Step by step setup

[geofreybingachie]

Hello all , i am very new to this field but very much interested to know more .I have wired ESP8266 and Max 485 module correctly loaded the .bin file but i cant add the device to the Blynk app .I am able to see the device webpage using the local ip .Please help me on where i am going wrong ,i have tried adding the device by scanning QR code ,finding nearby devices with no success .Please help me .Thank you.

[Bettapro]

Hello, I guess you're referring to Blynk 2.0 (please correct me if I'm wrong).
Doing so, you should:

1. Create your own Blynk template https://docs.blynk.io/en/getting-started/template-quick-setup
2. Compile the firmware ( the compiled bins does not support blynk 2.0, must be compiled), you have to modify SolarTracerBlynk/config.h , here some quick hints.
   • un-comment #define USE_BLYNK
   • un-comment #define USE_BLYNK_2
   • fill BLYNK_TEMPLATE_ID with your template id
   • fill BLYNK_AUTH with the auth token
   • comment #define USE_BLYNK_LOCAL_SERVER
   • comment #define USE_MQTT

Take a look to https://docs.blynk.io/en/getting-started/activating-devices/manual-device-activation .

You should build the firmware for your specific board (ESP8266), the right procedure to follow depends on the IDE your using (VSCODE, Arduno IDE, ...). You can find plenty of tutorials on internet how to do that.

Anyway, the esp will log some debugging info (and report any error), just connect it to an USB port of a computer, and open a serial connection to esp (default baud is 115200) - Arduino IDE/VSCODE has some build-in serial terminal that makes this easier.

[geofreybingachie]

I have used Arduino IDE loaded with all the libraries as indicated and made some changes on the config.h and later compiled and uploaded the files to the board.However i can't get it online, i have tried creating a template and device on the Blynk platform but i cant get the device online .
A sample template works very but the SolarTracer project doesnt go online .

[Bettapro]

Connect to the serial and check for errors in the logs.

[geofreybingachie]

Connect to the serial and check for errors in the logs.

Here is what i am getting on the serial monitor ,no indication of any errors .

_SDK:2.2.2-dev(38a443e)/Core:3.0.2=30002000/lwIP:STABLE-2_1_2_RELEASE/glue:1.2-48-g7421258/BearSSL:6105635
++ STARTING Solar-Tracer-Blynk-V3 v3.0.6 [9]
Restoring configuration from file
++ SETTING UP WIFI
fpm close 3
mode : sta(8c:ce:4e:f5:a8:47)
add if0
++ Start AP configuration
scandone
state: 0 -> 2 (b0)
state: 2 -> 3 (0)
state: 3 -> 5 (10)
add 0
aid 2
cnt

connected with OpenWrt, channel 4
ip:192.168.1.202,mask:255.255.255.0,gw:192.168.1.1
ip:192.168.1.202,mask:255.255.255.0,gw:192.168.1.1
mode : sta(8c:ce:4e:f5:a8:47) + softAP(8e:ce:4e:f5:a8:47)
add if1
dhcp server start:(ip:192.168.4.1,mask:255.255.255.0,gw:192.168.4.1)
bcn 100
bcn 0
del if1
pm open,type:2 0
add if1
pm close 7
dhcp server start:(ip:192.168.4.1,mask:255.255.255.0,gw:192.168.4.1)
bcn 100
scandone_

[Bettapro]

++ Start AP configuration from your log, esp board is starting in configuration mode.
You should connect to its wifi network and configure it properly (probably wifi ssid, password).
Data syncronization won't work in this mode.

..or just configure it properly by editing the config.h, most of those parameters should be self explanatory.
https://github.com/Bettapro/Solar-Tracer-Blynk-V3/blob/v3.x.x/docs/Sw_getting_started.md#edit-configh-library

[geofreybingachie]

Can i share with you my config.h file to have a look ?