No connection after radio module change

[morph027]

I was using a cheap module from AZ which works, but sometimes connection get's lost for some periods.

I'm using default ESP32 with the https://github.com/dokuhn/openDTU-BreakoutBoard

Tried to upgrade to the ebyte modules which were recommended in some issues and discussions.

Module gets recognized by the system but does not fetch any data from the inverter.

Console logs of the ebyte module

11:38:47.329 > Fetch inverter: xxxx
11:38:47.329 > Request SystemConfigPara
11:38:47.376 > TX RealTimeRunData Channel: 23 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 0B 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 9F 11 18 
11:38:47.622 > RX Period End
11:38:47.622 > All missing
11:38:47.622 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:47.622 > TX RealTimeRunData Channel: 40 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 0B 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 9F 11 18 
11:38:47.867 > RX Period End
11:38:47.867 > All missing
11:38:47.867 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:47.867 > TX RealTimeRunData Channel: 61 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 0B 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 9F 11 18 
11:38:48.111 > RX Period End
11:38:48.111 > All missing
11:38:48.111 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:48.111 > TX RealTimeRunData Channel: 75 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 0B 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 9F 11 18 
11:38:48.356 > RX Period End
11:38:48.356 > All missing
11:38:48.356 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:48.356 > TX RealTimeRunData Channel: 3 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 0B 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 9F 11 18 
11:38:48.559 > RX Period End
11:38:48.559 > All missing
11:38:48.559 > Nothing received, resend count exeeded
11:38:48.605 > TX AlarmData Channel: 23 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 11 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 45 0A C3 
11:38:49.251 > RX Period End
11:38:49.251 > All missing
11:38:49.251 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:49.251 > TX AlarmData Channel: 40 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 11 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 45 0A C3 
11:38:49.895 > RX Period End
11:38:49.895 > All missing
11:38:49.895 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:49.895 > TX AlarmData Channel: 61 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 11 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 45 0A C3 
11:38:50.539 > RX Period End
11:38:50.539 > All missing
11:38:50.539 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:50.539 > TX AlarmData Channel: 75 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 11 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 45 0A C3 
11:38:51.183 > RX Period End
11:38:51.183 > All missing
11:38:51.183 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:51.183 > TX AlarmData Channel: 3 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 11 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 45 0A C3 
11:38:51.786 > RX Period End
11:38:51.786 > All missing
11:38:51.786 > Nothing received, resend count exeeded
11:38:51.833 > TX SystemConfigPara Channel: 23 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 05 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 51 1E D7 
11:38:52.079 > RX Period End
11:38:52.079 > All missing
11:38:52.079 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:52.079 > TX SystemConfigPara Channel: 40 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 05 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 51 1E D7 
11:38:52.323 > RX Period End
11:38:52.323 > All missing
11:38:52.323 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:52.323 > TX SystemConfigPara Channel: 61 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 05 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 51 1E D7 
11:38:52.569 > RX Period End
11:38:52.569 > All missing
11:38:52.569 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:52.569 > TX SystemConfigPara Channel: 75 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 05 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 51 1E D7 
11:38:52.812 > RX Period End
11:38:52.812 > All missing
11:38:52.812 > Nothing received, resend whole request
11:38:52.812 > TX SystemConfigPara Channel: 3 --> 15 82 96 80 37 80 14 73 48 80 05 00 64 14 43 37 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 51 1E D7 
11:38:53.044 > RX Period End
11:38:53.044 > All missing
11:38:53.044 > Nothing received, resend count exeeded

[alexandertonino]

I had the same problem.
Check if the CE signal is connected correctly.

The ebyte module works a lot better for me.

[morph027]

You mean by checking the soldering? The other module works. Board is not wired as i'm using the https://github.com/dokuhn/openDTU-BreakoutBoard

[alexandertonino]

well.. yes.. the connection between ESP32 Gpio4 and the CE pin of the module.

[morph027]

Wired up all connections according to the README and it just does not work. Weird. Chance of getting 2 broken modules out of 2? 🙈

[morph027]

Okay, another test went wrong. Doublechecked all cables, tried another ESP32 module, nothing works. Guess it's the modules itselves. Just wanted to make sure before returning to the vendor.

[morph027]

Hmpf, weird, just ordered another batch of 2 modules and none seems to work. Can't imagine this as the modules are recommended a lot here. Any hints what and how to triple check the connection?

I already searched for the datasheet and confirmed that the pinout is the same as for all other modules out there.

[Solarteur]

So many potentially defective nRF24L01+ modules seem strange.
Have you checked the soldered connections of the socket strips for ESP32 and nRF24L01+ and resoldered them if necessary?
Have you tested a different transmit power (PA Level) for the nRF24L01+ module?
Did you solder the electrolytic capacitor (10 - 22 µF)?
Have you tried a different power supply/cable?

[morph027]

So many potentially defective nRF24L01+ modules seem strange.

Yes, seems strange.

Have you checked the soldered connections of the socket strips for ESP32 and nRF24L01+ and resoldered them if necessary?

I've tested without the sockets using just wires and even tested another ESP32. The AZ Delivery modules are working fine on the same board/wiring

Have you tested a different transmit power (PA Level) for the nRF24L01+ module?

Yes.

Did you solder the electrolytic capacitor (10 - 22 µF)?

Yes

Have you tried a different power supply/cable?

Will try that. Does the ebyte module draw significant more power?

[Solarteur]

The power requirement of nRF24L01+ modules essentially depends on whether a module with a printed antenna or a module with an amplifier and external antenna is used.
I know that some of my suggestions are far-fetched, but I didn't want to leave out any possible mistakes. Ultimately, many OpenDTU work without any problems.

[morph027]

I appreciate your help. I feel the same, chance that 4 modules are broken is quite low.

Will try to solder another set.

It really bugs me, that the cheap module with printed antenna just works, even with PA level set to maximum (basement with steel doors and ferroconcrete ceilings) on the same circuit and board.

[DPO99]

I got problems with the "big" one too. I solved this problem with using this and connected it to the 5v Power from the ESP.