ESP32 or Controller?

[Kolin]

I would like to know why I couldn't make my own controller from ESP32 boards and power supply distribution hardware (Fused). Is it just easier to buy some kind of controller like a Falcon, or am I missing something?

 

[TerryK]

You can if you have the skillset. There are a number of ACL members who use the ESP8266 SBC or something similar. A ESPixelstick for example:

ESPixelStick V3 - Forkineye

The ESPixelStick V3 is a WiFi Pixel and DMX single output controller for WS2811, GECE, and DMX512 devices using E1.31 sACN and DDP protocols.

forkineye.com

A step up would be something like a BBB or RPi with a cape/hat. In my opinion, individuals use Falcons and similar controllers because they can control larger displays (more strings and pixels), in some cases with less/easier programming, and typically it's easier to design a display because of the controller's greater/better capabilities (ports, expansion, firmware, etc.).

 

[orlandoal]

Kolin,

Not an expert here by any stretch of the imagination, I went from A/C lights to LED RGB's last year, when controllers were really hard/almost impossible to find. I did however manage to get hold of some ESP32 boards, running WLED.

There is no reason at all that you cannot build your own controllers.

I purchased some CG1500 cases, some meanwell PSU's some power distribution boards, a few ethernet switches & connectors etc. and built my own controllers. If you take it slowly, you should have no problems building exactly what you need.

Smaller ESP32 boards with 2,3,4,6,8 ports/outputs are a good size to be able to put out to control small clusters of props, if you need to do that sort of thing.

You can connect the ESP's via WiFi or with ethernet, so pretty flexible on that front as well, I am not putting down the big boy controllers, I just could not get any, so had to think of a way to achieve my goals. If I could have got Falcons, I would have purchased those, but the ESP32's and WLED did not let me down at all.

I am attaching a few pics so you can see what is possible with a little time and effort. Attaced are pics of a six port and eight port controller, with the six port controllers, I used the two spare distribution board ports as power injection feeds, if required.

I am sure you will get loads of feedback for the pros & cons of building your own controllers, from people much more knowledgable than me.

Good luck

 

[Kolin]

Thank you for the response! I have been playing around with ESP8266, ESP32, TTL to RS485, and a USB to DMX dongle. I used 6 ESP8266 and 1 ESP 32 plus the USB to DMX to control a bunch of strings and DMX floods and 4 moving heads via Xlights. I was wondering if the Controllers are simply microcontrollers and power distribution and packaged for the user. I like the idea of building my own, but I just wasn't sure if I was building myself into a corner and would end up having to buy a controller like a Falcon. So, if the main difference between DYI and prebuilt is convenience then I think I will continue.

Again, thank you for your response!

 

[Notenoughlights]

There's nothing wrong with either method, esp32's or a purpose-built controller, both will work just fine. Ideally you would be using an ethernet connection to the ESP module as controlling a large number of leds over WiFi if the signal is not strong can get choppy.
There are prebuilt ESP32 controllers available, some listed in posts above, there are also QuinLED controllers, 1(2) outputs, 4 outputs, 8 outputs etc all based on an ESP32 capable of running WLED or ESPixelStick firmware. https://quinled.info/pre-assembled-boards/

Just remember that esp32 controllers are limited to 2000~ pixels across all outputs before you start to notice framerate drops where as purpose built controllers, falcon, or BBB based controllers can handle tens of thousands. Just something to think about if you plan to run a lot of pixels from one controller.

 

[Kolin]

Kolin,

Not an expert here by any stretch of the imagination, I went from A/C lights to LED RGB's last year, when controllers were really hard/almost impossible to find. I did however manage to get hold of some ESP32 boards, running WLED.

There is no reason at all that you cannot build your own controllers.

I purchased some CG1500 cases, some meanwell PSU's some power distribution boards, a few ethernet switches & connectors etc. and built my own controllers. If you take it slowly, you should have no problems building exactly what you need.

Smaller ESP32 boards with 2,3,4,6,8 ports/outputs are a good size to be able to put out to control small clusters of props, if you need to do that sort of thing.

