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To send readings from an XY-MD02 to Node-RED on a Balena-managed device, connect the sensor’s RS-485 interface to a compatible serial interface, make that interface available to the container, and configure a Modbus RTU client in Node-RED. A published example reads temperature and humidity from input registers with function code 4. Treat its register map, scaling, and serial settings as a starting point—not a guarantee for every sensor revision.
What you need before configuring Node-RED
- An XY-MD02 sensor and its matching documentation, including power and terminal details. A third-party-hosted manual describes RS-485, Modbus RTU, and 5–30 V DC power; confirm those details against the manual supplied with your particular unit. See the manual copy.
- A Balena-managed host with an RS-485 interface, or a compatible USB-to-RS485 adapter if it does not have one. The project documentation notes that a PC or Raspberry Pi may need an RS-485 interface, but does not verify a specific adapter model. See the XY-MD02 project.
- Node-RED running on the Balena device, with the Node-RED Dashboard and Node-RED Contrib Modbus nodes used by the example project.
- A serial-device path that the Node-RED container can access. Balena’s general runtime guidance explains host/container and device-access considerations, but does not provide a specific USB-serial recipe for every device. Review Balena runtime documentation.
Connect the sensor over RS-485
XY-MD02 communication in the cited manual and project uses RS-485 with Modbus RTU, not a direct Ethernet connection. Connect the sensor’s RS-485 terminals to the corresponding adapter terminals and power the sensor according to its own documentation. Check terminal markings and wiring carefully; do not assume that A and B labels or wire colors are consistent across every adapter and sensor.
Before moving to Node-RED, identify the Linux serial path that the host exposes for the adapter. The Balena container must also be permitted to see and open that device. Do not copy a Windows COM port into a Linux Balena configuration. The project documentation specifically advises selecting the serial-interface reference appropriate to the platform.
Configure a Modbus read flow
- Install the Modbus nodes. In the Node-RED editor, add the Node-RED Contrib Modbus package if it is not already installed. The XY-MD02 example also lists Node-RED Dashboard as a dependency.
- Set up the serial client. In the Modbus node’s client configuration, choose a serial connection and enter the device path exposed to the container. Set the baud rate, data bits, parity, and stop bits to match the sensor manual. The public flow uses 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit; verify rather than assume those values for your unit.
- Set the unit ID. Use the Modbus unit ID configured for the sensor. The cited example does not establish one universal ID, so check the device documentation or configuration.
- Read the example input registers. The published flow requests function code 4, starting address 1, and quantity 2. Its map labels register 1 as temperature and register 2 as humidity. View the public flow.
- Interpret the returned values only after checking the map. The example divides both returned values by 10 for display. Confirm the register numbering and scale against documentation for your sensor revision before using the readings in alerts, logs, or automation.
The Node-RED project and flow provide implementation examples, not a manufacturer guarantee that every XY-MD02 uses identical register addresses, scale, or communication settings.
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Make the serial device available to the Balena container
A working adapter on the host is not sufficient if the Node-RED container cannot access its device node. Confirm the actual serial path on the host and the device-access configuration for your Balena device and application. Balena’s general documentation discusses container boundaries and device handling; its external-media guidance mentions privileged mode, udev, and root in that storage context, not as a ready-made USB-serial configuration. Check the requirements for your specific device and deployment rather than applying storage instructions blindly.
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Troubleshoot missing readings
- The serial client cannot open the port: check that the configured path is the one exposed by the host, that the container can access it, and that the adapter is connected. A host path that is absent inside the container will not work.
- The request times out or gets no reply: verify sensor power, RS-485 A/B wiring and polarity, serial settings, and Modbus unit ID. These are the key physical and protocol settings required for a serial Modbus exchange.
- The flow returns values but they look wrong: recheck the sensor’s register map, address convention, and scale. The example’s divide-by-ten conversion is specific to that flow’s interpretation.
- The setup works on one host but not another: reselect the platform’s serial-device path and confirm device access in the Balena container. Serial interface names and availability vary by host.
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