SENSORS/ACTUATORS

INTERNET OF THING (IoT)

ESP32 - Ethernet

ESP32 - GPIO Interrupt

ESP32 - Control Pump

This tutorial instructs you how to use ESP32 to control a pump. You can extend this tutorial to build the DIY aquarium, cocktail machine, coffee machine, or irrigation system...

You have two options to switch the pump: a relay, or a MOSFET module. With the relay, the pump is either running or stopped. With the MOSFET module, you also decide how strong the pump runs, so you can set the water flow. In this tutorial, we will learn how to use each of them.

This tutorial shows how to program the ESP32 using the Arduino language (C/C++) via the Arduino IDE. If you’d like to learn how to program the ESP32 with MicroPython, visit this ESP32 MicroPython - Controls Pump tutorial.

Hardware Used In This Tutorial

1	×	38-pin ESP32 ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module - Narrow
1	×	Alternatively, 38-pin ESP32 ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module - Wide
1	×	Alternatively, 30-pin ESP32 ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module - Wide
1	×	Alternatively, ESP32 Uno-form board
1	×	Alternatively, ESP32 S3 Uno-form board
1	×	USB Cable Type-A to Type-C (for USB-A PC)
1	×	USB Cable Type-C to Type-C (for USB-C PC)
1	×	Relay
1	×	Alternatively, MOSFET Module (AOD4184, LR7843 or FR120N)
1	×	12V Pump
1	×	Vinyl Tube
1	×	12V Power Adapter
1	×	Breadboard
1	×	Jumper Wires
1	×	Optionally, DC Power Jack
1	×	Recommended: Screw Terminal Expansion Board for ESP32
1	×	Recommended: Breakout Expansion Board for ESP32
1	×	Recommended: Power Splitter for ESP32

Or you can buy the following kits:

1	×	DIYables ESP32 Starter Kit (ESP32 included)
1	×	DIYables ESP32 S3 Starter Kit (ESP32 S3 included)
1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)

Disclosure: Some of the links in this section are Amazon affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through them. Additionally, some links direct you to products from our own brand, DIYables .

Introduction to 12V Pump

Pump Pinout

image source: diyables.io

A 12V Pump has two wires:

Negative (-) wire (black): connect this wire to the negative wire of 12V DC power supply
Positive (+) wire (red): connect this wire to the Positive wire of 12V DC power supply

How to Control Pump using ESP32

If we connect a 12V power supply to a pump, the pump will work. We can programmatically control a pump by using ESP32. To do so, we need a relay in between the pump ESP32 board. We have a specific tutorial about relay, which contains detailed information and step-by-step instructions about hardware pinout, working principle, wiring connection to ESP32, ESP32 code... Learn about relay in the ESP32 - Relay tutorial

Instead of the relay, we can also use a MOSFET module. To learn what this module is and how to wire it, check the ESP32 - MOSFET Module tutorial.

Relay vs MOSFET Module for Pump

	Relay	MOSFET Module
Pump control	run or stop	run, stop, and set the flow with PWM
Sound	clicks when it switches	silent
Speed of switching	slow, in milliseconds	very fast
Lifetime	contacts wear out after many switches	no moving parts
Works with	AC and DC pumps	DC pumps only
Pump voltage	any (as rated)	at least about 6V
Isolation	yes (coil and contacts)	yes (PC817 optocoupler)
Best for	AC pumps or simple run/stop	12V DC pumps that need flow control

If you only need to fill a tank, the relay is fine. If you want a slow, gentle flow, for example for plants or an aquarium, use the MOSFET module with a 12V DC pump.

Wiring Diagram between ESP32, Relay and Pump

How to connect ESP32 and controls pump using breadboard (powered via USB cable)

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

How to connect ESP32 and controls pump using breadboard (powered via Vin pin)

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

How to connect ESP32 and controls pump using screw terminal block breakout board (powered via USB cable)

How to connect ESP32 and controls pump using screw terminal block breakout board (powered via Vin pin)

If you're unfamiliar with how to supply power to the ESP32 and other components, you can find guidance in the following tutorial: The best way to Power ESP32 and sensors/displays.

ESP32 - Pump Code

The below code periodically turns the pump ON/OFF in every 4 seconds.

