Open the box.
Start building.

Gather what you need.

For initial setup, set out the preloaded DALE board, breakout/expansion board and 9V / 1A power adapter. Have a phone, tablet or computer ready, along with your Wi-Fi network name and password.

Keep the blank board aside for now. The TM1638 module and female-to-female wires will be used for your first experiment.

Check the complete kit contents →

Set up and power DALE.

1. With power disconnected, fit the preloaded ESP32-S3 board into the breakout board if it is not already fitted. Check its orientation and pin alignment before inserting it; do not force it into place.
2. Leave the experiment modules disconnected during initial Wi-Fi setup.
3. Connect the included 9V / 1A adapter to the breakout board’s power input, then switch on the supply.

Connect DALE to your Wi-Fi.

1. On your phone, tablet or computer, open Wi-Fi settings and join DALE-V1. This setup network has no password. You can also use the DALE Wi-Fi QR code if you have it available.
2. The Wi-Fi setup page should open. If it does not, open your browser and enter http://192.168.4.1.
3. Scan for nearby networks. Select your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, enter its password, and connect/save it.
4. Reconnect your phone, tablet or computer to that same Wi-Fi network after setup.

The DALE-V1 network is used for initial setup. For normal use, DALE and the device you browse from should be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Open your DALE workspace.

In your browser, enter http://dale.local. If that address does not resolve on your device, use the IP address assigned to DALE by your Wi-Fi network, as shown during setup or in your router’s connected-device list.

If you are still on the setup page, use Go to DALE when available. You should now see the DALE interface and Project Wizard.

Connect the first experiment.

Start with Experiment 01 — Your First Output, using the TM1638 module.

1. Disconnect DALE’s power before wiring.
2. Connect the TM1638 using its labelled VCC, GND, STB, CLK and DIO connections. Check the required module supply voltage and use the matching breakout-board power rail; do not assume every module uses the same voltage.
3. Choose signal pins for STB, CLK and DIO, and record them so the project settings can match your wiring. A consistent example is STB = GPIO 15, CLK = GPIO 16, DIO = GPIO 17.
4. Check the connections, then restore power and reopen DALE.

Use the experiment instructions and the TM1638 wiring guide in DALE when checking the module connections.

Create your DALE Experiments project.

1. In Project Wizard, create a project named DALE Experiments.
2. In Projects, check Use Module for TM1638. Leave modules you are not using unchecked.
3. Set the TM1638 pin selections to match the physical STB, CLK and DIO wires. Resolve any checked-module pin conflicts.
4. Press SAVE PROJECT.
5. Open Labs → TM1638 and follow Experiment 01 to test one LED before building its logic.

Reuse DALE Experiments as you work through the eight lessons: wire with power off, update checked modules and pins, save, then continue. Use the project Notes and Journal to record your wiring and observations.

Build it. Save it. Understand it.

Follow Experiment 01 to connect a Virtual Button to a TM1638 LED in Logic Builder. Run the circuit and watch the real LED respond.

• SAVE PROJECT stores the complete circuit: blocks, connections, settings, values and positions.
• LOAD restores the saved project circuit. NEW PROJECT begins with an empty circuit.
• Explain My Logic describes your circuit. While speaking, its button becomes STOP EXPLANATION; press it to stop immediately.
• Show Me The Code lets you inspect the standalone Arduino sketch behind your visual circuit.

When you are ready to upload generated code, use the blank ESP32-S3 board and the included USB-C cable with a compatible computer. Follow the generated sketch’s wiring comments and Arduino board settings.