I've built a GPS tracker with ESP32 | soldering, assembly & first test | makermoekoe

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Content:
0:11 Solderpaste meets PCB
1:10 Placing SMD components
2:13 Soldering on the hotplate soldering iron
2:31 Checking soldering results
2:59 Assembling the bottom layer
3:28 Soldering the FPC OLED connector
4:17 Bugfixing
4:54 Enclosure cutting & assembly
6:17 Videosponsor: PCBWay
6:42 Coding & testing
8:05 Power analyzing with the Otii Arc
This device is the first prototype of a localization system for my old camper van. It is based on an Ai-Thinker A7 GPS & GSM module which is communicating over serial with an ESP32 Pico D4. For input & output I have added two buttons and an 0.96" OLED display, but the main idea is that the device can be control by a smartphone App. As you can see in the end of the video I'm using the Blynk 2.0 App which works great for several IoT projects, even for those which are communicating over mobile radio.
All in all the whole project is working fine, but for the next revision I have to optimize two things:
1. The GPS u.fl connector wasn't grounded properly which is a huge drawback in signal strength. Therefore the GPS quality is only acceptable in optimal conditions, even with a good GPS antenna.
2. The power path is not yet optimal. When the device is working a while, the battery looses capacity and cannot deliver enough energy for the power-hungry GSM module. This results in a ESP brownout when data is transmitted/received over mobile radio.
I'm very happy with the result of this project. The transparent solder mask looks beautiful in combination with the acrylic glass cover. There will be a second, probably smaller, version of this thing in the near future, optimize for the use inside my van. Maybe it will be a modular solution which can be stacked onto the VanMeter board - but we will see.
The VanMeter project is another project for my old camper van. You will find it here:
• ESP32 based Power Meas...
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Links:
Website: www.makermoekoe.com​​
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GitHub: github.com/makermoekoe
Instructables: www.instructables.com/member/...
My commonly used tools: makermoekoe.com/tools-and-stu...

[@markyboi8153]

Can we take a moment to appreciate how CLEAN that first stencil placement was?!

[@funkylosik]

i'm ditching the plastic cards and trying the metal scraper for the luck))

[@benevolentintelligence2677]

Kudos on the camerawork, the footage you achieved in the soldering stage is deeply satisfying. Really impressive project overall. Great work.

[@makermoekoe]

Thanks man! Glad to hear!

[@AndreasDelleske]

This could win a short film contest!

[@isaacstretch106]

@@makermoekoe Would you consider at some point making a parts list and diagrams to go along with it so this could be made at home? Ive been wanting to do something like this but I don't have the knowledge of how to design a board so that would be a good solution to the problem

[@jarno2427]

@@makermoekoe when willl your github by updated

[@doctorofminecraft2078]

@@makermoekoe can the gps tracker be connected to a car gps that is bought separately from the car, If so then can it send the gps's destination without getting ride of the route line when the car follows it to a Synthetic Aperture Radar that's homemade and can it allow the person in the car to talk to the person looking at the Radar screen with a microphone?

[@9mmtylenol]

I thought you were going to smd solder those components by hand with a quick wipe, the iron was worlds beyond cooler than a heatgun. The cinematography here is phenomenal. I love how simple this project is and I wish I could not only like but also heart this video.

[@NilsBelde]

I like the fact, that you are really taking the time to answer the questions here on youtube. Thanks for that. And great project of course!

[@makermoekoe]

Thanks man! Words like these keep me motivated doing it :)

[@toystorybro]

@@makermoekoe if I may ask what route did you take to learn how to code and design circuit boards? I can assemble and troubleshoot sandwich dual layer motherboards. But I don't know how to design a circuit board or code and instruct it what to do. before I die my goal is to design and build a project like yours of my own choice. where would you recommend I learn these particular skills and in what order should I tackle circuit design and code? I promise you your answer will have a purpose.

[@yelectric1893]

@@toystorybro arduino starter projects from tutorials in the book. Then welectronoobs easyeda tutorials

[@toystorybro]

@@yelectric1893 thank you good sir that is indeed a great start. I’ve since began learning HTML, CSS and JavaScript for the bare essentials. Loving every minute of it. I promise to venture onto your recommendations real soon!

