Arduino IDE setup and flashing

Install the Arduino IDE, select board and port, install libraries, and flash the garage probe sketch.

Firmware development starts on the bench with USB power and serial logging. The Arduino IDE (or PlatformIO) compiles C++ sketches, flashes the Uno, and opens a serial monitor for the first sanity checks before the board moves to the garage.

Board and libraries

  • Board: Arduino Uno (or compatible) with sufficient flash for Ethernet + LCD stacks.
  • Libraries: DHT sensor library, LiquidCrystal, Ethernet/W5100 stack as used in the repo sketch.
  • Port: Select the correct USB serial port after plugging in the programming cable.

First flash checklist

  1. Verify compile with no errors before disconnecting bench wiring.
  2. Open serial monitor at 9600 baud (or sketch default) and confirm boot messages.
  3. Confirm LCD shows live values—see LCD display format.
  4. curl the JSON endpoint before mounting—schema in JSON probe output schema.

Source and wiring context

Reference firmware lives in the project GitHub repo linked from Arduino sketches overview. Wire the breadboard first using circuit wiring and pin wiring guides.