Starting out and looking for Esp8266 info..

darrenr

Apprentice elf
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Nov 14, 2016
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Bondi, NSW
Hey Team,
I'm a Noob here, and am starting from scratch and planning a setup with maybe a couple of thousand lights to begin with. To set the scene, I live in a semi-detached house with a small front yard and most of the lights will be on the facade of the house (outline) and the front fence and hedges, so distance is not really a problem.

However, I have some experience with ESP8622 boards (via my home automation setup) and what I can tell from watching the video from the previous Adelaide Mini that these can be used as very cost effective replacement for the traditional pixel controller.

I've read the 101 manual and get the concepts. Keen to go with all intellignet RBG strings and srtips, building as I go. Can anyone please point me in the right direction on getting more info on getting started with this and how to proceed with ESP8622 controllers?

So, as I said I'm starting from scratch, to the goal is reduce the cost and number of cables as much as possible.

Many thanks
Darren
 

David_AVD

Grandpa Elf
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I don't know that there's a huge amount of info on the ESP8266 here. There are a few detailed threads on the DIYC forum though if that helps.
 

darrenr

Apprentice elf
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Nov 14, 2016
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Location
Bondi, NSW
OK fair enough, thanks, I'll have a look there.
I'm going to do a proof of concept, any suggestions for some lights and a power supply to get me going, and can be used later once I scale things up.
Thanks
Darren
 

marmalade

cats & pixels
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Dec 1, 2015
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newcastle
dan has started development of a local esp based board https://auschristmaslighting.com/threads/espixelsticks.9370/ and he may be able to help out with some test boards.

I use the espixelstick from shelby on diyc and they work flawlessly, but they are relatively hard to get and work out to be about AU$40 ea once shipping and echange rate is factored in. A cheap 5m strip of 2811 or 2812 leds and a 12V 50w psu is all that needed, but you will immediately want something bigger/better once you see it up and running :)
 

davros

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Mar 9, 2017
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Somewhere Cold
...
I use the espixelstick from shelby on diyc and they work flawlessly, but they are relatively hard to get and work out to be about AU$40 ea once shipping and echange rate is factored in. ...
The PCBs for version 1 are on OSHPARK ($3-$4 ea shipped) if you DIY and might work out cheaper?
 

marmalade

cats & pixels
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Dec 1, 2015
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newcastle
Hi Davros, yes the V1 are significantly less expensive (up to $10-12 cheaper if buying the pcbs/components in bulk). However the time taken to assemble the V1's is significant compared to the V2 (smd's already installed), and the design of the V1's meant the regulator runs quite hot (tbh, very hot!) I placed all the V1's (pcbs purchased from OSH) where they had adequate access to free flowing air,and they ran without issue.

Enclosing the V1's in sealed pvc pipe was worriesome due to the heat issues, so all the outdoor ones were V2's, and they worked without a hitch :)
 

SmartAlecLights

Im a SmartAlec what can i say!
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I've got a bit of knowledge with the esp range of chips.
I made my own version of the espixelstick, an called it the pixel wifi
I also have wifi home automation, an made my own boards for around the house
there's a couple of threads on diyc about people doing multi universe's, but from what i read, it just was'nt stable enouth an dropping e1.31 packets,
but for 1-2 universe's there fine.
 

marmalade

cats & pixels
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newcastle
my single megatree espixelstick is pushing out 2268 channels (over 4 universes) without any jitter/lag at all, on a sub $200 wifi router shared on my home network and with six other 1-2 universe pixelsticks operating concurrently.

For those that are having problems getting more than 2 uni's from them it would have to be other external factors, it's an impressive little device otherwise.

Isn't the pixel wifi you have based on the nrf24 though alec?
 

SmartAlecLights

Im a SmartAlec what can i say!
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my single megatree espixelstick is pushing out 2268 channels (over 4 universes) without any jitter/lag at all, on a sub $200 wifi router shared on my home network and with six other 1-2 universe pixelsticks operating concurrently.

For those that are having problems getting more than 2 uni's from them it would have to be other external factors, it's an impressive little device otherwise.

Isn't the pixel wifi you have based on the nrf24 though alec?
the pixel wifi is esp-01 based
 

darrenr

Apprentice elf
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Nov 14, 2016
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Bondi, NSW
Can anyone please tell me what does the ESPixelstick has in addition to the NodeMCU board? I have a stack of NodeMCUs already and would love to use them if possible?
 

Kockie_nl

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Nov 3, 2016
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the Netherlands
A voltage regulator and some handy terminals + buttons to program.
I use regular NodeMCUs of even bare esp's (with espixelstick firmware) which i wire with the neccesary power (3V for board, 5 V for pixels)
Programming is a 1-time job, so I use a paperclip to short gpio0 when programming instead of a switch
 
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