SparkFun Thing Plus - ESP32-C6 board comes with 16MB flash, LiPo battery support

SparkFun has launched yet another ESP32-C6 board with the “Thing Plus – ESP32-C6” based on the ESP32-C6-WROOM-1-N16 module with 16MB flash and a PCB antenna and range of I/Os and power options.

The board features 28 through holes with up to 23 multi-function GPIOs and a Qwicc connector for expansion, and supports 5V or LiPo battery power through respectively a USB-C port a 2-pin JST connector combined with a charging chip, and a fuel gauge.

SparkFun Thing Plus – ESP32-C6 specifications:

Wireless module – ESP32-C6-WROOM-1-N16
- MCU – ESP32-C6 32-bit single-core RISC-V microcontroller with 2.4 GHz WiFI 6, Bluetooth 5 LE, and 802.15.4 radio (Zigbee and Thread); Matter-compatible
- Storage – 16 MB flash
- PCB Antenna
Storage – MicroSD card slot
USB – 1x USB Type-C port for power and programming
Expansion
- 12-pin + 16-pin headers with
  - 23x multifunctional GPIOs
  - Up to 7x 12-bit ADC channels
  - Up to 2x UART channels (with flow control)
  - 1x Low Power UART, 1x I2C, 1x Low Power I2C
  - LED PWM
  - 1x I2S Channel
- 4-pin Qwiic connector
Misc
- LEDs for Power (Red), charging status (Yellow), and system status (Blue)
- 1x WS2812 RGB LED
- BOOT and RESET buttons
Power Supply
- 5V via USB-C port
- 2-pin JST connector for LiPo battery
- MCP73831 battery charger – Charge Rate: 213mA @ 3.3V
- MAX17048 fuel gauge – I2C Address: 0x36
Dimensions – 64.8 x 22.9 mm; 2x mounting holes

The ESP32-C6 board is open-source hardware with Sparkfun providing the hardware design files (EAGLE and Gerber files), some datasheets, and documentation on GitHub. I’m not sure who thought it was a good idea but the documentation is distributed as MD files and provides instructions to get started with Arduino programming.

The market for ESP32-C board is starting to get crowded starting from the cheap WeAct ESP32-C6 to DFRobot FireBeetle 2 also supporting LiPo batteries, or even Olimex ESP32-C6-EVB with more features for home automation, and many others. The “Sparkfun Things Plus – ESP32-C6” board adds another option with a larger flash (16MB) than most competitors and compatibility with Qwiic modules and the Things Plus form factor.

The company is selling the board for $19.95 plus shipping on its store.

Thanks to TLS for the tip.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.