Raindrop Sensor with micro:bit

Make a device that detects when it rains

Written By: Cherie Tan

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

A raindrop module can detect when it rains and measure the rainfall intensity.

In this guide, we will connect a raindrop sensor module to the micro:bit and prototype a rain detection device!

Finish this guide and get started with creating your own rain detection device.

Step 1 The Module

Let's take a closer look at the Raindrop Sensor Module! There are four pins at the bottom:

3.3V : 'VCC' stands for Voltage Common Collector, we'll connect the VCC pin to 3.3V on the micro:bit

GND: In electronics, we define a point in a circuit to be a kind of zero volts or 0V reference point, on which to base all other voltage measurements. This point is called ground or GND.

Digital Output (DO)

Analog Output (AO)

Voltage is the difference in potential between two points. As it is difficult to talk about voltage without a reference point, we need another point to compare it to.

There are also two pins at the top that connect to the second part of the raindrop sensor module. One end connects to ground and has a symbol next to it, that looks like a horizontal version of ⏚

Step 2 Connect module to breadboard

Step 3 Connect 3.3V to VCC

Step 4 Connect GND to GND

Step 5 Connect P0 to DO

Step 6 Connect P1 to AO

Step 7 Connect GND to LED (Negative lead)

Step 8 Add a resistor

Step 9 Connect P2 to resistor

Step 10 Connect Raindrop Module - GND

Step 11 Connect Raindrop Module - +

Step 12 MakeCode using one forever loop

let raindrop_analog_value = 0
basic.forever(function () {
    raindrop_analog_value = pins.analogReadPin(AnalogPin.P1)
    if (raindrop_analog_value < 300) {
        basic.showNumber(raindrop_analog_value)
        pins.digitalWritePin(DigitalPin.P2, 1)
        basic.pause(500)
        pins.digitalWritePin(DigitalPin.P2, 0)
        basic.pause(500)
    } else {
        basic.showNumber(raindrop_analog_value)
        pins.digitalWritePin(DigitalPin.P2, 0)
    }
})

Add this code to the Javascript interface.

First, let's open up the MakeCode editor and start a new project.

Click on the 'New Project' button

Step 13 MakeCode using two forever loops

let raindrop_analog_value = 0
basic.forever(function () {
    raindrop_analog_value = pins.analogReadPin(AnalogPin.P0)
    basic.showNumber(raindrop_analog_value)
})
basic.forever(function () {
    if (raindrop_analog_value < 300) {
        pins.digitalWritePin(DigitalPin.P2, 1)
        basic.pause(500)
    }
    pins.digitalWritePin(DigitalPin.P2, 0)
    basic.pause(500)
})

If you uploaded the previous MakeCode now, it will first display the analog value and then if the value is less than 300, the LED lights up. But what if you wanted there to be no delay between the number showing, and the LED lighting up? You can use two forever loops to do just that.

Replace the existing code with this in the Javascript interface.

Step 14 Upload the code

Alright, now let's upload the hex file to the micro:bit. Connect the micro:bit to your computer using a microUSB cable

Click on the Download button on the bottom left-hand corner of MakeCode editor

Find the hex file

Open up Finder on the MacOS or Explorer on Windows, and drag the hex file into MICROBIT under 'Devices' on the macOS.

The micro:bit will flash for a few seconds while the code uploads

Step 15 Start the Arduino IDE

Optionally, the Micro:bit can also be programmed using the Arduino IDE. If you haven't got the Arduino IDE already installed, please refer to our previous guide on how to set up the Arduino IDE to program the micro:bit.

Step 16 Upload the sketch

Click on the check icon on the top left hand-corner to verify the code

Click on the upload icon next to it to upload the sketch

Step 17 The code

int Sensor = 1;  //Raindrop sensor
int Led    = 2;  // LED
void setup()
{
 pinMode(Led, OUTPUT);
 pinMode(Sensor, INPUT);
 Serial.begin(9600);
 }
void loop()
{
 int temp = digitalRead(Sensor); // Read Digital value from raindrop sensor
 if (temp == LOW)
 {
   digitalWrite(Led, HIGH); // LED-----> HIGH
   Serial.println("It's Raining!");
 }
 else
 {
   digitalWrite(Led, LOW); // LED----->LOW
   Serial.println("Not Raining");
 }
}