ESP32-S2 / Wemos S2 mini v1.0.0 purple pcb Power over Pin?

[Oetsch]

Hi

with regard to my experience I´ve made by flashing this type https://www.wemos.cc/en/latest/s2/s2_mini.html of ESP32 device ( see viewtopic.php?t=9182&start=50)

I now like to use such a device and it would be best for me to power the device not by the usb c port and use directly one of it´s pin connections.

Due to experience I´ve made by my first ESP32 mini (https://www.fambach.net/d1-mini-esp8266-modul-2-2/) this is not as easy as expected and was not succesfull at all. So for this type I had to use the usb port to power.

Do you know if the purple ESP32-S2 is easier to power by pin and how it should be done?

Thanks in advance!

[Ath]

Those S2-mini boards usually don't have a USB-serial chip, and that causes much of the issues when not powering via the USB connector.
You should be fine powering this board on it's 5V pin, with 5V of course. The on-board regulator will supply the 3.3V where needed.

[TD-er]

I am not sure the onboard regulator can be used when not connected to USB.
So when in doubt, power it via the 3V3 pin.
Make sure to use a 'beefy' regulator like the AMS1117 and use some decoupling capacitors as close as possible to the ESP. (100 nF between 3V3 and GND)

[Oetsch]

Thanks for your feedback.

To give it a try this weekend, I do not have voltage regulators for testing in place. All I can try is using a 5V power supply or 3,3V power supply which I have at home.

That was my initial idea (3,3V power supply), why using a 5V power supply when the device is directly converting it to 3,3V. So according to the power supply (quality/dimensions) my thought was that this should be usable enough to keep the circuit easy/limited with extra components.

P.S.:talking about these Hi-Link mini power supplies.

[TD-er]

Those Hi-link ones are fine.
Just make sure to have the ones which can handle > 500 mA (or at least 500).
The current surge when starting WiFi may sometimes exceed 500 mA, so better have some margin as I don't know how those will react on very short current surges.
Maybe also add some 220 uF capacitor. (too large capacitor will cause a current surge on its own when initially charged, so might need some experimenting)

[Oetsch]

Thx. Yes, have only bought the 3W or 5W types so should fit. But i have also some "rumors" heard that there should be cheap copys of these product

[TD-er]

Sure but those are not "Hi-Link" ones

[Oetsch]

Thx and yes no problem to power this board with 5VDC to it´s pins.

[TD-er]

Not sure if there is any protection on the board to prevent you feeding in 5V back to the PC.