Real NRF24l01 works fake doesn't

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

I have an issue where the fake transmitting NRF module doesn't seem to work however if I literally swap the module for a Real one then the same code works flawlessly, the symptoms are the serial monitor either getting messy data or just disconnecting completely (depends on which arduino nano I used, one disconnected one gave wrong data no differences between the circuits) and the onboard LED connected to D13 flashing approximately once per second

#include <SPI.h>
#include <nRF24L01.h>             
#include <RF24.h>         

const uint64_t pipeOut = 0xE8E8F0F0E1LL; 

RF24 radio(10, 9); // (CE, CSN)
struct MyData {
  byte pot_value;
  byte pot_value2;
  byte pot_value3;
  byte pot_value4;
  byte On;
  byte x;
};
MyData data;

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(115200);
  radio.begin();
  radio.setAutoAck(false);
  radio.setDataRate(RF24_250KBPS);
  radio.openWritingPipe(pipeOut);
}


void loop()
{

  data.pot_value = analogRead(A4) / 4;  
  data.pot_value2 = data.pot_value +64;
  data.pot_value3 = data.pot_value -128;
  data.pot_value4 = data.pot_value -64;
  data.On = data.pot_value / 200;
  data.x = data.pot_value / 70;
  Serial.print(millis());
  Serial.print("\t");
  radio.write(&data, sizeof(MyData));
  Serial.println(millis());
}
2

It has been seen that there are bogus RF24 modules out there. I bought 10 myself that demonstrated much the same behavior as yours. I threw them away. I think that I got them from Ebay, the ones that I have purchased through Amazon have worked fine (knock on wood).

3

So bin the fake(s).

And label the ones that work as good and keep them as a reference.

1 Like
4

Interesting so were all 10 of those faulty or did some of them work, also my specific fake is the module with the antenna, I also bought 3 non-antenna modules in the same order, out of curiosity if swapped the antenna module for the non- antenna fake and that one seems to work flawlessly, I haven't tested the other two but it seems strange that one works and the other doesn't from the same order

5

All 10, I did test each of them using a known good on the other end.

What may happen is that unscrupulous persons get hold of cheap seconds or rejects and sell them, cheap. This is not exclusive to the RF24 modules.

6

Where did you buy them?

With places like ebay & ali you have no guarantee of continuity of supply.

"You gets what you pays for"

7

Are you sure that it is a problem with fake units?

How are the RF24 modules are powered? RF24 modules are kind of power hungry, especially when transmitting. The higher power (antenna) modules even more so.

1 Like
8

Maybe some of the fakes need a special fake Arduino library to get them to work ?

1 Like
9

Yes I am sure it is a problem with the unit specifically because the same circuit could power a real NRF module with antenna without any issues.

10

Had to ask. Insufficient power is the number one cause of RF24 problems.

11

In fact, with any kind of radio transmitter.

1 Like
12

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