DIY NRF51 Now Works on FW4/5

How-Tos & Esk8 mechanics
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Thanks to Vedder and gang, the latest firmware update fixes the issue I was having with using an NRF51 module using the previously available firmware.

If you have had the issue where you can flash the firmware and then connect but it gives a no firmware read error I believe it will now work for you if you update the firmware again.
I have tested on 4.2 and 5 beta 7

The latest firmware is integrated in the latest 5 beta package, can flash using that vesc tool
You can also upgrade using 4.2 tool, just load it in custom


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IMG_20200422_1919154608×2112 1.98 MB
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Screenshot_20200422-1918091080×2340 307 KB

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Forgive my ignorance… is this the same as an HM-10 module?

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Nope, it’s nrf like the unity module or metrpro, you can only use NRF with fw 4/5, hm10 modules no longer work
functionality wise, it does the same thing

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Was there a regression or loss of functionality in recent times? I was using that on (from memory) 3.63 fw (probably pre-xmas 19)

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so we can use modules like this or this with any vesc compatible esc?

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the first one is possible, I have the same haven’t tested it yet with new firmware. the second one is nrf24, won’t work

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not sure what the change between 3 to 4 was but Vedder firmware modules stopped working

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hmmm, got some catching up to do… I kind of left it in the stage it was working fine. That’s the luxury of having a spare phone dedicated to vesc tool, and usually not connected to internet to avoid force fed updates.

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also this one, which is significantly smaller than the one pictured in the Vedder’s github page, and with just the right pins exposed for our usage.

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I have this one that I’m about to test

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IMG_20200421_055502__011814×2097 808 KB

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I have that first one. PITA to solder. Terminal contact for each pin is tiny!

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lol it was fun for me :yum:

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It was way easier when I pre tin the wire then stick in flux wax. Made it light years easier to solder.

I’m getting these instead and just install jst connectors. It’ll make it more cable convenient.

#Aliexpress US $6.90 | 2pc NRF51822 BLE4.0 Bluetooth 2.4 GHz Wireless Module Network Communication Board Transceiver NRF51822-AC 256k flash/32K RAM

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what do you folks think about these other amzn options:

16kB RAM
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Skateboard-nrf51_vesc-Flipsky/dp/B086ZR82MW/
https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-CORE51822-Communication-Transceiver-Controller/dp/B07X4D7BKF/
https://www.amazon.com/KNACRO-NRF51822-Bluetooth-acceleration-antenna/dp/B01NBOMV38/

32kB RAM
https://www.amazon.com/NRF51822-Communication-Transmitter-Development-Kit/dp/B00NMBKI8S/
https://www.amazon.com/Core51822-Bluetooth-Wireless-nRF51822-XYGStudy/dp/B00VR5P84K/

also, super dumb question, what can vesc-tool for android do with an nrf51-equipped esc that can’t be done with a hm10-equipped esc? also, didn’t the vesc firmware already support nrf24 based modules since like forever?

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wasn’t nrf24 just for remotes?

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Last time I tried one of my hm10 BT modules on vesc fw 3.58 and above, it didn’t work. It’s currently functional w ack 3.102.

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thanks for the straight dope

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Except I hardware 6.xx… HM10 doesn’t appear to work, or myself and a myriad of others hasn’t been able to make them work… Hardware 4.xx yes!

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I’m running that HM10 on my vesc6.

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Woww… BimmerBoxes. It’s been a fat while since I’ve seen one of those around

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