Stefan Both Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 I made a first beta pcb... I still believe I'm right with the mirrored plug, we'll see. Housing is being printed now. I will attach an mini OLED display for displaying the connection status. But first of all, I'll test the circuit board. Stefan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 And the case / housing. (see picture) Stefan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 I made a first beta pcb... I still believe I'm right with the mirrored plug, we'll see. Housing is being printed now. I will attach an mini OLED display for displaying the connection status. But first of all, I'll test the circuit board. Stefan Can't wait to see how it goes. Do keep us informed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manterola Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 (edited) It looks great, Stefan! I also did mine, I am little embarrassed to show my very amateur job, but I'll post a picture later, anyway. I been having some problems, that I didn't have in the protoboard (breadboard): it works for a few minutes, and then I got "error" , "error" , "error" all over the terminal screen. When I connect to the esp-01 with linux minicom, it works perfectly. So it is the voltage, the adapter (level 3.3v 5v adapter), I don't know yet. I'll compile and update the Zimodem firmware, and try again to see if it makes any difference. Good luck with yours. Mauricio Edited June 22, 2018 by manterola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Thanks for the wishes :-) Of course I tell you the rest of the story. @ Star Raider: I've tested mine with a nodeMCU.(esp-E12 chip). I know I operate the chip outside of its specifications, but it is '5V tolerant' (in the sense of it does not explode . But you can spare the level shifter. What kind of shifter do you use? Is it I2C (bus) compatible? Stefan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manterola Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 I am using a very cheap adapter. So no idea if it is I2C, but I guess NO. I suspect it has something to do with my problems, even though it looks it is working fine because I keep getting all those "ERROR" strings correctly in BobTerm and IceTerm. It is very convenient, as well. As you can see, you take the esp01 module and put it on top of the adapter, and then you have a 4 pin header with TX(5v), RX(5v), GND, +5V. That's it. In the software side I have tried using the "AT" default firmware, and a precompiled Zimodem firmware. I plan to compile my own zimodem (using arduino ide), and try again, since this zimodem firmware is very nice and convenient. I have not tried nodemcu, yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Don't worry, cheap doesn't mean bad. I think I spotted two (smd) Mosfet. Behind the voltage regulator. It should do the job. The nodeMCUs has a lot more I/Os. (not necessary for the Atari, but useful for C64 with a 9600 baud hack) My son successfully completed his 'Abitur' (A-level) and this weekend the graduation party takes place. I don't think, I'm able to thinker around Stefan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathy Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Hello manterola That typo on the blue PCB, is that yours? Sincerely Mathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted June 23, 2018 Share Posted June 23, 2018 A dat per son miss-spelled some thing there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted June 23, 2018 Share Posted June 23, 2018 Sweet, haven't noticed it. Stefan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manterola Posted June 23, 2018 Share Posted June 23, 2018 This is what I did. I also got the PCB with typo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manterola Posted June 23, 2018 Share Posted June 23, 2018 This is what I did. I also got the PCB with typo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 Doesn't work for the moment... Daisychained it with a SIO2SD at the end of the line. The SD2IEC device is resetting randomly because of voltage swing (or drop). I'll cut off the NodeMcu and test it again. If the Sio2Sd works then, I have to add a separate power supply. Otherwise my circuit is faulty. Stefan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 sio2sd is notorious power issue device, mine never worked properly till I made new sio cable using good gauge wires and connectors, add another SIO device without a strong power supply feeding the Atari and it sio2sd may frown on you again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 sio2sd is notorious power issue device, mine never worked properly till I made new sio cable using good gauge wires and connectors, add another SIO device without a strong power supply feeding the Atari and it sio2sd may frown on you again... Thank you for the suggestion. I suspect the NodeMcu (and the cable) however. It is known, the NodeMcu may draw a peak of 230mA. I tested this by myself during a different project with a (high precision) 0.1 Ohm resistor and an Oszilloskope. But you are right. It's not a big deal to test a different atari drive first. Stefan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 Update, I used a separate power supply to serve the NodeMcu. And... what a surprise, the Sio2Sd (second in the daisychain) runs fine without any issues. So fare, so good. I'm searching for the correct driver however. (And I forgot the baud rate of the WiFi modem) Stefan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 (edited) This is what I did. I also got the PCB with typo.Manterola, would you be so kind tosend me the rverter handler you' re using? I tested the Esp Chip (PC) , it works fine with 2400 baud, but it is not working on the Atari. Depeding on the driver, with different behaviors. So, if I had the right driver/handler, I could exclude it from my list of possibly problems. Stefan Edited June 25, 2018 by Stefan Both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 Seems to be catching...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 YEAH, YES, JEP, GO GO GO !!! It works! Thank you Manterola, and thanks to all who helped me! Stefan 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 Great! Do you have a final schematic? I know you had indicated you had used an additional power source for the NodeMCU. Is that going to be a generic need? Or only for SIO2SD use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 (edited) Great! Do you have a final schematic? Err... Yes. I promise, I'll upload an PDF.(I did the pcb the old-school way) I will change the firmware too, because of the... you know... its a C64 firmware... and the OLed I'd like to use too... and... Stefan I forgot to answer the question... I did the separate PSU because of the ESP8266 chip itself. Edited June 26, 2018 by Stefan Both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropcheck Posted June 28, 2018 Share Posted June 28, 2018 I am using a very cheap adapter. So no idea if it is I2C, but I guess NO. I suspect it has something to do with my problems, even though it looks it is working fine because I keep getting all those "ERROR" strings correctly in BobTerm and IceTerm. It is very convenient, as well. As you can see, you take the esp01 module and put it on top of the adapter, and then you have a 4 pin header with TX(5v), RX(5v), GND, +5V. That's it. In the software side I have tried using the "AT" default firmware, and a precompiled Zimodem firmware. I plan to compile my own zimodem (using arduino ide), and try again, since this zimodem firmware is very nice and convenient. I have not tried nodemcu, yet. Were you able to resolve the problems you were having? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manterola Posted June 28, 2018 Share Posted June 28, 2018 I did fix the problem with Zimodem, in which I could not save the Wifi configuration and baud rate (it is a known problem with newest esp-01 versions). I changed a file in the esp8266 support files and recomplied Zimodem from the sources. The problem with the Error messages with the original firmware and the "resets" in Zimodem persisted. The device worked for about 15 minutes, though. I guess (just like Stefan) I am having a problem with the power supply, or at least that's the easiest next thing to check. I have a good power supply for the computer, but the SIO c or PCB cables may be too thin. I'll "reinforce" the 5V with an independent PS for the esp-01. If it work, my next project will be to put the esp-01 inside my new 1030 modem (the modem is a little beaten, so I need to retr0bright it and retouch with silver paint the front letters "ATARI 1030". It is a difficult case since it is OK in one side, but extremely yellow in the other side and a not very nice transition from YELLOW to less yellow on the top). The idea is to use the matching XL case, SIO pass-thru connectors, power switch and LEDs to create "a more vintage experience". The 1030 modem needs a power supply anyways, and it has the connector, so it should be a problem adding one (not like xm301 modem). So that is my status... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mytek Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Came across this today... ALL ELECTRONICS WiFi MODULE - ESP8266CAT # ESP-8266 $5.35 each Not much more than ordering from China, and probably a lot quicker delivery here in the states. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Both Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Came across this today... ALL ELECTRONICS WiFi MODULE - ESP8266... Yes, I got mine from Amazon. Ordered 5 pcs last year. Appart from my (our) hobby, I use it with Easy-ESP for Home Automation. But be careful! 3.3V only!!! Stefan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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