify st_IP to fit with your network configuration.

the first address is the Thermostat one
the second Thermostat is the server one

save and load the stations table with this csv

Download loadIndesc.csv

load the ind_desc table with this csv

Step 46: Define Access Control

You can do whatever control you want by modifying “ValidUser.java” code to fit your security need.

I simply check for IP address to authorize modification. To do the same just create the Security table and insert a record in this table as above.

Step 47: Optional

Outside temperature

I use this weather forecast API to get information for my location and it works pretty well. A shell with curl hourly extracts temperature and store in database. You can adapt the way you will get the outside temperature by modifying the “KeepUpToDateMeteo.java” code.

Home security

I interfaced my home security system with the Thermostat in order to decrease automatically the temperature instruction when I leave home. You can do something similar with the “securityOn” field in the database.

Boiler water temperature

I already monitor the boiler water in and out temperature with an Arduino and 2 sensors DS1820 so I added information to the WEB HMI.