Universal wireless sensor board w/NRF24l01+ and ESP8266 socket - ceech board

ceech

This board is made for low-power applications and can be used as an universal board for wireless sensor node networks. It can be powered from battery or external source. Dimensions are 2 inch x 2.1 inch.

There are three sockets:

for NRF24l01+ module
for ESP8266 ESP-01
and an I2C socket

The board is powered with a Microchip MCP1703 3.3V voltage regulator.

On the back, there is place for BMP180, HTU21, additional EEPROM and for TC series Mosfet driver.

Here is a link to the schematic: http://i.imgur.com/DbALMmf.png

The board is available here, on http://www.mysensors.org/hardware/ceech

larky

This is without solar cell input, right?

What are the main advantage to this over your board on ebay in terms of battery life?

( I want a long battery life for a ultrasonic snow depth sensor, a DS18B20 and maybe a BMP180 located outside)

ceech

@larky Yes, that's right.
It depends. The voltage regulator on this board has lower consumption than the voltage regulator on the one with the solar charger. So this board is more efficient.
However, there is a battery charger on the other board, which charges the battery.
It is a matter of choice, really.
I would say - use this board if you like to keep things simple and do not need high current sensors. Use the board with solar battery charger for sensors that require more power. For example MQ-series air quality sensors tend to use a lot of current.

shabba

So what is needed with this board? The radio and whatever sensor someone wants?

ceech

@shabba Yes, a radio module and a sensor(sensors). There is place on the back for two of them.

hawk_2050

Hi @ceech, the link to the board info (above) on the MySensors website still talks about the old board. I assume if we purchase through MySensors we will indeed be getting this updated board? Looks really nice by the way. Thanks very much.

Cheers
Richard

ceech

@hawk_2050 Thank you. Yes, all orders are linked to this, new board. I'll ask @hek to change the description at the next page update.

? Offline

Just received 2 pcs of the board, thanks for quick delivery.
Concerned how to supply them, I don't want to damage them.
What is the voltage range for "BATT" ?
Will power connected to BATT go through the MVP1703 regulator?
I plan to connect BATT to 2 AA batteries (3V) or an separate 3.3 v source on my breadbord.

Thanks,
Pär

ceech

The power from either BATT or EXT goes through the voltage regulator. It only consumes 2uA, so it is fairly efficient and its maximum input voltage is 16V. So that is max for BATT as well as EXT. If you would like to power the board directly, then I would suggest connecting the power source via VCC pins on the lower left connector. There are two of them, the second and third from the left. The maximum input voltage for those pins is 5V, or 3V3, if you are going to use radio module.

hautomate

Since this board can take both a NRF24l01+ module and ESP8266 ESP-01 it could be an ethernet gateway?

ceech

Yes, it can. If you are willing to try, I can send you one board and you can test that if you are up for it. Just post the code here, when you make it work. Send me a message and we can discuss it further if you like.

shabba

I just want to confirm a few things before I buy :

What is needed to programme this? Can it be done via an FTDI board?
What bootloader is on it?
Besides a sensor and radio (and power) nothing else needs to be added/soldered right?

Thanks!

ceech

@shabba

Yes, it can. With FTDI or similar board. It is the same process as with Arduino Pro mini.
Which is also the bootloader - Arduino Pro or Pro Mini (ATmega328, 8MHz, 3.3V)
Nothing else is needed.

shabba

Thanks. Ordered a couple.

shabba

I'm having a slow day so bear with me :-)

Where do I connect the LEDs? Also what is the name of the white sockets? I want to google procedure for adding wire to the plug part.

Many thanks :)

shabba

Warning to others : I blew a radio by connecting a 5V programmer. There seems to be no protection from USB power to the radio.

ceech

I'm sorry to hear that. Is there something I can do?
The LEDs have solder jumpers next to them. The top one has one to the left, and the bottom one has one to the right. Just pour solder so that both parts of the jumper get connected.
The white connector is Japan Solderless Terminal or JST. I believe it is a XH series with 0.1 inch spacing. The way I connect the wire is I bend the longer ears with pliers over the isolated wire and use solder iron to solder the shorter ears to the stripped wire.

shabba

I see the LEDs and understand now. I had got some loose in the shipping packet and thought I had to solder them onto the board.

ceech

They are extra. Enjoy.

shabba

EDITED

Nevermind!!

"- with CE and CSN pins connected to digital pins 7 and 8 (you must update MyConfig.h with these values). There is a 4.7uF capacitor connected across Vin and GND of the port"

Universal wireless sensor board w/NRF24l01+ and ESP8266 socket - ceech board

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