What is Reddit's opinion of HiLetgo 3pcs ESP8266 NodeMCU CP2102 ESP-12E Development Board Open Source Serial Module Works Great for Arduino IDE/Micropython (Large)?

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Totally get it, bad luck happens to the best of us. AliExpress isn't the best for that stuff.

That said, if you do get into ESP in the future, go for something like the NodeMCU module. Generally reliable.

Holy shit Im used to using these...

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B081CSJV2V/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_42FVT84GVPPHRC2STHDT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I didn't even think to look to see if they make something smaller. I was getting beyond frustrated trying to find them w/out headers. I'm definitely gonna order some of the minis once I figure out what to do with the 3 I still have laying around.

I ordered from the international site and it took a little over two weeks to arrive. You can also use a node mcu but will need to add dc-dc converter, and logic level shifter, and protection. I am using one to run 843 sk6812 RGBW but they run on 5v.

HiLetgo 3pcs ESP8266 NodeMCU CP2102 ESP-12E Development Board Open Source Serial Module Works Great for Arduino IDE/Micropython (Large) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081CSJV2V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_CKNK4HCJF3SVKKH85WEG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Ok. Esp8266 is a board that can be programmed just like any arduino board. So you can program a esp8266 board to start a http server and respond to your requests, there is an example of one so you should have it running with a bit of tinkering.

Here is a sample from amazon for 3 esp8266 boards for 13$:

https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-Internet-Development-Wireless-Micropython/dp/B081CSJV2V/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=esp8266&qid=1589948337&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFHTEtXUTRHTVUyMk4mZW5jcnlwdGV...

I think it is used as a wifi module but that is a bit of a overkill - like using a smartphone just as a wifi card for your PC.

Now's your chance to dive in, the pricing is right!

Right now on Amazon, pack of 3 for $13:

HiLetgo 3pcs ESP8266 NodeMCU CP2102 ESP-12E Internet WiFi Development Board Open Source Serial Wireless Module Works Great for Arduino IDE/Micropython (Large) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081CSJV2V/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_bWlQEbX9HNF77

Right now on Amazon, pack of 3 for $13:

HiLetgo 3pcs ESP8266 NodeMCU CP2102 ESP-12E Internet WiFi Development Board Open Source Serial Wireless Module Works Great for Arduino IDE/Micropython (Large) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081CSJV2V/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_bWlQEbX9HNF77

Not sure your budget here, but adafruit makes a very nice 3G GSM breakout board that should work well. However, cellular connection tends to be pricy, between the hardware required and the monthly data plans.

If the station is within a couple miles, you could use LoRa to send the data back, something like this LoRa module can reach up to 1.5 miles with a basic antenna, and even more with a directional antenna (claims up to 12 miles).

If it's a bit closer, the esp now protocol is an excellent communication protocol that works with the ESP6266 and ESP32, and can reach up to 700 feet with an onboard chip antenna (no official tests with an external or directional antenna yet).

If it's even closer than that, you could go with the ubiquitous WiFi using any number of ESP development boards or WiFi modules for arduino. I have personally talked between two NodeMCU boards (knockoffs in my case), with no external antennas, at a distance of over 200 feet.

If it's closer still, you could use Bluetooth Low Energy using a development board like the nRF52840 BLE board of an ESP32. This should work at distances within 30 feet or so without an external antenna.

If (and we're getting a bit ridiculous here) it's closer than that, you could use NFC or RFID to send the data back. I won't bother linking anything here because this is basically within a foot, so it's not particularly viable.

If you want to go truly extreme, grab yourself an amateur radio license and a short wave radio, and hack it to allow your arduino to send morse code to basically anywhere on the planet (given decent weather conditions.

I have a 36V ~2A load that I'm trying to control using a microcontroller. I'm trying to power the microcontroller from the same power supply, so using buck converter to try to step down from 36V to 5V.

When I plug this in, the microcontroller turns on for a brief period of time and then just shuts down. I'm pretty confused by this situation. Any advice on how to fix/debug the above (or simplify) would be appreciated.

