I just HAD to have this LilyGo TTGO ESP32 Board with Ethernet and SIM Connector for one main reason – I’ve used hundreds of ESP8266 and ESP32 boards but never EVER seen an ESP32 with an Ethernet connector before.
So, I opened up the package, plugged the board into an Ethernet lead hooked into my network and applied USB-C power – and LO – a new device appeared on the network – esp32-ethernet.lan (.lan is my suffix set in the router – others may have a different suffix).
At this point I’m not sure what to do with the board as it appears to have no pre-programmed web interface but I’m sure it will come to me. It does however have a sequencing serial RGB (ES2812) LED on-board.
There is a stock program running of some sort already and clearly the hardwired Ethernet connection works, bringing the board into my network. I just need to find out more. Hopefully the two photos here will help put the pieces together.
You can clearly see on the underside, sockets for both a SIM and a micro-USB.
The board has RESET and BOT buttons – short for BOOT (I’m assuming the latter is the normal programming button) and as well as the USB-C connector, the board can also handle 5-12v input on a green 2-pin connector. Also included are a 6-way 0.1″ header pin set and 2 small bolts.
The board is branded LILYGO and is marked 32+LAN+PCIE XY_21_12_28 V1.1
The sheet which comes with the board has pin designations and not a lot else. The ESP32-WROVER-E has 16MB FLASH, 8MB PSRAM and there is of course the usual ESP32 WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity available.
According to Banggood’s website the board can be used as a router – presumably a 4G router hence the SIM connector and the site shows an example mobile router interface, albeit in Chinese – available software and information will, as always, make or break this inexpensive (around 17 Euros until March 31, 2022) product.
There is no shortage of hardware information about this ESP32 board on Banggood’s site – but I struggled to find anything about the firmware – I’ll continue looking. Lilygo do a massive range of ESP8266 and ESP32-based boards… so off I went to the lilygo.cn site in search of this one…. erm… no.
Amazon have this board on their site (none available and no info) as do AliExpress (available but no info). There are less-well-known online stores with this product but they, too seem to have a complete lack of information other than that supplied by Banggood.
I DID find this link from the Banggood site to a Github project but it is of limited use as it stands.
If and when when I figure out what to do with this, you will be the first to know 🙂
Hi.
I havent’t understood if, powering the board via USC C cable, is it possibile to program it only via ethernet cable or is needed , in any case, an USB Serial Port Adapter like this https://bit.ly/3qexUUt.
May you help me ?
Thanks in advance
See other response in here, I didn’t find time to do more with the board.
Hi,
did you do anything useful with this device?
Getting in running with Tasmota would be cool, even it could be way more capable than that….
But until now, I didn’t find anything, only the poe variant is supported in tasmota ootb…
Cheers
4920441
No, I haven’t gotten any of these (POE version) online yet. I have constraints with manual dexterity and eyesight, so am waiting until I can have a friend solder the headers on for me.
Why do so many of these items not have an option for pre-soldered headers? For me, “DIY” does _not_ include soldering. I’m certainly willing to pay some extra for that.
Anyway, I’m using ESPHome for all my devices, not Tasmota.
In the end I didn’t find a lot of use for the board – that’s not to say there’s anything wrong with it.
I just purchased several copies of the POE version of this board (from AliExpress, at official LILYGO store). I don’t have the units online yet, but intending to use them w ESPHome, in places where batteries might freeze, but where I can deliver power via Cat-5/Cat-6 cable.
Note that ESPHome does not allow simultaneous usage of both Wifi and Ethernet on ESP devices; it’s one or the other. I don’t know if that applies to other firmware as well.
I purchased the expansion board for each of the units. You’re right; USB connector on main board is for power only. (& who needs that with POE from the RJ-45??) But ESP programming is available via micro-USB on expansion board. And the expansion board adds 8 additional GPIO pins. Vs 4 truly free I/O pins on main board (plus 8 more pins with various restrictions).
I’m not at all thrilled with the oddball form factor resulting after you plug the expander board onto the main board.
Can it do POE Pete?
As far as I can tell Gary, no. I picked this up on a whim assuming there would be lots of info on the subject but it seems there isn’t. I also noted somewhere a version with POE but not on the board I have.
Indeed, looking at Banggood’s site, there is a Lilygo board that does POE – maybe I should have gone for that one as it was the hardwired Ethernet connection that caught my eye in the first place.
https://bit.ly/37NndSR
No guarantees there’s any info on THAT board…but it looks cheap but see Steve’s comment below. But note the comment about the USB connector not doing flashing which seems odd… they refer to a separate board for that though I’m sure the rx and tx pins operate as normal.
The £4 price is just for the downloader board – £19 for the ESP32 board with POE but still reasonable
Thanks for that Steve.