[@yelectric1893]

@@toystorybro kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6WlgqSZqrSnb7c This video has more than enough and can get you into the easy eda world . kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWa8pnyCitGZfdU This too.

[@BrianThomas]

This is pretty freaking amazing. 3:41 into the video. I love how the solder just lays down precisely where it's supposed to go.

[@toystorybro]

For everyone else reading I just want to say this video served as inspiration to go out there and chase your dreams to do and learn the things you've always wanted to. Nothing is out of reach no matter how difficult it might be or how old you might feel. You are your only limitation! When I first commented on this video I wondered how could someone achieve such an amazing set of mastery. I wondered how did he start and how did he know what to do and where to look. That's when I set out on a path to learn and conquer circuit board design, CAD, 3D printing and computer programming with a goal of creating and designing my very own projects. My interests in robotics was always sparked by this channel and this was the last video I needed to watch to fully light the match! I've since enrolled myself in a programming bootcamp and my life has changed for the better. Near the end of it I'll have a say of where I work rather than where I can work with a much greater level of compensation. From April-August 2022 I've dove into HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, SQL, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure and AWS. I've fully covered the required study material of a backend software engineer and fully understand it with working projects for each. From August 2022 to Feb 2023 I'll be covering the front end with boostrap, react, react native and expo sdk by designing apps for both the iOS and Android app store. I work full time and I study until bedtime every weekday. I always feel productive and I'm always glad my time at home did not go to waste on a Netflix series. Once this bootcamp is over I'll lean over to CAD and then circuit design. Soon they'll all fall neatly together and if something ever happens I won't wonder what could have been but instead marvel at all the wonderful work I made. Now I'm not nagging or anything like it I'm sharing this is because if you're like me and were looking for the final push to finally go out there and do it. This is it! This is the message you've been waiting for! My advice is that life is only one and very short one indeed. Use it to your greatest extent and do what you think was always impossible. I promise you you'll find a way!

[@freshprinz8996]

Thank you for your comment, it is what I needed to see as I pursue the same dream as you do. I'm currently working towards the same goal as you, self-studying to learn robotics and build my own projects! Since January I'm learning to code and got my first Front-End Dev job this June and since then work on improving. Im still focusing on Front-End till next fall sonI can get that right and then I want to dive into Backend during my CS degree (part-time). Later on in my studies when I had more math, information theory and physics, I want to learn CAD and circuit engineering.

[@davidrichter9164]

Ya, you are nagging. No one likes a know it all speech writer.

[@steveswoodworking2504]

I'm retired and am doing a lot of Home Assistant projects. I'm a programmer already, but am learning more hardware things. I'm currently working on a LoRa mailbox sensor that will detect the door opening, or a bump on the mailbox. I just had my PCB made that I designed, and am awaiting some parts. It'll be solar powered with a 18650 battery. Do I need all this? No, but it is a lot of fun making it. It will be in deep sleep most of the time, and interrupts or a time delay will wake it, and it will send the status of the sensors, and the battery and solar panel voltages. Keep it up with your learning, good luck.

[@toystorybro]

@@steveswoodworking2504 Thank you dear friend! That means a lot coming from you. I’m still hard at work getting more comfortable with it everyday and learning more! We indeed both share the urge and itch to never stop exploring our curiosity. I think it’s amazing you’ve built your first circuit board! That’s a huge milestone! I hope you never stop and soon one day share your complete work!

[@steveswoodworking2504]

@@toystorybroI built a couple very small very simple PCB's in the last couple of years. This new board is by far the most complex. I'll see soon if I made any mistakes, but I am pretty sure I can get it working. Yes, I get a kick out of learning new things. I also made several ESPHome devices with ESP32 dev boards. I added a dallas temp sensor, a mmWave radar sensor, and an I2S speaker that makes a media player I can play text to speech from my home automation. None of that needed a PCB made however. Lots of fun.

[@donpdonp]

Thank you! Without speaking a word the first half of the video is an outstandingly clear step by step guide for populating a pcb board with surface mount components.

