WS281x flickering and connection issues

Issues
1

Hi There,

i have some issues with the WS2811 12V LED Strip. I have connected a WS2811 12V LED strip to an ESP32. I use a 12V 3A power supply. The level shifter is a TXS0108. I operate the ESP32 with a separate USB power supply, but I have also tried a step-down module, same result. I use firmware 0.14.2.

Unfortunately the strip flashes wildly in different colors. I have already replaced all the hardware to avoid defects. I have also tested the entire setup with a 5V WS2812b, with the same result.

I seem to have made a mistake somewhere, but I just don’t know where.

I have also attached a circuit diagram.

Does anyone else have an idea? I am really desperate.
Many thanks!

wled
wled1920Ă—2106 220 KB

2

Various folks have had mixed reviews with the TXS devices.
Some are OK, some not so much.

I don’t have major experience with those devices, I prefer the 74AHCT’ stuff if only because they’re single supply.

The suggestions I’d have would be:
Try a dedicated pair of lighter (22-26AWG) data and gnd wires.
Try a dedicated 3.3V supply for the TXS, even just a 5V-3.3V buckconverter for the TXS. Make sure you have a good 5V supply (2A) for the ESP.
Verify there’s common ground between the ESP, power supply(s) and strip

3

I run !2v lights on a variety of controllers. I have never needed a level shifter, my controllers are all within one metre of the first led. Try bypassing the level shifter and see if that helps.

Alan

4

As they say:
“There’s 2 types of WLED users -
Those who use a level shifter, and those who will”

1 Like
5

Maybe I’ve just been lucky, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Alan

6

What’s the data wire length between shifter and first LED?
For me the TXS0108 have been OK only up to a couple of meters.

Some strips work without shifter e.g. individual WS2815 pixels but typically not the “groups of 3”.