NodeMCU ESP8266 V3 WiFi Development Board (CH340G Driver) 1

NodeMCU ESP8266 V3 WiFi Development Board (CH340G Driver)

Microcontroller and Dev Modules

349

The NodeMCU V3 is an affordable, breadboard-friendly development board based on the ESP8266 (ESP-12E). It features the CH340G USB-to-Serial converter, making it the most cost-effective solution for DIY IoT projects and smart home automation. Key Features: Cost-Efficient: Uses the CH340G driver to provide high performance at a lower price point. Integrated WiFi: Full 802.11 b/g/n support for cloud connectivity. Rich I/O: Multiple GPIO pins, PWM, I2C, SPI, and 1-channel ADC. Wide Compatibility: Works seamlessly with Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF, and MicroPython.

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Overview

The NodeMCU ESP8266 V3 (CH340G) is an open-source LUA-based firmware and development board specifically designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. This "V3" version is slightly larger than the V2 but offers a more budget-friendly price point by utilizing the CH340G USB-TTL IC.

It is the perfect choice for students, hobbyists, and developers looking to build WiFi-connected sensors, web servers, or remote-controlled robotics without a high cost per unit.

NodeMCU CH340 Product Image


Technical Specifications

FeatureSpecification
ModuleESP-12E (based on ESP8266)
USB DriverCH340G (Requires CH341 drivers)
Flash Memory4 MB
Operating Voltage3.3V
Input Voltage7V - 12V (via VIN pin) or 5V (via Micro-USB)
GPIO Pins11 Digital pins
ADC1 Analog pin (10-bit resolution)
Connectivity2.4 GHz WiFi (802.11 b/g/n)
Board Dimensions58mm x 31mm

CP2102 vs. CH340G: What's the difference?

While both boards use the same ESP8266 chip, the CH340G variant is wider (occupies more breadboard rows) and requires the CH341 driver installed on your computer. It provides the exact same WiFi functionality and processing power at a significantly lower price.


Pinout Configuration

  • Digital Pins (D0 - D10): All except D0 support PWM, I2C, and One-Wire.
  • Analog Pin (A0): Used for reading analog sensors (0V - 1.0V internal, module supports up to 3.3V).
  • Communication: Hardware Serial (TX/RX), SPI, and I2C.

Pro Tip: If your computer does not recognize the board when plugged in, ensure you have the CH340G drivers installed.


Popular Use Cases

  1. Smart Agriculture: Soil moisture monitoring (perfect for our Smart Plant Watering Kit).
  2. Home Automation: Controlling relays via a web dashboard.
  3. Data Logging: Sending sensor data to platforms like Blynk, Adafruit IO, or Supabase.