Current best hardware platform for ESP Easy?

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johndoe39274
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Current best hardware platform for ESP Easy?

#1 Post by johndoe39274 » 01 Dec 2021, 08:47

Hey,

I am new to ESP Easy and am looking to convert my home automation to it. My requirements are (in descending order of importance):
  1. need to configure 32 devices per ESP
  2. need enough flash to do Over-The-Air / wifi firmware upgrades
  3. needs to be well supported (preferably with a non-experimental release of the firmware)
  4. needs to be cheap
What would be the best board to support these requirements?

I'm looking at an ESP-WROOM-32x with 16M flash. Would this be the best board for my requirements? And which version to choose? WROOM-32, WROOM-32D, WROOM-32E? (I do not need to connect an external flash chip and need an internal antenna)

Thanks in advance!

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Ath
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Re: Current best hardware platform for ESP Easy?

#2 Post by Ath » 01 Dec 2021, 10:30

Your direction seems to be to go with ESP32, as that's the only unit that supports 32 tasks, at the moment.

The type of ESP32 chip used doesn't make much difference, because of the limited number of units having an ESP32 with 16MB flash (but I assume that will improve), should make it quite easy to just get one that's available, and ESPEasy support is stable for that, AFAICS (I have several in use and they are running rock-solid). ESPEasy currently doesn't really 'care' what ESP32 is used, all 'regular' ESP32's (WROOM/WROVER) are supported, ESP32-S2 support is experimental at the moment, ESP32-C3 support is requested but not even in experimental state available (but it probably is available in a Lab setting ;)) even though that type of board is currently even harder to find than ESP32-S2, and I haven't seen those having 16MB flash, AFAIR.
/Ton (PayPal.me)

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Re: Current best hardware platform for ESP Easy?

#3 Post by johndoe39274 » 01 Dec 2021, 11:12

Hey Ath, thanks for the clear reply! I'll go with an ESP-WROOM-32D 16MB then.

For other readers with the same question: ESP-WROOM-32D 16MB is currently around 4,50€ on Aliexpress. Other versions with 4MB and 8MB exists, so make sure to thoroughly check that you are ordering a 16MB version! Also make sure you order the D version if you want the internal PCB antenna (most commonly used), or a U version if you want an antenna connector to hook up an external wifi antenna.

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Ath
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Re: Current best hardware platform for ESP Easy?

#4 Post by Ath » 01 Dec 2021, 11:59

Well, at €4,50 you probably won't find a board with 16MB ESP32, at least I haven't found them yet. Separate 'bare' modules can indeed be had at that price (when buying sets of 5 f.e.), but those are not really usable on a breadboard, and don't have USB/serial and 5v - 3.3V converters.
You might take care in ordering the desired amount of exposed GPIO's, depending on your application, as often the 30-pin boards don't have some quite crucial pins exposed, like the often used I2C pins (GPIO 4 and 5) (as opposed to 38 pin or larger versions that usually have all usable pins available).
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Re: Current best hardware platform for ESP Easy?

#5 Post by TD-er » 01 Dec 2021, 12:47

The "U" version is maybe even a more preferrable choice if you develop your own boards and merely use the bare modules from Espressif to solder on your boards.
The reason I use the "U" version is because of the option to use an external antenna.
I use these in my designs: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000287 ... 4c4d2l45TA
These are quite good and extremely cheap.
And it allows you to also use an adapter cable to an SMA connector if you want an external removable antenna.

One reason to go for such "sticker" antennas is that it allows you to position the antenna's orientation for the setup you're using instead of having to design your product such that the PCB antenna is positioned perfect for the location of the access point.

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Re: Current best hardware platform for ESP Easy?

#6 Post by johndoe39274 » 02 Dec 2021, 16:59

That's quite a nifty idea, thanks for the hint!

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Re: Current best hardware platform for ESP Easy?

#7 Post by johndoe39274 » 07 Mar 2022, 19:52

If you want to see what I built based on the replies in this question, please check this topic: viewtopic.php?t=9036&sid=9a4b6e87dd98c2 ... c7c73dec87

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