We made an open source ESP8266 dev board for makers

Post by konschubert » Fri, Sep 18, 2020, 9:25 AM UTC

StavrosK wrote: post #81

konschubert wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am sure this is something will be able to answer: I need to build a custom board for an ESP32 which should support low-power deep sleep and which should contain some additional circuitry (is that what you call it?) to drive an Eink display. Basically this[1] board, but a different shape and better low-power sleep properties. If I wanted to design this board myself, how long would it take to learn this? Are there go…

Have you already made the circuit on a breadboard? If so, learning KiCAD and building the board from scratch would take around a week of afternoons. I really recommend it, designing PCBs is very enjoyable (at least to me).

Post by andruby » Fri, Sep 18, 2020, 9:46 AM UTC

konschubert wrote: post #100

05 wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We’re talking low speed data lines and run of the mill digital circuits, not 10GHz range RF amplifier design. A month is probably enough.

Okay, so now I know it’ll take between 5 years and one month :D On the one hand, I have a bit of prior knowledge. On the other hand, I want a circuit with minimal power draw in ESP32 sleep mode and i’m afraid that does require some experience.

Post by konschubert » Fri, Sep 18, 2020, 10:38 AM UTC

andruby wrote: post #103

konschubert wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Okay, so now I know it’ll take between 5 years and one month :D On the one hand, I have a bit of prior knowledge. On the other hand, I want a circuit with minimal power draw in ESP32 sleep mode and i’m afraid that does require some experience.

Does it have to be an ESP? There are other microcontrollers capable of driving an eink display that consume a lot less power out-of-the-box. Eg: atmega328 (~5 μA deep sleep, ~10mA running) If you want wifi, then ESP is probably a good and cheap fit. A wemos d1 in deep sleep doesn't consume _that_ much power (~80 μA), unfortunately it does draw a lot when booting (~200mA).

Post by StavrosK » Fri, Sep 18, 2020, 10:46 AM UTC

konschubert wrote: post #106

StavrosK wrote: post #102

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KiCAD is amazing, and it's all you'll need (apart from the prototype on the breadboard). The trick to soldering is really to get a good iron, I underestimated it at the start but you really need something that keeps heat. Get a TS100 and set it to 320, soldering is going to be a breeze afterwards. Remember, solder should flow easily and stick to the pads/wires, if it doesn't, it means you need to heat the thing up a…

I my iron shoes 400 degrees in the display but somehow the pads/wires don’t heat enough to melt the solder. It’s really weird. Maybe I messed up the tip somehow? But I just got it a few days ago!

Post by fullstop » Fri, Sep 18, 2020, 11:03 AM UTC

scns wrote: post #69

fullstop wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I made lights using ws2812b leds and simulated sunrise, sunset, and a dim blue throughout the night. I used ws2812b leds, wemos d1, and a level translator since the d1 has 3.3v gpios but ws2812b technically requires a 5v signal.

That sounds awesome, can you do a write-up about it please?