[@JasonWho]

Amazing! Been wanting to design and build one of these and this is very well done already. Looking forward to the next version, would love these for cars, bikes, and such. An option to plug in a simple solar panel might be useful too in case the use case doesn’t charge it often like a long-term parked car.

[@akshaymalvi]

😳🤯 Your techniques are awesome, next level, Never Seen Before. 👌

[@alanmcrae8594]

Excellent build! You have a very enviable skillset. There are so many useful things you can create with your skills. Thanks for sharing!

[@makermoekoe]

Thanks! Glad to hear so!

[@Akram101]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fp6bh4mJjbVsh6c

[@LIOTBs]

Awesome! Looks amazing! I can't wait for the next version!

[@stack.that.cheese]

I can't believe how much I just learned through analyzing, that was beautiful!

[@nebster333]

Honestly, I didn't understand much of what you did but I am glad KZbin recommended this because this is excellent. Really enjoyed the close up footage, it's so fun to watch! Earned a subscriber :D

[@makermoekoe]

Glad to hear! Thank you!

[@footlessbird1998]

Anti-theft tracking for car positioning or other mobile devices

[@artrock8175]

Cool project, great music, and awesome presentation! Thank you for sharing! 🙏

[@makermoekoe]

Super glad to hear so! Thank you!

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

AStonishing. You've mastered multiple disciplines here: Hardware design with small components, hardware manufacturing (tweezers and iron), software design and engineering.

[@moosilagutthila-it2ho]

This is too advance for me but love to watch how you do all the stuff! Thank you for sharing. Great work!

[@PCBWay]

You never cease to surprise us! 👍

[@makermoekoe]

Thanks 😍

[@PCBWay]

🍻

[@Delali]

This is absolutely impressive work. I love everything from start to finish. The iron reflow station always gets me. As a maker and fellow youtuber i love and can appreciate the overall effort you put into your videos. Its amazing.

[@makermoekoe]

Thank you my friend! Glad to hear 🙂

[@jakubzalesak1468]

Back in the day I used to work for a radar company. We had several professional reflow ovens and IR positioning systems, but the favourite reflow tool was still the 10 pound pizza grill from Amazon. Always got the work done, even on really thick boards, and with a trained eye, you'd be able to set the temperature just right without much need for a measurement.

[@skyedangelo3237]

Beautiful work, thoroughly enjoyable to watch!

[@debajyotimajumder2656]

This is so beautiful...I was captivated the moment I saw it in the thumbnail...I zoomed in and was amazed.

[@lukewalker3905]

Glad KZbin recommended this to me. Really professional looking job mate. Let us know if you plan to release the files as open source or make it yourself. I would love to get one myself assuming it didn't cost more than US$150.

[@lucaitaly1975]

i think the cost could be

[@LeonardoLima-rt8el]

@@lucaitaly1975 40 only ..... post me one 😊 Really good job you did

[@PKB94]

I would gladly pay $150. stick in the trunk of my car with a hardwire 5V BEC to keep her juiced. chef kiss. ;)

[@glike2]

$40 fully assembled? How much for fully assembled? I'm also going to add a 12V to 5V converter.

[@Ashwinvummidi]

Hi want a device that can be fitted into a suitcase with out it being detected by user ! Is this going to work for that

[@kikihobbyrepair]

Amazing project, man. You earned a sub ;)

[@makermoekoe]

Thank you my friend!

[@christherock2370]

Dude this is amazing, I've used PCBway before to make some of my LED ties but this thing is 100x better 😅

[@YanickT]

Wow, a lot of work here. Bravo and thank you for the video

[@muhammadsulthanmazaya2388]

A very interesting project! I would really love to know more of the details on this project and hopefully the github soon also be shared :D

[@dkjb5756]

Chinese are very smart, they know how to advertise & market. PCBway is a Chinese company No such creativity from our indian companies

[@vladhristov2316]

It is so beautiful to watch. Excellent job! Thank you so much, dude!

[@makermoekoe]

Glad to hear, thank you!

[@rodolfoblasser3329]

This is insanely satisfying, great engineering!