You can connect the ESP's via WiFi or with ethernet, so pretty flexible on that front as well, I am not putting down the big boy controllers, I just could not get any, so had to think of a way to achieve my goals. If I could have got Falcons, I would have purchased those, but the ESP32's and WLED did not let me down at all.

I am attaching a few pics so you can see what is possible with a little time and effort. Attaced are pics of a six port and eight port controller, with the six port controllers, I used the two spare distribution board ports as power injection feeds, if required.

I am sure you will get loads of feedback for the pros & cons of building your own controllers, from people much more knowledgable than me.

Good luck

Awesome! Thank You!!!.

This is the first time I have joined a chat and I am so happy that I did. This question has been puzzling me for a few months.

I was an electronics tech in the Navy and electronics and computers have always been my hobby and what lets me unwind and refresh my energy for the rest of the world. I think that makes me an introvert.

I just stumbled into lighting a few months back and know I am going to love it and someday be able to give back to others.

Best

Kolin

 

[pixelated]

You may want to look at this guy: https://www.wemos.cc/en/latest/d32/d32_pro.html You use an SD card with an so you wifi does not get overloaded and cables are not needed.
Then check out this firmware: https://github.com/forkineye/ESPixelStick
There are individuals that run their entire (big) show using these two items.

 

[Kolin]

Thank you, I will look into those solutions

 

[Skymaster]

ESP32 with ESPixelStick or WLED _is a controller_. It takes in networked channel data (e1.31/ddp/etc) and spits out WS2811 data.

No different to the likes of any of the FPP based ones, such as Kulp, Hanson (both) etc. It's all done in software. Just that the CPU on the ESP doesn't have the guts of the beagle bone.
Falcons, advateks etc do it in hardware and more specialised code so that the timing is more accurate.
Geniuis are a mix of esp32 and rp2040 chips, each doing their own bit.

Many smaller controllers like ESPs (ethernet based, steer away from WiFi) in a layout gives the same benefits of a single f48 with receivers, cat5 out to the prop, and breaking it out there. The difference is just how they work.

 

[ScientificHobbyist]

I did my first light show last year (2022) and couldn't find the "big" controllers. I ended up doing my whole (small) show with five ESP32's running WLED.

 

[Whitey-]

I did my first light show last year (2022) and couldn't find the "big" controllers. I ended up doing my whole (small) show with five ESP32's running WLED.

Lights are cool and all, but a full ESP driven show is actually what I'm interested in building for my first year too, very cool!

@ScientificHobbyist - do you have a write up or more information on your setup? Would love to see more, especially a list of components. That box looks very clean!

 

[Roland]

I'm currently using a Raspberry pI 4 with 8x ESP8266 - system is the off the grid powered by a 12V battery topped up with a solar panel during the day. Two of the enclosures leaked and the board got soaked with water - they still ran for several weeks soaked with water... replaced the 2x ESP8266 with the newer ESP32's . System runs of its own dedicated WiFi network and has been super stable. Each ESP8266 is controlling a single string of 500 pixels. The ESP32 can handle 4x strings of 500 around 2000 pixels in total at 40fps.

 

[DroneMaster278]

I did my first light show last year (2022) and couldn't find the "big" controllers. I ended up doing my whole (small) show with five ESP32's running WLED.

To reply to this, i created my light show this year, with 2 ESP32s, but i had problems with 2 out of every 3 ESP32s. I could install WLED, but 2/3 quit and i could not revive them. They would not even take a blank sketch. WLED works superb for the price, when it works on the arduino. Any ideas why my ESP32s quit?

 

[MikeKrebs]

Were they a "name brand" esp32? Or bottom of the heap?

If you trace the power circuit, do you get past the 3.3v regulator?

 

[DroneMaster278]

I bought 6 of these, and i decided to transition to an Ethernet board this year, where i plan to triple my setup. Any ideas if i can revive these esp32s? i never used the 3.3v pin, and it would be weird if only one out of three work.