diff --git a/esp32/include/ControllerConfiguration.h b/esp32/include/ControllerConfiguration.h
index f757744..cc1485c 100644
--- a/esp32/include/ControllerConfiguration.h
+++ b/esp32/include/ControllerConfiguration.h
@@ -85,9 +85,9 @@
 #define FIRMWARE_VERSION "sw 2.0 hw 0.10b"
 
 #define TIMED_LIGHT_PIN CUSTOM1_PIN5
-//#define FLOWMETER_PIN CUSTOM1_PIN1
+#define FLOWMETER_PIN CUSTOM1_PIN1
 #ifdef FLOWMETER_PIN
-    #define FLOWMETER_FLOWFACTOR 22 /** F = 22 * Q;Q = L/min */
+    #define FLOWMETER_FLOWFACTOR 23 /** F = 22 * Q;Q = L/min */
 #endif
 
 #define MOIST_SENSOR_MAX_FRQ               60000 // 60kHz (500Hz margin)
diff --git a/esp32/platformio.ini b/esp32/platformio.ini
index 089714c..110308f 100644
--- a/esp32/platformio.ini
+++ b/esp32/platformio.ini
@@ -12,9 +12,10 @@
 platform = espressif32
 board = esp32doit-devkit-v1
 framework = arduino
-build_flags = -DPIO_FRAMEWORK_ARDUINO_LWIP2_LOW_MEMORY
+build_flags = -DPIO_FRAMEWORK_ARDUINO_LWIP2_LOW_MEMORY -fexceptions -lstdc++-exc
 board_build.partitions = defaultWithSmallerSpiffs.csv
 
+
 ; the latest development brankitchen-lightch (convention V3.0.x) 
 lib_deps = ArduinoJson@6.16.1
             OneWire
diff --git a/esp32/src/main.cpp b/esp32/src/main.cpp
index 08b3c96..4aa2a1a 100644
--- a/esp32/src/main.cpp
+++ b/esp32/src/main.cpp
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ RTC_DATA_ATTR long consecutiveWateringPlant[MAX_PLANTS] = {0};
 bool volatile mDownloadMode = false; /**< Controller must not sleep */
 bool volatile mSensorsRead = false;  /**< Sensors are read without Wifi or MQTT */
 int volatile pumpToRun = -1;         /** pump to run  at the end of the cycle */
-int volatile selfTestPumpRun = -1;         /** pump to run  at the end of the cycle */
+int volatile selfTestPumpRun = -1;   /** pump to run  at the end of the cycle */
 
 bool mConfigured = false;
 long nextBlink = 0; /**< Time needed in main loop to support expected blink code */
@@ -639,12 +639,9 @@ void pumpActiveLoop()
   }
 }
 
-/**
- * @brief Startup function
- * Is called once, the controller is started
- */
-void setup()
+void safeSetup()
 {
+  throw std::runtime_error("Shit happened");
   /* reduce power consumption */
   setCpuFrequencyMhz(80);
 
@@ -829,9 +826,29 @@ void setup()
   setupFinishedTimestamp = millis();
 }
 
+/**
+ * @brief Startup function
+ * Is called once, the controller is started
+ */
+void setup()
+{
+  try
+  {
+    safeSetup();
+  }
+  catch (const std::exception &e)
+  {
+    Serial.printf("Exception thrown: \"%s\"", e.what());
+  }
+  catch (...)
+  {
+    Serial.println("Other exception thrown.");
+  }
+}
+
 void selfTest()
 {
-  
+
   if (selfTestPumpRun >= 0 && selfTestPumpRun < MAX_PLANTS)
   {
     Serial << "self test mode pump deactivate " << pumpToRun << endl;