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(@tedbear)
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Thanks again for the latest replies.  Extending my Internet coverage throughout my farm would offer advantages.  The layout of my house and outbuildings might make the trenching solutions a bit difficult.  For now I guess I'll just stick with trying the internal antenna on the ESP32s and Access Point. 

I like the reference to a pint of Bitter.  I doubt that you would approve of my American brand but I think I will have one now.  


   
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(@tedbear)
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Joined: 5 years ago
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Me again with a different antenna situation.  I found another relay board with an ESP32 and external antenna.  The package contains the board and included external antenna.  The antenna appears identical to other external antennas I have purchased.  It appears that this board is external antenna ONLY as it contains the ipex connector but no internal antenna that I can see.  It does not appear to have the 0 ohm jumper that my ESP32 CAM boards have.  In other words I think that I should be able to just snap the included antenna on the socket and proceed.

My problem is that I can't get the ipex connector on the antenna to snap on the board.  It appears that it should but I can't get it to "snap over" the socket on the board. I even tried some other identical appearing antennas that I have with no success.  I have not used external antennas on my ESP32 CAM boards since I ruined one trying to move the 0 ohm jumper.  I thought this board would be the answer since it seems to be external antenna only.  What's the trick for getting the ipex connector connected?

Also there is no data sheet for this board.  The opto-isolators that trigger the relays are marked with what appears to be possibly D1, D2, D3, D4 (not in order).  Would these be an indication of the GPIO pins that control the relays?  I guess if I am able to get it programmed, I can use Trial & Error to decide which GPIO pins are connected to the opto-isolators and the relays.

 


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6661
 

@tedbear You said the magic word, EXTEND. Get an extender, put it beside the ESP32. DONE.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
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@tedbear I know you will persist, so let's try to solve your latest problem/no problem. Take pictures of the front and back of the board so we can see what we are dealing with. Can't help with the antennas, mine snap on with no trouble.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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(@tedbear)
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Posts: 61
 

Thanks for the quick reply and patience.  As mentioned the external antenna was part of the kit containing the ESP32 4 relay board.  The ipex connector appears identical to others I've seen but never tried.  There does not seem to be an internal antenna such as my ESP32 CAM boards have.  I do not see a 0 ohm jumper block.  I think this means I must use the external antenna which is desirable for my project.  I have not tried loading a sketch or powering it up at this point. 

The first picture shows the ipex connector and part of the 4 relays. 

Maybe a younger person with better eyesight and smaller fingers may be able to get the antenna connector to snap on my board.

IMG 1273[1]
IMG 1274[1]

 

Although the board contains a reset and download momentary switch, the documentation suggests literally connecting a wire to certain pins on the five pin header and forcing a reset and GPIO 0 short to ground (I assume).  Hopefully the momentary switches were added after the documentation and they can be used instead.  Any ideas as to which GPIO pins they may have used to the opto-isolators?  The silkscreen seems to show D1, D2, D3 by the opto-isolators.

Maybe this board was originally for use with an ESP8266 which might explain the "D" references.  Here's the relay board:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002985323087.html?_randl_currency=USD&_randl_shipto=US&src=google&src=google&albch=rmkt&acnt=576-373-4425&albcp=14988845405&albag=134194308648&slnk=&trgt=aud-350155897402&plac=mail.google.com&crea=553896363330&netw=d&device=c&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_rmkt&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5-WRBhCKARIsAAId9FkzYxH_cgE5VaUZI7dvwtD1m4rxvNGFRWgES1WtcN9VdaHcx9wEgMkaAu33EALw_wcB&aff_fcid=bb1161a5c29c4993b6c5f48aee40e24a-1647963843692-00419-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=bb1161a5c29c4993b6c5f48aee40e24a-1647963843692-00419-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=5d9094a26c654f5687dad77f5bf4d1e9&afSmartRedirect=y


   
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(@davee)
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Joined: 3 years ago
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Hi @tedbear,

   I think these connectors are the same as found inside laptops (I haven't tried an external antenna on an ESP card) ... I carefully/gently used a small pair of needle-nosed pliers  (Usual shape, but sized like tweezers, not the ubiquitous toolbox size for mains wiring.) when I needed to disconnect and reconnect the equivalent plugs for laptop fixing. It should clip on fairly easily but only when you get just the right angle and alignment.

Before, trying, carefully examine the plug and socket with the most powerful lens or loupe you can find. It is basically a coax plug and it is possible the centre pin is bent or it is some other way damaged.

