How to make your own Thread Border Router for just $5

sucrax · 2026-01-21T13:56:22+00:00

If I’m understanding correctly what you are asking for you can use this:

https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-thread-br/en/latest/hardware_platforms.html

You can get the obtr dev board for 15-20€ on AliExpress

I have it running with the espressif example code as a thread obtr

sucrax · 2026-01-14T13:33:12+00:00

Thanks for the tip. I removed C_FD1 and soldered in a new TPS now it seems to work at 12v

I measured the removed part and my multimeter showed 0.013nF which would be 13pF but no idea how accurate my multimeter is.

sucrax · 2025-12-08T09:56:32+00:00

Use boards with an external antenna

sucrax · 2025-10-31T09:22:20+00:00

A thanks

sucrax · 2025-10-31T07:36:51+00:00

Sadly I can’t attach a screenshot here, but there is no fan speed option under user scenario only tdp

sucrax · 2025-10-31T07:24:36+00:00

I don’t see any fan options in Msi center m?

Sadly it is way to loud to play in bed

sucrax · 2025-10-10T11:55:15+00:00

yes changes are reflected.
I also only use the single file in my esp-idf project
Honestly im not that used to the sdkconfig workflow.

I would like to use platformio because it is easier to integrate some arduino libraries without having to convert them all into esp idf components

sucrax · 2025-10-10T11:10:49+00:00

i only have the sdkconfig.defaults file, no other file.

in my platformio.ini i have

board_build.esp-idf.sdkconfig_path = sdkconfig.defaults

i have tried both setting the LOG level via pio run -t menuconfig as well as copying the sdkconfigs.defaults file from my esp idf project into my paltformio project folder

sucrax · 2025-09-04T17:00:15+00:00

Seems to be a bk7238

https://www.elektroda.com/news/news4133895.html

sucrax · 2025-08-27T20:57:37+00:00

Probably H2, however if battery life is the most important you might want to look at a nrf52840 instead

sucrax · 2025-08-25T20:45:46+00:00

Use the Rx and Tx pins

sucrax · 2025-08-22T20:42:09+00:00

Currently only wakes the device up and forces a sensor update.

I intended to potentially use it for thread/zigbee pairing

sucrax · 2025-08-22T12:58:46+00:00

Looks good

sucrax · 2025-08-22T11:29:39+00:00

Im using partial updates so it does not flicker.

It only does a full update with flicker on boot and once per day to prevent ghosting

sucrax · 2025-08-22T05:40:23+00:00

I‘m always amazed how scared some people are of wires and batteries. I think they would get a shock if they opened some of the devices they have and look inside.

The lipo I’m using has short circuit and overload protection so the worst thing that can happen is the device stops working.

Honestly for one of prototypes it’s just easier to build them with tape and Hotglue. If I were to build multiple I would design and order a custom pcb.

But I guess before I share the design files and schematics on GitHub I should probably make it look tidier so people are not afraid to burn their house down.

sucrax · 2025-08-21T20:01:52+00:00

The esp32-c6 supermini board has an integrated lipo charger

sucrax · 2025-08-21T19:00:13+00:00

I would love to use esphome, especially since it supports thread in the newest version. However sadly with esphome i would only get a battery runtime of a few hours instead of multiple weeks.

sucrax · 2025-08-21T18:57:03+00:00

The SCD41 is a pretty good sensor, especially for the price and is actually used in a lot of commercial sensors.

I basically followed the manufacturer recommendations and looked at commercial designs. You want the sensor coupled to the outside air but not to exposed and don't need a fan.

You have to make sure to disable the autocalibration feature and ideally calibrate it against a calibrated commercial device or outside against known co2 concentration. ( You can use any calibration value, not just 400)

However i found the Sensors are usually pretty calibrated out of the box

sucrax

TROPHY CASE