ESP doesn't boot when it is powered via the 5V input

GeorgeFlorian1
Posts: 160
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2019 2:32 pm

ESP doesn't boot when it is powered via the 5V input

Postby GeorgeFlorian1 » Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:32 am

I am continuing an issue that I have opened here: https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/issues/7127
Development Kit: ESP32 Wemos
Module or chip used: ESP-WEOOM-32
IDF version: v4.2.1
Build System: [Make|CMake|idf.py]
Compiler version: xtensa-esp32-elf-gcc (crosstool-NG esp-2020r3) 8.4.0
Operating System: Linux
Using an IDE?: VS Code 1.56
Power Supply: External 5V

I am trying to implement this project: https://github.com/DroneBridge/ESP32 and I can't connect to the ESP's AP mode.
I can see the AP (DroneBridge ESP32) in the WiFi list but it doesn't connect to it. I've gotten two different error messages:

Couldn't authenticate connection
Couldn't get IP address


The project basically puts the ESP32 in AP Mode and makes it a bridge between the user and the drone.
The ESP is powered by a drones battery at 5V.
If I power it via the USB,it works.
I have measured and the power input is 5V. I have also tried the other 5V input on the ESP board but to no avail.

esp wemos.jpg
esp wemos.jpg (129.78 KiB) Viewed 17965 times

Ignore the RX and TX wires on the ESP32 WEMOS as they are not connected to anything.

I have switched to a new ESP32: the DevKit V4 Wroover-B . The red LED is on, but there is no AP listed. If I hit the EN button on the board the AP shows up but I can't connect to it, giving me the same error messages as the previous ESP.

second_esp.jpg
second_esp.jpg (125.09 KiB) Viewed 17965 times

This one also works only when connected to USB.

I've got a multi-meter and it measures 5.05V on the 5V pin and 3.3V on the 3V3 pin.

ESP_Sprite
Posts: 8921
Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:08 am

Re: ESP doesn't boot when it is powered via the 5V input

Postby ESP_Sprite » Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:31 pm

On the boot issue: Does it boot when you momentarily connect EN to GND?

WiFive
Posts: 3529
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2015 7:35 am

Re: ESP doesn't boot when it is powered via the 5V input

Postby WiFive » Thu Jun 10, 2021 4:45 pm

A drone battery should have enough current to deal with esp32 current spikes in WiFi mode but isn't it unusual to have a 5v battery voltage? Shouldn't it be a multiple of (3.7-4.2)? Is it really the main battery output?

GeorgeFlorian1
Posts: 160
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2019 2:32 pm

Re: ESP doesn't boot when it is powered via the 5V input

Postby GeorgeFlorian1 » Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:48 pm

ESP_Sprite wrote:
Thu Jun 10, 2021 2:31 pm
On the boot issue: Does it boot when you momentarily connect EN to GND?
Yes, it does. And after it boots I can also connect to EPS's AP; so it works as intended, but only after briefly connecting EN to GND.
WiFive wrote: A drone battery should have enough current to deal with esp32 current spikes in WiFi mode but isn't it unusual to have a 5v battery voltage? Shouldn't it be a multiple of (3.7-4.2)? Is it really the main battery output?
I've got a PDB with 12V and 5V outputs.

ESP_Sprite
Posts: 8921
Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:08 am

Re: ESP doesn't boot when it is powered via the 5V input

Postby ESP_Sprite » Sat Jun 12, 2021 1:54 am

Likely solution, in that case: wire an 10uF capacitor between your EN and GND pins. The power supply is likely coming up slower than the duration of the reset signal as generated by the on-pcb RC network, leading to issues.

GeorgeFlorian1
Posts: 160
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2019 2:32 pm

Re: ESP doesn't boot when it is powered via the 5V input

Postby GeorgeFlorian1 » Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:14 am

ESP_Sprite wrote:
Sat Jun 12, 2021 1:54 am
Likely solution, in that case: wire an 10uF capacitor between your EN and GND pins. The power supply is likely coming up slower than the duration of the reset signal as generated by the on-pcb RC network, leading to issues.
I've even tried powerin the ESP via the 3V3 pin using a Power Step-Down from 5V to 3V3 and it still doesn' boot properly. It ONLY boots after I press the EN button.
All I have left is trying your solution and adding an 10uF capacitor between the EN and GND pins.

GeorgeFlorian1
Posts: 160
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2019 2:32 pm

Re: ESP doesn't boot when it is powered via the 5V input

Postby GeorgeFlorian1 » Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:14 am

ESP_Sprite wrote:
Sat Jun 12, 2021 1:54 am
Likely solution, in that case: wire an 10uF capacitor between your EN and GND pins. The power supply is likely coming up slower than the duration of the reset signal as generated by the on-pcb RC network, leading to issues.
What type of capacitor do I need to use ?

ESP_Sprite
Posts: 8921
Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:08 am

Re: ESP doesn't boot when it is powered via the 5V input

Postby ESP_Sprite » Thu Jun 17, 2021 2:06 am

GeorgeFlorian1 wrote:
Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:14 am

What type of capacitor do I need to use ?
Any type should work.

GeorgeFlorian1
Posts: 160
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2019 2:32 pm

Re: ESP doesn't boot when it is powered via the 5V input

Postby GeorgeFlorian1 » Wed Jun 23, 2021 11:24 am

ESP_Sprite wrote:
Thu Jun 17, 2021 2:06 am
GeorgeFlorian1 wrote:
Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:14 am

What type of capacitor do I need to use ?
Any type should work.
I've soldered a 10uF capacitor on the ESP32: the DevKit V4 Wroover-B between EN and GND and the ESP finally boots.
I have tried powering the ESP using 5V and then 3V3. In both cases the AP is visible but I can't connect to it.

I still get the same two error messages:

Couldn't authenticate connection
Couldn't get IP address


Only after I press the EN button can I connect to the AP.

GeorgeFlorian1
Posts: 160
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2019 2:32 pm

Re: ESP doesn't boot when it is powered via the 5V input

Postby GeorgeFlorian1 » Fri Jun 25, 2021 3:09 pm

ESP_Sprite wrote:
Sat Jun 12, 2021 1:54 am
Likely solution, in that case: wire an 10uF capacitor between your EN and GND pins. The power supply is likely coming up slower than the duration of the reset signal as generated by the on-pcb RC network, leading to issues.
I did that. The ESP boots and the AP is visible, but I can't connect to ESP's AP.

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