# \[off topic\] Need advice getting started with D1/ESP/PI type "thing" projects

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/off-topic-need-advice-getting-started-with-d1-esp-pi-type-thing-projects/23408>\
**Category:** Hardware\
**Created:** [21 March 2020 13:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/off-topic-need-advice-getting-started-with-d1-esp-pi-type-thing-projects/23408 "2020-03-21T13:23:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 27

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**Author:** ![Christian-Me](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/christian-me/32/10774_2.png) [@Christian-Me](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Christian-Me)\
**Post date:** [22 March 2020 09:46 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/off-topic-need-advice-getting-started-with-d1-esp-pi-type-thing-projects/23408/27 "2020-03-22T09:46:22Z")

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I only have experience with ESPEasy, and I contributed the homie plugins (which need an urgent update but I messed up my git repository).  
I love it. And it comes with a nice script engine so you can do low level automation directly on the ESP.  
But it comes with limitations. Especially

- memory ROM: a one fits all system needs a lot. Many of the shelf products only have 1MB of flash. So OTA takes 50% some settings 10% and you quickly ran out of flash and the hole plugin concept is doomed
- memory RAM: taking care of many (even unused) plugins eats your RAM.
- timing: ESP Easy only knows a constant period of reading sensors. I like more the dynamic send value on change.

This all brought me to the conclusion to build my individual purpose firmware with the ESP homie library as a foundation. See my Christmas Tree project I posted here where I had to do some pwm modulation in sync with polarity changes. Firmware (including getting familiar with the library) done in two hours.

> [@Is your Christmas tree to bright? Perhaps this can help](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/is-your-christmas-tree-to-bright-perhaps-this-can-help/19499):
>
> I wish this aw awesome community a "Merry Christmas" and what to thank for all the support, inspiring ideas and this fantastic project. May 2020 be as good (or even better) for all of you, your families and your projects. If you ran into the same problem as I did perhaps this could be a last minute hack - or a good preparation for next year you can do over the holidays.

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