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iBLOPPER ESP32 – How To build, install and wifi setup?

The iBLOPPER can be build in 2 ways, either by ESP8266, though a Wemos D1 Mini module, or by an ESP32. The EPS32 chip also hold Bluetooth , and hence hold a second use as it can detect a TILT hydrometer or RAPT Pill and relay/repeat these data into iBLOPPER CLOUD. Below you find the ESP32 build.

Notice! The EPS32 build is young and should be seen as still be in BETA.

iBLOPER`ESP32 build.

To build a iBLOPPER´ESP32 you will need either a ESP32 Dev1 module or NodeMCU ESP32S and a MPU6050. For temperature probe you can both solder it, or use a temperature shield with 3 pin connector (“DFRobot Gravity – DS18B20 temperature sensor”) . The temperature probe is optional if you wish to only use a TILT hydrometer for temperature reading.

Parts:

  • ESP32 Devkit ver1 module
  • MPU6050***
  • TickTax box
  • Optional: ds18b20 temperature probe inkl. 4.7K resistor or DFRobot Gravity – DS18B20 temperature sensor

*** You can use iBLOPPER ESP32 whiteout MPU6050 to relay the Tilt hydrometer or RAPT Pill data into the CLOUD incl. using the temperature control options.

Diagram:

The digram for building a iBLOPPER`ESP32, here based on ESP32 dev1 diagram (NodeMCU ESP32S diagram is almost similar and only the GPIO 18 connection is different with a GRD connection instead).

To attach the MPU605 please notice GPIO 33 is used as 3.3V(hence turned HIGH), and GPIO 25 is used as GRD (turned low). SCL connection is done at GPIO 26, and SDA at GPIO 27.

If you wish to attach a temperature probe the signal goes till GPIO 18, and a 4.7K resistor must be connected between the 3.3V (either GPIO 19 or 3.3V) and signal pin of GPIO 18.

“Solder to legs” version

You can solder the MPU6050 and temperature directly to the legs. This version cost you 12-15 EUR/$:

MPU6050 should be soldered tlll the legs, first cut away excessive bits of legs of VCC, GRD, SCL and SDA as it make it easier to solder.
MPU 6050 soldered till legs.
In TicTak box for further protection. Here with temeperature probe too (see further below).

“No-solder” version

A version where no soldering is need can be based on “Grove – IMU 9DOF v2.0” as gyroscope replacing the MPU6050. You also need “GROVE – 4 PIN FEMALE JUMPER TO GROVE 4 PIN CONVERSION CABLE”.  The “Grove – IMU 9DOF v2.0” is costly at around 10 EUR/$, but for users not keen on soldering this is an option. The final price then go up till 20-25 EUR/$.

“Grove – IMU 9DOF v2.0”
“Grove – IMU 9DOF v2.0” and connector cable.
….as above plese consider to place “Grove – IMU 9DOF v2.0” in a small ballon for moisture protection if overflow.

…….adding a temperature probe?

If you just use the iBLOPPPER`ESP32 for TILT hydrometer capturing, then you most likely dont need a temperature probe. But if needed in the case you wish to use the iBLOPPER a sole logging device and hence not use TILT, you can add a temperature probe. A 3-pin temperature probe as “DFRobot Gravity – DS18B20 temperature sensor” is very suited to add at GPIO 21/GRD, 19 and 18 according till above diagram. Please notice above diagram is for ESP32 Dev1 version, and below left picture is showing an NodeMCU ESP-32S and hence pins/legs differ a bit.

DFRobert temperature probe at GRD(21), 19 and 18.
ds18b20 probe + 4.7K resistor soldered at GPIO 18 and then 3v3 volt and ground. The 4.7K resistor goes between 3.3v and GPIO 18.

Install file and install

iBLOPPER 4.1.1 (ESP32) - support for RAPT Pill and Sonoff BASICR3. (17 downloads)

iBLOPPER 4.0.0 for ESP32 (39 downloads)

  1. Install CP210x USB to UART Bridge VCP Drivers, if not already done. If you played with Arduino before you most likely have done this before.
  2. Ensure ESP32 is pugged into USB.
  3. Go to “Devices” (e.g. use win10/11 search and write “devices”).
  4. Under “Ports” in Devices. Notice this USB port number for “CP210x USB to UART”!
  5. Open and edit “Erase_USB_COMX” and set correct port (eg. change the port number ONLY): esptool.exe -p COM4 -b 115200 erase_flash
  6. Run “Erase_USB_COMX” to ensure ESP32 is clean.
  7. Open and edit the “SETUP_USB_COMX” to reflect the port you using, eg. change the port number ONLY: esptool.exe --chip esp32 --port COM4 --baud 921600 --before default_reset --after hard_reset write_flash -z --flash_mode dio --flash_freq 80m --flash_size detect 0xe000 boot_app0.bin 0x1000 bootloader_dio_80m.bin 0x10000 iBLOPPER4.bin 0x8000 iBLOPPER4.ino.partitions.bin
  8. Hit and run the “Window batch file” named “SETUP_USB_COMX”
  9. Now the iBLOPPPER`ESP32 software get installed.

If something goes wrong you can erase everything after editing accordingly as above by running “Erase_USB_COMX” (esptool.exe -p COM4 -b 115200 erase_flash). 

NOTICE!

Please remember to hold and press “BOOT” when you see “…………..——–…………………….———” during upload/install of the ESP32.

If updating to new build and/or making use of an ESP32 from earlier project, ensure to erase everything as else you will get instability issues.

Secondly, always pull the power from iBLOPPER´ESP32 after installing before setting it up.

Calibration for all versions

At iBLOPPER CLOUD you can set the sensitivity or treadshold when a bubble should be detected. All versions of iBLOPPER should have 3 till 6, and I find 4 to be best. But you can finetune if needed to remove double blops or if you loose any.

NOTICE: The iBLOPPER do internally calibrate the MPU6050 during the first 5 sec after turned on and it is important it is placed on the airlock and hold still at the moment it do this internal calibration of the MPU6050.

Setup WiFi

The only thing you need todo in iBLOPPER is to enter the WiFi credentials of your WiFi network:

Please notice the 7_8 chipher iBLOPPER number as you must use the number as your username when register your account at iBLOPPER CLOUD.

Register and login

The final register and login should be simple, and please go till iBLOPPER CLOUD. Please notice you must use the iBLOPPER number as shown above under Setup WiFI.

Settings at iBLOPPER CLOUD

If you use a iBLOPPER`ESP32 you will at iBLOPPER CLOUD under “Settings” options se a set of options for RAPT Pill, TILT hydrometer color, including if you wish to use iBLOPPER in “normal mode”. A more advanced option is to use polynomial to heighten the precision of the TILT hydrometer data. A very basic polynomial is to add 3 points by: ” 1*sg+0.003 “.

Version Log!

iBLOPPER ver4.1.1:

  • Support for RAPT Pill second till TILT hydrometer.
  • Support for Sonoff BASICR3 as a temperature plug second to the Shelly plugs.
  • Code enhancements.

iBLOPPER ver4.0 :‘

  • First release of iBLOPPER for ESP32, now supporting TILT hydrometer caturing/repreating.