Setpoint DIY Kit — Build Guide (Module Carrier)

For the module-based carrier board: an ESP32-C3 SuperMini, a TP4056 charging module (with protection), a slide switch, and a DS18B20 probe, soldered onto the carrier. All through-hole / module soldering — no fine-pitch SMD. Budget ~30 min.

What's in your kit

You supply: an 18650 cell. Protected or unprotected is fine here — the TP4056 module provides protection. (This is the one product where your unprotected cells are OK.)

Tools

Soldering iron + solder · flush cutters · USB-C data cable (not charge-only) · Chrome / Edge / Opera on desktop · multimeter (for the battery polarity check).

Step 1 — Solder the modules & parts

Solder header rows first, then seat each module onto them. Point both USB-C ports toward the board edge.

1. ESP32-C3 SuperMini — solder its header rows to the carrier; USB-C facing out.
2. TP4056 module — solder in place; its USB-C facing out.
3. 4.7 kΩ resistor — in the DS18B20 pull-up position (marked on silk).
4. SPDT slide switch — seat flat, solder the 3 pins.

Trim leads flush. Check for solder bridges on the header rows.

Two USB-C ports: the SuperMini's port is for flashing & data; the TP4056's is for charging only. Don't mix them up in Step 5.

Step 2 — Wire the probe

Connect the DS18B20's three wires at the DS18B20 pads: VCC / DATA / GND (follow the silk). The 4.7 kΩ pull-up you just soldered handles the DATA line.

Step 3 — Wire the battery ⚠️

1. Connect the 18650 holder to the carrier's battery pads (to the TP4056 module's B+ / B−).
2. Confirm polarity with a multimeter — holder red (+) → B+, black (−) → B−. Reversed polarity can damage the module/board.
3. Protected or unprotected cell both work (module has protection). Insert the cell with the switch OFF.

Step 4 — Power check

With the switch OFF, plug in the SuperMini USB-C: the onboard LED should light — USB powers the board directly, the switch only gates the battery. Then unplug USB and flip the switch ON: the LED should light again, now running from the cell. If anything gets warm either way, unplug and re-check Step 1 for bridges.

Step 5 — Flash the firmware (browser)

1. Open the Setpoint web flasher in Chrome/Edge/Opera.
2. Plug the SuperMini's USB-C into your computer with the power switch OFF. USB powers the board on its own for flashing; keeping the switch off stops USB power from back-feeding the cell through the TP4056.
3. Click Install/Connect, choose the port, flash. The C3 flashes natively over USB — no adapter.

✅ Firmware just works: the stock v2.9.4 image already targets this board — DS18B20 on GPIO5, status LED on the SuperMini's GPIO8 (auto-selected for the ESP32-C3 target). One image fits both the kit and the finished product; no special build needed.

Step 6 — Join Wi-Fi

On first boot the board opens its setup portal. Connect to it, pick your 2.4 GHz network, save. It reconnects on its own afterward.

Step 7 — Verify

Open your Setpoint dashboard — the probe should appear and report temperature. Pinch the tip; the reading should rise. Set a threshold and confirm the alert fires.

🛡️ First launch — a security prompt is normal. The dashboard installer isn't code-signed yet, so on Windows you may see "Windows protected your PC" — click More info → Run anyway. On macOS you may see "can't be opened because Apple cannot check it" — right-click the app → Open → Open (once). This is expected and safe; it just means we haven't purchased a signing certificate yet. Full install steps →

✅ Done.

Safety

• The TP4056 module provides cell protection, but still verify battery polarity before first power-on.
• Don't leave the first charge unattended; confirm the cell doesn't get hot.
• Not a certified medical/food-safety/life-safety device. DIY builds carry no hardware warranty.

Troubleshooting