# Import data from sensor into node-red
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534
**Category:** General
**Tags:** mqtt
**Created:** [24 September 2023 08:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534 "2023-09-24T08:27:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@snax](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/snax)
#### Post date: [24 September 2023 08:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/1 "2023-09-24T08:27:01Z")
Hey people!
I’m doing a uni assignment on Iot, and we are doing a soil moisture system with a water pump. One stipulation is that we need to use Node-Red.
List of components
\*MCP3008 8-channel ADC
Raspberry Pi 4
\*Dfrobot Gravity: Analog Waterproof Capacitive Soil Moisture Sensor
\*Piico Dev oLED
\*Piico Dev adapter for raspberry pi
\*Dfrobot: Amphibious Horizontal Submersible Pump
\*Using Mac and controlling raspberry pi through the terminal.
Okay. Im a full rookie here… Apart from connecting a dht22 humidity this is my first project…. Here’s where I’m at:
Installed MCP3XXX library and done this…. `sudo pip3 install adafruit-circuitpython-mcp3xxx` As per everything on this thread ` ` [Python & CircuitPython | MCP3008 - 8-Channel 10-Bit ADC With SPI Interface | Adafruit Learning System](https://learn.adafruit.com/mcp3008-spi-adc/python-circuitpython)
Set up a mosquito mqtt broker and
node red is connected (check screen shots)`
Heres the code that has been stored
in ` “/home/pi/./code.py”
```auto
# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2021 ladyada for Adafruit Industries
# SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
import busio
import digitalio
import board
import adafruit_mcp3xxx.mcp3008 as MCP
from adafruit_mcp3xxx.analog_in import AnalogIn
# create the spi bus
spi = busio.SPI(clock=board.SCK, MISO=board.MISO, MOSI=board.MOSI)
# create the cs (chip select)
cs = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.D5)
# create the mcp object
mcp = MCP.MCP3008(spi, cs)
# create an analog input channel on pin 0
chan = AnalogIn(mcp, MCP.P0)
print("Raw ADC Value: ", chan.value)
print("ADC Voltage: " + str(chan.voltage) + "V")
```
Now I run this
code: ` python3 ./code.py and I get data coming in from the sensor. And it does change when I put the sensor in water… so that seems to be working (Look at screenshot).
So what I need is to import this into node-red I’m assuming we need to use an “mqtt in” node, but I just can’t figure it out… I’ve watched probably 40 different YouTube videos, and it looks so easy but nothing seems to work.
When I use a `“mqtt in”`node I get nothing coming through
the debugger… It shows it is connect but no error msg or data. (check
screenshots) `
Is there a
different way to import the data coming in from the raspberry pi, or is there
something I’m missing?`
I think I will need to calibrate the sensor and somehow set the parameters to interpret the data as come sort of high, medium, low soil moisture level. Not sure if i can do this in Node-Red or do I have to do this in Terminal.
And I haven’t even
attempted to connect the water pump and oLED ,to display if the soil is wet or
not, yet. So many more questions will
probably be on the way haha`
Can some legend out
there same me!!`
---
### Author:  [@jbudd](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/jbudd)
#### Post date: [24 September 2023 08:48 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/2 "2023-09-24T08:48:33Z")
Hello @snax and welcome to the forum.
> [@snax](#):
>
> I’m assuming we need to use an “mqtt in” node
Why are you assuming that? MQTT may indeed be a good way to exchange data, it may not be the best or the only way. Probably how the different components are connected is relevant to the choice of protocol.
> [@snax](#):
>
> Is there a different way to import the data coming in from the raspberry pi, or is there
> something I’m missing?`
Have you tested that you can successfully publish and subscribe to MQTT from your Node-red setup? Very simple to do.
Have you tested that you can publish to MQTT from a Python script _on your Node-red machine_?
How does this work? There are plenty of online tutorials for using MQTT from Python.
Have you tested that you can publish to MQTT from a Python script on your Pico?
---
### Author:  [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)
#### Post date: [24 September 2023 09:05 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/3 "2023-09-24T09:05:14Z")
I don't see where in the python script you are publishing the data to MQTT for node-red to pick up.
---
### Author:  [@snax](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/snax)
#### Post date: [24 September 2023 11:00 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/4 "2023-09-24T11:00:37Z")
Hey jbudd,
Thanks for helping out!!
I was assuming because I have no idea how to do it properly. And i've so many different tutorials and the mqtt hasnt worked.
> [@jbudd](#):
>
> Have you tested that you can successfully publish and subscribe to MQTT from your Node-red setup? Very simple to do.
yep i've done that works fine.
> [@jbudd](#):
>
> Have you tested that you can publish to MQTT from a Python script _on your Node-red machine_?
> How does this work? There are plenty of online tutorials for using MQTT from Python.
>
> Have you tested that you can publish to MQTT from a Python script on your Pico?
I have not tried that. I don't know python, is there an easy tutorial that you recommend?
