IOT with Arduino IDE and ESP Rainmaker (ESP32, ESP32-S2, ESP32-C3)

IMPORTANT! Its no longer an Alpha version! You can now use Rainmaker in the release version of the Arduino IDE!
ESP Rainmaker is available in the Arduino IDE! So now we can control our IOT devices from phone or tablet using the free apps available on IOS or Android.
Yes - ESP Rainmaker was released beck in 2020 but the precompiled version is now availalbe for the Arduino IDE and that means that many more people will be able to access the amazing functionality it brings.
With phone apps for both Android and IOS, Rainmaker has a easy to configure library that allows, Over the Air updates (OTA) as well as remote control of devices, and voice control via Google Home or Alexa. It also has a REST API and a Python API. And best of all, its free!
In this video, we look at how to install and run an example app - don't worry, we'll bring you more real-world IOT examples in the near future!
Links used in this video:
ESP Rainmaker General information: rainmaker.espressif.com/
ESP Rainmaker Account Signup: dashboard.rainmaker.espressif...
Brain Lough's Portable Arduino IDE Video: • Why I use the Portable...
Espressif Arduino-ESP32 download: github.com/espressif/arduino-...
Putty Download: www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~s...
ESP Download Tool (for erasing flash): www.espressif.com/en/support/...
Some of my Lab Equipment and Tools
Sidecutters amzn.to/3UaOEdh
Long nose pliers amzn.to/3Giizum
screwdriver set amzn.to/3KxwrmT
Security Driver set amzn.to/3ZHQeVd
TS-100 Soldering Iron amzn.to/3UaWjbr
Wire Strippers amzn.to/3zyCOju
amzn.to/3ZECKtd
Test Equipment
UT210E Multimeter amzn.to/3K6mDPv
Tenma Power supply amzn.to/3ZBlLYF
JCD 858D amzn.to/3nHsP90
More projects at kk4oyj.wordpress.com
Follow along on Twitter / itinerantham
Ask questions on Discord: / discord

[@maicod]

very entising to try out but I need to finish some 'projects' first. The 'switch' and 'fan' are toggled pins on the ESP32 like you show with the LED in the start of the video ?

[@Magic-Smoke]

Hey Maico - I have so many projects to finish but this was pretty exciting for me. Really Rainmaker is just mapping the name of a device to each pin so with one ESP32 you can control many devices. But you can also read information - for example, a battery voltage. The you have the information so you can decide whether you should turn a device on or off. Of course, you can also use a port expander like the MCP 23017 and run dozens of devices :)

[@maicod]

@@Magic-Smoke I got the gist of why using rainmaker better now. Thanks John !

[@Magic-Smoke]

@@maicod I will be producing a few more practical examples in the next few videos so keep you're eyes open :) - and get your projects finished so you can join the fun :)

[@maicod]

@@Magic-Smoke LOL ok I'll check out the upcoming vids !

[@MPElectronique]

Thank you for the solution... :)

[@Magic-Smoke]

You're welcome!

[@TOMTOM-nh3nl]

Thank You

[@Magic-Smoke]

Most welcome Tom. Let me know what you make :)

[@TheEmbeddedHobbyist]

No No No, I was hopping the rain would stop. :-) looked what happened last time. Sorry John, just sitting down to watch. well have now watched and it looks like I might have to have a go. great video John, got to go looks like i'll be needing a new umbrella ;-)

[@Magic-Smoke]

lol! Its pretty good! There is an updated version of Rainmaker in the master branch but you can't use the boards manager to install it. It also has more examples. Let me know what you make :)

[@DustinWatts]

Very useful video! I'm curious about the voice integration!

[@Magic-Smoke]

I hope to have a video on that pretty soon, Dustin. I have Google Home but no Alexa at the moment so I need to get one! I'm also hopeful that some other enhancements will be moved into the Alpha distro in the next week or two. I'll let you know when that happens.

[@zoonvanhetuni7993]

👏

[@alvi3166]

Thanks for the video. I have an issue with the device not popping up with iPhone. I tried an EG with CLI idf and it works. However, when i tried with Arduino, no device is showing in the App to pair. When i use the Barcode, it gives error with prefix. I can see the prov name with my computer Bluetooth, not the iPhone. Thanks again.

[@Magic-Smoke]

I have heard of this happening with someone else. I would raise as an issue on GitHub. Hopefully they will resolve it although I have an issue outstanding for many months now.

[@PaulineOtt]

2:08 Hello, which example do you use?

[@Magic-Smoke]

RmakerDevice.ino

[@yusufceyhan7628]

I can't find the code we uploaded to esp32 in the examples. Pls help.

[@Magic-Smoke]

I would start with a simple example - the Rainmaker Switch example which is installed with the Arduino ESP32 boards etc

[@biezom9418]

SIR ....how to fix this error : E (70287) esp_rmaker_node_config: Buffer size 2048 not sufficient for Node Config. E (70287) esp_rmaker_node_config: Could not get node configuration for reporting to cloud E (70291) esp_rmaker_core: Report node config failed. E (70296) esp_rmaker_core: Aborting!!!

