B4R Question SOLVED - Any help / ideas appreciated

[Robert Valentino]

I have this ESP8266ex chip : https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-NodeMcu-Lua-ESP8266-CH340G-ESP-12E-Wireless-WIFI-Internet-Development-Board/233313358002?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Connected to this development board: https://www.ebay.com/itm/ESP8266-CH340G-NodeMcu-V3-Lua-NodeMCU-Breakout-Expansion-Board-Development-Board/311995819700?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=610769041588&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I am using this Catalax Micro SD Adapter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-SPI-Micro-SD-MicroSD-Board-Shield-Card-Reader-Module-Arduino-ESP8266-ESP32/292104347348?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

When I have everything connected and using the USB port on the ESP8266 (as well as power to the development board) EVERYTHING works perfect. If I disconnect the USB cable the SD Card reader doesn't work. I tested all the leads on the development board (power leads) to make sure the right power was there and it is.
If I put just a POWER USB cable on the board (cable connects to board and then connects to a power source) everything works fine.

SO there is some place on the development board that is not providing power to something on the ESP8266 or the Catalax Micro SD Adapter.

I believe it has something to do with HSPICLK, HSPIQ, HSPID, HSPICS

Because these lines control the SD Card reader.
I use the same ESP8266 chips and development boards for my AdafruitNeoPixel LED programs and everything works fine.
The LED programs are not using the HSP control lines.

I just don't know how to figure out what is wrong (anyone know how to measure power on the HSP lines) ?

ANY help / Ideas are appreciated

Thanks

BobVal

 

[Robert Valentino]

Much as to documentation I got with the Catalax Micro SD say it needed 3.3v it actually needed 5v.

Once I gave it 5v it works perfectly

 

[tigrot]

Probably the board has a voltage regulator to to reduce 5v to 3.3v. If you give 3.3v the voltage drops to about 2.3v.