Pre-Purchase Query

chuck808
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:57 pm

Pre-Purchase Query

Postby chuck808 » Sun Jan 31, 2021 10:09 pm

Hello,

Potential Noob alert!

I currently have a project running on the Arduino Uno that works perfectly well, but it's sooo early 21st Century :shock:

I have included an image for(hopefully), clarity. The sequence is -

1. IR remote to start the sequence
2. Runs through some code that trigger the lights and starts the timer
3. IR beam is broken sends a signal to stop the timer
4. Displays the time on a 4 digit 7 segment display

Image

I could add an Nano and an nRF24L01 to each segment to get rid of the wires, but I think that would only get me part the way there.

I would like to bring the project up to date and control it using a mobile device (Android/iOS), and have the time display on the device rather than the 4 digit 7 segment display.

So, before I invest the time I would like to know if replacing the Nano's with something like the NoedMCU ESP-32S Board would work and would it be a major job to convert the code as I am utilising several libraries.

Thanks!

Miraculix
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:43 am

Re: Pre-Purchase Query

Postby Miraculix » Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:12 pm

If your code is written for the Arduino IDE, then it should work. Never found a library (except the LowPower library) which worked on ATmega328 but didn't work on ESP8266/ESP32. So porting your code shouldn't be a big deal.

Note that you can't run ESPs on 5V. The GPIOs typically all run on 3.3V. So maybe you'll also need a level shifter for your project to work properly.

chuck808
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:57 pm

Re: Pre-Purchase Query

Postby chuck808 » Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:09 am

Hello Miraculix,

Thank you very much for the reply.

Good to know that I don't need to rewrite all the code :D I am also in the process of redesigning the PCB, so adding a 3.3V power supply shouldn't be an issue.

I'll get some and see if I can blow them up :o

Thanks

Miraculix
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:43 am

Re: Pre-Purchase Query

Postby Miraculix » Tue Feb 02, 2021 11:35 am

Maybe I should have been more clear. Your NodeMCU most likely comes with a voltage regulator, so you can feed it with 5V. But the ESP module on that board only runs on 3.3V. So the GPIO pins only output 3.3V. So usually you don't need a seperate 3.3V power supply.

chuck808
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:57 pm

Re: Pre-Purchase Query

Postby chuck808 » Tue Feb 02, 2021 2:43 pm

Cheers, thanks for clearing that up!

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