[@Magic-Smoke]

Hard to say really without a lot more information

[@ajciccone88]

Thanks for the video, I'm trying to find a solution to monitor the soil moisture and water levels and run a pump for a project I'm working on. I'm wondering what the limitations to rainmaker is? Could I have 3-4 projects for free? Can I share my "app" with someone else? What's the data retention for it? I'm not seeing many things on rainmaker but from what I do see it looks like a good alternative to the arduino iot cloud or blynk

[@Magic-Smoke]

@tadcrazio I'm glad you enjoyed the video. If you take a look at the concepts in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipKclap6eZ56r6M then you can definitely achieve what you want to quite easily. For example, create a Rainmaker Bridge for all the devices in your project and use a tool like Node Red to read the MQTT messages and store them in a database like Influx DB. You might then display the data on a nice dashboard in Grafana? You could also then do some pump automations in Node Red and feed back the pump status in Rainmaker so you can view what is going on from anywhere at a glance

[@ajciccone88]

@@Magic-Smoke thanks John, while I do intend to use MQTT in the future with home assistant, right now I'm just trying to see what rainmaker can do for me on a free tier. Atleast, until raspberry Pi's become easier to get my hands on at non-extortionate rates.

[@Magic-Smoke]

@@ajciccone88 I can see that :) Bear in mind also that you can run HA on an old laptop or the like - pretty much anything. Good Luck :)

[@leonyakin]

ESP Rainmaker Is support base on matter protocol?

[@Magic-Smoke]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. However, there is a Matter solution for ESP32. Take a look at the Espressif channel - they did a few presentations at the Devcon.

[@pasinduelectronic1955]

Can i use nodemcu bord for that

[@Magic-Smoke]

Yes, of course.

[@HENRY-cw1ts]

Hello Sir, thanks for the video. 😊😊 But I have a question about running the ESP32 Dev Module. Actually, when I uploaded the RMakerSwitch sample code through Arduino, some messages popped up saying that “Failed to allocate memory”, “Device handle cannot be NULL” and “ESP Rainmaker not initialised”. I am not sure what was wrong about my board. 😢 Do you know what was the reason behind?

[@Magic-Smoke]

Did you select the correct partition allocation - Rainmaker?

[@HENRY-cw1ts]

@@Magic-Smoke Yes, I have chosen the partition scheme “Rainmaker”. And I even tried to reset the board to factory setting but it still did not work. I am wondering if it is related to the board malfunctioning, or memory shortage problem.

[@Magic-Smoke]

@@HENRY-cw1ts I would try a different board if you have one. Also, flash some different (large) code if you can and see how that works but best try a different board.

[@HENRY-cw1ts]

@@Magic-Smoke Hello Sir, I have successfully solved the problem. However, I have encountered a new problem with the Timer. Actually, when I run the timer, the serial monitor displayed this message to me : "E (6309) esp_rmaker_param: Current time not yet available. Cannot report time series data." What should I do to fix this?

[@Magic-Smoke]

When you say timer, do you mean the scheduler? Possibly the device is unable to get the time from the internet. However this error is drop esp insights - if you are not using insights then it shouldn’t matter

[@supernovatiger8913]

hello dear , thank you for your efforts , i would ask you if esprainmaker support esp8266 or not?!

[@Magic-Smoke]

Only ESP32, I'm afraid

[@creativemind8573]

I’m using Windows 7 (32Bit) I can’t upload the code it shows when I click upload ( erroe to compile the code for ESP32 ) What should I do please help me

[@Magic-Smoke]

Which example are you trying to compile and what is the error?

[@creativemind8573]

I have a custom code with is used to control 8 channel relay module with rainmaker configuration but when I upload the code the error will pop up they sed error for compiling the code for esp32

[@Magic-Smoke]

What is the error?

[@elknacer961]

Nice tuto is there a way to set temperature value not just show it And how we can add custom icons From espressif official KZbin channel they said that u can add device futures without coding I can't find that tool

[@Magic-Smoke]

Thanks @elk. Yes you can make the field read and write capable. Check the custom device example or my video on custom devices. I haven't added any custom icons for my application yet

[@elknacer961]

@@Magic-Smoke Yes your exemple help me , Now how can i enable Local control with arduino IDE ?

[@hasstv9393]

I'm getting - Claiming failed with error: claim init failed i'm using ESP32 Dev Kit v1

[@Magic-Smoke]

So, i would start by doing a wifi reset by holding down gpio0 for more than 3 seconds or a factory reset by holding it down for 10S

[@hasstv9393]

@@Magic-Smoke I did same you told. But still getting same error in app. Claiming failed with error : Claim init failed error in the app, after scanning the qr code. it never happened before.

[@Magic-Smoke]

@@hasstv9393 You could try manual claiming instead of scanning the QR code. Also check that your phone is paired properly with the ESP32. Perhaps unpair the esp32 before you try again?

