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ESP8266: A $5 microcontroller with wi-fi that runs Python

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Re: ESP8266: A $5 microcontroller with wi-fi that runs Python

#41

Post by StavrosK »

gh02t wrote: post #39
StavrosK wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's true, but you need to solder, as you say, six resistors and and a capacitor, which quickly becomes a tangle of wires. I prefer breakouts just because they're a very cheap and good way to avoid this.

Just two resistors works or three if you want deep sleep. Some people recommend pulling up/down some of the other pins, but it's always worked fine for me to leave them floating. I tend to do those with solder bridges instead of wires, so it doesn't get too messy. I also usually put an LDO regulator on the power input since I have more 5V supplies on hand and I skip the smoothing cap. The output from the regulators I…

Yeah, I usually add the rest as well, for stability. I don't really use the FTDI programmer as programming it over the air is faster and more convenient.

Re: ESP8266: A $5 microcontroller with wi-fi that runs Python

#42

Post by humancell »

StavrosK wrote: post #23

By the way, I have to warn people who are thinking about trying this chip (as I have done in other comments): The bare chip won't be very useful to you, unless you want to design your own PCB. Instead, I would recommend a breakout board. There are two major types: Something like the WeMos D1 Mini ( http://www.aliexpress.com/item/D1-mini-Mini-NodeMcu-4M-bytes... ) or NodeMCU ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/NodeMCU-LUA-WIFI-…

Nice prototyping board! We've been working on a similar concept at ESProto - http://www.esproto.com/ - and have taken a few steps beyond your board. We've created the ESProto 1, and now the ESProto IoT. Both are being released as open source, and also sold as kits.

The ESProto 1 is designed to support the AI Thinker ESP-12F (FCC Certified) module, and give you space for an optional regulator, and prototyping space on board. We include jumpers and a push button for easily entering programming mode.

The ESProto IoT is our newest prototyping board, and couples the ESP-12F with a 5v Arduino Pro Mini to provide enhanced connectivity for sensors and peripherals, all in the form factor of the Arduino Uno.

Both boards use external USB for programming.

These things are too cool, and too much fun!

Re: ESP8266: A $5 microcontroller with wi-fi that runs Python

#43

Post by SEJeff »

StavrosK wrote: post #23

By the way, I have to warn people who are thinking about trying this chip (as I have done in other comments): The bare chip won't be very useful to you, unless you want to design your own PCB. Instead, I would recommend a breakout board. There are two major types: Something like the WeMos D1 Mini ( http://www.aliexpress.com/item/D1-mini-Mini-NodeMcu-4M-bytes... ) or NodeMCU ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/NodeMCU-LUA-WIFI-…

How can you forget something like the Adafruit Huzzah[1]? It is so nice with the ESP8266. We use it in home-assistant (http://home-assistant.io) for things like this temperature sensor[2].

    [1] https://www.adafruit.com/products/2471
    [2] https://home-assistant.io/blog/2015/10/11/measure-temperature-with-esp8266-and-report-to-mqtt/

Re: ESP8266: A $5 microcontroller with wi-fi that runs Python

#45

Post by TeMPOraL »

ck2 wrote: post #25

Somewhat remotely related, I've been playing with this tiny wifi router on a usb stick for a week now with OpenWRT and it is amazing for $10 https://wiki.hackerspace.pl/projects:zsun-wifi-card-reader The future is filled with tiny wifi devices!

And tinfoil, to isolate yourself from interference from external signals as everyone starts having 20+ Wi-Fi-connected devices in their homes ;). But yeah, I like how cheap wireless is now, it simplifies a lot of things.

Re: ESP8266: A $5 microcontroller with wi-fi that runs Python

#46

Post by StavrosK »

SEJeff wrote: post #43
StavrosK wrote: post #23

By the way, I have to warn people who are thinking about trying this chip (as I have done in other comments): The bare chip won't be very useful to you, unless you want to design your own PCB. Instead, I would recommend a breakout board. There are two major types: Something like the WeMos D1 Mini ( http://www.aliexpress.com/item/D1-mini-Mini-NodeMcu-4M-bytes... ) or NodeMCU ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/NodeMCU-LUA-WIFI-…

How can you forget something like the Adafruit Huzzah[1]? It is so nice with the ESP8266. We use it in home-assistant ( http://home-assistant.io ) for things like this temperature sensor[2]. [1] https://www.adafruit.com/products/2471 [2] https://home-assistant.io/blog/2015/10/11/measure-temperature-with-esp8266-and-report-to-mqtt/

I forgot it because I don't have one :-P I think the wemos is better, to be honest. About the same size, half price and includes an FTDI chip just in case.

Re: ESP8266: A $5 microcontroller with wi-fi that runs Python

#47

Post by ank_the_elder »

StavrosK wrote: post #23

By the way, I have to warn people who are thinking about trying this chip (as I have done in other comments): The bare chip won't be very useful to you, unless you want to design your own PCB. Instead, I would recommend a breakout board. There are two major types: Something like the WeMos D1 Mini ( http://www.aliexpress.com/item/D1-mini-Mini-NodeMcu-4M-bytes... ) or NodeMCU ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/NodeMCU-LUA-WIFI-…

Have you tried the Olimex version as linked in the article? https://www.olimex.com/Products/IoT/MOD-WIFI-ESP8266-DEV/ope... I've purchased a few Olimex boards in the past and I've greatly enjoyed them.

Re: ESP8266: A $5 microcontroller with wi-fi that runs Python

#49

Post by StavrosK »

ank_the_elder wrote: post #47
StavrosK wrote: post #23

By the way, I have to warn people who are thinking about trying this chip (as I have done in other comments): The bare chip won't be very useful to you, unless you want to design your own PCB. Instead, I would recommend a breakout board. There are two major types: Something like the WeMos D1 Mini ( http://www.aliexpress.com/item/D1-mini-Mini-NodeMcu-4M-bytes... ) or NodeMCU ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/NodeMCU-LUA-WIFI-…

Have you tried the Olimex version as linked in the article? https://www.olimex.com/Products/IoT/MOD-WIFI-ESP8266-DEV/ope... I've purchased a few Olimex boards in the past and I've greatly enjoyed them.

I haven't, but it looks very interesting, thank you!

Re: ESP8266: A $5 microcontroller with wi-fi that runs Python

#50

Post by StavrosK »

humancell wrote: post #42
StavrosK wrote: post #23

By the way, I have to warn people who are thinking about trying this chip (as I have done in other comments): The bare chip won't be very useful to you, unless you want to design your own PCB. Instead, I would recommend a breakout board. There are two major types: Something like the WeMos D1 Mini ( http://www.aliexpress.com/item/D1-mini-Mini-NodeMcu-4M-bytes... ) or NodeMCU ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/NodeMCU-LUA-WIFI-…

Nice prototyping board! We've been working on a similar concept at ESProto - http://www.esproto.com/ - and have taken a few steps beyond your board. We've created the ESProto 1, and now the ESProto IoT. Both are being released as open source, and also sold as kits. The ESProto 1 is designed to support the AI Thinker ESP-12F (FCC Certified) module, and give you space for an optional regulator, and prototyping space on…

That looks interesting, but I can't find much information on your site, it seems to be a stockish install. Is there any more info somewhere?
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