I have build a bookshelf and have installed SK6812 addressable LEDs in all the shelves. There are a total of 7 strips that I try to run their own data output from the controller (ESP32-WROOM-32). I use a 5v 30A power supply and each string of LEDs are about 1,20m. I have no other components installed for noise reduction or improving the dataline (which may be a problem). I tested all the strips and they work individually when I set the output on the controller, but when I begin to add more than 3 outputs, some of them begin to flicker and act weird.
I use WLED v. 0.15.0-b6 and have tried to go down to a stable v. 14 and also v. 0.15.0-b3, since someone said that may have helped, but unfortunately didn´t.
The most optimal solution would be to figure out how to get all the outputs working but if that´s not possible would I be able to just connect all the data lines to 1 output? or is there something else I could do?
I would not bundle the data lines to 1 output. If you bundle all the data lines to 1 output they will all always do the same thing. Also if doing that you are splitting the already low data signal and would very likely still need a level shifter.
I am actually having the same issue. I’ve actually added a level shifter and still can’t run more than 1 data signal. I’ve recently added several more led controllers and upgraded all of them to have a led power relay. I had esp8266 controllers before and have upgraded to esp32. During this conversion - I’ve had nothing but problems. Maybe related to the board type/vendor but not sure.
I have a hard time getting the boards to show in wled, BUT they show up in Home assistant with no problems. This has been very frustrating. I’ve checked all my router settings for UpnP and mDNS.
One LED signal and 1 relay work fine, but as soon as I add a second signal - the first goes wonky and flickers. Just connecting the wire from the level shifter causes it - with just one strip connected. I built all my new controllers with 2 outputs and they all behave the same.
I use the latest ‘release’. 14.4
All of my devices go offline and online on their own fairly often. Not in Wled. I use Wled and native. Wled on an iPhone obviously does not works well - scrabbled effects screen, but is a bit reliable when viewing/adding new devices.
Any ideas on this would be greatly appreciated. I’ve spent way too much time troubleshooting this to no avail.
What level shifter are you using, and how is it wired?
Are you testing these all with the same power supply or have you tried different ones?
You could try adding a resistor on the outputs to your LEDs, I would try 33Ω if using 3 core wire and if sperate loose wires try something higher like say 62 or 249Ω
As for an ios app, you may want to try WLED+ Also realize you don’t need to even use an app and can just type in the devices IP into a web browser to access it.
Frequent reboots may be due to HA polling the devices too frequently causing lockups/reboots. There are many threads in the forums about that.
Thanks for the response. I am using this level shifter from Amazon with 5v, 3.3v, 2grounds, gpio16 on the LV1 and LED input on the Hv1:
I have tried a couple power supplies. No luck there. They are reading a solid 12v before the dc/dc converter and a solid 5v at the board. I was having the same problem when running a 5 V power supply as well.
On the HA side, can you change the frequency? what would be a good description to search for to find other threads?
And last - why are there so many Wled apps? This is now the third one. Wled+ looks pretty good so far though. I’ll test it with the bad boards next.
Ah the normal using the wrong level shifter problem. i2c shifters are too slow for addressable LEDs, I suggest using a proper recommended shifter The SN74AHCT125 is a good choice.
If you want more info showing how those i2c shifters don’t work you can see that here: Levelshifter Analysis
I am not sure about the HA stuff, as I don’t use it. I think @ALDIY does some stuff in HA so maybe he will chime in (sorry ALDIY if I’m mistaken here)
All of the apps are community made, aside from the regular WLED one that I don’t believe is actively maintained anymore (likely due to time constraints).
Are any of the recommended level shifters able to do 8 outputs without having to buy 8 individual level shifters? My knowledge with this is very limited since I have only used the bare minimum required to run WLED, which has worked fine for 1-2 strips, but now I´m getting problems trying with 8 outputs and need to learn how to make a stable and reliable setup.
Hey , Not mistaken but I used to test a lot with HA , still do but mostly using mqtt without WLED integration as that can cause a lot of issue with wled , you could reduce some of it by disabling polling
Jinx - thank you so much for the feedback. Seems I did not read down far enough on the recommended hardware page. I see that now. I have the proper level shifter chips on order. Looks like I get to rebuild all my controllers.
Also - Wled+ is working much better as well. Thank you again for your help.
After all that is done - will have to test the no polling on HA.
Not to derail the level shifter conversation but… I’ve successfully used both varieties. I had heard that the ones you initially ordered were more for two way communication such as between a controller and a motor. I’ve have them on a number of led controllers and at a minimum they aren’t causing problems.
I might have missed this, but you are only using the DC/DC converter to send 5v to the esp32 correct? The LEDs are 12v I’m assuming? In my experience 12v and 24v addressable LEDs seem to be a bit more finicky (for whatever reason) than their 5v cousins. I’ve gotten blasted for this before, but you can always add capacitors near the start of your strips just to see if that solves the problem. They are bandaids, but ya know…sometimes a bandaid is ok. Should your issue persist with the other level shifters (as mine occasionally did) try adding caps…for funsies.
Not to derail your attempt to not derail…
I2C based levelshifters might work, just like no levelshifter at all might work.
You’re free to use what ever techniques you like to get the results you want.
But when folks ask for help, you’re going to find the recommendations will be based on what is guaranteed to be successful. There’s a reason you keep seeing the same quotes about this stuff - it’s based on the physics, not what someone managed to make work.
No offense or derogatory intent here, it’s just this topic has been beaten to death many times.
I see this same issue daily between reddit, wled support group on FB, Dr Zzs FB group, and whenever I visit discord. Either they don’t have a shifter or they are using those i2c ones.
I have found that: If using a SN74(A)HCTxxx the lights either work or will have a flash now n then. If they flash I add a 33Ω resistor. Flash gone! (I use 3 wire extension cord or xConnect so 33Ω). My newest controller build(s) I am including the 33Ω resistor, as can be seen in my pic above. There is a jumper so that if I want to disable the resistor I have the option.
I have also been seeing allot of people where their first LED on a strip is bad lately.
And should this in theory also fix the problems with multiple outputs for me 7 in total on one ESP32? I have not ordered the Level shifter yet so if I needed anything else I would like to add that. Thanks for alle the help.
