02 HARDWARE
for this project you need:
- an ESP32 or similar boards with ESP32
- a zigbee module cc3530 or cc 2531
- a power supply with micro usb 3A
- 5 dupont wires (or soldering skills)
Optional you can connect an LED and a tactile button. This is convenient when you put the device in a housing.
This is the micro cpu that connects to the user via wifi, and to the Zigbee module via serial. All zigbee commands come from the ESP32 and are broadcasted by the zigbee radio module.
On the ESP32 a software is running which needs to be flashed to it. Use an ESP that is cleaned from wifi credentials and filesystem. Or a new one.
The software is packed in a binary file (e.g. ESP32-ECU-0_1.bin). This file should be flashed on the ESP. How to do that is explained in a lot of articles on the web, there is also a manual in the readMe.txt.
The software only needs to be flashed once. Future updates are very convenient via O.T.A.
Please note: The binary is compiled with memory partition scheme: "Default 4MB with spiffs(1.2MB APP/1.5MB SPIFFS)"
It seems that this is causing troubles sometimes, so here are some hints. If you can work with arduino IDE, first flash another small programm so that the bootlader and partitiontable are in place. Then use use FLASH_DOWNLOAD_TOOLS_V3.4.4 (from the manufacturer espressif) to flash the .bin file at address 0x10000. Another smart way If you can work with arduino IDE: First flash an ota update software (from the examples "OtaWebUpdater") and use this to flash the .bin file.
This is the component that talks wireless to the inverter via Zigbee. It translates the serial commands from the ESP to a zigbee broadcast for the inverters and receives the answers.
Also on this component a software is running that should be flashed on it.
There are several ways to do this, see the internet. The most convenient way is to install a small program on a Raspberry PI, connect some wires betweeen the Raspberry and the ZB and run it.
For more information visit ZIGBEE MODULE.
Problems with bad connections can arise with cheap dupont cables, thats why I solder the zigbee connections.
You can use a wall plug power supply like in the picture. I use a power supply of 3A.