Petdisk Max V2 ESP32 Clone

[MiaM]

I'm not the one asked, and also I don't know anything about this device in particular (more than that I low key would like to have one or something similar in the future), but in general:
SD cards that are up to IIRC 2G are just SD cards, while larger cards are SDHC cards. If the firmware lacks provision for SDHC cards you'll most likely run into trouble with such cards.

Thus the rule of thumb for all devices is that unless they state that they take SDHC cards (or is new enough that a 2G limit would just be alien, like a brand new device in 2025) it's a good idea to avoid cards larger than 2G.

Also a warning: I don't know if it's a counterfeit device or just an early bad device, but I have a Sandisk branded multi card reader that claims to take SDHC cards but when using such cards it causes corruption.

 

[ntydelski]

UPDATE!! I got this project to work... I had the PET.CFG file notated wrong. Works like a charm. I have a couple extra boards if any one is interested. I don't need 5 of these things. I'm not planning on making any more. I only need one and a backup.
Would let them go for cost of parts and shipping.

 

[anti77]

Sorry, I was away. Yes, the PETDISK.CFG is quite important, the brand of the SDHC card is not as long as it's FAT32.

@ntydelski try listing the boards on ebay, I've sold my 4 unneeded cards in about 5 months on ebay.de this way. Vacuum packing them components side facing a piece of foam sheet that came with the JLCPCB order protects the board and can be sent out in a regular envelope.

I've added SCAD and STL files for a case to the project so if you have access to a 3D printer, I would appreciate some feedback on it.

 

[dave_m]

You can create subdirectories on your SD card using your PC, and then use special commands with PETDisk to access the files on them. PET floppy disk image (.d64) files can also be used as subdirectories. This will be useful if you wind up placing tons of programs and games on the SD card. Organizing your files will be important due to the limited PET DOS capabilities.

 

[arcaic]

@anti77

This looks great but I have tried to order this from JLCPCB and PCBWay but with PCBWay they up the price for 5 (10 boards) to $23.89 because according to them "it is a panel type 1*2, so expensive.".

With JLCPCB I get asked to choose "Panel by customer" or "Panel by JLCPCB" but I don't know what this means or what I should select. Either option when selected asks for further data I dont have.

Also they complain about U1 "The below parts won't be assembled due to data missing. U1 designator don't exist in the CPL file" which is true because it doesn't.

Maybe I'm doing something stupid. Any help appreciated.

Andy

 

[Istarian]

I'm not the one asked, and also I don't know anything about this device in particular (more than that I low key would like to have one or something similar in the future), but in general:
SD cards that are up to IIRC 2G are just SD cards, while larger cards are SDHC cards. If the firmware lacks provision for SDHC cards you'll most likely run into trouble with such cards.

Thus the rule of thumb for all devices is that unless they state that they take SDHC cards (or is new enough that a 2G limit would just be alien, like a brand new device in 2025) it's a good idea to avoid cards larger than 2G.

Also a warning: I don't know if it's a counterfeit device or just an early bad device, but I have a Sandisk branded multi card reader that claims to take SDHC cards but when using such cards it causes corruption.

I believe there were some SD (SDSC) cards that went up to 4G, but perhaps they were non-standardized proprietary extensions of the format or neglected to use the proper branding.

Certainly any new 4 GB "SD card" you purchase these days will be SDHC.

 

[anti77]

@arcaic just tried to order again from JLCPCB, it still works as it should, nothing changed in price. Just choose "Single PCB - Your design as is." when you upload gerbers.2xpetdisk-esp32.zip. Expect to cut in half the received and populated boards yourself.

U1 warning is safe to ignore (that's the ESP32 chip in the BOM) unless you want that to be populated as well (but then it's position is needed in the CPL excel and of course it PCBA will be much more expensive).

There is another warning "Duplicate Designators Detected", where you have to press "No, process with the order". Of course, press OK to align the component placement over the board.

This project motivated me to apply for EU funds for a full SMT assembly line. In a few months if all goes well I'll be able to open my startup and start assemble PCB's in the EU. It will be cheaper than PCBWAY or JLCPCB based on initial estimations using PCB's provided by customers.