Forums > Windsurfing   Gps and Speed talk

Another DIY GPS logger approach

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Created by rp6conrad > 9 months ago, 2 May 2021
decrepit
WA, 12866 posts
24 Feb 2026 7:35AM
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clearly SD card is either full or stuffed, and there is no list of past sessions to delete.
My SD card has also died, it's not logging sessions either, although it does say there's room left on the card.

ausbinny
200 posts
25 Feb 2026 10:06AM
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Likely - I go through a bunch of SD cards @ my work for photography generally either camera won't detect the card or when ofloading image files will be corrupt files (weird looking / blank / static images)

TerryF
WA, 74 posts
25 Feb 2026 3:19PM
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Thanks for this next suggestion. I've booted both units and the SD card on the bad one looks to be the problem. Only 20kb local memory listed. Other unit has 29782mb SD memory listed. Problem Solved.

Now I just need to work out if it can be fixed. I think that the unit is 'factory' sealed by the maker and internals may also be sealed in epoxy. Stay tuned.



decrepit
WA, 12866 posts
25 Feb 2026 5:16PM
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Just be careful, you don't cut into the battery, that could lead to fire!

Thought I might be able to point you in the direction of the card, but whoever made that has done something different. My card sticks up at top right of the display, there's no room for that to happen on yours.

TerryF
WA, 74 posts
25 Feb 2026 7:02PM
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Thanks for the warning Decrepit. I will be consulting with the maker of the unit when I see them next to see what can/needs to be done to sort out the SD card.
I haven't named them here, in case someone takes my comments as a complaint about their workmanship. A faulty SD card is just that, a part has failed, and that is not their fault (just my bad luck).
It would be great if it can be easily replaced but if not I hope some of the other components are salvageable

decrepit
WA, 12866 posts
25 Feb 2026 9:25PM
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Select to expand quote
TerryF said..

It would be great if it can be easily replaced but if not I hope some of the other components are salvageable


I managed to salvage the antenna, the RF charger and the board. The battery had failed, so didn't try that.
It's a matter of going very slowly with patience.

I built an arm unit with the bits, and carry it in a good waterproof armband.
Although the unit it self isn't water proof, there's a few advantages.---
No messing about with magnets,
usb charging, much faster and doesn't overheat the device.
Everything is replaceable.
battery doesn't drain when not in use, so maybe top up charge in 6 months not fortnightly.

Main disadvantage, it's not as easy to see as a boom mount when sending it.

TerryF
WA, 74 posts
26 Feb 2026 10:35AM
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Unfortunately, the epoxy encasement of the internals has caused parts to break in my attempt to salvage some of them. As I expected it would. At least I've been able to see how the unit was put together. Time to order another one




Actimel87
29 posts
18 Mar 2026 9:09PM
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Hallo,

I need some help, during desolder the flash to exchange it with an 16mB I defekt the ESP.

Does someone know were to jump wire the broken pin?




Actimel87
29 posts
19 Mar 2026 2:30PM
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Found it:)




it works with the 4MB partition, but how to update the partition_16MB.csv. Do I need to change the Rtos5.ino.partitions.bin?

rp6conrad
372 posts
19 Mar 2026 6:19PM
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If you flash the ArduinoOTA Webupdater.ino, you have to copy the correct "partitions.csv" in the ArduinoOTA Webupdater folder. Then compile the sketch and flash it again. A 16 MB partitions.csv with spiffs can be found here : github.com/RP6conrad/T_display/blob/main/partitions.csv
This partition gives about 13 MB diskspace




Actimel87
29 posts
19 Mar 2026 6:57PM
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Thank you,

is it not possible to do with the ESP download tool?
I never had luck with Arduino update.

rp6conrad
372 posts
28 Mar 2026 8:02PM
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The inductive charger with Lipo output 4.2V comes with a small ferrite tape. This is no good if your lipo is positioned near the receiver coil ! A bigger ferrite shielding solves the issue !


Greetings, Jan.

Flex2
WA, 372 posts
28 Mar 2026 9:30PM
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Such a huge difference! Nice one Jan!

PacoRaapNL
148 posts
29 Mar 2026 4:36AM
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Ready for the new 2026 season.
The 2 lime greens are the latest and final versions.No wireless charging.Pogo pins on the side to charge the battery.










rp6conrad
372 posts
2 Apr 2026 6:00PM
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Next "How to" vid is online. A complete view on my process of soldering and assembling the ESP-GPS. Sealed housing made of PMMA, lasercut out of 15 mm GS PMMA and handcut top and bottom out of 2mm GS PMMA.
Greetings, Jan.

PacoRaapNL
148 posts
3 Apr 2026 1:21AM
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Nice detailed video Jan.

rp6conrad
372 posts
12 Apr 2026 4:05AM
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Another vid about the ESP-GPS. This time about 3D design in Onshape (PMMA parts and PETG Casing), and printing the case on my Bambulab P2S printer.
3D design is public : cad.onshape.com/documents/a511908aaa4bc53df3b62f8d/w/f84be4db970c8f87e32cc9d8/e/14282a33f523fa3330552c2c
Greetings, Jan.

veton
46 posts
Tuesday , 21 Apr 2026 7:47PM
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For those with charging coils, I'm about to try inserting a thermostate into the charging coil, in the base plate. My bases get very hot and if you are not aware can deform the plastic enclosure. Could be a solution so you can just place the gps on charge and forget about it.
Anybody has experience with this parts:
es.aliexpress.com/item/1005005689214002.html?isdl=y&aff_fsk=_okkENJu&src=RedbrainESGeneral&aff_platform=aff_feeds&aff_short_key=_okkENJu&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21EUR%210.42%210.21%21%21%21%21%21%40%2112000034016899151%21afff%21%21%21&dp=CjwKCAjwwJzPBhBREiwAJfHRnZoJkjFLEJfM3ucbjwXVDxdE8C58SA1Jva8qTJDxyvXE257PfuGVHxoCaF8QAvD_BwE
thanks

mathew
QLD, 2160 posts
3 hours ago , 23 Apr 2026 9:27AM
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@veton - do you mean to write "thermostat" ?

Yes - all wireless charging _requires_ a temperature sensor at or close-to the coil. If the case is melting it is clearly getting too hot, but that isn't the main reason...

... you do not want to cook the batteries. Ever. Unless you want some pyrotechnics.



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Forums > Windsurfing   Gps and Speed talk


"Another DIY GPS logger approach" started by rp6conrad