ESP Home and Stepper Motors Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Focus on using ESPHome for DIY projects
• ESPHome: Software to create custom firmware for ESP chip families
• Recent projects involved enhancing Home Assistant with ESPHome

Previous Projects

• Created a custom light with PCBs and an ESP module
• Built a light sensor for a Home Assistant system

Overview of Stepper Motors

• Stepper Motor: Commonly used in 3D printers
• Has two coils (six pins for some models)
• Basic operation: Reversing polarity of one coil (called a step)
• NEMA standard stepper motor: 1.8 degrees per step (200 steps for full revolution)
• Requires special circuitry due to high power draw
• Modern advancements: Subdivided steps (up to 256 steps)
• Improved motors: Quieter operation

Practical Example Using ESPHome

Components Needed

• Stepper Motor Driver
• ESP Module Carrier Board
• Power supply, motor lines, and functional pins (step, direction)
• Logic ground and VIO (3.3V level as ESP)

Configuration Setup

• Stepper Motor Driver
  • Power supply: Logic ground and VIO (3.3V)
  • Functional pins: Step, direction, and sleep mode
  • Enable line: Inverted mode (low level means enabled)
  • MCS1 set to high, MCS2 to low for half-step configuration (400 steps/rev)
  • Connected power supply to the motor
  • Setup motor lines for the coils

ESPHome Code Configuration

• Config code begins with stepper component setup
  • Pins: Step, direction, sleep
  • Values: Maximum speed, acceleration, and deceleration
  • Use number template in HomeAssistant for input variables (range: 0 to 2000)

Visualization of the Setup

• Two pulleys attached to magic arms
• Magic arms connected to a boom arm
• Mechanically controlled via stepper motor

Conclusion

• ESPHome offers versatility for DIY projects involving real-world changes
• Encouragement to leave feedback and like the video

Personal Takeaway

• Motors offer a bridge between digital commands and real-world actions
• DIY projects using ESPHome can simplify otherwise complex tasks