pijuice alarm doesn't set reliably

[gobees]

I have been running this code for almost a week now, troubleshooting trying to find out why the pijuice periodically does not enable the wakeup alarm even when set by the python code. I'm sort of at my end, not knowing what else to do.

I have programmed the code to check that the wakeup alarm is enabled and to keep setting it until the code confirms that it is enabled. Then, a few hours later with the code running (starts pi, takes a picture, saves the pic, sets wakeup alarm then shuts down and periodically starts up again (if wakeup alarm is enabled).

I cannot seem to overcome this and am looking for help. Here is the code:

#import libraries
import picamera
import time
import os
import logging
import gc
from pijuice import PiJuice

try:
   #setup logging
   logging.basicConfig(
           filename = '/home/dad/timelapse_home.log',
           level = logging.DEBUG,
           format = '%(asctime)s %(message)s',
           datefmt = '%d/%m/%Y %H:%M:%S')

   #setup PiJuice

   pj = PiJuice(1,0x14)

   pjOK = False
   while pjOK == False:
      stat = pj.status.GetStatus()
      if stat['error'] == 'NO_ERROR':
         pjOK = True
      else:
         time.sleep(0.1)
   if pjOK == True:
      stat = pj.status.GetBatteryVoltage()
      b_volts = str(stat['data'])
      stat = pj.status.GetBatteryCurrent()
      b_current = (str(stat['data']))
      stat = pj.status.GetChargeLevel()
      b_charge = (str(stat['data']))
      b_status = ('v= ' + b_volts + 'mV, i= ' + b_current + 'mA, charge: ' + b_charge +"%/")
      print(b_status)
   #setup variables
         
   interval = 1
   frame = 0
   image_location = "/home/dad/Documents/Home_Construction/Images/house_%04d.jpg"
   word = ""
   path_to_frame_count = "/home/dad/Documents/Home_Construction/last_frame_count.txt"
   capture_timeout = 60 #seconds
   period = '5'
   pic_hours = '0;1;2;3;4;5;6;7;8;9;10;11;12;13;14;15;16;17;18;19;20;21;22'
   days_of_week = '0;1;2;3;4;6;7'
   
   #setup & start camera
   camera = picamera.PiCamera()
   picamera.PiCamera.CAPTURE_TIMEOUT = capture_timeout
   camera.resolution = (1920, 1080)
   time.sleep(2) #let camaera settle
   
   # define data variable for if statement below that checks power input to pijuice
   stat = pj.status.GetStatus() 
   data = stat['data']

   # setup file for reading frame counter value

   frame_count_file = open(path_to_frame_count, "r+")
   frame = int(frame_count_file.read()) #read the frame counter value from the file
   frame_count_file.close()

# Take the photo

   frame = frame + 1
   try:   
      camera.capture(image_location % (frame)) #, use_video_port=True)
      camera.close()
      del(camera)
      gc.collect() 
   except Exception as e:
      print(str(e))
      print(type(e))
      logging.info(type(e))
      logging.info(str(e))
      pass


    
#now save frame (picture number) to file for the next picture to be taken
   frame_count_file = open(path_to_frame_count, "w")
   word = str(frame)
   frame_count_file.write(word)
   frame_count_file.close()
   pj.status.SetLedBlink('D2', 10, [244,66,104], 200, [0, 0, 52], 300)
   if data['powerInput'] == "NOT_PRESENT" and data['powerInput5vIo'] == 'NOT_PRESENT':

      #Make sure wakeup_enabled and wakeup_on_charge have the correct values
      pj.rtcAlarm.SetAlarm({'minute_period': period, 'hour': pic_hours, 'weekday': days_of_week})
      pjOK = False
      while pjOK == False:
          state = pj.rtcAlarm.GetControlStatus()
          state = state['data']
          print(str(state))
          if state['alarm_wakeup_enabled'] == False:
              pj.rtcAlarm.SetWakeupEnabled(True)
              time.sleep(.25)
          else:
              pjOK = True
              logging.info('Pijuice alarm enabled.')
              print('Pijuice alarm enabled.')
      pj.power.SetWakeUpOnCharge(0)
      time.sleep(3)
      alarm = pj.rtcAlarm.GetAlarm();

      #write statement to log
      logging.info(str(alarm) + str(b_status) + ' Picture ' + str(frame) + ' captured.')
      
      #Make sure power to the Raspberry Pi is stopped to not deplete the battery
      pj.power.SetPowerOff(30)
      
      #Now turn off the system
      os.system("sudo shutdown -h now")
   else:
      #otherwise keep Pi running

#      #Write to log
      logging.info('On mains power. Wakeup alarm disabled.' + str(b_status) + ' Picutre ' + str(frame) + ' caputred.')
   print('Pi is on mains power, not turning off and not resetting wakeup alarm.  do this manually if necessary.')

except Exception as e:
   print(type(e))
   print(str(e))
   logging.info(str(e))
        
except KeyboardInterrupt:
    logging.info("program terminated from keyboard")

The python file is executed from rc.local.

I will also upload the logs.

[gobees]

timelapse_home.log

[gobees]

thank you in advance.

[gobees]

I found this. I'm working on implementing the ideas mentioned here. I'll follow up afterward. #378

[gobees]

First question after reading #378:

1. My in-home test of my script includes wifi being on. It sounds like pijuice RTC needs wifi to keep updated time. When the pijuice is in the field, there will be no wifi available. Does this mean that even though I can update the time using the code in 378, I will not be able to use my script in the field because I will have no way to update time?

[tvoverbeek]

When specifying alarm time(s) note that these have to be in UTC since the RTC will be in UTC.
Now it looks like you are relying on timesyncd to set the system time from the internet.
In the field you will have to initialize the system time yourself from the RTC.
Look at the hwclock -s command at system boot.

[gobees]

Thank you for the answer. I see that discussion about hwclock -s also here: https://learn.pi-supply.com/make/pijuice-quick-start-guide-faq/#faq

It looks like I can just add that line into rc.local

The $64,000 question now becomes:

In the field when it's time to swap the batteries for fresh ones, if I disconnect the 'outgoing' batteries before connecting the incoming batteries, will I lose system / pijuice time?

If the answer is 'yes', then if I connect say a on-the-go phone charger to the pijuice using the micro usb connector, would that keep pijuice time intact while I swap the batteries?

Thank you again.

[quitmeyer]

I would also like to know if there's a way to swap batteries without losing the time