Getting Started Sonoff Basic

Hardware
1

Hi folks,
Thanks to you all for you awesome contributions. Love HA!
Running HA 0.99.3.

I’m embarrassed to have to post this…
I’m embarking on a Sonoff journey and have tripped at the first hurdle it seems…
I’m trying to flash my first Sonoff basic using ESPHome.

Can compile my code okay.

I’m using one of these to interface to my OTHER W10 computer (not HA machine).
https://www.pakronics.com.au/products/usb-to-ttl-serial-cable-debug-console-cable-for-raspberry-pi-ada954

I’m powering the Sonoff via 2xAA batteries with an on/off switch. The USB to TTL converter doesn’t supply 3.3V.

I’m trying to flash the Sonoff with either ESPHome-Flasher-1.1.0-windows-x64 or NodeMCU-PyFlasher-4.0-x64.

Quite imply neither can see the ESP.

Get this error:
Connecting........_____....._____....._____....._____....._____....._____....._____ Unexpected error: ESP Chip Auto-Detection failed: Failed to connect to Espressif device: Timed out waiting for packet header

I’ve tried loading this extra driver for good measure:
CP210x_Universal_Windows_Driver

I don’t think my soldering is too bad, here’s an image of the underside:

20191012_085335
20191012_0853351863×1559 504 KB

The corresponding topside…
20191012_085402
20191012_0854021875×2077 622 KB

I’m connecting USB Tx to the corresponding Rx on the Sonoff (and vice versa for Rx).
Holding the button GPIO0 on boot for 5 seconds… No LED, no response.

Leave GPIO0 off during boot the device flashes in various sequences…
The computer detects the insertion of the USB TTL converter…

Have I forgotten anything? I’m sure there’s a simple mistake I’m making.

Any clues?

2

without going too much deeper into it I’d say that might likely be the problem.

I think I’d get a proper flashing device and go from there.

3

Am just about to go and have a look around.
Any specific/recommended adapter?
I’m going to have to buy something online as there’s nothing local in any case.

Thank you!

4

this is the one I bought. It works great.

5

You’re brilliant.
Thank you.

I’ll give it a go.
Disappointing start to my weekend, now I wait…

Cheers,

6

Luckily the wait won’t be too long if you have Prime. :wink:

7

Could I ask, the jumper on the top of the image - does that change the VCC voltage (either 5V or 3.3V) on the pins at the back?
Ma okay to solder headers to the side holes if needed…

8

Yes, it changes the voltage out on the Vcc pin. I just set mine on the 3.3v setting and never change it. No soldering is necessary.

1 Like
9

I’m in OZ.
28th October delivery. Bummer.

10

that sucks. Is there none you can get there with Prime or is that even a thing there?

11

It is a thing here.
Not many items are covered by Prime it seems.
We’re a long way from most things unfortunately.

12

or fortunately…as the case may be…:wink:

1 Like
13

Found a domestic supplier of an equivalent device.
Should be here before next weekend.
I’ll have a spare. :slight_smile:
Once again, thank you for the prompt response.
I’ll update this thread once it arrives.

14

I was going to say that Jaycar stock a similar device and you might be able to pick one up this weekend if there is a store near you. Expect to be price gouged for the convenience of a brick and mortar store though:

https://www.jaycar.com.au/arduino-compatible-usb-to-serial-adaptor-module/p/XC4464?utm_campaign=redirect&utm_source=XC4464r&utm_medium=web

15

That’s awesome - thanks. I did try Jaycar, missed that.
The older and grumpier I get, I appreciate the bricks and mortar stores more.

Off to Jaycar I go, I’ll pay for the convenience though.

Cheers,

16

Okay, so I’ve gone out and bought one of these:
https://www.jaycar.com.au/arduino-compatible-usb-to-serial-adaptor-module/p/XC4464?utm_campaign=redirect&utm_source=XC4464r&utm_medium=web
I have a simple question - there’s no specific 3.3V pin to supply the Sonoff.
There is a 5V pin… Am I missing something?
XC4464-arduino-compatible-usb-to-serial-adaptor-modulegallery5-300
I’ve toggled the switch to 3.3V on the board - All pins (with the exception of 5V) show 3.3V with the multimeter… But there’s no 3.3V source?
Tried powering the Sonoff with my 2xAA package - the serial still ‘fails to connect’.
sigh.

17

Ugh! Fine print in the manual:

Note that the 5V Header Pin is always at 5V as it is fed straight from the USB socket, the switch just changes the voltage levels on the data pins.

Probe the switch pins. You must be able to pick up 3.3V there.

Apologies, I did not read the manual before recommending this piece of junk.

18

I should’ve done the same.
I’ll hurry up and wait.
:frowning: disappointing.
Thanks again folks.

19

I did a bit of reading about that IC. It has a 3.3v low dorp out regulator but it is only capable of supplying 50mA to external circuits. This is not sufficient to run wifi on the ESP chips that Sonoff’s use.

So even if you picked up 3.3v from the 0.1uF decoupling cap it would not help you much.

I’d be returning it to Jaycar.

20

I’d feel bad doing that.
It was my poor research, not their fault.
Thanks for following up. :slight_smile: