While my ESP32 is doing its job, I want to send data to and fro between the module and the computer. SO my ESP3 is powered externally and still connected to the computer.
Since I have had prior experience frying Arduinos by connecting them to computer and external power source together, someone on this forum suggested I cut the power line in the ESP 32 connection to computer and that should do it, which I did.
When I then connected my esp32 module to computer while also connected to power source, the computer showed the message - "USB device not recognised", and no sketch uploads were happening.
I disconnected the external power source and the port was not visible anymore. I had to restart my computer to correct this.
DO I have a solution as simple as cutting the power line in the data cable? Or do I need to stick to ESP32's wifi solutions
Are you saying that when connected directly to the PC via USB only, the ESP32 works fine, but not when the external power supply is applied?
Can you provide details of the power supply and its rating and a diagram of how you are connecting the external power supply to the ESP32, making sure to specify which pins are being used.
See I have a 12v power supply, which is stepped down to 3.3v using a buck convertor. this 3.3v is connected to the 3.3v pin of the esp32 module. The GND of the buck convertor is connected to the GND of the ESP32 module.
It works fine.
Now I want to connect it to the PC also to see what the serial is printing.
So I take my data cable, peel away the insulation, reveal the four wires Red Black Green White, cut the red wire, connect it to pc and the module, and below is what I get.
That way there is no power on VBUS and usb doesn't work.
And I don't think it's safe to power simultaneously from USB and from 3.3V pin.
What you could do, is power simultaneously from USB and from 5V pin if you have diode between VBUS and 5V-pin.