[@salaheag1157]

That's amazing keep up the great work.

[@arthurfleischman]

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL, a state of art of DIY project, congrats.

[@emareynoso]

Amazing job! The PCB case looks pretty neat. You have just inspired me for my next projects. +1 Sub!

[@2OO_OK]

Wow just wow. Beautifully presented. Thank you.

[@ghazimalik]

A great idea and build, thanks for sharing.

[@alexisdrosopoulos]

Great project! You may want to increase the temperature of your soldering iron quite a bit, because some of those connections and especially the through hole ones look a lot like cold solder joints to me. Take a look at the battery terminals for instance.

[@makermoekoe]

Indeed this could be the solution! I thought the battery terminals are just drawing all the heat of the iron due to the huge metal things but may a higher temperature would help here 👍🏻

[@alexisdrosopoulos]

@@makermoekoe there are a few ways that you could solve this problem. Preheating the terminals for a bit longer or using some additional flux may help but keep in mind that in soldering it's almost always preferable to have high heat for shorter time, than lower heat for longer time. So, ultimately increasing the temp on your iron imo is the best solution

[@Leif_YT]

A larger chisel or knife tip would help even more. Its hard to get a good heat transfer with conical style tips. In the Hakko T12 series I do about 98% with a D24 and D12 tip. D12 for 0603 and below - D24 for everything above. Sometimes a knife tip if the space is too crowded or when I want to heat up both pads of a small part at the same time to replace it.

[@alexisdrosopoulos]

@@Leif_YT I'm also a big fan of chisel tips. My favorite is the d24 also, but I've used conical tips with good results too. I suppose it's a matter of preference in the end, but you can definitely solder these terminals with a conical tip. It seems like the temp was way low.

[@jstro-hobbytech]

I was thinking the same thing about the battery but his skill is beyond anything I can do so I didn't want to mention it. Haha

[@mcchicken9342]

Good job! I'd recommend you to use a different soldering iron tip, which doesn't leave drops of alloy on contacts - chisel or bevel.

[@farkhodkhikmatov4738]

Which one would you recommend?

[@charleswaters455]

Wow, your solder work is crazy. I wish I could achieve some of those clean joints.

[@hoofheartedicemelted296]

Sir. You're soldering skills are next level !! Thank you maker.moekoe for this very helpful video.

[@MatheusFP104]

Hello, Sir! I have a question, did you consider the esp32 datasheet about the antenna impedance matching? I'm designing my own pcb and I'm terrified about thi pi filter without component values on the datasheet! Nice job by the way!

[@soup3544]

This is so cool 🔥

[@PhilipHubbe]

That solder paste is so clean!

[@johanneszwilling]

🤯 Hot damn, that's nicely done! Magic!

[@leetupload]

Great project! I am currently working on something similar, but my intent is to make it as small as possible with a SIM7600 module. I am waiting for that module, but should be able to fab the board after that. Any suggestions on how to order a reasonably priced, custom size project enclosure? Having the ability to select where two holes could be positioned would be nice, but I can always cut them out haha.

[@draco5991rep]

Can you use CAD Modelling software? If so, you can 3D model an enclosure and let it print by someone else, it is usually reasonably priced to do so.

[@tinayoga8844]

What are you using for a camera? I really like how clear the macro shot are. (overhead very close) EDIT: I just looked at you past videos and I saw the one on the Andonstar AD409. So I assume that is what it is. I will suggest getting one for work.

[@makermoekoe]

Exactly, the overhead close ups are recorded directly with the Andonstar AD409 👍🏻 Definitely worth it!

[@avejst]

great project 👍😀 Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us 👍🙂

[@zalllon]

I had no idea about solder paste or the hotplate method, made me giggle to see that come together. Great video!

[@BEdmonson85]

You should use flux on all of the hand soldered parts, a lot of those solder joints look cold. Maybe increase soldering iron temps a little too.

[@zachleroux5783]

His soldering technique is flawed. He should heat the pad and pin with the iron and then add solder. I was surprised considering the neat design and how well everything else was done.

