New to micro controllers and MicroPython

[tonynsx]

Hello,

As the title says, I'm new to micro controllers and MicroPython. I do have Python coding experience. I'm looking to learn about micro controllers. Is there a MicroPython learning kit or something I can buy so I can make robots by learning?

Thank you,

Tony

[tonynsx]

can I use esp32 as my micro controller board? I know I can buy kits for Python from Amazon, would this work on the esp32?

https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-ESP-WROO ... B0718T232Z

[Roberthh]

ESP32 boards like the one you posted should work with MicroPython. There are pre-built firmware images for these boards here: http://micropython.org/download/esp32/
The GENERIC board are those without additional RAM, like the one you posted. GENERIC_SPIRAM images expect additional RAM on the board. You can get these boards from many vendors.

[tonynsx]

Thank you, but is there a kit for learning esp32 / micropython? Or can I just order the kit for Raspberry Pi, and it will just work the same?

[matt42]

I am also a beginner and have a couple of these ESP32 boards. Once you load MP, you can start using it right away. The "hello world" version of MP on these boards is to make the blue LED blink, try that first.

If you are ordering that board, also order an LED display or Lora module or GPS or something that you can interact with further. A small breadboard is also a good investment, you can use solid Ethernet cables (cut down) as jumper wires.

I built a small weather station which queries the API on openweathermap.org and displays the current weather on the screen below. Took me a little while and with some help from this forum, it works well.

The Lora modules ping each other and have been working for several weeks without issue.

This is some of the stuff I have bought, its quite addictive

LED Screen:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2004-Qualit ... 2749.l2649

and Screen adapter
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Serial-IIC- ... 2749.l2649

Lora modules:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2pcs-TTGO-L ... 2749.l2649

[SpotlightKid]

You could get a DIY sensor kit from your preferred electronics dealer. Just search for "sensor kit" e.g. on amazon. Combine this with one or two breadboards, and a set of jumper cables (a mix of male-male, female-male, female-female). You can also get basic "starter sets" with these too, but getting them separately might be cheaper.

These kits come with example code for Arduino, but they usually work with any microcontroller board, which has digital and analog I/O ins and UART, SPI and I2C interfaces. You can learn a lot by translating these examples into MicroPython.

[tonynsx]

You could get a DIY sensor kit from your preferred electronics dealer. Just search for "sensor kit" e.g. on amazon. Combine this with one or two breadboards, and a set of jumper cables (a mix of male-male, female-male, female-female). You can also get basic "starter sets" with these too, but getting them separately might be cheaper.

These kits come with example code for Arduino, but they usually work with any microcontroller board, which has digital and analog I/O ins and UART, SPI and I2C interfaces. You can learn a lot by translating these examples into MicroPython.

Just to make sure, I could order this kit for Raspberry Pi 4, and order an ESP32 and it should work?

https://www.amazon.com/SunFounder-Raspb ... s9dHJ1ZQ==

https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-ESP-WROO ... NrPXRydWU=

[SpotlightKid]

Yes, that would work. You'll need a micro USB cable too (type A to micro USB), to connect the ESP32 board to your computer. There are other kits that contain a different selection of sensors to play around with, which may be cheaper, but will not have the basic stuff like breadboards, jumper cables and leds, so you'll have to get that extra. It all depends on what kind of devices you want to learn to build.

https://www.amazon.com/-/de/Aokin-Senso ... ref=sr_1_8

Here's a good collection of basic MicroPython examples for doing microcontroller-hardware related stuff:

https://github.com/dhylands/upy-examples

[tonynsx]

Thank you.

[tonynsx]

I ordered the ESP32 https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-ESP-WROO ... NrPXRydWU= and sensor kit https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WV ... UTF8&psc=1, also a micro usb cable, soldering kit, and a multimetter.

I know I'm new to this, and need to practice. My plan is to make a servo out of 12v dc windshield wiper motor for a large scale rc. I'm assuming for that to work, I need a h-bridge, and then I can connect the h-bridge to the ESP32? I know I'm getting ahead, but just curious.

Is there a good ESP32 / MicroPython tutorials where I can start from? May be like an PDF or e-book?