Alternatives to USB ESP8266

Hey, a noob question here:
In the last few days, I started to mount a wireless simple robot with an ESP8266 ESP01 module using a USB CH340G adapter. However, I had some issues during the process of mount and the USB adapter has a bad contact problem.

Is there an alternative for this USB? (preferably directly on the breadboard)

Can You show that in more detail?

All USB connectors are getting old, some day or the other. I have scrapped a few cables and replaced them with new cables when the connector is worn out.

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Yep, avoid the ESP-01.
A WeMos D1 mini is not much bigger or more expensive, has more flash, OTA programming, more I/O, and can be powered and programmed directly through USB.
Leo..

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for programming/testing the ESP-01 I use a ESP-01 Helper V3 (ESP8266/ESP32 programmer/development board)
just plug in the ESP-01, select Tools>Board generic ESP8266 module, click the uploaad button to program, upload and run
no changing switch positions, removing device to run, etc etc

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Well... here's a short story :slight_smile:
When I passed the code from IDE for the first time, the adapter and ESP01 works normally, using the tip of connect at the same time the GPIO-0 and GND with a piece of a resistor wire

image

However, when I started the robot, the ESP01 shows a generic Wi-fi network on my phone, but I couldn't identify the local web page (proposed by the tutorial).

So I decided to try again and send the code, but the ESP01 module doesn't blink, even if it's with the ports joined (for write mode) or not. I tried to solder with a Push Button or a KCD11-101 switch, but still not working. I reinstalled the driver and switch computers and presents the same thing.

Even if the module is turned on with a USB CH340 (without edit or write mode), it doesn't work.

Well, I think that the poor quality of the USB (the module works perfectly on a breadboard), since I bought it (Arduino Kit) a few time ago.

Maybe there's a trace on the secondary side of the ESP-01?
It's sitting right on top of that electrolytic capacitor on the programmer.
Perhaps a bit of insulation - a couple layers of tape atop the capacitor.

(My programmers don't have that huge cap.)

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I tried to isolate it here (following your idea) but it still not working.

About the capacitor, I think that's normal (at least for my adapter) because the ESP01 isn't touching directly on it.
Here's a picture of the USB with ESP01, on the tutorial's content that I've followed.

Yes, these adapters (stemedu) make solderless breadboard use possible


but you have to come up with a 3.3V power supply (and, excitingly, the alarmists can pop a stitch about "dissipate as heat" and that whole drill).

I have these programmers, also from stemedu (via amazon)
image

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Thanks for the suggestions! @Wawa @horace @runaway_pancake
I'll see these adaptors cited above here in my mini-lab :stuck_out_tongue:

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