I replaced my 8266 with an ESP32 WROOM 32D and am trying to get it to work with a 300 led WS2812B. I flashed the latest WLED on to it. Can access the webpage to configure. So far no problems.
I have a 15W 5V power supply. Power enough I would think.
Here lies the problem.
The moment I connect GND and 5Vin to the board. And use datapins D2 or D3 or even GPIO16, the board is unreachable on WIFI. Did look on Youtube to connect it the right way. Even with WAGO connectors hooked up (Chris Maher) The LEDstrip never turns on.
I have tried powering it to my MacBook, charger plugs (worked with the 8266) straight to the microusb and board to led strip. Several external powerbricks.
I don’t think a 15W supply is terribly robust for 300 LEDs.
Simple test, fire up WLED with no LEDs attached and configure it for 10 LEDs only., GPIO16
Set your boot preset to some single colour R, or G, or B at 50% brightness.
Reboot the ESP32 and verify you can immediately get control and Peek shows what you config’d/
Now connect your LEDs and see if you retain control.
If so, you’ve likely got a power issue
Red/white led strip in wago’s
From wago red to board Vin
From wago white to board GND
Power from extra connector to 5V power supply also in wago’s.
Data straight from led cable data to GPIO16 on board
Tried different a ESP32 with usbc this worked immediately. With MacbookPro power supply.
It’s entirely possible different ESP’s will respond differently.
I’d still suggest 15W is too little for 300 LEDs, especially as some ESP’s can take 0.5A or more before driving any LEDs.
Still worth verifying the behaviour of your “bad” board with a very limited # of LEDs.
You might also benefit from running the ESP32 on it’s own supply independent of the LEDs’. Just remember to supply a common ground between the supplies.
If I flash it with WLED from install.wled.me, as I did 4 times I think. To be sure the software is working and connect it to an old MicroUSB charger I can access the WLED page. From here I set it to GPIO pin 16 with 10 leds.
Normally, I tested it with an old 8266, the ledstrip WS2812B (IP67), will run. ( be it on D2 pin).
With the ESP32-WROOM32D on GPIO16 on a seperate power the board has no WIFI connection to access the WLED page.
Tried same setup with an USB-C ESP32-WROOM32 (without the D) this works. Even powering it straight to this board and GPIO16. Even on an old power bank.
Sounds like an issue with the newer “D” variant.
Just a wild thought, have you tried checking the “Disable WiFi Sleep” box under Wifi configs?
You might also have a look at the serial monitor to see if anything pops up there when you connect LEDs to a working device.
Hunting about on the internet (and forums here) there is some mention about compatibility issues with a few WiFi router setups. What’s your WiFi router? You might try and lock it into “B” or “G” mode (try to keep it out of “N”)
Disable WiFi Sleep is checked. I use a AmplifiHD for house connections. I skip using the 32D board. Ordered some extra 32 boards. And all I wanted was to create Christmas lightstrip decorations at the front door.