Guide for using arduino with ESP8266

Need Help With My Project
1

Hi all, I would like to try out a simple project to controll some banks of rgb leds. I want to connect an arduino to a esp8266,.

The wiring should not be a problem but how do I set up the ESP8266 module? I have some old ones so I guess they have got pretty old firmware on and would need to be updated?

Thanks

2

Hi, did you read our documentation?

3

Hi, yes but could not see anything relating to setting up the ESP module for use with an arduino, only stand-alone on a ESP8266 itself? In the sketch that I tried to get going (ESP8266_Shield_HardSer) It mentions that the firmware required is AT v0.22 or later - however I’m not sure how to check this or update it?

Thanks :slight_smile:

4

Any ideas on this? I have ordered a few few ESP8266 modules in the hope that they have the newer firmware on and will just work out of the box? Is it always essential to change the baudrate like it mentions in the header part of the example sketch?

5

The shield example is for using the esp on the serial lines. Usually they come with the at firmware installed. Flashing them is not really difficult. There are a lot of guides out there.

If you use them with a Uno or other arduino with one serial port ypu can’t use your serial console output, unless you use software serial but that is really slow.

You can check the firmware by hooking the esp tx/rx lines to your serial port. With a console app you should be able to check with AT if the firmware is good. It should respond with OK

Remember there are two types of esp out there. The 01 uses 3v lines and the 12 could be assembled with a regulator so it can handle 5v. So be sure your serial port has the right voltage. Otherwise you can destroy them.

Btw, the default Baud is either 9600 or 115200. You can change it with the AT+CIOBAUD=9600 command.

1 Like
6

You could try this guide as well. http://m.instructables.com/id/Connect-to-Blynk-using-ESP8266-as-Arduino-Uno-wifi/

7

An ESP8266 module will never have Blynk firmware on it, because Blynk firmware is custom for your project - you must write it yourself in Arduino.

  1. Update to the latest Arduino
  2. Install Blynk libraries: https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino#installing-with-boards-manager
  3. Open example: BlynkBlink
  4. Connect ESP8266 module to PC using FT232 or your own 3.3V serial port.
  5. Power up ESP8266 into firmware upload mode, or reset into firmware update mode
  6. Click “upload” in Arduino
8

Hi, I think you have misunderstood. What firmware version should I be putting on the ESP8266?

It says v0.22 or later but there are many available now

Thanks

9

Ahh yes, I was mistaken - sorry. I thought you were using ESP8266 without arduino board.

10

Here is what I used. It worked for me.

Sdk1.0.0 v0.22 ESP8266 firmware

link: http://esp8266.ru/download/esp8266-firmware/AT22S…

11

Thanks bud, link is broken though?

12

Sorry, try this one: http://esp8266.ru/download/esp8266-firmware/AT22SDK100-2015-03-20-boot1.2.bin

13

Great, cheers! I will try that later

14

I found at least 13 different types of ESP8266 modules, not just two
http://www.esp8266.com/wiki/doku.php?id=esp8266-module-family