Start with soldering the pull ups and pull downs directly on the back side of the ESP module. I've used 10k 0805:s and some wirewrap wire.

Since we need to bring down the roomba battery (up to 15V) to 3.3V we can't use a linear regulator. I'm using a cheap buck regulator ("Mini360 DC-DC Buck Converter Step Down Module") from ebay, but has also successfully used a R78B3.3-1.0 from Recom.

If you use the variable ebay one, make sure to set it to 3.3V before connecting it to the ESP module.

Ebay item: http://www.ebay.com/itm/351195883183?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Solder the regulator to the ESP-module with reasonably short wires, since my regulator has a >100nF capacitor om the output I can then skip the capacitor on the ESP input.

Here I've soldered two wires to RX/TX in order to be able to flash it.

TODO:

• More connections and pin header connector.
• Downloading/Configuring/Compiling/Flashing firmware
• Opening the roomba (ifixit link ?)
• Points on Roomba PCB to use
• Over the air updates
• github merge requests.