ESP32 #2: Soldering the ESP-WROOM-32 to a breakout board (Part 1)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- Disclaimer: The particular module I was soldering had issues with programming, so it's possible that it was damaged during the soldering shown in this video. Exercise caution when soldering the ESP32 with a soldering iron...
This is first of a two part video where I solder the ESP32 module (ESP-WROOM-32) to a breakout board.
In this video, we'll take a closer look at the ESP32 module's package, and after that I prepare the breakout board for soldering of the ESP32 module by applying flux, and then use regular solder and soldering iron to solder the ESP32 to the board. Along the way, I don't do a good job soldering, so I need to use some wick to correct the solder joints and such.
In Part 2 ( • ESP32 #3: Soldering th... ), I will be soldering the ground pad of the breakout board to the ESP32 module's ground pad, and use the continuity mode of the multimeter to check that the connections are being made properly.
I love these "how not to" videos.
I actually prefer TH-cam videos which shows mistakes and user errors. It’s actually more informative to next show how to troubleshoot and fix this errors. So a beginner who is just starting out soldering would know what to do when they encounter the same problem.
I'm of the same opinion -- I like videos that include the mistakes so that I can learn how to handle problems when they arise. That's the reason why I try to keep imperfections in the video. (Although that's a delicate balance, as preferences are different between viewers.) Thanks for the comment! :)
Using more flux solves the soldering problem. Don't be afraid, just put more, especially when resoldering
Just so you know, the datasheet for the ESP-WROOM-32 specifically says that soldering pin 39 (the ground pad) is "not necessary for a satisfactory thermal performance", so you might have a better time without it!
One other tip. In a pinch, you can actually do reflow soldering with just a frying pan filled with sand. Ideally, you would try to match the reflow profile in the datasheet, but as long as you don't apply too much heat (and burn the entire PCB) it should be more gentle on the components than the iron is.
Thanks for the tip about soldering the ground pad not being required! It would definitely make things _a lot_ easier if I didn't need to deal with that ground pad.
Since I didn't remember seeing that note in the spec sheet, I looked back at the one I used back then (2017), and it doesn't mention it; I'm guessing that Espressif added that note later on. :)
For thermal yes, but it also serves as ground connection. Better to solder then :)
So much easier to just use a 'reflow oven', which to me is just a toaster oven. It is almost magic. But from what I've watched in videos, a hot air gun works too. I want to replace a esp-cam processor since the processor is toast but I want to use the board and camera using an external antenna esp
No flux? It would make your life soooo much easier...
Just a simple question and please do not start the attack against me. Question: what if you would make a bigger hole on the 39-GND-PAD on the back of ESP32 Breakout board in order to be sure that you have soldered the IC?
100% problem solver! :) At first I agreed with your comment, then I read other comments and I changed my mind. Great anyway!
Very precise soldering 👍👍
I am facing some weird issues with this Chip.
I am able to upload the WLED bin file
But when I power this up, its hanging every other minutes. Using the AMS1117 Regulator, Have tried hell lot of capacitor combinations, Nothing helps.
If I use a dev. Board it works seamlessly using same binary and thru same power supply.
Any pointers?
Hi bro , great and informative video I just want to know that is it safe to remove esp32 from breakout board using soldering iron or should I have to use hot air gun
were did you get the breakout pcb ?
This particular breakout PCB was available in a store called "Aitendo" in Tokyo. This one was one of the earlier PCBs to be available when ESP32's were available around here, so I suspect there's a much better selection of breakout boards available these days.
Where did you buy that breakout board?
A store in Akihabara (Tokyo) that sells assorted electronic parts that mostly seems to originate out of China. I've seen similar things being sold on Aliexpress also being sold at that store...
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You need smaller soldering tip and smaller solder.
Awesome, thank you for the tip! :)
Not really. I solder SMDs with a larger tip than that. The trick is sliding the iron across. It may take 2-3 passes but it works perfectly. Just add flux before each pass
Noticing the through holes sucks in solder due to capillary action when you are soldering is a great achievement :D For me it always was a problem because I am clumsy and keep contacting the empty TOs with the iron and accidentally filling them with solder to block it and have to struggle to make components get in the hole. :D
That gap between module and board makes me nervous. Shouldn't you have soldered the backing ground-plane first, rather than last? That way you can use adhesion to know if it's worked: it's done when it doesn't fall off anymore.
A bulldog clip may work to keep the chip securely it place while you solder.
note: i really don't know, havn't done it.
Thank you for the comment and suggestion! I figured that as long as the connections are made a little bit of floating wouldn't hurt much. Then again, I haven't soldered in this manner many times before. (This is probably the second or third time.) I haven't thought of using a bulldog clip, I'll try it out next time, thanks! :)
a clipboard will hold it down nicely and also make a secure base
Good job. Which temperature did you use?
U know that u don't really need to solder the ground pad in this case
Thank you for the comment! I was under the impression that we should have the ground pad connected. I'm curious where you found the information to the contrary? (I'd be especially interested if it's from Espressif themselves.)
Thank you for sharing that video, it's good to get more information! :)
It is a thermal pad, the PCB should be dissipating heat and spreading it out as much as possible, not the best thing to try and solder indirectly xD Like trying to reflow a computer processor with hot air, but through the heat sink lol.
A little late, but here it goes: From the ESP-WROOM-32 datasheet, page 14:
Note:
Soldering Pad 39 to the Ground of the base board is not necessary for a satisfactory thermal performance. If users do
want to solder it, they need to ensure that the correct quantity of soldering paste is applied.
It appears that it is enough if the pads just touch, but are not soldered.
I think we can just apply a thermal paste to transfer the heat from the module to the large copper plane on the pcb