---
### Author:  [@snax](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/snax)
#### Post date: [24 September 2023 11:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/5 "2023-09-24T11:04:21Z")
Hey Colin,
Ohh I didn't know I had to, I'm a full rookie!! Do you know how I could do that?
Thanks for replying so quick!!
---
### Author:  [@bakman2](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bakman2)
#### Post date: [24 September 2023 11:11 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/6 "2023-09-24T11:11:23Z")
You will need to import the mqtt library for circuitpython and connect to the broker
[Example script from adafruit](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_CircuitPython_MiniMQTT/blob/main/examples/minimqtt_simpletest.py).
---
### Author:  [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)
#### Post date: [24 September 2023 11:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/7 "2023-09-24T11:12:55Z")
To understand how MQTT works then see this tutorial [MQTT Essentials - All Core Concepts explained](https://www.hivemq.com/mqtt-essentials/)
---
### Author:  [@snax](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/snax)
#### Post date: [24 September 2023 22:21 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/8 "2023-09-24T22:21:40Z")
Thanks for the link, its very informative! I had a good look over the documents, but i'm not sure how I will implement the correct protocols when I don't know how to write the code..
---
### Author:  [@zenofmud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/zenofmud)
#### Post date: [25 September 2023 01:30 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/9 "2023-09-25T01:30:24Z")
Try a google search with ‘python and MQTT tutorial’ and see what you find
---
### Author:  [@manglemender](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/manglemender)
#### Post date: [25 September 2023 07:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/10 "2023-09-25T07:50:40Z")
@snax Firstly good luck with your project.
I did something similar for my greenhouse last year. I used an ESP32 in the greenhouse to interface 4 moisture sensors and publish the data to my MQTT server over a wireless network. NodeRed reads the raw values from MQTT and a function node then applies the calibration to give moisture readings of 0-100%.
For calibration: each sensor has its own "wet" and "dry" value stored in a csv file and read in to flow variables on startup. For each sensor note down the raw value when it is fully dry and fully wet and use these values to calculate the 0-100% values.
My advice is to break the task down to small chuncks:
Read the sensors
publish to MQTT
Read from MQTT
Scale the output
Display the output
Start with just one sensor and get that working then think about adding more sensors.
After that you can add more refinements such as a calibration interface to edit and store calibration values.
---
### Author:  [@snax](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/snax)
#### Post date: [26 September 2023 10:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/11 "2023-09-26T10:51:43Z")
thanks @manglemender!! much help but I just couldn't figure it out.. i've converted to wrting a json file and trying to read that from node-red through a http response.. seems to be just as difficult haha.. i think i might just lay down the battle tools and admit defeat. Thanks everyone for helping!!! really appreciate it 🙂
---
### Author:  [@bakman2](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bakman2)
#### Post date: [26 September 2023 11:21 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/12 "2023-09-26T11:21:58Z")
You will need to connect to the mqtt broker as part of your python code. You will not progress without it.
---
### Author:  [@jbudd](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/jbudd)
#### Post date: [26 September 2023 11:39 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/13 "2023-09-26T11:39:05Z")
> [@snax](#):
>
> i think i might just lay down the battle tools and admit defeat.
Oh dear, there goes your 1st class honours! 😛
> [@snax](#):
>
> i've converted to wrting a json file and trying to read that from node-red through a http response.. seems to be just as difficult haha..
While http may be more familiar, MQTT is a much better choice for an IOT application.
Once you get used to it, it's much simpler and more elegant than http (in my opinion).
I think someone suggested you look at a tutorial on Adafruit's website, did you try that? Usually Adafruit's tutorials are well written and reliable.
---
### Author:  [@manglemender](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/manglemender)
#### Post date: [26 September 2023 13:49 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/14 "2023-09-26T13:49:29Z")
> [@jbudd](#):
>
> MQTT is a much better choice for an IOT application
100% agreed.
Steve's internet guide is always a good learning resource: [Using The Mosquitto\_pub and Mosquitto\_sub MQTT Client Tools- Examples](http://www.steves-internet-guide.com/mosquitto_pub-sub-clients/)
---
### Author:  [@snax](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/snax)
#### Post date: [26 September 2023 22:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/15 "2023-09-26T22:17:30Z")
here's an updated code that has a mqtt broker and it looks like it should all be working... but i still cant access the data in node-red.
I tried changing the port number to 1886 because, according to chatgpt, there might have been an issue with conflicting port usage. But now the mqtt wont connect in node-red and I get this error in my terminal window but not it the debug in node-red..
