Arduino Nano with ESP8266

Questions
1

Hi,
I was wondering if I could use and Arduino Nano with an ESP8266 (Like this one: WiFi MODULE - ESP8266 | All Electronics Corp.) and use it to control a WS2812B LED strip? Would I need to do anything special, or can I just follow the instructions here: Install WLED binary · Aircoookie/WLED Wiki · GitHub

Thanks!

2

The Nano would not be part of it.

3

How come? That ESP8266 (ESP-01) isn’t a stand-alone board is it?

4

Would I be able to use an Arduino to flash the WLED firmware? Like seen here: (ThingSpeak, Arduino & the ESP8266. Video 2 : Flashing Firmware onto the ESP8266! - YouTube)?

5

Yes, the ESP-01 can be stand-alone, but I guess it depends on your definition.

You could use an Arduino to flash if you don’t have a USB/TTL converter like this.

6

Ok, thanks! I’ll work with that and use an Arduino to flash the firmware. I would just need a different power supply for it and the LED strips as the ESP is 3.3V and the LEDs are 5V.

7

Also, would I just be able to attach power, ground, and the LEDs to the ESP-01 and it work, or do I still need the Arduino after the WLED firmware is flashed?

8

The Arduino would just be for flashing.

Keep the wires between the ESP and the LEDs short or you will need a level shifter.

See here for more. Home · Aircoookie/WLED Wiki · GitHub

9

Thank you very much!