btz
added to the journal ago
went back to esp and routed everything
had to manually edit footprint to use through holes
otherwise, props to some random guy on github
I then routed the entire PCB. Added a switch and a thingy to convert from 3v to 5v without needing USB (for when unplugged)
btz
added to the journal ago
more pcb stuff
So I wanted to add battery charging...
Thought the xiao esp was good, tracked down symbols, wired things up, then realized that the footprint PROVIDED BY SEEDUINO lacks the battery pads. So I'm switching to NRF which is more expensive ($10 vs $5) but is more power efficient (I'm told).
(esp32 (bad))
btz
added to the journal ago
Routed the pcb and did research
Looks like this. Making my own GPS module is probably out-of-scope for my skill level, but there's still effort here. I had to research a bunch and in software I'm going to have to parse stuff and then write to OLED. Might consider some sort of usb-c power supply later on for a truly headless experience
btz
started bGPS ago
1/19/2026 - Routed the pcb and did research
Looks like this. Making my own GPS module is probably out-of-scope for my skill level, but there's still effort here. I had to research a bunch and in software I'm going to have to parse stuff and then write to OLED. Might consider some sort of usb-c power supply later on for a truly headless experience
1/20/2026 6:56 PM - more pcb stuff
So I wanted to add battery charging...
Thought the xiao esp was good, tracked down symbols, wired things up, then realized that the footprint PROVIDED BY SEEDUINO lacks the battery pads. So I'm switching to NRF which is more expensive ($10 vs $5) but is more power efficient (I'm told).
(esp32 (bad))
1/20/2026 6:58 PM - went back to esp and routed everything
had to manually edit footprint to use through holes
otherwise, props to some random guy on github
I then routed the entire PCB. Added a switch and a thingy to convert from 3v to 5v without needing USB (for when unplugged)