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strange behavior with the esp32can adapter

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2025 1:28 am
by medo
I have a problem with the esp32can adapter. When I switch it on, it works perfectly and I can switch between the node IDs. The LED also flashes during communication. After about 40 seconds, the LED lights up very dimly and the connection breaks down.
What could be the reason for this?

Re: strange behavior with the esp32can adapter

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2025 2:49 pm
by johu
Most likely power supply issues. There is a test point for 3.3V, measure that. Does anything heat up? Normal current draw is about 50 mA @ 12V

Re: strange behavior with the esp32can adapter

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2025 3:29 pm
by medo
Yes, the test points show 3.3v, but it fluctuates between 3.28 and 3.32, no heat development, consumption is also identical at 50mA, could it be that I swapped a capacitor (C3) that should actually be 16v and I used one with 25v??

Re: strange behavior with the esp32can adapter

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2025 6:00 pm
by Zieg
Doubt it, that's just a limit. Was the actual capacitance the same? Are you feeding it 12-14ish volts?

Re: strange behavior with the esp32can adapter

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2025 11:04 pm
by medo
13 volts are present, capacity is the same 10uH, it's strange that everything works well, and can also switch between the nodes super fast, but only for a short time

Re: strange behavior with the esp32can adapter

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 6:56 am
by johu
Did you buy in in the shop? If so I can send you a new one and you can send the old one back for diagnosis. Send me a message.

Re: strange behavior with the esp32can adapter

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 7:33 am
by medo
Unfortunately I didn't order it through the shop, I thought I would take the opportunity and solder it myself, also for learning purposes, I also used the outdated Gerber files, was probably a mistake

Re: strange behavior with the esp32can adapter

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 9:37 am
by johu
hmm, I think no version of the gerber files had serious issues. The ESP32 module is challenging to solder, especially the heat transfer pad. Are you sure that is making good contact to direct the heat into the PCB and away from the chip?

Re: strange behavior with the esp32can adapter

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 10:19 am
by medo
quite the opposite, only the voltage regulator gets a little warm, otherwise everything is cool
IMG_0002_upscayl_3x_upscayl-standard-4x.png
IMG_0001_upscayl_3x_upscayl-standard-4x.png
edit: I don't know what the problem is, I haven't changed anything, but it's been running for 15 minutes without interruption, I'll keep an eye on it for the next time

Re: strange behavior with the esp32can adapter

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 8:03 pm
by medo
A short interim report: the adapter has been working for hours. Unfortunately I don't know why the error occurred, but I had an idea: can't the VCU be programmed so that it manages the other participants, similar to the CAN adapter?

Re: strange behavior with the esp32can adapter

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 5:29 pm
by Daveturpin
johu wrote: Sun Mar 02, 2025 9:37 am hmm, I think no version of the gerber files had serious issues. The ESP32 module is challenging to solder, especially the heat transfer pad. Are you sure that is making good contact to direct the heat into the PCB and away from the chip?
The heat transfer pad is also a ground, yes? Having a misbehaving ground can cause a lot of "strange behavior".