DIY - NodeMCU Development Board - DIY Arduino, ESP8266, NodeMCU Projects

If you have ever programmed a NodeMCU, then I bet you know the pain you have to go through while connecting sensors to NodeMCU on a breadboard.

I looked for various solution on the web and found "NodeMCU Development Boards" for around $6 to $7. Well, I wasn't ready to spend that much for a simple projects. So, I went ahead and designed a replica of those boards, which, 10 of them I got fabricated from PCBWay for just $5.

Sponsors

This video is sponsored by PCBWay.

PCBway: only $5 for 10 pcbs from https://www.pcbway.com/?from=CZcouple

PCBWay specialize in manufacturing of very high quality, low-volume, colored PCBs at a very budgetary price. In addition to the standard PCBs, you can also order Advanced PCBs, Aluminum PCBs, FPC/Rigid-flex PCBs. They also provide PCB assembly and other related service which can meet your needs to the greatest extent.

The ordering process from PCBWay is very easy. Once I had my design ready, I just had to upload the gerber file to the PCBWay's website and select the type, color and any other customization that I want and then just send it for fabrication.

For my project, I choose the black color. PCBWay ships from china to most of the countries of the world within 3 to 7 business days. Talking about the quality, its absolutely mind-blowing.

PCB Design

Let me first show you the design of the board.

I have placed the NodeMCU in the middle of the board.

On the right hand side are the extensions of all the digital pins. And on the left hand side are the extensions of the left hand side pins.

Starting from left to right I have the VIN and the -VE pin to power up the NodeMCU at the bottom left hand side of the board. NodeMCU has an inbuilt LDO voltage regulator which keep the voltage level at 3.3v so there is no need for an additional voltage regulator. Just above that, is a series of GND pins. On top of that is a series of +5v and GND pins, followed by a series of 3.3v and GND pins. I have also added a series of 3v3 and GND pins on the top right hand side of the board.

Then there is a reset button and a set of TX and RX pins for serial communication.

On the same breakout board I have also added an Arduino Nano's Development Board.

Since, I had a fair bit of real-estate left on my board, I created a generic PCB out of the left over space.

PCB Assembly

Lets start by soldering the male and the female pin headers to the board. It really doesn't matter, what order you solder the components to the board. The only think to remember is that, do not solder a component that blocks another one.

As you can see, I am soldering both male and female pin headers side by side on the board so that sensors with either male or female pin header can be hooked up to the board, making it more generic and expandable.