This. You need a manly TTL-USB adapter. Connect the GND, RX, TX wires from the adapter to the i96. Remember RX->TX and TX-RX from the adapter to i96, respectively. Then you need a serial program like Serial in order to view the debug output. Lmk if you have questions.
Hey, should i use something like this to connect the strip to my power bank?
Use a USB-TTL interface to wire directly to the module. Unless you fried something, that will let you reflash it. If you don't already have one (pretty much a requirement for using esp8266/esp32):
https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-CP2102-Converter-Adapter-Downloader/dp/B00LODGRV8/
Here is the one I ordered:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LODGRV8
Removing the label/trim plate surrounding the ethernet ports, power port, power switch and sync buttons will reveal a couple of screws. Once these are removed, slide the two halves of the clamshell vertically in the opposite direction (only one way works) about 1/2 " and the two halves can be separated.
Search elsewhere in this subreddit for "semi-bricked" for the remainder of the process.
Buy a cheap cp2102 USB to uart module.
Then connect gnd and ESP32 TX to cp2102 RX.
From Arduino ide or a Mac/cygwin terminal open the serial monitor with the correct serial port and baud rates set.
Really depends on how quickly you want it. I always bought this one from Amazon, its about $5 and I never had any issues with it (as long as I had the pins connected correctly. I've blew up a few of these over the years). https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-CP2102-Converter-Adapter-Downloader/dp/B00LODGRV8/ref=sxin_7_ac_d_rm?ac_md=3-3-Y3AyMTAy-ac_d_rm&cv_ct_cx=uart&dchild=1&keywords=uart&pd_rd_i=B00LODGRV8&pd_rd_r=21a9dfbf-096f-485d-828e-933518e6e946... One thing to consider is making sure the usb port on your computer has reverse voltage protection. If it doesn't or you are unsure you might look for a adapter that has it built in, or buy a usb adapter that is specifically meant to protect your pc from reverse voltage. In a past job, a peer shorted their motherboard by having the pins incorrect, had to replace the motherboard.
Aye, it has a COM1 port, and I just so happen to have one of these laying around, but I'm not sure they're compatible, or what the pinout is. Would I be able to access BIOS through this since my drive is clearly not getting booted?
Thanks... this is the type of info I was looking for.
How about using a UART to USB adapter (like this) at the reader end and use a USB 2.0 cable run to one of the Pi USB ports? I don't absolutely need to use the Pi's GPIO - I just assumed that it was the best approach... now I see it's not. If USB wouldn't work...
For RS232 conversion, I assume I would need something on both ends of the cable to handle it. On the Pi end I assume I could use a UART-RS232 adapter ike this. However on the reader end I have no power.
> Should I just harvest a USB data cord or should I buy an adapter of some kind?
You need a specific type of device called a USB-to-TTL adapter (sometimes called an FTDI adapter, after the FT232 IC). For example: https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-CP2102-Converter-Adapter-Downloader/dp/B00LODGRV8/... This translates USB to the RX/TX levels.
> Will I not be able to harvest this information before I flash the chip?
In an ideal world there'd be a schematic in the documentation with all that information, but probably not. Sometimes you just need to reverse engineer it, which usually isn't crazy difficult... you have a simple device, you could probably trace it by eye, but a multimeter with a continuity test should be enough.
The template just tells the firmware what things go on what GPIO's. For example, most of my ecoplug devices have the relay on GPIO15 (because it needs a pulldown anyways, it's a good choice for a relay), a status LED on GPIO2, and the toggle button on GPIO13. You would add the one-wire sensors to whatever GPIO that's free (or multiple GPIOs if you like).
> Would you mind posting an example?
This is a device I have from the blakadder template library. FWIW, the template there isn't complete, as there's a nightlight LED on GPIO14 (which can be dimmed using a PWM signal), and there's also a current monitor on a couple other pins.
But if I were a betting man, I'd say this template will be an even better starting point for the device you have.
> Another user said that running too long of a wire for the DS18B20s could be an issue
Yeah. Ten feet is usually okay, but longer cables are more sensitive to noise, particularly if you try to run them at higher speeds or in a "noisy" environment, like around motors. Keep the wiring away from mains wiring and stuff (i.e. don't strap the sensor wire to the pump plug wire) and you'll probably be fine.
Look for “CP2102” or “FTDI” USB to UART adapter. Here is an example - HiLetgo CP2102 USB 2.0 to TTL Module Serial Converter Adapter Module USB to TTL Downloader With Jumper Wires https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LODGRV8
I won't be able to try it tonight after all, but I found a video that might help :) this video shows how to connect through the serial port (but you need a bridge) using any normal computer, with a program called PuTTY
it's super straight forward :) and unlike my playing around with the Opi-3 LTS, this video shows the same board you have so it's guaranteed to work. if you haven't started with the SSH thing yet, I'd say give this one a try first (assuming you have the USB-UART bridge). It should be easier :D
I used a generic CP2102-based USB to serial adapter from eBay. Any 3.3v-level serial/UART adapter/device should be OK.
Connect GND from the serial adapter.
Short the RX pad on the sensor to GND. This triggers the bootloader.
Connect 3.3v from the serial adapter.
Remove the RX pad to GND short.
LED should be solid red. If it isn’t, then this method will not work.
Connect the TX/RX from the serial adapter to the “T”-marked TX pad and the RX pad next to it.
Downloads and install Flash Programmer2 from TI.
Flash Programmer 2 (select the serial port, then CC1310F128)
​
USB Adapter : https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-CP2102-Converter-Adapter-Downloader/dp/B00LODGRV8?ref_=ast_sto_dp
Firmware: https://github.com/sycophantic/wyzeback
You can also backup your own firmware using this tool and command
cc2538-bsl.py -p com10 -r -l 131072 backup.bin
credit goes to Mr. Null from WYZE forum