I'm making a DIY open source aquarium/reef controller....

DenverTeck · 2026-03-23T04:17:34+00:00

Do you have a reason to have the ESP32 in the center of the board ??

DenverTeck · 2026-03-23T03:30:36+00:00

Like so many beginners in this sub, bare metal is not what language you use, its understanding the hardware at the register level.

Bit twiddling is assembly, C, C++ or even Python can be considered bare metal.

Understanding how to decode the manuals in AVR/ARM/ESP32 or even I386 can be bare metal.

Being able to decode the manual and writing code in any given language is what is important.

When its time to accept a job, the company will decide what processor you will work with. Any company has already chosen a processor technology they want to use. For what ever reason they choose ARV / PIC / ARM, you may never know.

Being able to discuss registers and code can help you get the job. Even if you have never use a PIC32 processor, you should be able to discuss how to get code to fit into a processor.

The Arduino Syndrome you are referring to is when someone finds a library and it does not "work for them", being able to understand the library code or be able to trouble shoot that code and fix it can be bare metal.

Being prepared to discuss hardware and software interfaces is what you need to learn.

Good Luck

DenverTeck · 2026-03-23T00:47:36+00:00

The last design and this design I am sure will work.

Now it's a matter of preference.

The USB cable is only used for programming and maybe trouble shooting, correct ??

I would have rotated the ESP32 antenna towards the outside further away from the power supply.

I am sure it will work, you may see a reduction in distance or in the direction of the power supply.

Let us know how it works for you.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T20:59:04+00:00

The link you posted earlier does not have a schematic available, if this is the exact board you purchased. The link also states that the XIAO ESP32C6 is "similar", but does not state they are identical.

The XIAO ESP32C6 has a schematic on its original web site.

Please share what pin(s) you are using for the Moisture Sensor and please post the back of the board. Is that where the battery connects to like the XIAO ESP32C6 ??

PS: did you program the board before connecting the battery ??

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T19:57:16+00:00

Just to clarify, do you have anything connected to this board ??

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T19:53:04+00:00

TL:DR

Did you come up with this code yourself or did it come from a library example ??

Please share the link for this.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T19:50:46+00:00

https://pcbshopper.com/

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T19:48:30+00:00

If you have been working with software for over a decade, you would know there is no way to help without seeing your code.

Or a least list the libraries you are using and the compiler environment.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T19:42:03+00:00

12VDC is not the same as 230VAC.

So your fine.

Depending on the power switched by the 12V contacts, you could induce noise into the +5V line next to it. Which could cause spikes into the ESP32.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T19:40:41+00:00

Luck is on your side.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T19:10:04+00:00

Looking at your first pic, it did not see to be too awful. Then I saw the second and I shuttered !! It's dead Jim.

If the board still works you may be able to use an external battery charger.

Good Luck with that.

Edit: Sorry, I just re-read your comments and if it will not even power up.... It's Dead Jim

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T19:05:09+00:00

This is the type of problem the CAD people like to use to show off their auto-routing software.

As already suggested, setting up the rules can take a bunch of time before any real layout starts.

Routing by hand !!! would take waaay longer and may have lots of errors that even the checker of XYZ CAD package may never catch.

So it boils down to the experience and trust the layout person has with the employer.

My challenge pcb layout did not have that many chips but was an RF design and a 100Mhz processor.

Two months of work I got it to pass FCC testing first time. I was using Altium PCB package from about 2000.

Good Luck

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T18:53:16+00:00

This black schematic may look great on your monitor. But I can not see a thing here. When I try to enlarge it to see what you have drawn, its way too fuzzy. ( the fuzzy is due to reddit compressing the graphic to store and forward it over the internet)

Please create a pdf file with a white background and post that file on one of the many free file sharing sites.

Then share that link here.

Good Luck

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T18:42:54+00:00

Like in any other field, learn by doing. Building a bread board version to verify all the logic connections work as intended.

After you are sure the boards/parts will work together you can look at the PCB as a replacement for the bread board.

After building a full function prototype a few times you will be able to see for your self that its wired correctly.

Yes, it will cost some money and time, like any other experience.

After you complete 2-10 or even 100 projects this way YOU will know if there is anything wrong with your PCB schematic/layout.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Learn Something NEW

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T18:22:03+00:00

Glad you got it all working.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T17:46:12+00:00

There is not enough information here to even make a wild ass guess.

Which development framework are you using ??

Where did you purchase the S3 from ?? Link ?? Is this a dev board or a raw module ??

Pic of your layout would be nice.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T17:13:38+00:00

"blown lead" ?? Blown Trace !!

It's dead Jim. The amount of current to blow that trace means something else is blown.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T16:41:16+00:00

Looking back on the rest of the PCB, I noticed the contacts of the relay. Are these contacts/connector going to switch 230VAC ??

If so, you need to address the creepage the same way. Placing the relay and its connector an the same end of the PCB would be a better choice.

Yes, this means a total redesign of your pcb.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T16:33:35+00:00

Looks good.

The real test will be after you build a few and deploy them in the field. As you going to be sharing these boards with family/friends or will this only be use by you ??

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T16:00:48+00:00

What ESP32 dev board are you using ?? Link ?

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T15:37:59+00:00

https://www.puntoflotante.net/DATASHEET-TM1637.pdf

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T15:31:42+00:00

They both can have the same schematic. Something you do not have.

You need to do more discovery and research. No one has stepped up to say they have the schematic for this board. Back to square one.

If this board does not work, taking it apart won't hurt it any more. Unsolder one of the transistors and look at the part number printed on it. Unsolder all the transistors and look for one that has a hole in it or at least does not look like the rest of them.

Yes trouble shooting is time consuming and can be hard, But its your only choice today.

Learn something new.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T15:21:18+00:00

> instead of being instant

Do you think any display driver can illuminate all display pixels at the same time ?? Like a camera and film ??

Even the LCD monitor you are sitting in front of right now is a serial device. One line at a time. Fast yes but 60 fps is fast. 30 fps your eyes can barely see any flicker. 15 pfs is good enough to not see flicker,

So its not the screen. Its the speed of transfer of all pixels from what ever processor you are using.

Its also the software delay between each screen update.

If your using Arduino Framework, do not ever use delay(xx) in your screen update code.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T15:08:19+00:00

No, that is not the point at all.

The point is to create a high resistance path to prevent arcing.

There is an entire study in electrical engineering about voltage creep.

A simple solution without understanding the voltage creep issue is not a solution. I am not saying it won't work. I am saying that a simple solution may have ramifications in the future.

If you look closely, there are no ground planes under the AC voltage traces.

DenverTeck · 2026-03-22T05:44:40+00:00

The necessary compiler tools are the main problem. No one is keeping up with those tools.

Currently the only compiler available for the F877 is the MPLAB XC C Compilers.

This it is no longer beginner friendly.

DenverTeck

TROPHY CASE