ESP32-CAM Help!

Question

I ordered a 4 pack of ESP32-CAM ( https://amzn.to/3355sWO ) and I've been trying to load the CameraWebServer example file (only modified WIFI settings, and camera model definition) using the Arduino IDE and I keep getting the fatal error: "Failed to connect to ESP32: Timed out waiting for packet header". I've connected my FTDI adapter ( https://bit.ly/2qkebHA ) using RandomNerd's wiring diagram ( https://bit.ly/333Qtwu ) and settings (board/partition scheme/port) and tried both 5v and 3.3v with no success - each time is a fatal error... I tried loading with *AND *without connecting IO0 to GND but no luck. Is there anyone that can help provide some additional guidance? (I tried all 4 ESP32-CAM modules but received same fatal error for all). I should also mention that I'm able to load firmware into Arduino Pro Mini using the same FTDI adapter so I know that adapter works. 
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shabaz · Answer

What is powering the ESP32 board? In your photo (you can insert them in-line like this, makes it much easier to follow):

5873.contentimage_205327.jpg

The red wire looks as if it is connected to an pin that is a voltage output on the ESP board, not a voltage input, and I couldn't see any other power wiring to the ESP board.

There's not a lot of info on the Amazon page, but that pin with the red wire is indicated as P_OUT:

1663.contentimage_205328.jpg

Is the USB UART board supplying power on that pin? Or does it expect a voltage level on that pin so that it knows the logic level for the UART?

I think these things need to be investigated, preferably with a multimeter, and checking whatever web page or documentation you have on the USB UART board too, because it's not possible to know from just the photo : (

The USB UART page has no information, and a photo where the text is unreadable : (

3730.contentimage_205329.jpg

Amazon and Microcenter are maybe not the best places to buy this stuff, if this is the best they can do : (

I think online stores like Seeed or Adafruit may be better for these types of products (I have not checked), if Farnell/Newark don't stock them.

ralphjy · Answer

I agree with Shabaz that if you have it hooked up as in your picture - that is incorrect. It appears that you can select either 5V or 3.3V output from your FTDI adapter. Based on your selection you should connect to either the 5V or 3.3V pin of the ESP32cam (the red POW pins at the bottom of the picture). The RandomNerd tutorial shows a connection to the 3.3V. I should also mention that I’ve had brownout issues using the FTDI adapter to power the board via the computer USB port. For development I use a separate 5V supply to power the ESP32cam. If you do that just remember to connect GND in addition to the TX and RX pins when you connect the UART. The brownouts only occur when using WiFi or Bluetooth (higher current) and will cause intermittent reboots.

ESP32-CAM Help!

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