An ESP32-based Ethernet controller with level-shifting eight port HAT to control 8 LED pixel strings and/or strips
Note: We now have 12V and 5V versions of the board available. If you run 12V pixels, you can order the 12V version and use the same power supply as your pixels without having to use a buck converter or separate power supply to get 5V to the controller. Also available is a 3D printed mount. Make your selection for these in the drop down menu when you add items to your cart.
What is it?
This is a board to control WS2812, WS2811, WS2815 and various other protocol LED lights. It uses an ESP32-based WT32-ETH01 board with a custom HAT that shifts the 3.3V signals from the ESP32 to 5V signals expected by strings and strips of LEDs. It comes installed with WLED software that supports both Ethernet and WiFi connectivity. This can be used to control simple animations of LED lights as well as receive E1.31 and DDP data for sequenced light shows from programs such as Vixen and xLights and Falcon Player. This board has 8 outputs to control 8 separate light strings.
Why did you make it?
I wanted a board that could control my LED lights during high frame rate (40 FPS) sequenced light shows as well as run WLED to control the lights during other times of the year. My WiFi-only-based WLED controllers could not handle high frame rates for sequenced light shows wirelessly. Other higher end controllers had their own proprietary software that worked with light shows, but didn’t run WLED. This board allows me to run high frame rate sequences seamlessly without stagger or lag.
What makes it special?
It is an Ethernet pixel controller that runs WLED and supports high frame rate pixels shows. Unlike dig-uno and dig-quad boards, it has Ethernet built in without extra cost and can support high frame rates without lagging or staggering. It has 8 outputs so you can control up to 8 separate strings of LED lights.
Note: This board needs outputs a data signal to LED lights. It does NOT output the 5V or 12V to power LED lights. It only sends a data signal. You will need to properly connect a power source to your LED strips or strings in addition to connecting data from this board to control the pixels.
12V Power Source: If you have a 12V power supply, order the version that has a voltage regulator built in and avoid having to use a separate power supply or external buck converter to power the board.
Led Pin Assignments:
- Led 1: Pin 2
- Led 2: Pin 4
- Led 3: Pin 12
- Led 4: Pin 14
- Led 5: Pin 15
- Led 6: Pin 17
- Led 7: Pin 5
- Led 8: Pin 33
Recommended maximum number of pixels per pin:
- 40 Frames Per Second: 500 pixels/pin (has been tested to 600 pixels/port)
- 20 Frames Per Second: 800 pixels/pin