ESP32-CAM when not on computer USB
Got a ESP32-CAM on a usb dev board combo thing setup all working and just printing an enclosure for it for inside the Prusa Enclosure - so that's all good. However, when I unhitch it from the USB port on the computer and try to just power it with a suitable PSU it doesn't perform/boot/join my wifi and all that. It DOES if I reach into the gap between the PCBs and push the reset button on the CAM board. Obviously though I'm not going to be able to do that once its in the enclosure - so wonderin gif anyone had come across anything similar?
The kit I bought was https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08P1NMPLL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Any insights greatly appreciated. Cheers!
RE: ESP32-CAM when not on computer USB
It's ages since I did this so forgive me if I don't remember correctly. I seem to remember that when you disconnect from debugging mode and plug into a power supply you have to do a manual reset to get it into normal mode but that after that a straight forward power cycle will restart in normal mode
RE: ESP32-CAM when not on computer USB
Thank you... seems mine must be different though or I'm being stupid - which is very possible 😀
RE: ESP32-CAM when not on computer USB
More likely I've not remembered correctly.
It's not ideal but lots of enclosures do still allow pressing the reset button, my design does and it worked when I tested it.
https://www.printables.com/model/668369-esp32-cam-case-and-mount-for-mk4
RE:
Thank you. Seems it does survive a soft reboot from the GUI, just not a power cycle.
RE: ESP32-CAM when not on computer USB
probable two options:
1. esp32 writes to the memory if it booted succesfully after some time (I guess about 1 minute?), it writes in the log when it thinks boot is stable and writes it to flash. This is used to detect crash loops and if there is too many of them (thus not saved state) it will fall back to recovery mode
2. some board have a problem with the powering up - and it needs a resitstor to fix booting https://esp32.com/viewtopic.php?p=134077&sid=c59b1bb65687882e95e0546ee66f9abb#p134077 but see other posts below it, in short conect 10k resistor between 3.3V and GPIO 0 (zero).
Another option can be adding 10 uF capacitor between the ESP's EN pin and GND to allow voltage to stabilize just before chip boots. https://github.com/sparkfun/MicroMod_ESP32_Processor/issues/1
See my GitHub and printables.com for some 3d stuff that you may like.