Software Installation

Checklist for configuring the device

Install the firmware using one of the following options:

  • Brewflasher via USB serial

  • Brewflasher WEB via USB serial

  • Esptool via USB serial

  • iSpindel web interface (only ESP8266)

  • Build from source and flash via VSCode + Platformio

Brewflasher

The preferred option for flashing GravityMon is using BrewFlasher, its a tools that support many brewing related firmwares for ESP8266 and ESP32. This works on both Windows and Mac. You can download the latest version from here: Brewflasher there is also a web based version available here Brewflasher WEB.

In order to flash an C3 board you will need Brewflasher 1.5 or newer.

Note

The S2 and C3 chips might need to be put in flash mode before flashing can be done. Hold the button on the opposite side from the RST button, press the RST button and release it before the first button you pressed. This should force the chip into download mode. If you connect a serial terminal it should say “waiting for download”.

Serial output

Binaries

In the /bin directory you will find 4 different firmware builds;

  • firmware.bin

    This is the standard release build (preferred version)

  • firmware32.bin

    This is the release build for an ESP32-d1-mini variant. When flashing an ESP32 you also need the partition32.bin file that outlines the flash memory structure. Due to the size of the firmware we are using a custom partition setup.

  • firmware32c3.bin

    This is the release build for an ESP32c3-mini variant v2.1 or newer. When flashing an ESP32 you also need the partition32c3.bin file that outlines the flash memory structure. Due to the size of the firmware we are using a custom partition setup. If you have a v1.0 board use the firmware32c3v1.bin instead.

  • firmware32s2.bin

    This is the release build for an ESP32s2-mini variant. When flashing an ESP32 you also need the partition32s2.bin file that outlines the flash memory structure. Due to the size of the firmware we are using a custom partition setup.

  • firmware32s3.bin

    This is the release build for an ESP32s3-mini variant. When flashing an ESP32 you also need the partition32s3.bin file that outlines the flash memory structure. Due to the size of the firmware we are using a custom partition setup.

  • firmware32lite.bin

    This is the release build for an ESP32lite which is used by the floaty build (clone).

Esptool (esp8266)

The other option for flashing esp8266 device is via the official esptool. Documentation can be found here; esptool home page

Windows 10 should install a driver for the USB -> Serial automatically when you connect a esp8266.

The basic command for flashing an ESP8266 on Windows is;

esptool.py --port COM4 write_flash 0x0 firmware.bin

The basic command for flashing an ESP32C3 on Windows is;

esptool.py --port COM6 write_flash --flash_mode dio 0x8000 .\partitions32c3.bin 0x10000 .\firmware32c3.bin

If there are issues you can try do erase the flash first using this command;

esptool.py --port COM4 erase_flash

iSpindel (esp8266)

If you already have the device flashed with iSpindel firmware you can go into the configuration mode where you will find an option for updating firmware. The option is under the maintenance menu.

Select the esp8266 version of the firmware called firmware.bin and press upload.

If you do an update this way GravityMon will notice that there is a stored configuration file and you will get the option to do a migration of the gravity formula and gyro calibration values so you don’t need to do a new calibration.

Updating firmware

You can use the above options for updating the firmware as well. But if you want to do updates without connecting the USB cable these are your options.

OTA Option

You can use the OTA option by adding this URL to your configuration and when the device starts up in configuration mode it will check for a new version and if it finds a newer version it will do an update.

https://gravitymon.com/firmware/

Manual update

When the device in is configuration mode you can manually update with a new firmware. Just open this URL in the web browser and select the firmware.bin file that corresponds to the version you want to flash.

http://<device_name>/firmware.htm

Serial Monitoring

To check output from the device (logs) there are several tools out there. I found this simple tool in the Windows Store called Serial Port Monitoring. Just select a baud rate of 115200, 8N1.

WIFI compatibility

The esp has limited wifi support and still relies on old standards so these are a few things to consider on the wifi setup.

  • Don’t use space in your wifi SSID or wifi password

  • Only supports 2.4Ghz bands, channels must be 1-13, other channels are not supported (In 802.11 b/g/n modes)

  • Channels between 20-25 Mhz bands

  • SSID must be visible (hidden SSID dont work)

Source: https://www.espressif.com/sites/default/files/esp8266_wi-fi_channel_selection_guidelines.pdf

Configuring WIFI

When the device is flashed it will need to have WIFI configuration in order to work. If you have used other software on the device its possible that wifi settings already exist.

If you need to enter the WIFI setup mode after it has been configured, tap the reset button at least 3 times. Tap the reset button in 1-2 second intervals. Not to fast and not to slow.

If this is not configured in the device it will create an wireless access point called GravityMon. The default password is password.

Connect to this AP and enter the SSID and password you want to use. If the web page don’t open automatically you can enter the following address in the browser: http://192.168.4.1

WIFI settings can be found under Device - WIFI in the menu.

Finding the device adress

Once the wifi network settings have been added then the device will reboot and connect to your network. If the blue led is flashing then it’s up and running and is ready to be configured.

If your computer supports mDNS the address you saw before can be used in your web browser to connect to the device. Windows does not have the best support for mDNS so if you are having issues with finding the network name you can try the following:

  • Check your wireless router for the IP address and use that to connect instead, for example; http://192.168.1.56

  • Download an IP scanner / Port Scanner on your Windows computer or mobile device and use that to find what devices are listening on port 80.

Once you can access the user interface then proceed to the next step.