My Board Gets Hot, Especially When Running on WiFi for Long Periods
The ESP32/ESP32-S2/ESP32-S3 chips are powerful for their size, and when the radio is on -- especially for extended periods -- they draw significant current and generate considerable heat.
The TinyPICO, TinyS2, and TinyS3 boards are compact and densely packed, limiting surface area for heat dissipation.
There is nothing to be alarmed about. Everything operates within specifications if you follow these guidelines:
General Recommendations
- Avoid enclosing boards in cases without airflow during prolonged WiFi use -- heat will accumulate with nowhere to escape
- If the board must be housed in an enclosure, add a small fan to pull hot air out, or provide ventilation vents
- Keep WiFi usage brief and intermittent when possible
- Use sleep or deep sleep modes frequently, even on 5V power, to allow the ESP32 to cool
- Don't place batteries directly against boards, as they generate additional heat
For TinyPICO Nano and NanoS3 Projects
- Solder the thermal pad on the back to a GND pad on your carrier board -- This is essential
- Ensure sufficient clear space on your carrier board for heat transfer
Last Updated: July 31, 2023