Cheap ESP-01 Modules that don't work for an ESPixelStick

**ucfknight98** · 09-02-2018, 04:56 PM

So I purchased 10 ESP-01's from Aliexpress, and they don't work. At least they don't work with the ESPixelStick code. Seems to be a common problem. Guessing not all ESP-01's are the same.

I could flash the ESP by 'hard-coding' the spiffs file. The ESP would work the first time, but never reconnect.

The ESP-01 I had with 'AI-Cloud Inside' works fine, no issues.

Anyone found a use for these 'bad' ESP-01's? Or a fix to get around the connection issue?

Are there known good ESP-01's we should be buying? I ordered more from Aliexpress with the 'AI-Cloud Inside' in the picture.

Thanks

**mrGrumpy** · 09-02-2018, 05:31 PM

Known issue. No fix for ESP Sticks yet...may never be a fix. No know way to guarantee you won’t get them again. Try domestic source- pay more, but pre tested.

**MartinMueller2003** · 09-02-2018, 08:01 PM

Interesting. Look at the chip next to the CPU. On the working version, the chip is physically larger. If I remember the discussions, it is that chip that has the timing issue that causes the ESP-01s to fail. So if you see a picture of what you are getting, make sure it has the larger chip installed. FYI: That is not a guarantee, just something I noticed in your picture.

**mrGrumpy** · 09-02-2018, 08:25 PM

How good are you at soldering smd devices. I fixed 5 of them by floating solder with an iron.
Chip = W25Q32FVSIG

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pc...ceBeautifyAB=0

https://diychristmas.org/vb1/showthr...ll=1#post99568

**jaywalk101** · 09-02-2018, 10:06 PM

I think the bad chips are puma? I found you can flash the chips and they will work as long as you dont make or save changes in the web gui. Could be wrong though.

**Ruppro** · 09-02-2018, 10:58 PM

This vendor has good chips

https://www.addicore.com/ESP8266-ESP-01-p/130.htm

**Coaster** · 09-03-2018, 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by jaywalk101

I think the bad chips are puma? I found you can flash the chips and they will work as long as you dont make or save changes in the web gui. Could be wrong though.

Manufacturer of memory chip with the problem is Puya. I was able to fix mine by replacing the memory chip.

**dirknerkle** · 09-03-2018, 10:44 AM

Yes, either replace the Puya chip or hang onto them -- once the Arduino core is universally updated to use the Puya chip and current ESP firmware gets recompiled with the new core, they may work -- so don't toss them out!

**ucfknight98** · 09-05-2018, 10:41 PM

Thank you all for the info.

Dirknerkle, as I'm digging out crap from last year, I found a couple of RenardESP kits I bought from you. I dorked with them for way too long. I could get them to work and then nothing, re-flash, repeat, same result. What I noticed a few minutes ago, I have some ESP01's with the Puya chip. Well CRAP! At least I understand the issue now. And hopefully this thread will help others.

**angus40** · 09-06-2018, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by ucfknight98

Thank you all for the info.

Dirknerkle, as I'm digging out crap from last year, I found a couple of RenardESP kits I bought from you. I dorked with them for way too long. I could get them to work and then nothing, re-flash, repeat, same result. What I noticed a few minutes ago, I have some ESP01's with the Puya chip. Well CRAP! At least I understand the issue now. And hopefully this thread will help others.

The Puya do work with ver 1.4 of the firmware