[@garyr7027]

This is a really well done project, only thing i could see that could use some improvement is the quality of the soldier wire. It either doesn't have enough flux, or it's being exposed to heat too long and it's cooking the flux out. Still a good job though.

[@pablo_costas]

This was very pleasant to watch, good job !

[@audibledonor]

You're insanely professional at your job.

[@Damjanhd]

How long it last a battery when you use this GPS tracker?

[@tomsmith3045]

That's a really impressive build, and design. If you don't mind me asking, did you prototype any of that first on breadboard, or software simulation, before you had the boards made? No matter what, it's impressive, but if that was first power up of the design, it's pretty cool.

[@eRIC-dm4ch]

Prototyping something like this is not practical and way too much work. Probably easier to just lay the PCB board and have it made.

[@tofuu8713]

anyone knows a good software simulation for this kind of projects?

[@dfn808]

Awesome project, thanks for sharing!

[@AeroGraphica]

Great job ! I can´t see many decoupling capacitors, they would certainly help for those current spikes.

[@DiyintheGhetto]

Very nice. Are you plan on releasing the source or selling it? I would love to have one.

[@ironyguy1750]

Yes me too

[@makermoekoe]

Great to hear so! Initially I was planning to do both but first I have to fix all the little mistakes. Because this project has a real use case, I won’t wait too long with finishing it 👍🏻

[@DiyintheGhetto]

@@makermoekoe let us know.

[@hasmorais]

@@makermoekoe I will wait also. Great project. I was doing a similar solution with accelerometer to use on my motorbike and record all travels info

[@samsonpraneeth5708]

Could you please make a series for this module itself? I want learn how did you design the module and pcb print. Please do a single series for us and make us learn to do it the right way. I'll be waiting for your project files and the Gerber file for trying the project out. Make it open sourse or else some cost for the whole module as well. I definitely want to buy one and want to play with it.

[@aalhard]

FYI Remember to breathe when doing that small pad soldering, it will help steady you under the glass.

[@makermoekoe]

A few years ago, CoD teached me to pause breathing when you wanna stay steady 😄

[@Alvin_Ajith]

@@makermoekoe 😂🔥

[@jasongodmere9882]

Beautiful board, fantastic work

[@the_smart_home_maker]

Yet another amazing project!

[@phantomhck]

Stencil looks a bit thick for solder deposition. Great work, good technique. For castellated parts you can use a multi step stencil to get more solder, but it costs more.

[@makermoekoe]

It is 0.15mm, but for upcoming projects I've chosen 0.12mm. We already had a discussion on Instagram regarding this topic so I'm going to give it a try

[@derp195]

As long as it doesn't bridge on the fine pitch stuff, I would use the thicker stencil for the larger components. Unless they're doing a huge run of these, a multi step stencil wouldn't make sense.

[@RichbUKDE]

I cant wait for this to be available to make. I love stuff like this but dont have 100% of the skills needed. I can create slightly above basic schematics, PCB layout advanced boards and Make almost anything (as you would expect from a mechanical engineer) but its the software i lack. REALLY impressive stuff. Your a bloody genius.

[@BrokeTheGamer]

Rich, can I call you Rich? 😂 There many more software tinkerers looking for electronics engineers than the inverse. If you were near me, I’d be down to collab on making a product. I’m in Nashville Tennessee. Where you at?

[@guyincognito.]

You can build a gps tracker with an arduino, gps, and sim module about the same size as the one in this project. I built one for my car, it also has an accelerometer and voltage regulator etc and it's smaller than this one.... Maybe I should do a video on it :P

[@RichbUKDE]

@@BrokeTheGamer Sorry mate. I have only just (purely by accident) seen this reply! I'm originally from the the east on England but now reside in Northern Germany. PM me if you need something. I am always willing to help where I can. I often wonder where the human race would be if Alexander Fleming had kept Penicillin to himself to patent. Or Albert Einstein kept his findings to himself. Modern attitude is to protect and milk every discovery for ones self. Open source all the way! take care, P.S Rich is just fine...Richard is reserved for business and when I have been bad!

[@philippeschjelderup9644]

This is pure art! Very nice work!

[@makermoekoe]

Thanks man!

