Retrofitting ESP8266 devices + the ESP32­-C3-­MINI-­1

[techman83]

I've been ordering random ESP32-C3 modules to assess how well my older IoT devices could be upgraded. I've played around with some carrier boards, but where the slotted style packages (ie the Tuya TYWE boards) fit, there tends to be not much room. These actually came with a bunch of WT32C3-O1N chips I bought to see how easy they'd be to retrofit into some Tuya based downlights.

Datasheet -> https://www.espressif.com/sites/default/files/documentation/esp32-c3-mini-1_datasheet_en.pdf

Front:

Back:

In-between a TYWE2L and a WT32C3-O1N

I think it'd be relatively straight forward to build a suite of PCB adapters that could make for drop in retrofits for the ESP8266 based devices that are out there. I have frankensteined a few things, but having an adapter for these would be way easier. I'll share if design something, but relatively time poor at the moment!

Custom carrier board - it's a pain to solder up and adds too much height (plus I got the pins slightly wrong 😛):

Hacking an ESP32-O1M into a smart plug. Required some careful slotting with a hacksaw blade and a bodge wire:

[sfromis]

For retrofitting, I can also recommend the ESP-C3-12F module, which has the same layout as ESP-12 (or the many other modules having that form factor), no adapter needed.

[techman83]

I have a bunch of those, but I don't actually have many devices that use a 12F package.

[sfromis]

I've seen many commercial devices use the ESP-12 form factor (not specifically ESP-12F with 6 extra pins, not needed). One example is WB3S.

[techman83]

Yeah I do have a couple with the ESP-12, but overwhelmingly most of mine are the TWYE2L form factor and I've been hunting down a retrofit solution to experiment with. One that is more of a drop in, rather than some of the more extreme/time consuming mods I've tried so far.

[techman83]

Looks to be a pretty new release -> https://www.cnx-software.com/2021/11/22/meet-esp-c3-m1-and-esp-c3-m1-i-ultra-small-esp32-c3-mini-modules/

[digiblur]

There's also these if you dig around https://wireless-tag.en.alibaba.com/product/1600348544006-828900247/WT32C3_01N_4MB_OEM_ESP32_wi_fi_fi_WIFI_BLE_5_0_LE_Module_with_ESP32_C3_Chip.html?spm=a2700.shop_plgr.89.4.34cd5847VMrLi3

[techman83]

I've done a heap of retrofitting with these now, so I've added the pin translation to the wiki page

https://templates.blakadder.com/WT32C3-01N.html

I should upload my flashing jig to Thingiverse and update this thread with some retrofitting pictures. With a bit of flux + solder braid, and some practice, the process is pretty fast!

[dori4n]

I just got a bunch of these Wireless Tag WT32C3-01N V1.3 modules in the mail.
Do you know how to program these?
I'd like to replace a CB2S in a Wi-Fi Smart Plug Outlet with it after installing Tasmota on it.
I can't find a programming socket for this.
Someone flashed ESPHome to the Tuya module, but I'd prefer not soldering them in before trying to flash and testing them.
Is there some type of common card edge connector available for this that I can solder onto an adapter or stick into a breadboard that would allow me to slot the modules in like a game cartridge in a game console from the 1990s?

[sfromis]

Connections are already on the templates page you linked (including the data sheet linked there). The usual tx/rx for flashing, along with power and enable, are available on the edge connector, but do remember the part about pulling gpio 9 low (similar to gpio 0 for ESP8266). And the last one is not available on the edge connector.

[dori4n]

Connections are already on the templates page you linked (including the data sheet linked there).

Except, you will note, that I asked about how to program these, not their pinout. This also requires some configuration, and since some of you did this already, I would have expected you know already and can tell me so at least it becomes somewhat publicly documented.

I also asked if you know about a programming socket that allows press-fitting the module for programming. Similar to these for the ESP8266 and ESP32: eBay, AliExpress, Amazon

[sfromis]

How to program chips is already on the regular getting-started page in the docs. The main difference with ESP32-C3 is that gpio 9 is to be grounded for flashing mode, instead of gpio 0 on most other Espressif chips.

But that form factor is a bit tricky, which is why I pointed out that you cannot do flashing only using the pins on the edge connector, as gpio 9 is needed too. This makes it "less suitable" for having some sort of programming socket, not likely as a standard product. Sane people making their own stuff would use a more DIY-friendly form factor, but that's not much comfort when the project is to replace CB2S. I suppose that you might find some sort of fiddly 3D printed jig.