# WLED controller board for outside applications with external antenna **URL:** \ **Category:** Projects\ **Created:** [February 5, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65 "2020-02-05T16:51:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![srg74](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/srg74/32/3018_2.png) [@srg74](https://wled.discourse.group/u/srg74)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 1:36pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65/21 "2020-04-07T13:36:42Z")
@mike2nl I dod have a BOM pdf file in the “resources” folder . ---
**Author:** ![OneAn9ryN00b](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ccd318/32.png) [@OneAn9ryN00b](https://wled.discourse.group/u/OneAn9ryN00b)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 1:43pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65/22 "2020-04-07T13:43:52Z")
The difference i had to do, was that, when I plugged in the 3.3v, my FTDI got really hot, and PC would not detect it. This was without plugging into the 12v main power. So I unplugged the 3.3v, and tried plugging in the maine 12v and the PC recognize it on COM3, but wouldn’t program. I’m using the RX and TX headers marked on the serial, which I believe go through the Level Shifter…Should I try connecting straight to the RX/TX on the ESP-07S? ---
**Author:** ![srg74](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/srg74/32/3018_2.png) [@srg74](https://wled.discourse.group/u/srg74)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 2:01pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65/23 "2020-04-07T14:01:08Z")
@OneAn9ryN00b Hi. If you read description to the board it clearly stating that serial is 5V. Most of the people don’t pay attention on logic levels so that is the reason why I did this board 5V TTL. ---
**Author:** ![OneAn9ryN00b](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ccd318/32.png) [@OneAn9ryN00b](https://wled.discourse.group/u/OneAn9ryN00b)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 2:08pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65/24 "2020-04-07T14:08:34Z")
@srg74 I was plugging into the 3.3v labeled on the I2C header. On the serial, I don’t see any power headers. just two GNDs, two NC’s, and an RX and a TX. Where should i be plugging the 5v from my FTDI? ---
**Author:** ![srg74](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/srg74/32/3018_2.png) [@srg74](https://wled.discourse.group/u/srg74)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65/25 "2020-04-07T14:17:34Z")
@OneAn9ryN00b There is no power on serial port for a reason. I want to make sure if it’s a permanent installation and you still need to do some radical updates you not bringing power from serial connector. So on connector you have only TX, RX and Ground. Power up your board check if all power is correct. Disconnect power and then connect only RX, TX and ground from you serial adapter. Short IO0 header with jumper and power a board. Remove IO0 header jumper. Now you should be able to upload your bin file. ---
**Author:** ![OneAn9ryN00b](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ccd318/32.png) [@OneAn9ryN00b](https://wled.discourse.group/u/OneAn9ryN00b)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65/26 "2020-04-07T14:52:56Z")
@srg74 No go, same error: Timed out waiting for packet header ---
**Author:** ![srg74](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/srg74/32/3018_2.png) [@srg74](https://wled.discourse.group/u/srg74)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 2:59pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65/27 "2020-04-07T14:59:09Z")
@OneAn9ryN00b Please give me chance I will tested and give you answers ASAP. I’m not on quarantine so have to work. ---
**Author:** ![OneAn9ryN00b](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ccd318/32.png) [@OneAn9ryN00b](https://wled.discourse.group/u/OneAn9ryN00b)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 3:00pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65/28 "2020-04-07T15:00:49Z")
I was finally able to get it. I had to plug my RX into the bottom pin of IO3. Updated with pic: ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/1X/9f18fb22efbaaa2023bdc410e46f0af274f34cfe.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![srg74](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/srg74/32/3018_2.png) [@srg74](https://wled.discourse.group/u/srg74)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 4:22pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65/29 "2020-04-07T16:22:38Z")
Looks like you found my error. I will take a look closer. Thank you ---
**Author:** ![lathemaster](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/lathemaster/32/2916_2.png) [@lathemaster](https://wled.discourse.group/u/lathemaster)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65/30 "2022-03-06T20:41:42Z")
First looks like a well done controller. I am looking over the v0.8 materials. Can you or anyone give a rough sketch as to how this controler is connected to a set of LEDs just to blow the cobwebs out of my head Thanks in advance Mike ---
**Author:** ![srg74](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/srg74/32/3018_2.png) [@srg74](https://wled.discourse.group/u/srg74)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2022, 10:33pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65/31 "2022-03-06T22:33:08Z")
Noting special. Controller working with addressable LEDs. So power wires soldered to power pads and data to data pads. There is a photo with inner connections visible [Controller-for-WLED-firmware/controller.jpg at master · srg74/Controller-for-WLED-firmware · GitHub](https://github.com/srg74/Controller-for-WLED-firmware/blob/master/resources/controller.jpg) [Previous page](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-controller-board-for-outside-applications-with-external-antenna/65.md?page=1)