wiThrottle-compatible hardware controller
This repo contains schematics, PCB and documentation for the wiFred, a wiThrottle-compatible WiFi hardware controller developed to unchain the Fremo Fred 1 / Fredi 2 from its loconet cable.
Several versions are contained in different branches:
- master branch: Designed to fit into Strapubox 2090 housing, powered by a lithium battery, hardware: ESP32-S2-WROOM, THT pushbuttons
- rev0.6 (initial)
- rev0.62 (switched USB connector to USB-C)
- rev0.63 (replaced constant current source for flashlight with charge pump, replaced a few out-of-stock parts)
- rev0.64 (added silk-screen text for LEDs and colored buttons, moved flashlight LEDs further apart, added twist protection for direction switch)
- Latest Firmware: https://github.com/newHeiko/wiFred/blob/master/software/pre-compiled/2022-10-16-71ca8c3-master.bin
- esp12 branch: Designed to fit into Strapubox 2090 housing, powered by a lithium battery, hardware: AVR ATMega328P plus ESP12F, SMD pushbuttons
- rev0.4 (no flashlight prototype)
- rev0.5 (Added flashlight)
- rev0.51 (Fixed silkscreen on PCB)
- rev0.52 (Moved LEDs out of the key matrix to get rid of double function key presses)
- Latest Firmware: https://github.com/newHeiko/wiFred/blob/master/software/pre-compiled/2022-10-16-ff2c954-esp12.bin to go with AVR firmware https://github.com/newHeiko/wiFred/blob/master/software/pre-compiled/2025-03-26-ddf1322-esp12.hex
- esp12-old branch: No longer developed. Mostly the same hardware as esp12 branch before the rev0.52 fix, but with old protocol between AVR and ESP12F and key presses often activating multiple functions. See the documentation at https://newHeiko.github.io/wiFred/documentation/fix05matrix_en.html for fixing the PCB to work with firmware from esp12-branch.
- newAgeEnclosures branch: No longer developed, designed for New Age Enclosures Compact AA housing, powered by 2x AA cells, hardware: AVR ATMega328P plus ESP12F, SMD pushbuttons
- AABatteryPrototype branch: No longer developed, designed for Strapubox 6090 housing, powered by 2x AA cells, hardware: AVR ATMega328P plus ESP12F, SMD pushbuttons, very tight fit requires multiple modifications to Strapubox housing