Convert Duet Ethernet to WIFI

CNCModeller

Hi All,
I've recently installed a mesh network in my workshop and am finding it very reliable. Given that, it'd be great if I could unplug my ethernet module from the Duet board and install a WiFi equivalent. Is there an off the shelf module I could buy?

Obviously I could get a WiFi receiver, and use a short ethernet cable to connect that to the Duet, but for the sake of simplicity I thought I would ask.

Many thanks
Barry M

o_lampe

@cncmodeller

My module reads ESP8266 AI-Thinker. Not sure if they are special, tho.

CNCModeller

@o_lampe
Thanks, does your module look like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AI-Thinker-ESP-8266-ESP-12F-Serial-WIFI-Wireless-Remote-Control-Module-/283795090014?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

o_lampe

@cncmodeller
Bingo, or Bullseye..or yes

droftarts

@cncmodeller ESP 12S (internal aerial) or ESP 07S (external aerial. See @dc42 response in this thread https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/13472/add-ethernet-moudle-to-wifi

Ian

CNCModeller

Thanks guys, ordered and on its way!

JamesM

@cncmodeller I don't know if the new mesh networks work with 2.4ghz wifi or if they are only 5ghz. The duet wifi is only 2.4ghz compatible so keep that in mind. It may just be easier to use a wifi extender that has an ethernet port on it and plug your duet into that and it will act as a ethernet to wifi bridge.

Something like this...

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgear-essentials-edition-n300-wi-fi-range-extender-white/9064008.p?skuId=9064008&ref=212&loc=1&ref=212&loc=1&ds_rl=1268652&gclid=CjwKCAjw6qqDBhB-EiwACBs6x0uRViwsDgC6MT8AHN4e8oi6ZvYlYeCyO2Tu1JlmNCPIqe58Fa99iBoCv-8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

CNCModeller

@jamesm thanks for the heads up.

Apparently my Tenda mesh has 2.4 and 5 GHz, based on what the app says.

I'll post back how I get on. As the modules are mounted via headers on the ethernet I can always swap back if required.

Cheers
Barry M

CNCModeller

@jamesm @dc42

Do you know if I need to connect all of the pads on the duet board to the WiFi module, or can I just connect it via the ethernet module headers?

Having belled out the ethernet headers to the WiFi module pads they aren't all connected. And it leaves me wondering if the WiFi module requires extra connections, eg for configuration of WiFi network and password.

I was hoping to be able to just use the ethernet headers so I could go back to that if I have any issues with WiFi.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

All the best
Barry M

JamesM

@cncmodeller I can't help you with this unfortunately..I'm no expert with the duet, just an end user.

ziggymanpopo

My thought are why not just buy a fiwi 2 board. Im big on suporting tihis site by buying original products.. I've been running my wifi board for over two years constantly without a hickup.. It's neet to update stuff but for dependability duet makes a great poduct. Take advantage of all the hard work thiese guys did to make the wifi -2. I do a lot with the esp8266 and it can get tricky quick ... if its just to learn things. It might be fun but for a working printer grab the real McCoy,, Just my thoughts. if you like the arduino stuff check out the wemos mini. Cool stuff dude!!

CNCModeller

@ziggymanpopo said in Convert Duet Ethernet to WIFI:

My thought are why not just buy a fiwi 2 board.

To be clear @ziggymanpopo I'm just converting a duet2 ethernet board to WiFi for my large polar printer, I also have a Duet 3 mini waiting to go in a second printer, and will probably buy a second mini for my third printer if that goes well.

I agree about buying genuine hardware, and I feel I support the Duet team, but I really don't see the point of buying another Duet 2 WiFi for the sake of a £5 module.

All the best
Barry M

o_lampe

@cncmodeller
While your solder iron is hot, why not adding an SBC adapter to the Duet2?
Might come useful, once the kinks are sorted out.

CNCModeller

@o_lampe said in Convert Duet Ethernet to WIFI:

@cncmodeller
While your solder iron is hot, why not adding an SBC adapter to the Duet2?
Might come useful, once the kinks are sorted out.

@o_lampe I was thinking that too, however can I not just plug one into the ethernet headers if I figure out how to do a removable install for the WiFi module?

Also I don't understand how to order the adaptor populated with components from JLC pcb. It's on my list to learn as I'd like to design some custom boards for myself, it's just not clicked for me so far.

I'm in the UK, so if anyone has an SBC adaptor spare I'd happily pay going rate for one.

Dougal1957

@cncmodeller said in Convert Duet Ethernet to WIFI:

@o_lampe said in Convert Duet Ethernet to WIFI:

@cncmodeller
While your solder iron is hot, why not adding an SBC adapter to the Duet2?
Might come useful, once the kinks are sorted out.

@o_lampe I was thinking that too, however can I not just plug one into the ethernet headers if I figure out how to do a removable install for the WiFi module?

Also I don't understand how to order the adaptor populated with components from JLC pcb. It's on my list to learn as I'd like to design some custom boards for myself, it's just not clicked for me so far.

I'm in the UK, so if anyone has an SBC adaptor spare I'd happily pay going rate for one.

Why not add the Pi now and use its wifi to Ethernet bridge and you will be ready for the SBC whenever you want?

CNCModeller

@dougal1957 said in Convert Duet Ethernet to WIFI:

Why not add the Pi now and use its wifi to Ethernet bridge and you will be ready for the SBC whenever you want?

To be honest @Dougal1957 I don't follow the technical side of the forum much, and I don't really know what the benefits of using an SBC are.

At the moment I'm just trying to get the polar printer to a point that I'm happy to start reliability banging out parts.

It works now and I'm into updates re the practicalities of running and maintaining it.

A 12864 display for stand alone ops so I don't need my pc.
A filament monitor to reduce failed prints as my prints are multiple days long.
A pendant, primarily for ease of maintenance.
WiFi as the ethernet cable is starting to piss me off but less necessary now I have the 12864 display. TBH I could just use a WiFi to ethernet bridge and might do that just to get on.

After a couple of months of running I'll look into building a second printer using the learning from the first.

SamanthaJaneyCake

Did you make any progress with finding out how to route the wifi module to the 12pin headers? I’m just starting out looking into this conversion myself.
Thanks!

EDIT: to be fair it looks like there are 8 solder tabs down each side of where the module would sit and looking at my other board (that is a WIFI) as well as online images it could be possible to just solder some headers onto that and Frankenstein a system that would allow me to plug in either/or.

dc42

@samanthajaneycake you can find the schematic at https://github.com/Duet3D/Duet-2-Hardware/blob/master/Duet2/Duet2v1.04/Duet2_1.04c_Schematic.pdf. AFAIR, all the pads of the WiFi module that are actually used by the firmware are also available on the Ethernet daughterboard socket.