/* * This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com * * This ESP32 code is released in the public domain * * For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-controls-pump */ #define RELAY_PIN 16 // ESP32 pin GPIO16, which connects to the pump the via the relay // the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board void setup() { // initialize digital pin GPIO16 as an output. pinMode(RELAY_PIN, OUTPUT); } // the loop function runs over and over again forever void loop() { digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, HIGH); // turn on pump 4 seconds delay(4000); digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, LOW); // turn off pump 4 seconds delay(4000); }

Quick Instructions

If this is the first time you use ESP32, see how to setup environment for ESP32 on Arduino IDE.
Do the wiring as above image.
Connect the ESP32 board to your PC via a USB Type-C cable
Open Arduino IDE on your PC.
Select the right ESP32 board (e.g. ESP32 Dev Module) and COM port.
Copy the above code and paste it to Arduino IDE.
Compile and upload code to ESP32 board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE
See the pump's state

Line-by-line Code Explanation

The above ESP32 code contains line-by-line explanation. Please read the comments in the code!

How to Control Pump Flow with MOSFET Module

Here we use the MOSFET module instead of the relay. A PWM signal from the ESP32 changes the pump speed, and so the amount of water it pushes.

Wiring Diagram between ESP32, MOSFET Module and Pump

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

ESP32 / Power	MOSFET Module
GPIO18	PWM
GND	GND
12V adapter + and pump + (red)	+ terminal (both wires share it)
Pump − (black)	LOAD terminal
12V adapter −	− terminal

The pump motor has a coil, so add a flyback diode (1N4007 or 1N5819) across the pump wires. The stripe (cathode) goes on the pump + side.

ESP32 - Pump Flow Code

First, the pump runs at full power for 2 seconds, then it stops for 2 seconds. Next, the power climbs from 10% to 100% and falls back again, so the water flow gets stronger and then weaker.

/* * This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com * * This ESP32 code is released in the public domain * * For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-controls-pump */ const int MOSFET_PIN = 18; // ESP32 GPIO18 connected to the PWM pin of the MOSFET module void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); pinMode(MOSFET_PIN, OUTPUT); analogWrite(MOSFET_PIN, 0); // start with the load OFF } void setLoad(int percent) { int duty = map(percent, 0, 100, 0, 255); // convert 0-100% to 0-255 analogWrite(MOSFET_PIN, duty); Serial.print("Load power: "); Serial.print(percent); Serial.println("%"); } void loop() { // turn the load fully ON, then fully OFF Serial.println("Load: ON"); setLoad(100); delay(2000); Serial.println("Load: OFF"); setLoad(0); delay(2000); // increase the power step by step (PWM) for (int percent = 10; percent <= 100; percent += 10) { setLoad(percent); delay(500); } // decrease the power step by step (PWM) for (int percent = 90; percent >= 0; percent -= 10) { setLoad(percent); delay(500); } delay(1000); }

Quick Instructions

Follow the setup in the relay Quick Steps above (Arduino IDE, board and COM port).
Put the pump in water and do the wiring as in the MOSFET diagram. Leave the 12V adapter unplugged.
Copy the code to Arduino IDE and upload it to the ESP32.
Plug in the 12V adapter.
Open the Serial Monitor at 9600 baud.
Watch the water flow change while the power level prints on Serial Monitor.

Newbiely | Arduino IDE 2.3.8

──

☐

Newbiely.ino

···

8 Serial.println("Hello World!");

Output

Serial Monitor

Message (Enter to send message to 'ESP32 Dev Module' on 'COM15')

New Line

9600 baud

Load: ON Load power: 100% Load: OFF Load power: 0% Load power: 10% Load power: 20% Load power: 30% Load power: 40% Load power: 50% Load power: 60% Load power: 70% Load power: 80% Load power: 90% Load power: 100% Load power: 90% Load power: 80% Load power: 70% Load power: 60% Load power: 50% Load power: 40% Load power: 30% Load power: 20% Load power: 10% Load power: 0%

Ln 11, Col 1

ESP32 Dev Module on COM15

Tip: never let the pump run dry. The MOSFET module is for DC pumps with a supply of about 6V or more; for an AC pump, use the relay.

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