Best wishes,

Dave


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
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@tedbear The internal antenna is probably in that rectangle outlined in white above the WiFi chip and antenna connector. Normally you need a rig like in the picture but in your case when the sketch is ready to upload (you see connecting on screen) you just need to push BOTH those momentary switches. After the sketch is uploaded, you re-start/re-boot with JUST the Reset switch. The upload button probably takes the place of the GPIO0 pin to ground jumper needed to load the sketch the first time.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6661
 

 

Screen Shot 2022 03 22 at 09.01.19

@tedbear If you look carefully (zoom in) at the USB adapter, it looks very different to the one I am using. Also they jumper VCC to 5V. See @davee explainer as to why this may not be correct.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6661
 

@davee I just tried to attach an external antenna using nothing more than my big fat fingers and to remove my finger nail. Just center, press hard.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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(@tedbear)
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Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 61
 

Thanks again for the quick reply.  My plan is to try to program in a simple sketch using the reset, download and momentary buttons as I have done with some other boards.

Before that,  I might try a continuity test between the GPIO 0 pin and ground on the 5 pin header as a test.  When I push the download momentary I would think that I should see continuity between the GPIO 0 pin and ground.  As far as the antenna connector goes, I may try the small pliers and a younger person!


   
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(@davee)
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Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 1606
 

Hi @tedbear,

RE:

Any ideas as to which GPIO pins they may have used to the opto-isolators? The silkscreen seems to show D1, D2, D3 by the opto-isolators.

  Starting with your Aliexpress link

... which contains

Document link: http://www.diymalls.com/files/FZ2707-esp32-bluetooth-relay-module.zip

and a little Googling:

https://www.amazon.com › ask › questions
Document link http://www.diymalls.com/files/ FZ2707-esp32-bluetooth-relay-module.zip user name and password is diymall, any question please email ...

I got a zip file containg a schematic Relay Board-v2.pdf

This shows relays 1 to 4, driven via a transistor, by IO16, IO17, IO18 and IO19

-----------------------

So that gives you some clues for programming. Also in the same zip file are photos of how to connect the card to your PC for programming, etc. 

As for opto-isolators ... there aren't any!

Best wishes,

Dave


   
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Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6661
 

@davee NO opto-isolators?

And having to learn their http code would not be my choice, much simpler to create your own possibly using arduino cloud.

 

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
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(@tedbear)
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Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 61
 

@davee Thanks for the pin references.  I tried following the link yesterday but only got part of it.  I couldn't seem to get the zip file.  I will try again.  I made a sketch for another ESP32 board with relays that I have and it works fine.  That board uses some of the same GPIO pins so I'm hopeful I can just change to the pins that you mention.  The other board did not have the ability to use an external antenna so it works but the range is limited. The RemoteXY website and mobile app allows me to use my phone or tablets as remotes.  I suggest others check them out as this allows one to create their own screens for the phone with various input/output devices.  Mine is very simple with just buttons and a toggle switch but there are lots of choices.

The RemoteXY website creates a basic sketch which can use BLE, Wi-Fi Access Point or Wi-Fi Station mode. I download the base sketch that the website created for me and edited if for my purposes which were minimal for this project. I use the Soft Access Point method of communication so internet availability is not needed as the phone/tablet communicates directly to the board. Once communication is established, the board sends the screen setup back to the phone.  Then the screen layout is ready for use.  

The range with the other board was acceptable but a bit more would be better. I thought the black devices beside the relays were opto-isolators but they are likely some other device to handle the voltage level shifting from the 3.3V output from the ESP-32 to the 5V needed to trigger the relays.

I just tried the external antenna again.  I happened to have a new unsharpened carpenter's pencil at my desk.  I lined up the connector as best I could and pushed very hard.  It snapped on!  Now for some testing


   
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(@davee)
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@zander Hi Ron,

   The board from Aliexpress has an ESP32, of which 4 outputs are each driving a FET, and each FET being the coil drive to a relay. D1-4 are the usual diodes across the relay coils. Where do you expect to find or need an opto-coupler?

From the documentation I saw, the 'built-in web server firmware' means of controlling it is from a browser or equivalent, but (presumably) it should be possible to install any ESP32 flavoured Arduino or equivalent software.

I am only reporting what I perceive in the hope it helps ... it's not my project or product.

Best wishes, Dave


   
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(@tedbear)
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@davee Thanks again.  I observed that some other relay boards use an opto-isolator to handle the voltage level shifting.  My plan is to try to load my modified sketch by using the programmer I got with some ESP32 CAM boards.  I'm going to try to connect the Tx, Rx and Ground from the Programmer to the Rx, Tx and Ground pins on the new board with loose wires.  Hopefully I will be able to load the sketch and check it out.  Results to follow.


   
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