HOWTO: Flashing ESP8266

[nkiernan]

Whereabouts are you PatrcioEV-ATX?

[Boxster EV]

I bought a partial built GS450h board and have added all needed components. Unfortunately, I didn't research the wifi module enough before hand and thought it would just need to be sourced and plugged in. Stupid, I know. I've read through this thread and tried so many times to get my Olimex 8266 module to work, but I can't even get it flashed. I am a COMPLETE novice to what is required and would have just bought the kit with the wifi module programmed had I realized it needed it (totally my own fault). I know the wifi interface isn't needed to make my project run, but I'd hate to not have it because I can't figure this part out. So.....

1. Anyone here willing to write a step by step, start to finish, "for idiots" version of how to get this module programmed to work with the GS4540h VCU (big ask, I know)?

2. Anyone willing to program one for me (for a fee of course!)?

Are you trying to flash it using Arduino IDE or via the STlink method?

If via Arduino, I found Arbers posts in this thread most helpful. Also the first USB TTL didn't work for me so I ordered one from another supplier on ebay. This is the one I used:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310931472288

If you're in the UK and really get stuck, I can send you a pre-programmed esp8266 wifi dev module

[joromy]

I am a COMPLETE novice to what is required and would have just bought the kit with the wifi module programmed had I realized it needed it
2. Anyone willing to program one for me (for a fee of course!)?

You don't need to buy it together with a kit, Johannes are selling them programmed and ready, for less than a program fee
https://openinverter.org/shop/index.php ... duct_id=56

[konstantin8818]

1. Anyone here willing to write a step by step, start to finish, "for idiots" version of how to get this module programmed to work with the GS4540h VCU (big ask, I know)?

I've released manual how to program ESP8266-12E via FTDI232. But it is in Russian=)

[PatrcioEV-ATX]

@ nkiernan - Austin, TX (ATX)
@boxster ev - I've tried both
@joromy - this would be great, but Johannes confirmed it doesn't work with Damien's GS450h VCU.
@konstantin8818 - спасибо но мой русский очень плохой

I've emailed EVBMW to see if he'll sell me a programmed wfi module.

[PatrcioEV-ATX]

No takers? I've not received any response from Damien either.

[Berdi]

Я выпустил руководство по программированию ESP8266-12E через FTDI232. Но это по русски =)
I've released manual how to program ESP8266-12E via FTDI232. But it is in Russian=)
[/quote]

Konstantin your video Excellent Manual !!! Thank you very much!!!

[PatrcioEV-ATX]

No takers? I've not received any response from Damien either.

Update, was never able to get the olimex module to work, but a neighbor was able to easily program a different ESP module. For anyone struggling (or just doesn't want to struggle!) with programming an ESP module for the Lexus GS450h project, Damien now sells pre-programmed modules:

https://www.evbmw.com/index.php/evbmw-w ... fi-progged

Well worth the money, imo.

[janosch]

Hello,

people seem to have had problems with programming these lately.
I took posts from arber, johu and others in this thread and put them in a wiki page. I hope it helps someone.

I also added a pre-compiled binary for the web-interface, so people should even be able to flash their Olimex without installing the arduino IDE.
Feel free to update the page and add to it.

https://openinverter.org/wiki/Olimex_MOD-WIFI-ESP8266

[Peakon28]

I programmed a couple of modules including Olimex and Wemos D1 mini. I had an issue which turned out to be a cable. So I decided to make a video about it:

[opelmanta]

Sorry to ask but flashes olimex successfully, uploaded data, can see ESP-03F92E wifi but unfortunately cannot connect to it. Managed to connect once but had an unidentified network so could not access 192.168.4.1. Any idea why?

[Isaac96]

I'm trying to make my own interface for Chademo controller (slightly modifying the GS450h interface).

I have some Wemos D1 clones (the sort which are all over ebay) which are not working well. I am able to write a sketch and get serial communication, but no webpages are showing up. I have the SPIFFS updater installed and have verified that it is seeing the right files.

These Wemos D1 boards have a ESP-12F module. I've selected "NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E)" as that seems closest to the hardware.
Does anyone know if this is correct? I am continuing to try other options but I would much appreciate some assistance.
Thanks!
-Isaac

[Isaac96]

Never mind, I got it! Selected "Generic ESP8266", 4mb flash, and 26mhz flash. Upload succeeded and I can see the page now.
Time for modification now. Yay.

