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GrowSmart Core

GrowSmart Core

Description​

The GrowSmart Core is the brain of the whole GrowSmart system, running ESPhome to read data from the connected sensors and controlling any connected actuators.

Bill of Materials​

  • 1 * Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 (~$15), or any ESP32-S3 with the same form factor
  • 1 * Adafruit LTC4311 I2C Extender (~$10)
  • 1 * 230V to 5V 2A Switching Power Supply (~$5) - typically called "S-10-5"
  • 1 * IEC320 C8 Socket (~$2) - the mountable kind with bolt holes
  • 1 * SparkFun RJ45 Breakout Board (BOB-00719: ~$1) and RJ45 Jack (PRT-00643: ~$2) - not the MagJack version
  • 3 * male 90° 8-pin header (with the bend on the long leg)
  • 1 * male 8-pin header
  • 3 * female 8-pin header
  • 6 * M3x5x4 heat set inserts (case lid and mounts)
  • 4 * M3x16 flat head bolt (case lid)
  • 2 * M3x10 flat head bolt (C8 socket)
  • 2 * M3 hex nut (C8 socket)

Assembly​

The electronics of the GrowSmart Core are all packed together as tightly as possible, while still providing enough space for cabling and ventilation. All connections are made with pin headers (a.k.a. "DuPont connectors"), except for the power cables between the C8 socket and the PSU, which are soldered to the socket and screwed into the input terminals of the PSU, and the 5V cables screwed into the output side of the PSU, going to the ESP-S3.

Electronics

This is what the final assembly should look like:

Cutaway

Cutaway