BalancerREF
About the BalancerREF PCB
BalancerREF is an open source ESP32 PCB design by natehorst240-sketch, published on GitHub. It is a 4-layer board measuring 60 × 55.1 mm, with 75 components from 49 distinct parts.
Its main chip is the ESP32-S3-MINI-1-N8, from the ESP32 family. Other key parts include the IIS3DWBTR, LM1815MX/NOPB, BQ24075RGTR, TPS63031DSKR and SRV05-4MR6T1G. By type, the board carries 28 resistors, 25 capacitors, 8 ICs, 5 connectors, 3 transistors and 3 switches.
It belongs with the iot & wireless and test & measurement designs in this gallery.
From the project
ESP32-S3 firmware is in firmware/README.md, including build/flash instructions, MR-VERT/TR-VERT controls, BLE/USB protocol, and a MicroVib comparison logger. Its measurement accuracy remains subject to bench validation.
ESP32-S3 firmware is in firmware/README.md, including build/flash instructions, MR-VERT/TR-VERT controls, BLE/USB protocol, and a MicroVib comparison logger. Its measurement accuracy remains subject to bench validation.
Open BalancerREF.kicadpro, then BalancerREF.kicadsch, in KiCad 10.0.3 or later (KiCad 10 format; KiCad 9 will not open it). One A2 schematic sheet, Rev G (2026-09-19), hand-laid-out in KiCad (title "HOBOVibe Hobby Helicopter Dynamic Balancer"). The PCB is 50 x 50 mm, four layers (In1 GND plane, In2 +3V3 plane), fully routed with both inner planes uncut (the power nets that…
Main components on the BalancerREF
BalancerREF bill of materials (BOM)
75 components, 49 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.
| Qty | Part | Footprint | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESP32-S3-MINI-1-N8 | ESP32-S2-MINI-1 | U1 |
| 1 | IIS3DWBTR | LGA-14_3x2.5mm_P0.5mm_LayoutBorder3x4y | U2 |
| 1 | LM1815MX/NOPB | SOIC-14_3.9x8.7mm_P1.27mm | U3 |
| 1 | BQ24075RGTR BQ24075RGT | QFN-16-1EP_3x3mm_P0.5mm_EP1.675x1.675mm | U5 |
| 1 | TPS63031DSKR | WSON-10-1EP_2.5x2.5mm_P0.5mm_EP1.2x2mm | U6 |
| 1 | SRV05-4MR6T1G | SOT-23-6 | U7 |
| 1 | SN74LVC1G132DBVR | SOT-23-5 | U9 |
| 1 | SN74LVC1G123DCTR | SSOP-8_2.95x2.8mm_P0.65mm | U10 |
| 2 | AO3401A | SOT-23 | Q4, Q5 |
| 1 | AO3400A | SOT-23 | Q6 |
| 1 | USB4105-GF-A | USB_C_Receptacle_GCT_USB4105-xx-A_16P_TopMnt_Horizontal | J1 |
| 1 | JST B2B-PH-K-S LiPo 500mAh PROTECTED | JST_PH_B2B-PH-K_1x02_P2.00mm_Vertical | J2 |
| 1 | MAG+ / MAG- PTH | SolderWire-0.1sqmm_1x02_P3.6mm_D0.4mm_OD1mm | J3 |
| 1 | PinHeader 1x05 2.54mm GPS MODULE 3V3 UART | PinHeader_1x05_P2.54mm_Vertical | J4 |
| 1 | SM07B-GHS-TB OPTICAL HEAD 7-WAY | JST_GH_SM07B-GHS-TB_1x07-1MP_P1.25mm_Horizontal | J5 |
| 1 | POWER | SW_Slide-03_Wuerth-WS-SLTV_10x2.5x6.4_P2.54mm | SW1 |
| 1 | ACQUIRE | SW_PUSH_6mm | SW2 |
| 1 | BOOT / SERVICE | SW_PUSH_6mm | SW3 |
| 1 | STATUS GREEN | LED_0603_1608Metric | LED1 |
| 1 | SMF5.0A | D_SMF | D3 |
Show 29 more
| Qty | Part | Footprint | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DFE201612PD-1R5M=P2 1.5uH | L_Murata_DFE201610P | L1 |
| 3 | 100n / 10V 100n | C_0805_2012Metric | C1, C5, C9 |
| 4 | 10u / 10V X7R 10u 10V | C_0805_2012Metric | C2, C3, C4, C8 |
| 2 | 22u / 10V X7R 22u 10V | C_0805_2012Metric | C6, C7 |
| 1 | 1u / 10V 1u 10V | C_0805_2012Metric | C10 |
| 2 | 10n | C_0805_2012Metric | C11, C31 |
| 4 | 100n | C_0805_2012Metric | C12, C16, C27, C29 |
| 1 | 100n / VDD | C_0805_2012Metric | C13 |
| 1 | 100n / VDDIO | C_0805_2012Metric | C14 |
| 1 | 10u | C_0805_2012Metric | C15 |
| 1 | 10u / 10V 10u 10V | C_0805_2012Metric | C17 |
| 1 | 1n C0G | C_0805_2012Metric | C18 |
| 1 | 330n | C_0805_2012Metric | C19 |
| 1 | 470p C0G | C_0805_2012Metric | C26 |
| 1 | 1n C0G 10n C0G | C_0805_2012Metric | C28 |
| 1 | 10u 10V | C_0805_2012Metric | C30 |
| 2 | 5.1k 1% | R_0603_1608Metric | R1, R2 |
| 1 | 3.57k 1% | R_0603_1608Metric | R3 |
| 4 | 10k | R_0603_1608Metric | R4, R8, R9, R36 |
| 2 | 22R | R_0603_1608Metric | R6, R7 |
| 2 | 1k | R_0603_1608Metric | R10, R29 |
| 8 | 100k | R_0603_1608Metric | R11, R12, R37, R38, R39, R40, R42, R43 |
| 2 | 10k 1206 pulse | R_1206_3216Metric | R13, R14 |
| 1 | 5.6k | R_0603_1608Metric | R15 |
| 1 | 150k 1% | R_0603_1608Metric | R16 |
| 1 | 1.6M | R_0603_1608Metric | R17 |
| 1 | 100k 10k | R_0603_1608Metric | R30 |
| 1 | 1.6k | R_0603_1608Metric | R35 |
| 2 | 1M | R_0603_1608Metric | R41, R44 |
BalancerREF design files
The KiCad project lives in the natehorst240-sketch/HoboBalancer repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.
BalancerREF: common questions
What microcontroller does the BalancerREF use?
The BalancerREF is built around the ESP32-S3-MINI-1-N8, from the ESP32 family.
How big is the BalancerREF PCB?
The BalancerREF measures 60 × 55.1 mm, has 4 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.
How many components are on the BalancerREF?
75 components, from 49 distinct parts, with part numbers taken from the project's own BOM. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.
Where can I download the BalancerREF design files?
From the natehorst240-sketch/HoboBalancer repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout, the schematic and the BOM; the links under Design files point to each one.
Can I use the BalancerREF design in my own project?
The repository has no license, so all rights stay with natehorst240-sketch. Use it as a reference, and ask the author before reusing the design.
Can I test firmware for the BalancerREF without the hardware?
Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug ESP32 firmware against it before you order a PCB.
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