[@hasstv9393]

@@Magic-Smoke Bro i did everything as you suggest, But nothing working 😓 i don't know what i need to do. already purchased 10 pcb for this project.🥲

[@Magic-Smoke]

@@hasstv9393 Well, its back to basics to find the problem then. e.g. get a known good dev board and load one of the examples. Do a full reset with the gpio0). Try using a different wifi network, phone etc. We know rainmaker works - make a new account with a different email too. Just in case. Try one thing at a time.

[@sijo2084]

Will it work without Internet using esp rainmaker mobile app?

[@Magic-Smoke]

Hello @sijo. The local control option is not available at the moment unless you build your application using ESP-IDF. Then you set the 'local control' option to on in menuconfig

[@esmaeilalkhazmi]

E (2131) esp_rmaker_core: Node connected to Wi-Fi without Assisted claiming. Cannot proceed to MQTT connection. E (2131) esp_rmaker_core: Please update your phone apps and repeat Wi-Fi provisioning with BLE transport.

[@Magic-Smoke]

Without context, I’m not sure I can help. Have you updated the phone app as suggested?

[@esmaeilalkhazmi]

@@Magic-Smoke i got this error in my serial monitor .. can u plz help?

[@esmaeilalkhazmi]

@@Magic-Smoke I couldn’t get the QR code

[@Magic-Smoke]

You’ll need to give me more information. ESP32 type? Code example you are running? Etc etc

[@Magic-Smoke]

So hold down the button connected to gpio(0) for 10 seconds and try again.

[@odirilefrank1926]

how do you resolve this "no wifi connection named(prov_xxxxxx) is picked up from the device by my phones wi-fi scan."

[@Magic-Smoke]

The provxxxx is normally a Bluetooth device rather than Wi-Fi. When I have connectivity problems I usually start with a factory reset on the esp device (gpio0)

[@odirilefgarebabitse2306]

Now I get the QR code and Bluetooth gave access, but when submitting the WiFi name and password via the Android app I get "failed to associate device". On the ESP RAINMAKER when it is supposed to send WiFi credentials. I tried with all example code provided by esp32 Rainmaker for arduino IDE.

[@Magic-Smoke]

@@odirilefgarebabitse2306 so you have to make sure that you pair the Android phone to the esp when it asks. My old android phone always asked and sometimes it didn’t work. Reset the esp and if necessary associate them manually

[@odirilefgarebabitse2306]

@@Magic-Smoke thank you Sir, and I will try manually then.

[@madhukeshnp]

How many devices can we connect under a single account?

[@Magic-Smoke]

I seem to remember that you can have 5 devices for free. I didn't ask how much for more but its a good question. There is an email address on the Rainmaker page that can be used to contact them. Hope that helps :)

[@madhukeshnp]

@@Magic-Smoke thank you so much for the quick response. But only drawback is when the internet is down the devices won't trigger as scheduled. If there is an api to read what time is set on the app, with little coding we can make the device trigger even when offline.

[@Magic-Smoke]

@@madhukeshnp you know, that's a very good question. I have not tested the local control option that is already there. I wonder if the timer settings are retained? rainmaker.espressif.com/docs/local-control.html also this: pub.dev/packages/esp_rainmaker_local_control

[@madhukeshnp]

@@Magic-Smoke if can make a tutorial on it that would be really awesome. There are no video on KZbin that covers this topic. Give it a try. Thank you in advance.

[@Magic-Smoke]

OK - I'll take a look and let you know!

[@TheCablebill]

Wait, I need an "account"? Why?

[@Magic-Smoke]

Just to keep your data separate from everyone else's 😀. They only ask for an email address. No DNA sample required 😁

[@TheCablebill]

@@Magic-Smoke there's a "they"? Why do I need a they?

[@Magic-Smoke]

No one needs a 'they' really. You only need a 'they' if you want to use anything that 'they' make because if 'they' didn't make it, it wouldn't exist and you wouldn't know you needed 'them'. Put another way, you wont need anyone if you can do everything for yourself. In the context of the video, you might decide that 'they' are too much trouble - especially if you don't like the idea of an 'account'.

[@keomonorom4458]

Hello sir can you public you source code? I need to try with you source code. Because my code error while scanning QR code Thank you

[@Magic-Smoke]

Hi Keo - I would use the example code first of all. Please describe the problem you are having - you can also use a manual method to pair the devices. In the bottom of the app, hit "I don't have a QR code" then look for your device in the next screen and let it pair with your phone - enter the "PO" code from the example and it should work.

[@keomonorom4458]

I will try thank you

[@keomonorom4458]

@@Magic-Smoke excuse me sir one more problem when i`m changing UI image frome switch image to plug outlet i can not see the power switch button thank you sir

[@Magic-Smoke]

@@keomonorom4458 If I recall correctly, the images are set by the type of Rainmaker device that is set up. However, look at the custom example - it shows how to set up a device with many different interface elements such as switch, text etc.

[@keomonorom4458]

@@Magic-Smoke Thank you Sir not working as well

[@ifyouwantpeaceprepareforwa4329]

Code Link

[@Magic-Smoke]

If you are asking for a link to the code I used, its was a standard rainmaker example as at the date of the video. They have been improved. I suggest you start with RmakerSwitch and move on to the Custom Example.