[muehlpower]

I tried to flash a MOD-WIFI-ESP8266 all day. I read the whole tread and the wiki and watched the video from Peakon28. The problem is always the same. I can transfer the sketch and upload the SPIFs. When I then scan for WiFi with the PC, I only find the preset ESP-XX.XX.XX, no inverter. I use the method described by arber333 and Peakon28. My messages look like those from Peakon28 and VIN

[okashira]

Same problem. I followed instruction to a T. Flashing goes fine in arduino IDE. After I solder back the GPIO0, the only wifi network to show up is ESP-XXXXX.
I'm getting sick of soldering this jumper over and over.

[okashira]

Never mind, I got it! Selected "Generic ESP8266", 4mb flash, and 26mhz flash. Upload succeeded and I can see the page now.
Time for modification now. Yay.

I don't think this did it. I also tried to use Generic ESP8266 with your settings. I get the same ESP_03F77D network. Is there anything else you changed?
I am using the standard Olimex MOD-WIFI-ESP8266.

[Isaac96]

I'm using Wemos D1 chips, not sure if there are differences.
When you flash, choose "Erase Flash: Sketch + Wifi Settings" -- that may or may not help.

[pilt]

Hi okashira and muehlpower,

I am also trying to flash Olimex MOD-WIFI-ESP8266, but have the same problem as you.

I changed some of the code and now I can connect to the module. My change to be able to connect was to change line 420 from WiFi.begin(); to WiFi.softAP("inverter","inverter123"); and line 416 to WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP)

It also seems the file system does not always load when you use the sketch data upload in the arduino software. I had to try about 4 times to get the SPIFFS data on the ESP. It always shows transfer is ok, but no files exisit on the device!

Also handy hint for everyone, you do not need to solder the jumpers on the Olimex board! If you hold the button when you connect the USB of the FTDI chip it to the PC you can flash it with no soldering:)

[JockE28]

Have 5 of these laying around. Anyone managed to get these working?

[Bigpie]

They don't have enough storage space to fit the web interface files on

[blasaab]

Have 5 of these laying around. Anyone managed to get these working?

I think i made it today with that chip

[Ampchamp]

@pilt: How do you check, if there is sketch data uploaded on the ESP?
You wrote, that sometimes (or often) no files exist on the device.
I wonder, how I could check this; is there a possibility to dump the complete memory to check the content?

I have a similar problem as many here: I use a ESP-01 (as shown in the picture of JockE28) and from my understanding, they do have enough memory.
All the files (including the src directory) only have app. 250kB

First I upload the data directory using "sketch data upload" and message is "transfer ok".
After that I upload "FSBRowser.ino" using the arrow button from the toolbar. Also here everything seems to work.

Then, I can find the ESP in Wifi but couldn't get access to 194.168.4.1
Seems as if the module isn't responding.

Thx, Fabian.

[Ampchamp]

Hello all!

Update: I managed to get my ESP work.
It wasn't a problem with the ESP but with my cellphone...

After hours of different flashing trials and without any connection to my cellphone, I finally tried to connect with my laptop.
Result: Tadah! Site was loaded and after connecting to my inverter board also the gauges and the logging worked.
I havent't tried the update function yet, but I'm very confident, that also these will work.

Conclusion: In the end, it wasn't so difficult to get the ESP programmed.
And I can confirm, that ESP-01 or ESP-01S have enough memory for the code (was doubted before).

What is still open: I do not know, why the site isn't loaded with my cellphone.
Has someone an idea? What IP-address should the connection have and what the gateway? (192.168.4.10 and 192.168.4.1 didn't work)

And second: How can I dump the complete memory of the ESP module with Arduino IDE?

CU, Fabian.

[EV_Builder]

Maybe the cell phone keeps 3G/4G/5G open because no internet is found on the network of the ESP device. So an option like (auto choose) etc. should be disabled maybe in the phone.

[chentron]

I got flash my weimos with the instruction in the first page from Arber (thank you Arber) , but only after I rename in my linux the folder to data (not Data).
now waiting for the hardware to fix my olimex bricked when trying to update to bootloader 4.