[@Lonely_Wiz]

by the way you laid your components alone, i knew i had to subscribe to you. great content.

[@noviceartisan]

8:03 we now know your exact home address.. Dude, edit that second with some fuzz, it's the internet! ;)

[@Motivation_Quote_2002]

Asome

[@JoshuaJoshua0]

Such a great video! I'm glad I found your channel!

[@cocosloan3748]

You are an artist ! To compose and connect so many parts and software to work - thats not EZ...

[@jmyrng]

I have only worked with LoRa and GPS so far and I am surprised by the high power consumption of GSM. The maximum currents for LoRa + GPS were under 100 mA and for me that was a lot. Maybe you could try NB-IoT or LoRa to have much lower power consumption.

[@makermoekoe]

I think I will try the NB-IoT solution in the future 👍🏻

[@jmyrng]

@@makermoekoe Nice! I'm looking forward to see the video :)

[@DM-qm5sc]

The little hairs gave me extreme anxiety....

[@renhoeknl]

Wow, nicely put together!

[@newsogn5148]

Gosh you make the coolest stuff!!! Subscribed!!!

[@Jason-rm4bn]

satisfying as always my guy!

[@jakszu4736]

I'm more impressed with this video than device itself.

[@foka2701]

Impressive... But even more impressive is your workshop and tools. I Wish, I could have one like this...

[@tomaszbrzeczyszczykiewicz4082]

This video calms me so much. I love Your DYI hotplate.

[@firozkamarudin]

Perfect Video of a Professional putting dreams to reality !!!

Amazing! I'm really impressed with your DIY iron soldering and your pick n place SMD components skill 😂

[@elishaul4125]

Amazing project, really beautiful

[@Rheinmetall1]

That part of humanity that I love.

[@neurofiber2406]

Learned a couple of things from that video. Good Job.

[@emanuelhernandez5694]

What a LEVEL..!! Your skills are awesome..

[@LeCrowTV]

Love exposed PCB's on builds. So clean

[@ChristianBorrman]

loved the “soldering iron” ;)

[@yerlanamir]

Truly impressive, job!

[@thomasanreise3107]

Masterful and mesmerizing. Thx for this.

[@r.in.shibuya]

The problem with KZbin are the content creators develop a complex… And tech companys that have projects to use talented individuals are left hiring other engineers… On the flip side the engineers not caught up with being a KZbin content creator end up putting their tech within Cities. Great channel you’ve inspired my whole team to take what you’ve built and integrated into cities! Keep up the great videos!

[@xiz]

Wonderful work, man! Congrats! ;)

[@JBernhard72]

Very nice pick in place machine you got there!

[@vishalkumar040393]

Amazing. Love the design. It looks so beautiful, I wish I could do such projects. 😍

[@makermoekoe]

Thank you so much!

[@sreenand.k2706]

Thanks to KZbin for Recommending this nice channel! Great video brother. NEW SUBSCRIBER😄😄

[@ElonRMusk-io4mu]

Love the video, short, nice background music and very details, ❤️

[@thomasvilhar7529]

Nice video and so nice to see the bug fixing since we all have been there.

[@makermoekoe]

Shit happens ✌🏻

[@hichembougoba509]

Un Grand Bravo, une Bonne touche de soudure, avec pate thermique, un excellent travail sur les circuits imprimés multicouches Good Job

[@CharlesVanNoland]

My fave was the DIY hot plate, lol! Awesome :D

[@sohrkim]

wow.. freaking awesome work.

[@JasonLeaman]

Thats a wicked PCB color.. DAMN !!!!

[@IdAefixBE]

Very nice and inspiring build !

[@OMNI_INFINITY]

That ribbon cable solder was nice.

[@bewoo_fpv]

Very cool! you have absolute talent

[@NINJA-xx5js]

I loved your soldering station..... i was thinking about buying one , after watching this im gonna use normal iron from now on.... 😆

[@sat_talk]

Highly professional work video.. keep it up..

[@mohibullah6215]

Can't thank much... absolutely amazing. I subscribed.

[@pompey333]

Amazing now I have all the knowlege to stalk anyone I want! Thank you!