ESP32-WROOM-32U module from aliexpress

Other Hardware 3rd Party Boards
1

Has anybody any ideas on the use of this module I am sure I am just expecting to much but cannot see where I am going wrong module as follows:
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006189717881.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.1b5a18025t7Z7B&gatewayAdapt=glo2vnm

I am able to load a basic blink sketch but doing anything useful even like the WIFISHOWnetworks sketch or indeed anything that uses serial.print function results in a continous reboot cycle.
Has anybody managed to use these modules? if so what board type did you use in IDE.
I have tried the WROOM type and the ESP32-DEV with different parameters.
Any guidance would much apreciated.

2

I have not used that but I would recommend a MEGA board, those things ca handle a LOT

3

Did you attach an antenna?
Those are raw boards,
Since you didn't post any error logs it's not possible to answer re 'reboot cycle'
No idea what board.
What parameters?

4
  • An ESP controller can demand a lot of current from the power supply.
    Make sure your 3v3 supply can provide the current (plus a bit more).
5

Thanks but I was looking for a board with external antenna.

6

Good day sonofcy

I know these were raw boards but I thought that if I could get the blink test uploaded everything else would follow wrong!!!

Yes did attach the antenna
The parameters I played with were
I reduced the flash size to minimum and disabled the PSRAM didn't think anything else was relevant.
Thanks for your reply
logs as follows
rst:0x3 (SW_RESET),boot:0x13 (SPI_FAST_FLASH_BOOT)
configsip: 0, SPIWP:0xee
clk_drv:0x00,q_drv:0x00,d_drv:0x00,cs0_drv:0x00,hd_drv:0x00,wp_drv:0x00
mode:DIO, clock div:1
load:0x3fff0030,len:4832
load:0x40078000,len:16460
load:0x40080400,len:4
load:0x40080404,len:3504
entry 0x400805cc
ets Jun 8 2016 00:22:57

7

I have used the same power supply on other boards so dont think this is the issue but thanks for your reply.

8

It's not a board but module.
How did you wire it? Post a scheme.
Esp32 DEV should work just fine.

9

Kmin
Yes Its a module

IMG_1537
IMG_1537640×480 66.2 KB

I found this info on YouTube; it seems to work at least for the blink sketch.
Its just a serial board connected to TX and RX pins on the module jumper to connect IO00 to ground for upload and reset button.
I then transferred to a Pimaroni breakout board using the same circuitry. Except all three grounds are connected.

Upload seems to work okay at least according to IDE messages
but goes into a continous reboot cycle. with anything that tries to do anything useful.

10

Kmin Sorry thanks for your reply Graham

11

Gpio0 needs to be pulled up to boot Esp normally.

12

That's confusing as I was testing a dozen or so esp32 camera boards a week ago and the GPIO0 pin had to be connected to ground to upload. Of course it had to be disconnected after that to boot.

13

It seems to float high so unsure if this is the issue. There is a difference between having the jumper in place or not. IO00 shorted to ground ESP32 definitely goes into upload mode. Jumper missing it does something else (Blink task runs okay). still its in front of me so will try. Watch this space.
regards Graham

14

KMin Sonofcy
Just tried it no difference if IO00 pulled high.
Just to confirm found this on the data sheet: -
Each strapping pin is connected to its internal pull-up/pull-down during the chip reset. Consequently, if a strapping pin is unconnected or the connected external circuit is high-impedance, the internal weak pull-up/pull-down will determine the default input level of the strapping pins.
Regards

15

And pulled up (even internally) to boot normally.
What's confusing?

Sorry, I didn't notice it was a jumper removed.

16

I have a bunch of them (or very similar, mine have the external antenna optional)
As will all ESP32, GPIO to GND at boot to put into upload mode. EN should be Pullup up.

I use a programmer to upload to it.
The programmer also has space for the heatsink tab on the bottom, which matter when you start to use WiFi or run it at 240MHz

17

Yes totally unsure what is going wrong with my units. at least you are giving me some confidence that they should actually work.
If you are using IDE what board or parameters are you using.
Many thanks for the reply

18

I use 'ESP32 Dev module'

Basically a generic board.

19

Thanks even more confused now why it no work. Begining to think they are Ali-express fakes. Have put some on order from Digikey.
Maybe that will fix it!!

20

Fakes ? .. Rejects maybe but still not that likely. You have more of them ?

Can you put you finger on the heatsink pad ?

You do have EN pulled HIGH through 10K ?