ESP32 LED Controller 💡

A custom ESP32-based controller for WS2812B/SK6812/WS2814 LED strips with web interface and Alexa integration.

Latest Version: V2 includes 24V RGBW support (WS2814), temperature/humidity monitoring, and enhanced status LEDs.

Versions

Version 2

✅ Released - Latest version in main branch

Version 1

✅ Released - Tagged as v1.0.0

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Version 2 Documentation

The following documentation applies to Version 2 of the project. All files are located in the v2/ directory.

✨ Features

• 🎨 Web Interface - Real-time control with environment monitoring
• 🗣️ Alexa Integration - Voice control support
• 🔘 Physical Buttons - Manual brightness/mode control
• 🌈 Multiple Effects - Rainbow, chase, breathing animations
• 📱 Custom Colors - Full RGBW color picker
• 🌡️ Temperature & Humidity - AHT20 sensor for environment monitoring
• 💡 Status LEDs - 3x RGB status indicators (Power, WiFi, Strip)
• ⚡ 24V RGBW Support - WS2814 LED strips with dedicated white channel

📁 Project Structure

v2/
├── code/                      # Arduino code & web interface
│   └── esp32-ws2814/          # WS2814 (RGBW) version
│       ├── data/              # Web interface files
│       │   ├── index.html     # Main web UI
│       │   ├── style.css      # Styling
│       │   └── app.js         # JavaScript controls
│       └── esp32-ws2814.ino   # Arduino sketch
├── kicad/                     # KiCad PCB project files
└── assets/                    # Board photos & schematics

🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

1. Arduino IDE with ESP32 support
2. Required Libraries:
   • Adafruit NeoPixel (for WS2814 RGBW)
   • FastLED (for status LEDs)
   • FauxmoESP (Alexa integration)
   • AsyncTCP & ESPAsyncWebServer (ESP32 versions)
   • LittleFS (file system)
   • Adafruit AHTX0 (temperature sensor)

Installation

1. Add ESP32 Board Support:

   File → Preferences → Additional Board Manager URLs:
   https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/gh-pages/package_esp32_index.json
   

2. Board Configuration:

   • Board: "ESP32S3 Dev Module"
   • Flash Size: "8MB"
   • Partition Scheme: "8M with spiffs (3MB APP/1.5MB SPIFFS)"

3. Install Libraries via Library Manager

Upload Process

1. Configure Settings in the .ino file:

   const char* ssid = "Your_WiFi_Network";
   const char* password = "Your_WiFi_Password";
   #define DEVICE_NAME "Your_Alexa_Device_Name"
   #define WIFI_HOSTNAME "Your_Device_Hostname"
   #define WEB_SERVER_PORT 8080  // Your preferred port
   #define NUM_LEDS 60  // Your LED count
   

2. Upload Web Files:

   • Install Arduino LittleFS Upload plugin
   • Place the data folder in your sketch directory
   • Use: Cmd + Shift + P, then select "Upload LittleFS to Pico/ESP8266/ESP32"

3. Upload Arduino Sketch normally

Programming via USB

The v2 board uses an ESP32-S3 with built-in USB - no need for an external USB-to-serial adapter.

USB Connection:

• Connect a USB-C cable directly to the ESP32-S3's USB port
• The board will show up as a serial device on your computer

Arduino IDE USB Configuration:

To get USB UART working on the Serial Monitor:

1. Board Settings (Tools menu):

   • Board: ESP32S3 Dev Module
   • USB CDC On Boot: Enabled ⚠️ Important for Serial Monitor
   • USB Mode: Hardware CDC and JTAG
   • Upload Mode: UART0 / Hardware CDC
   • Flash Size: 8MB
   • Partition Scheme: 8M with spiffs (3MB APP/1.5MB SPIFFS)
   • Upload Speed: 921600 (or lower if uploads fail)

2. Port Selection:

   • After connecting USB, select the port showing as ESP32-S3 in Tools → Port
   • macOS: Usually appears as /dev/cu.usbmodem*
   • Windows: Usually appears as COM*
   • Linux: Usually appears as /dev/ttyACM*

USB CDC On Boot Explained:

• When Enabled, the Serial Monitor will work over USB immediately after boot
• This allows you to see debug output using Serial.println() without additional hardware
• The board will enumerate as a USB serial device (CDC - Communications Device Class)

First-Time Programming:

1. Connect the board via USB-C
2. The ESP32-S3 should automatically enter bootloader mode when uploading
3. If upload fails, try:
   • Press and hold the BOOT button (if available on your board)
   • Click Upload in Arduino IDE
   • Release BOOT button when upload starts
4. Open Serial Monitor (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + M) at 115200 baud to see output

Troubleshooting:

• Port not appearing: Try a different USB cable (must support data, not just power)
• Upload fails: Lower the upload speed to 460800 or 115200
• Serial Monitor shows gibberish: Ensure baud rate is set to 115200 and USB CDC On Boot is enabled

🔌 Hardware Connections

ESP32 Pin	Connection
GPIO 40	WS2814 LED Strip Data
GPIO 41	Status LEDs (3x SK6805-EC20)
GPIO 1	I2C SCL (AHT20 Sensor)
GPIO 2	I2C SDA (AHT20 Sensor)
GPIO 4-7	Control Buttons

🌐 Usage

After successful upload:

1. WiFi Connection: Status LEDs flash yellow (5x) when connected
2. Web Interface: Visit http://[ESP32_IP]:[WEB_SERVER_PORT]

