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Justin Reyes

July 2, 2024

ESP32 Marauder from Source to CYD

A simple guide to installing the firmware from source without the hassle of editing multiple files.

Note:

All of the files needed to proceed with the tutorial are located here: CYD-MARAUDER

Preparing Arduino IDE 2.2.1

  1. Download Arduino IDE 2.2.1 from SOURCEFORGE.
  2. Open the Arduino IDE and go to File > Preferences.
  3. Add the following URLs to Additional Boards Manager URLs:
    • https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json
    • https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/gh-pages/package_esp32_dev_index.json
  4. Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager, search for esp32, and install esp32 by Espressif Systems (version 2.0.11).
  5. Install the CH340X Drivers.

Installing Arduino IDE Libraries

  1. Download the libraries folder from the CYD Marauder repository.
  2. Copy the libraries folder to your Arduino directory:
    • Windows: C:\Users\USERNAME\OneDrive\Documents\Arduino
    • Mac/Linux: ~/Documents/Arduino

Libraries Folder

Replacing platform.txt

  1. Download the platform.txt file from the CYD Marauder repository.
  2. Navigate to:
    • Windows: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\2.0.11
    • Mac/Linux: ~/.arduino15/packages/esp32/hardware/esp32/2.0.11
  3. Replace the existing platform.txt with the downloaded file.

Platform.txt Location

Configuring TFT_eSPI-master

  1. Navigate to the TFT_eSPI-master library folder:
    • Windows: C:\Users\USERNAME\OneDrive\Documents\Arduino\libraries\TFT_eSPI-master
    • Mac/Linux: ~/Documents/Arduino/libraries/TFT_eSPI-master
  2. Open the USER_SETUP.H file and edit it based on your CYD model:
    • 1 USB CYD w/o GPS: 1 USB Setup
    • 2 USB CYD w/o GPS: 2 USB Setup
  3. Save the file after making changes.

Flashing the ESP32 Marauder Firmware

  1. Download the esp32_marauder.zip file from the CYD Marauder repository and extract it.
  2. Open the esp32_marauder.ino file in the Arduino IDE.
  3. Select the board: Tools > Board > LOLIN D32.
  4. Set the Partition Scheme to MINIMAL SPIFFS (LARGE APP WITH OTA).
  5. Set the Upload Speed to 115200.
  6. Select the correct Port (e.g., COM3 or /dev/ttyUSB0).
  7. Click Verify and then Upload.

Board Settings

Modding the Splash Screen

  1. Open the esp32_marauder.ino file.
  2. Locate and edit the following lines of code to customize the splash screen:

Splash Screen Code

That’s it! You’ve successfully installed the ESP32 Marauder firmware on your CYD. For more details, visit the CYD Marauder repository.

Learn More

  • For a Webflash Installer, visit: Fr4nkFletcher.
  • For more information about the ESP32 Marauder project, visit: justcallmekoko.
  • For an in-depth installation process, check out: smoochiee.