I am using an ESP32 board with WLED 15.0 installed. I have breadboard jumper wires that connect power to the board from my 5V 160W transformer. I have two 5M LEDS strips connected (800 individual LED’s). I connected to the access point and then entered my wifi network credentials. I successfully connected and used the WLED app to test the effects and change colors, etc. Everything was working just fine until I it was time to tuck all the components away neatly.
I moved the board around and then suddenly the lights stopped working. I could no longer connect to the board via the WLED app. I thought maybe the jumper wires came loose so I checked, they seemed fine. I even disconnected and reconnected the jumper wires to power the board off and on. I disconnected/reconnected to my wifi. I can no longer see the access point show up in my networks. The red light on the board is still on.
Do I need reflash the board?
Also, unrelated question, I think…can I keep the ESP32 board outside? It is currently in a junction box to protect it from the weather. My whole set up is for LED lights in my gazebo so it needs to be outdoors. I was recently using a VEGAS purple board from domestic automation but it suddenly stopped working a week later. The LED lights on the board no longer light up. I’m thinking the hot climate destroyed the board. Will the same thing happen to my ESP32 board?
I ended up reflashed the ESP board and that solved my problem. I am able to connect again. I’m just now sure why moving the board caused an issue. It is sensitive I guess. Maybe I will try soldering instead of using jumper wires.
I still need some insight into why my Vegas board stopped working. I really hope my ESP board isn’t going to die on me too. I have attached some screenshots of my configuration and how I’m storing the ESP board. Hopefully I’m not frying anything.
Esp’s are cheap and sometimes the firmware can get corrupted. Many times a simple reflash can solve issues.
As for your junction box setup: I would highly recommend soldering your connections. Breadboard jumper wires are really only designed for crude ‘test’ setups and are not designed as a permanent solution. If soldering is an issue you could buy a breakout board that offers screw terminals like these:
I would also recommend mounting your power supply and controller in that box vs just letting them hang there loose.
Simple 90deg angle brackets from a hardware store would likely work for the power supply and most power supplies use M4 screws. There are also these.
To mount the controller you can either screw it directly to the mounting plate or use standoffs
Here is a pic of one of my control boxes that is way over the top compared to your setup needs but it shows everything mounted to the mounting plate.
I don’t think you will need any venting, but if you do decide you need venting you could drill a hole in the cover and install one of these. I would put wood behind the cover so you don’t crack it when drilling through.
Note: there may be cheaper options on Amazon for what I have linked, so it may be good to have a lil search. *If thinking about any future projects, they also had offerings where you could order like 3x esp32’s along with breakout boards for I think it was like $16.
Actually your power supply has 1 mounting hole that I can see in your pic (circled in red). There may also be another one by the screw terminals if you flip it over. Often times the no name ones have one there.
Thank you for the response! Your junction box is so neatly organized compared to mine…lol. I’m a rookie. I ordered the breakout board since soldering might be tough. I also ordered the standoffs. Thanks for the tips!
Should I be running my wires behind the mounting plate like you did? Or is it okay to stick out in front?
Has the heat build up in your junction box ever cause your components to malfunction? I’m still curious why my Vegas board no longer works.
You don’t need to run them behind the board. I just did it because it was neater and because I have a lot of wires. There are 8 xConnect cables behind there to 8 gpio’s so that alone is 24 wires
I have never had any issues with things getting too hot, but my lights are only ever on at night when it’s a bit cooler out and there is no sun. That box pictured is only used at xmas time and it snows here
I do have a cpl other boxes that I use for the week of the 4th of July and they sit right in the sun on my dock and have never had an issue. Again I’m only drawing high power at night time.
Example:
I have this pictured box below under my deck and it is working fine tonight and right now the temp outside is 90deg (kinda rare for 8pm at night here). *It does have two reallly small vents in it, only because the box came that way. I doubt they do much.
