ESP32 Forum

Hi, I am wondering if there's a discord server or section in this forum where I can ask noob questions about my esp32.
I bought a few to control the LED lights I'm building for my biz, 1st one went well, 2nd one I fried by mistakenly connecting the GND to the light's red cable (I know, dumb move).
I don't understand the terminology or coding to find a solution elsewhere online, I've been using WLED's website to flash the code, but now I have no idea how to test/diagnose/reset this device. For reference, my background is flashing ROMs for android, and I have basic skills in terminal. Thanks for any directions on where to go next.

Device: ESP-32S NodeMCU Board ESP-WROOM-32 CP2102 (not sure which of those is the definitive model #, lol)
OS: Windows 10 (Python/SDK installed)
Application: 12v LED strips (12v-3a to lights, 5v-2a powering the processor)

Discord, IMO, is _way_ harder to use to solve actual technical problems. Threading is a total mess so conversations all jumble together and it encourages real-time answers over considered, thought out (tested) answers. It has a place, but I just don't dig it for detailed tech support.

I can't parse an actual question from your post. If the first one works and the second one doesn't, you've done the hard part of basically making a hardware/software combination bend to your wishes and "just" broke the second one while deploying it. It stinks, but it happens.

I think you're asking how to rescue a board that you hooked up to power backward. You're unlikely to like that the answer is "replace the board". They're like $5. Consider it part of your education. For $5 (and a few days in the penalty box stressing out while your new one arrives) you've learned the valuable lesson that polarity matters and dangling exposed wires are bad. The second and a half it takes to turn off your power supply before moving anything is dwarfed by the time it takes an envelope containing a replacement to arrive from half way across the world.

If that's not the actual question, please type slower and perhaps one of us can recognize the issue. If device A works and device B was once hooked up backward and used to work but now doesn't, the troubleshooting phase is over: you killed the board.

Model numbers in this product family can simply be confusing. This isn't helped by Espressif having a bazillion chips all named "ESP32", some of which have little/nothing in common. A linky link to the exact purchase can be helpful. Example: https://www.waveshare.com/nodemcu-32s.htm is probably approximately the product you're describing. It's approximately a clone of Espressif's own "ESP32-DevkitC". The old vs. new (micro USB vs. USB-C) battle is probably significant in some cases, but probably not in this one where there were trace elements of magic smoke released when you hooked it up backward.

As for repair options, it's unfortunately a "if you have to ask, you probably don't have the equipment, parts, and skills to repair this $5 board in a cost effective manner" situation. There's the CP2102 serial chip, the low-voltage dropout regulator (probably a 1117), a couple of transistors to handle bootstrapping/flashing options, and the ESP32 module itself. Individually, these things are a couple of dimes each, but if you don't already have the skills and gear to know that a specific component is toast, it's just hard to recommend getting an oscilloscope, hot air rework station, practice boards, and everything else you might need to replace a $.27 part when the entire board can be yours for https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568016 ... pt=glo2usa ($2 at Ali)

Slightly sorry to be a killjoy. That, too, is part of the real world tough love continuing education credit program...

If you have a remaining detailed question, please do clarify and ask away.

Well, damn. That was the most clear, intelligent, helpful reply I think I have ever gotten online.
And yes, you are correct in what I was asking (except instead of pointing my clueless rump elsewhere, you explained everything.)
I DO have a hot air rework station. It's in the garage, under the xmas decorations. lol. Haven't touched it since Apple fixed that display chip cold solder issue back in 2015. (I made some side scratch reballing those macbook MBs).

My lesson learned (aside from the knowledge you have shared) is don't let new project excitement keep you at it for 32 hours straight. That's when I popped a white GND wire into the 3rd hole instead of the 1st on the connector, giving the lil 32 a nice 12v shock up the backside.

And far from being a buzzkill, you have saved me HOURS of frustration, combing thru github and reflashing bin files in vain. I will gladly pay my $5 fine and move on.

Thank you. I'm not sure you realize how much your time in answering has helped. I tip my chalice of watered-down rum and coke in your direction, and wish you a happy new year.