Tapo L920 - ws2811 light not working at all

Issues
1

Overview:

I wanted to use a TP-Link Tapo L920 RGBIC LED strip by replacing its stock controller with an ESP32 running WLED, so I could add TV ambilighting.

Whatever I do, i can’t get more than 1 led zone to light up, and the one that does, is a fixed color, i can’t change it.

My Setup:

Stock 12V Tapo PSU, reusing the existing strip, WLED on esp32. I read that the strip is a 12v ws2811. So I got a level shifter (SN74AHCT125N), and 680uF capacitor for bulk smoothing (accross 12+ & -)

My Problem:

Despite correct power, grounding, and multiple wiring/config combinations, the Tapo L920 strip never responded correctly to WLED. I tried different GPIOs, bypassed the SN74AHCT125N.

Simplified the setup to the absolute minimum (ESP32 GPIO → strip DATA, common GND, 12 V PSU → strip), no capacitor, resistor or level shifters.

And reduced the LED count to 1. But no matter what my LED count is, only the first three LEDs, (just the first zone) would light up in a fixed color, I cannot control their color or address additional zones.

I feel that if this bare minimum test didn’t work, then the strip is fundamentally not compatible or something? I was hoping to atleast see flicker, to which I would add a resistor, a lvl shifter to optimize, but I got nothing.

Any ideas?

The strip was 50zones, 3leds per zone. It has a +, - along with a DI and -R1, which I think I backup input. I’m powering the esp32 from its usb for now.

I realise that I’ve not wired the lvl shifter by connecting the remaining A and Y points together. But am I wrong to assume that even without that I should atleast get more than one zone active?

Check if the schematics are correct.

circuit_image
circuit_image1920×718 249 KB

2

Does you strip actually have a clock in (and so is not WS2811)?

You don’t have the level shifter wired correctly, see: Other Hardware - WLED Project

Do you have a photo of your setup?

3

Hey, no my strip doesn’t have clock in, this was the only 4 connection point strip that the diagram website had.

Hmm okay, I’ll try that wiring, thanks

4

If the ‘N’ wire on your strip happens to be backup data it should be connected to ground. The big question is what is that ‘N’ connection for exactly :thinking:

Did you test the strip with the Tapo controller to make sure it actually works?

5

I think you’re talking about the -R1 wire. Yes I did test with the tapo controller, it works like normal. And I even saw in side the controller. There’s only three wires going out. So it must be +, - and data.