The microcontroller I'm using: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B081CSJV2V

Buck converter that I adjusted to 5V when plugged in: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08BFKKDGD

The MOSFET board I'm using: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07ZHC5M7H

Hey! Sorry for my slow response, below are all the parts that you need to build it.

I like the combo of this ESP/Breadboard because they just naturally fit together, with that said its not required at all.

​

The wiring is really easy and laid out below(Also see picture):

Power Adapter + => Molax Pin1

Power Adapter - => Molax Pin2 + ESP GND

Molax Pin3 => ESP D0

Molax Pin4 => Remove this yellow wire, its not used

​

This is a picture of the back of my completed board + wiring diagram

https://imgur.com/a/k4FfwJB

ESP8266

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B081CSJV2V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Breadboard

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07ZYPCXZ3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Power Adapter

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07JMY5XXT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Molax Cable

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00STNUB04/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am using Tasmota Firmware, settings below:

Module Type: Generic

D0 (GPIO16) is set to PWM 1

I set "DimmerRange 75-100" in the console (this is because 0-75 Tasmota does nothing to the fan)

Is this the same thing?

https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-Internet-Development-Wireless-Micropython/dp/B081CSJV2V/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=Esp8266&qid=1644619061&sr=8-4

Get a NodeMCU development board with the header pins, and buy a wire-wrap tool and a spool of wire-wrap wire. Much faster and easier than soldering and for projects without a lot of vibration and/or minimal size requirements, a lot easer to work with. For certain components, you can even get by with just using female-female jumper wires and no wire-wrapping at all. You might need a how-to-wire-wrap guide, too.

I have 3 of these, they seem to be working just fine, ota and all https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081CSJV2V?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I have a few of these but I've not tried them yet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q576VWZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_03GCH5QPTJVANA4Q4AZQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Or these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0718T232Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_TZRW6F6DA016869YHY8G?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

What kind of issue were you having with the ESP32s? Just bringing them up in ESPhome in general?

Assuming you can buy from amazon bad are in the states, this will work for boards, 3 pack for $14 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081CSJV2V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_2TY0GX5GFW84CSZXZJZ2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

You'll also want some breadboard / protoboard and jumpers to set everything up. I would highly recommend solid jumper wires versus the dupont ones. They are much cleaner and easier to work with in my opinion. Also an Arduino strated kit may or may not have protoboarf and jumpers, but it should have some basic stuff like resistors, push buttons, single LEDs, and other stuff like that which is useful in the long run.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DC32N24/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_SAZT868YZWE6J3V82H48?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

If you're doing just a few less (under 50 addressable LEDs) then you can get away running power through the esp board and using a 5v wall charger and usb cable assuming the charger is a couple amp output.

Pretty sure all of mine are v3. Here's one of the links I bought some from: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081CSJV2V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabt1_Jl7WFbY1D0AFN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This is what I used to set all my WLED's up.

HiLetgo 3pcs ESP8266

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081CSJV2V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_hR5zFb9T6JRQ4

WS2812B Addressable LED Strip Lights 5V 60 LEDs/Pixels/M

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHK4LNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_qU5zFbA8KPKJF

ALITOVE 5V 20A 100W AC to DC Power Supply

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XK2DDW4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_eV5zFb7NNX0GY

EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GD2BWPY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_kW5zFbD0ND9Q1

I mean, you can get ESP8266 dev boards for cheaper than $9 each. Even the ESP32 can be cheaper than $9 each.

This is what I used to set all my WLED's up.

HiLetgo 3pcs ESP8266

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081CSJV2V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_hR5zFb9T6JRQ4

WS2812B Addressable LED Strip Lights 5V 60 LEDs/Pixels/M

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHK4LNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_qU5zFbA8KPKJF

ALITOVE 5V 20A 100W AC to DC Power Supply

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XK2DDW4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_eV5zFb7NNX0GY

EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GD2BWPY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_kW5zFbD0ND9Q1

Striveday 20 AWG 3 conductor wire

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y346FKR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_eX5zFbKCJTK2D

Wled WS2812.bin file https://github.com/Aircoookie/WLED