3. Alexa: Say "Alexa, turn on [your device name]"
4. Buttons: Physical controls for power/brightness/modes

🎛️ Controls

• Power Button: Long press (0.5s) to toggle on/off
• Brightness: ± buttons adjust in 10% steps
• Mode Button: Cycle through colors and effects
• Web Interface: Real-time RGBW control, effects, and environment monitoring

💡 Status LEDs

The board features 3 RGB status LEDs:

• LED 1 (Power): Always green when powered
• LED 2 (WiFi): Green when connected, Red when disconnected, Yellow during errors
• LED 3 (Strip): Green when strip is on, Red when off

⚡ Hardware

Custom PCB design includes:

• ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 (8MB Flash)
• SN74AHCT125 level shifter (3.3V → 5V for WS2814)
• LM1117S-3.3 voltage regulator
• 3x SK6805-EC20 RGB status LEDs
• AHT20 temperature & humidity sensor
• 4 control buttons
• 2.5mm barrel jack power input (24V for WS2814)

🔧 Key Differences from V1

• RGBW Support: Dedicated white channel for better white light quality
• 24V LED Strips: Uses WS2814 instead of WS2812B/SK6812
• Environment Monitoring: Built-in AHT20 temperature and humidity sensor
• Improved Status LEDs: 3x addressable RGB LEDs instead of single common anode LED
• Enhanced Web Interface: Shows temperature, humidity, and more device information
• Configurable Port: Web server port can be customized

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Version 1 Documentation

The following documentation applies to Version 1 of the project. All files are located in the v1/ directory.

✨ Features

• 🎨 Web Interface - Real-time control via browser
• 🗣️ Alexa Integration - Voice control support
• 🔘 Physical Buttons - Manual brightness/mode control
• 🌈 Multiple Effects - Rainbow, chase, breathing animations
• 📱 Custom Colors - Full RGB color picker
• 🔧 Two LED Types - WS2812B (RGB) and SK6812 (RGBW) support

📁 Project Structure

v1/
├── code/                       # Arduino code & web interface
│   ├── esp32-ws2812b/          # WS2812B (RGB) version
│   │   ├── data/               # Web interface files
│   │   │   ├── index.html      # Main web UI
│   │   │   ├── style.css       # Styling
│   │   │   └── app.js          # JavaScript controls
│   │   └── esp32-ws2812b.ino   # Arduino sketch
│   └── esp32-sk6812/           # SK6812 (RGBW) version
│       ├── data/               # Web interface files
│       └── esp32-sk6812.ino    # Arduino sketch
├── kicad/                      # KiCad PCB project files
├── gerbers/                    # Manufacturing files
├── datasheets/                 # Component datasheets
├── ibom/                       # Interactive BOM
└── assets/                     # Board photos

🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

1. Arduino IDE with ESP32 support
2. Required Libraries:
   • FastLED (for WS2812B) or Adafruit NeoPixel (for SK6812)
   • FauxmoESP (Alexa integration)
   • AsyncTCP & ESPAsyncWebServer (ESP32 versions)
   • LittleFS (file system)

Installation

1. Add ESP32 Board Support:

   File → Preferences → Additional Board Manager URLs:
   https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/gh-pages/package_esp32_index.json
   

2. Board Configuration:

   • Board: "ESP32S3 Dev Module"
   • Flash Size: "8MB"
   • Partition Scheme: "8M with spiffs (3MB APP/1.5MB SPIFFS)"

3. Install Libraries via Library Manager

4. Choose Your LED Type:

   • v1/code/esp32-ws2812b/ for standard RGB strips
   • v1/code/esp32-sk6812/ for RGBW strips with dedicated white channel

Upload Process

1. Configure Settings in the .ino file:

   const char* ssid = "Your_WiFi_Network";
   const char* password = "Your_WiFi_Password";
   #define DEVICE_NAME "Bedroom Lights"
   #define NUM_LEDS 60  // Your LED count
   

2. Upload Web Files:

   • Install Arduino LittleFS Upload plugin
   • Place the data folder in your sketch directory
   • Use: Cmd + Shift + P, then select "Upload LittleFS to Pico/ESP8266/ESP32"

3. Upload Arduino Sketch normally

🔌 Hardware Connections

ESP32 Pin	Connection
GPIO 2	LED Strip Data
GPIO 17	Status LED (Red)
GPIO 16	Status LED (Green)
GPIO 18	Status LED (Blue)
GPIO 4-7	Control Buttons

🌐 Usage

After successful upload:

1. WiFi Connection: Board flashes blue → yellow (5x) when connected
2. Web Interface: Visit http://[ESP32_IP]:8080

3. Alexa: Say "Alexa, turn on bedroom lights"
4. Buttons: Physical controls for power/brightness/modes

🎛️ Controls

• Power Button: Long press (0.5s) to toggle on/off
• Brightness: ± buttons adjust in 10% steps
• Mode Button: Cycle through colors and effects
• Web Interface: Real-time RGB control and effects

📖 Blog Post

Read the full build story and PCB design process for V1: ESP32 LED Controller

⚡ Hardware

Custom PCB design includes:

• ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 (8MB Flash)
• SN74AHCT125 level shifter (3.3V → 5V)
• LM1117S-3.3 voltage regulator
• Common anode status LED
• 4 control buttons
• 2.5mm barrel jack power input

🛠️ Development

The web interface uses vanilla JavaScript with no external dependencies. All files are served from ESP32's LittleFS for fast loading and offline operation.

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.