26 Sep 23:14:12 - [info] [mqtt-broker:d1b995653bfca26d] Connection failed to broker: mqtt://192.168.0.100:1886
```auto
import os
import time
import paho.mqtt.client as mqtt
import busio
import digitalio
import board
import adafruit_mcp3xxx.mcp3008 as MCP
from adafruit_mcp3xxx.analog_in import AnalogIn
# create the spi bus
spi = busio.SPI(clock=board.SCK, MISO=board.MISO, MOSI=board.MOSI)
# create the cs (chip select)
cs = digitalio.DigitalInOut(board.D22)
# create the mcp object
mcp = MCP.MCP3008(spi, cs)
# create an analog input channel on pin 0
chanel = AnalogIn(mcp, MCP.P0)
# Set up MQTT client
mqtt_client = mqtt.Client()
mqtt_client.connect("192.168.0.100", 1886) # Use the correct port (usually 1883)
# Start the MQTT client's loop
mqtt_client.loop_start()
while True:
# Read the soil moisture value
soil_moisture = chanel.value # You should replace this with your actual value
# Print the value of soil_moisture
print('Soil Moisture:', soil_moisture)
print('Raw ADC Value: ', soil_moisture)
print('ADC Voltage: ' + str(chanel.voltage) + 'V')
# Publish the soil moisture value to an MQTT topic
mqtt_client.publish("soil_moisture", soil_moisture)
time.sleep(0.5)
```
---
### Author:  [@jbudd](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/jbudd)
#### Post date: [26 September 2023 22:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/16 "2023-09-26T22:43:44Z")
What MQTT broker are you using - Mosquitto?
Have you set it up to allow connections from remote devices?
[This](https://randomnerdtutorials.com/how-to-install-mosquitto-broker-on-raspberry-pi/) might be relevant
---
### Author:  [@bakman2](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bakman2)
#### Post date: [27 September 2023 06:02 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/17 "2023-09-27T06:02:48Z")
> I tried changing the port number to 1886 because, according to chatgpt,
But chatgpt talks nonsense as usual. In the screenshot in your initial post, your broker lives on port 1883. Change it back to 1883 in both node-red and in the python code.
Check what @jbudd is pointing out, in that particular article the related item is this:
> allow\_anonymous true
By default this is turned off (false). Set it to true and restart the mqtt broker. Restart device.
---
### Author:  [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)
#### Post date: [27 September 2023 09:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/18 "2023-09-27T09:01:17Z")
As well as
`allow_anonymous true`
you need
`listener 1883`
---
### Author:  [@dynamicdave](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dynamicdave)
#### Post date: [27 September 2023 10:20 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/19 "2023-09-27T10:20:23Z")
Did you ever try the very basic check of your local MQTT broker (as suggested by @jbudd above) ?
You need to make sure that is working.
```auto
[{"id":"0e90d9248cf5a9ce","type":"tab","label":"Basic MQTT check","disabled":false,"info":"","env":[]},{"id":"82cbe9a3221a369b","type":"inject","z":"0e90d9248cf5a9ce","name":"","props":[{"p":"payload"}],"repeat":"","crontab":"","once":false,"onceDelay":0.1,"topic":"","payload":"Hello world","payloadType":"str","x":260,"y":200,"wires":[["fb0ee3e59c1f0826"]]},{"id":"f90c59804fd08621","type":"debug","z":"0e90d9248cf5a9ce","name":"debug 3363","active":true,"tosidebar":true,"console":false,"tostatus":false,"complete":"false","statusVal":"","statusType":"auto","x":470,"y":260,"wires":[]},{"id":"2370f7c230b79c2f","type":"mqtt in","z":"0e90d9248cf5a9ce","name":"","topic":"test","qos":"2","datatype":"auto-detect","broker":"846a8c23e24a78db","nl":false,"rap":true,"rh":0,"inputs":0,"x":230,"y":260,"wires":[["f90c59804fd08621"]]},{"id":"fb0ee3e59c1f0826","type":"mqtt out","z":"0e90d9248cf5a9ce","name":"Local MQTT broker","topic":"test","qos":"","retain":"","respTopic":"","contentType":"","userProps":"","correl":"","expiry":"","broker":"846a8c23e24a78db","x":470,"y":200,"wires":[]},{"id":"cbb6c83fa987e42b","type":"comment","z":"0e90d9248cf5a9ce","name":"A very basic test to check your local MQTT broker","info":"","x":370,"y":140,"wires":[]},{"id":"846a8c23e24a78db","type":"mqtt-broker","name":"","broker":"127.0.0.1","port":"1883","clientid":"","autoConnect":true,"usetls":false,"protocolVersion":"4","keepalive":"60","cleansession":true,"autoUnsubscribe":true,"birthTopic":"","birthQos":"0","birthRetain":"false","birthPayload":"","birthMsg":{},"closeTopic":"","closeQos":"0","closeRetain":"false","closePayload":"","closeMsg":{},"willTopic":"","willQos":"0","willRetain":"false","willPayload":"","willMsg":{},"userProps":"","sessionExpiry":""}]
```
---
### Author:  [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)
#### Post date: [27 September 2023 16:08 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534/20 "2023-09-27T16:08:29Z")
Assuming that works then change the server address in the mqtt config in node-red to use the IP of the machine running the broker, instead of localhost, that will prove the broker can be accessed from other devices.
[Next page](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/import-data-from-sensor-into-node-red/81534.md?page=2)