ESP8266 Community Forum

-This is the ESP01 chip I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O34AGSU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-Using [url]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CONBV2G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00[url][/url]?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/url] power regulator to step down from 9V battery to 3.3V (measured and it works)

I've wired the setup as follows:
ESP-->Arduino
Rx Tx
Tx Rx
3v3 3.3V (from regulator)
EN 3.3V (regulator)
RST 3.3V (regulator)
GND GND (common between Arduino, regulator, and battery)

3v3 - Vcc
EN- enable pin (i think the same as CH_PD)
RST- reset pin

Even after this, I cannot get the red light on the ESP board to turn on. I have never even seen the red light flicker/flash, but the blue LED (indicating serial comm) blinks every time power is turned on. Perhaps the ESP is damaged? I've tried with the RST pin connected to nothing or to 3.3V but this does not have any effect.

Am I completely missing something, because I cannot get the ESP to power on at all, which in turn is preventing me from sending or testing any serial commands with it. Been stuck for a few days now, would appreciate any help.

It sounds like you are using the Arduino as your USB-TTL converter.
Check your circuit against http://www.martyncurrey.com/arduino-to-esp8266-serial-commincation/. He uses a Nano but the concept is the same.