BierBot Bricks Forum

Dear Bernhard,

First of all thank you for your great work to help all of us setting up our own home brewing systems.

I have been so excited when I have find your site and still I am but sadly I have come to a dead end.

I am pretty sure I have followed all your instructions as close as possible but at the point when I hit "START" in the FLASH DOWNLOAD TOOL I get the following results:
and nothing after that

Can you please kindly advise what could be the problem?

Thank you again
My Best Regards
Tamás Lantos

Hi Tamás,

welcome on board and sorry for the inconvenience!

Looks like your PC can't establish a connection with the microcontroller. This is typically due to one or multiple of the following reasons:

1. ESP32 not in boot mode: Press button on TH before powering up.
2. Cable connections: The data is transferred by switching between 3.3V and 0V multiple million times per Sekond. Image a cable not sitting tight. No way signal gets through. Really make sure, cables are snug1
3. RX-RX: RX on flasher needs to be connected to TX on Sonoff TH and vice versa. DO NOT connect RX-RX and TX-TX (on side transmits, other side receives)
4. Power: Make sure Sonoff TH has sufficient power. Worst case you need to connect AC, consult an expert, be safe and don't kill yourself.

Cheers,
Bernhard.

Hi Bernhard,

I have went through your suggestions:
1. ESP32 not in boot mode: Press button on TH before powering up.
Done. I have tried with and without AC

2. Cable connections: The data is transferred by switching between 3.3V and 0V multiple million times per Sekond. Image a cable not sitting tight. No way signal gets through. Really make sure, cables are snug1
Done. Double checked in both ends.

3. RX-RX: RX on flasher needs to be connected to TX on Sonoff TH and vice versa. DO NOT connect RX-RX and TX-TX (on side transmits, other side receives)
Done.

4. Power: Make sure Sonoff TH has sufficient power. Worst case you need to connect AC, consult an expert, be safe and don't kill yourself.
As in point 1. I have tried with and without plugging ESP32 to AC.

Could it be the problem that the FT232RL does not work? Like a hardware problem? I have checked and installed the COM PORT driver for my Windows 11 too as in the instructions.

Still the same result.

I have also checked if the Sonoff TH works with the usual apps such as eWeLink. It does work.

So do you have any other suggestions?

thanks a lot

Tamás

Hi Tamás,

two more ideas:

5. Make sure the jumper is set to 3.3V and not 5V on your COM-Port flasher. Note: If you've used it in the 5V configuration previously, your TH might be unrecoverably fried now.
6. Check that the soldering of the pinheader is solid on your TH.

Question: Can you post a Screenshot of your windows device manager? I just want to make sure the COM-Port is properly recognized.

Cheers,
Bernhard.

Hi Bernhard,

The jumper is set to 3.3V and have never been at 5V.

The soldering of the pinheader quite solid checked it twice.
Sorry but the screenshot of my windows device manager is in Hungarian but it shouldbe obvious.
I have bought another Sonoff TH and another FT232RL too, so I will try those soon.

Tamás

Is the entry for COM1 disappearing when you unplug the COM flasher?

No it is there all the time

Then your COM port flashers' driver is not properly installed. That's the issue.

You need to install the "Virtual COM port driver". The one for my chip is i.e. available here: https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/ Chances are, this works for you, too. If not, contact your seller where to get them if the info is not included in the item description.

Cheers,
Bernhard.

Hi Bernhard,

And finally success.
The solution could not possibly be more banal, embarrassing really.
The USB cable I have picked up was only a charger cable for a lamp or something.
Only the juice went through but not the info.
As soon as I have replaced it with the right USB cable all went clockwork.

Simplicity...

Thanks a lot.

Tamás

Hi Tamás,

glad it worked! Thanks for reporting back - added it to the FAQ

Cheers,
Bernhard.