Arduino Setup

Initial Arduino Configuration

If for any reason code needs to be reuploaded to the Arduino, follow these instructions.

1. Install the Arduino IDE (https://www.arduino.cc/en/software) on your local machine

2. Launch the Arduino IDE

3. Connect your local machine to the Arduino using a USB A-Male to B-Male cable

4. Select Tools -> Board - > Arduino AVR Boards -> Arduino UNO

5. Select Tools -> Port -> And select the only available port

6. Upload the sketch

7. If successful, it should say “Done uploading”

Wiring the ESP8266

CAUTION: The ESP8266 MUST be wired with 3.3V. Using 5V will damage the chip.

ESP8266	Arduino
GND	GND
GPIO-2	Not connected (open)
GPIO-0	Not connected (open)
RXD	TX
TXD	RX
CHPD (EN)	3.3V
RST	Not connected (open)
VCC	3.3V

Putting the ESP8266 in programming mode

In the unlikely event that the ESP8266 code needs to be updated or reuploaded, follow these instructions

1. Open the Arduino IDE

2. Go to File -> Preferences

3. Enter https://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json into the Additional Board Manager URLs field.

4. Click OK

5. Go to Tools -> Board -> Boards Manager

6. Type “esp8266” in the field. Find the package with that name and click install.

7. Go to Tools -> Board -> ESP8266 Boards -> Generic ESP8266 Module

8. Select Tools -> Port -> And select the only available port

9. Wire the ESP8266 as follows

ESP8266	Arduino
GND	GND
GPIO-2	Not connected (open)
GPIO-0	GND
RXD	RX
TXD	TX
CHPD (EN)	3.3V
RST	Not connected (open)
VCC	3.3V

Next, follow these instructions in this order:

1. Connect the Arduino RESET pin to ground (not shown in schematic below, but required)

2. Connect the ESP8266 RST pin to ground for around half a second (The ESP8266’s blue LED should flash)

3. Upload the sketch (If you get a “connection failed” error, try flashing the RST pin again)