Bulk test of nodeMCU's
Posted: 04 May 2017, 20:02
Hello all,
for testing a fix i've used several nodeMCU's.
This lead to a bulk quality test of these boards as i run in several problems.
I've used two different versions, the older one with CP2102 as USB-TTL converter (a white back label says "AMICA" for brand) and a newer version with a CH340G, labeled with "LoLin".
You can easily differ between the used USB-TTL chips;
. .
For short: The results were disappointing.
From 22 new nodeMCU's i tested six were broken!
The errors:
Two of the "AMICA" nodeMCU's run into crashes from booting on.
I tried to clean up the flash with a "zero" binary and flash ESPEasy again, but no better result.
This might be caused by a faulty flash, but i'm not sure about that.
The "LoLin" nodeMCU's gave an even worse result.
4 out of 10 tested MCU's did not work.
2 did not show any reaction, no "flash" of the blue LED on power up, no answer on serial. ESPlorer did not even detect the COM-Port.
One showed the COM-Port but it was not answering on ESPlorer and could not be flashed
One seemed to be OK first, i flashed, blue LED flickered while flashing. After restart the original AI-Thinker firmware showed up.
Further examination showed that these MCU's were mechanically damaged.
Look at this picture, a gross example:
. .
Did you notice the dent on the ESP-12E? Obviously these parts have undergone rough handling.
I'm not able to decide if that happened on transport, on manufacturing or in store.
I examinated the other broken MCU's and found similiar traces. Things like broken connections in the PCB,
cut off soldering points and such. Some of these only visible with a strong magnifying lens or a microscope
or by checking connection by connection with a multimeter.
I've ordered some LoLin MCU's again to recheck and make sure if this was a problem of rough transport or if
they handle these parts forcefully on manufacturing. I'll report back.
Meanwhile i've quick-checked my stock of WeMos D1 mini, they all at least boot up without issues.
A long term testing will follow.
A bunch of nodeMCU's is running on permanent testing atm. It seems they are running fine atm (Uptime around 1200 minutes now).
. .
So what are the consequences?
For future checks & tests for now I'll rely more on the WeMos boards I got
(Aliexpress - WeMos Shop. Be aware there are remakes from other manufacturers, I did not test these!)
And for sure it obviously pays to try another nodeMCU if something does not work or shows strange behaviour.
Regards
Shardan
for testing a fix i've used several nodeMCU's.
This lead to a bulk quality test of these boards as i run in several problems.
I've used two different versions, the older one with CP2102 as USB-TTL converter (a white back label says "AMICA" for brand) and a newer version with a CH340G, labeled with "LoLin".
You can easily differ between the used USB-TTL chips;
. .
For short: The results were disappointing.
From 22 new nodeMCU's i tested six were broken!
The errors:
Two of the "AMICA" nodeMCU's run into crashes from booting on.
I tried to clean up the flash with a "zero" binary and flash ESPEasy again, but no better result.
This might be caused by a faulty flash, but i'm not sure about that.
The "LoLin" nodeMCU's gave an even worse result.
4 out of 10 tested MCU's did not work.
2 did not show any reaction, no "flash" of the blue LED on power up, no answer on serial. ESPlorer did not even detect the COM-Port.
One showed the COM-Port but it was not answering on ESPlorer and could not be flashed
One seemed to be OK first, i flashed, blue LED flickered while flashing. After restart the original AI-Thinker firmware showed up.
Further examination showed that these MCU's were mechanically damaged.
Look at this picture, a gross example:
. .
Did you notice the dent on the ESP-12E? Obviously these parts have undergone rough handling.
I'm not able to decide if that happened on transport, on manufacturing or in store.
I examinated the other broken MCU's and found similiar traces. Things like broken connections in the PCB,
cut off soldering points and such. Some of these only visible with a strong magnifying lens or a microscope
or by checking connection by connection with a multimeter.
I've ordered some LoLin MCU's again to recheck and make sure if this was a problem of rough transport or if
they handle these parts forcefully on manufacturing. I'll report back.
Meanwhile i've quick-checked my stock of WeMos D1 mini, they all at least boot up without issues.
A long term testing will follow.
A bunch of nodeMCU's is running on permanent testing atm. It seems they are running fine atm (Uptime around 1200 minutes now).
. .
So what are the consequences?
For future checks & tests for now I'll rely more on the WeMos boards I got
(Aliexpress - WeMos Shop. Be aware there are remakes from other manufacturers, I did not test these!)
And for sure it obviously pays to try another nodeMCU if something does not work or shows strange behaviour.
Regards
Shardan