ESP8266 problems

[Gunner]

@LarsiParsii

Do I need a converter (FTDI?) for my ESP?

Depends on the type of ESP9266 board you have… there are a few

@LarsiParsii

Should the TX on the ESP go to the UNOs RX pin? And vice versa?

Yes… well sorta… you should be using Software Serial with an UNO, so make a few changes in the sketch and use digital pins 2 (RX) and 3 (TX) instead.

// Hardware Serial on Mega, Leonardo, Micro...
//#define EspSerial Serial1  // Comment OUT this part

// or Software Serial on Uno, Nano...
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>  // Use these thse parts
SoftwareSerial EspSerial(2, 3); // RX, TX

@LarsiParsii

I don’t have the CH_PD, GPIO 0 and GPIO 2 on my ESP. Instead I have an EN pin and two others (will check on Monday). Of these pins (and the others , i.e. the RST pin), which should be set to 3.3V/GND/float?

Again, depending on the type of board you have.

If you have a full Dev board with built in USB, then don’t bother with the Arduino… follow this tutorial instead

http://help.blynk.cc/how-to-connect-different-hardware-with-blynk/arduino/esp8266-standalone

If you have something entirely different, let us know what it is.

@LarsiParsii

Do the GND of the ESP/regulator have to be connected tot he Arduino in some form? I’ve tried connecting the grounds together.

Also, why are the resistors/capacitor necessary?

Shared GND is necessary whenever you have multiple PSUs (like Arduino on USB and ESP8266 via your regulator.

But if you built your own 3.3v regulator circuit, then the cap is for smoothing (optional, but recommended) but the resistors are not required… as they are used to drop from a 5v to 3.3v supply as per the shown diagram that shared the single 5v PSU for both Arduino and ESP8266.