# Help with multiple led strips **URL:** \ **Category:** Issues\ **Created:** [January 9, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712 "2024-01-09T19:42:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![seancmalloy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/seancmalloy/32/5784_2.png) [@seancmalloy](https://wled.discourse.group/u/seancmalloy)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/1 "2024-01-09T19:42:56Z")
I have a ws2814 24v strip cut into 4 66 led (11 ic groups) individual strips powered by 200w 24v ps and controlled by esp32 using 4 pins (16,17,18,19). While using 1 pin to control 1 strip it works fine but when trying to use all 4 it doesn’t; just blinks random patterns. It is the same when trying to control 4 strips with 1 pin. Any help is appreciated. I can provide video, but cant post them here. ![20240109_142315](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/d/d7dbf50481310c592dc2dfcff0824dfbd6fd465d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![divsys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@divsys](https://wled.discourse.group/u/divsys)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 11:23pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/2 "2024-01-09T23:23:19Z")
Have you tried to incrementally increase the number of LEDs you light until you start to see failures? You could also try to light a set of the furthest LEDs (create a segment of LEDs 250-264) and try to control those without lighting the earlier LEDs. Have you measured the strip voltage from start to end, to look for voltage drop issues? ---
**Author:** ![seancmalloy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/seancmalloy/32/5784_2.png) [@seancmalloy](https://wled.discourse.group/u/seancmalloy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 12:12am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/3 "2024-01-10T00:12:31Z")
Yes. I can control 1 66 led strip on 1 pin flawless. After i add another 66 led strip on second pin it seems ok but blinks once in awhile. But after i add the 3rd or 4th they all start randomly blink. At first I thought was because i was trying to control 4 segments with 1 pin, but after trying using dedicated pin per strip had same problem. This is strange because i have the same setup but with 1 whole 300 led strip that doesnt do this, only difference is the strip is in 4 segments that im trying to control with multiple pins. Power is not issue. The 4 66 led strips are directly connected to 24v 200w ps. Not sure what best pins to use. 16-19 all work as long as you dont use all at same time. Not sure if using resistors would help. ---
**Author:** ![divsys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@divsys](https://wled.discourse.group/u/divsys)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 7:24am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/4 "2024-01-10T07:24:31Z")
Do you have a proper levelshifter in place? What version of WLED are you running? Any of the GPIOs from 16-33 should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![seancmalloy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/seancmalloy/32/5784_2.png) [@seancmalloy](https://wled.discourse.group/u/seancmalloy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 2:13pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/5 "2024-01-10T14:13:21Z")
No. I did not think i needed it because the signal wires are short, but that may make sense. Im using wled .14 on esp-wroom-32 on breakout at 5.5v. I have not had to use level shifter before not that familiar with it. I can this something like this, correct (3.3-5v) ![81UgQyxWHVL.AC_SL1500](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/9/90fbff0e095d3f084454d6067bf6e4549b833bcb.jpeg) or this ![61cZFOQDADL.SL1001](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/e/e44c668f123ed2c5e889dcbd12b9c3dadf94c6ef.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![divsys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@divsys](https://wled.discourse.group/u/divsys)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 2:50pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/6 "2024-01-10T14:50:21Z")
Those look like opto-isolators, they’re not proper level shifters. Look at the section in the KB on [Levelshifters](https://kno.wled.ge/basics/compatible-hardware/#levelshifters) If you want to use 4 GPIOs, the 74AHCT125 will work well as it only needs a 5V power supply. For every channel you want to activate, you connect it’s ~OE pin to Gnd and feed the GPIO to the respective A input. The shifted data comes out on the Y pin. You don’t need the resistors in your setup, but make sure to use the 100nF bypass capacitor near pin 14 on the chip (tied to ground). ---
**Author:** ![seancmalloy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/seancmalloy/32/5784_2.png) [@seancmalloy](https://wled.discourse.group/u/seancmalloy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 8:53pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/7 "2024-01-10T20:53:05Z")
OK. Ill try it. I found this, looks like it will fit me better than breadboard chip. Thanks 4 tip > **[Hi-Speed 8-Ch Logic Level Converter Module - ProtoSupplies](https://protosupplies.com/product/hi-speed-8-ch-logic-level-converter-module/)** > > The Hi-Speed SPI Logic Level Converter Module can convert logic levels up or down anywhere from 1.65V to 5.5V at full SPI speeds. ---
**Author:** ![divsys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@divsys](https://wled.discourse.group/u/divsys)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/8 "2024-01-10T21:00:29Z")
Those devices look good, you’ll want to tie ~OE and DIR to GND and feed your GPIO(s) into B. Data for the strip(s) will come from the corresponding A port. ---
**Author:** ![seancmalloy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/seancmalloy/32/5784_2.png) [@seancmalloy](https://wled.discourse.group/u/seancmalloy)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 8:23pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/9 "2024-01-17T20:23:35Z")
just received these modules. when you say connect ~OE and DIR to GND, what ground, on breakout board (which is grounded to ps)? and im assuming i need to put 5v to the 5v pin. unsure where the 100nF bypass capacitor goes ![High-Speed-8-Ch-Logic-Level-Converter-Module-Connections-1](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/7/714272ed64c90eeca8087dcf5d91ce696105ef45.png) ---
**Author:** ![divsys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@divsys](https://wled.discourse.group/u/divsys)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/10 "2024-01-17T21:32:32Z")
5V from the power supply to 5V on the PCB Ground (or shorthand GND) should be common across all the devices attached to the LEDs and go to your PS. For the ~OE/DIR pins, you can connect to ground on the breakout board or the actual PCB, your choice. They should effectively be at 0V if everything is wired correctly. As far as the capacitor, it looks like those are already include on your PCB (to the right of A2-A3 and left of B2-B3). Looks good to go! ---
**Author:** ![seancmalloy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/seancmalloy/32/5784_2.png) [@seancmalloy](https://wled.discourse.group/u/seancmalloy)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 9:41pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/11 "2024-01-17T21:41:30Z")
better but no quite there, it only powers up 2 & 3/4 of strips. and 2nd strips 1st ic led group is different color; think i need to replace this strip due to faulty ic chip. ![20240117_162903](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/8/8a79e2e17833813f154da707b5562ec6f8d96d91.jpeg) ![20240117_162829](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/9/995e7a01a97674665463948a2fadcc259095beeb.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![divsys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@divsys](https://wled.discourse.group/u/divsys)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/12 "2024-01-17T22:05:45Z")
Before you make any changes, can you get proper colour and effect control of the LEDs that do light up? Also check you have the correct start and end points for the segment(s) your displaying. ---
**Author:** ![seancmalloy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/seancmalloy/32/5784_2.png) [@seancmalloy](https://wled.discourse.group/u/seancmalloy)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 10:54pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/help-with-multiple-led-strips/10712/13 "2024-01-17T22:54:10Z")
color changes works on the leds that come on. i got bad ic group (1st group on 2 strips, will replace) only does blue . order looks good 0-11, 11-22, 22-33, 33-44. wait a sec, effects are running like these are 1 strip not 4 of the same. got to make segments. voila, everything is working like it should, besides bad ic in strips. good call. thanks. ![20240117_174509](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/1/194f4aae5bbb059010c30694d6ce2a92aa5460f2.jpeg) ![20240117_174555](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/7/7ff5693510941532b06d6044d5e4040d15e16b6b.jpeg)