ESP-NOW sync guidance

Questions
1

I have a few Adafruit Spark Motion Sticks(ESP32-PICO-D2) and I have WLED 16.0.1 on each. I have been trying without any luck to get them to sync over ESP-NOW using the ESP-NOW sync in the sync interfaces but either I don’t understand how ESP-NOW works or I have something misconfigured.

My setup is pretty basic I think.

From a fresh flash via webui:

  • WiFi - No network name because I don’t want the devices to connect to a WiFi network.
  • WiFi - configure AP (Each is a unique SSID/Password) - all are on the same channel
  • WiFi - Enable ESP-NOW, reboot.
  • Sync Interface - Enable ESP-NOW sync.
  • Sync Interface - All devices send and receive on group 1.
  • Enable Sync in the webui.

I receive a message that reports it can’t reach lights and the UI locks up.

I’m trying to create a mesh, where the devices can spilt off in sets and return and immediately sync to the group. I’m not too worried about range or one of the units catching a stray color change.

I couldn’t find much documentation on the feature, and I be grateful if someone has any guidance on the ESP-NOW sync feature specifically. I don’t really want to connect all the devices to one stick if I don’t have to.

2

Upstream WLED, even though it says “ESP-NOW sync”, has a very limited implementation (I can tell since I wrote it).

To be fair, ESP-NOW sync will have limitations even when properly implemented. This is due to limited packet size, maximum transfer speed (which is <1Mbps) and “inability” to coexist with WiFi set-up.

In my fork I’ve tried to enhance and improve ESP-NOW sync but it is still WIP as I lost interest since very few people required it and my own needs were better served by adding additional access points to my WiFi. I may return to it at some point as I have a project in mind that will require it (large area installation).

If you want meshing support using ESP-NOW protocol you may want to look into Steve Eisner’s WLED-Tubes and his usermod. However, be warned that it was written with his objectives in mind only. It may or may not fit your needs.