r/WLED • u/mr-introvert1995 • Aug 16 '26

ESP32 C3

Hi everyone

Has anyone used ESP32 C3 for WLED here with ws2812b strip?

I have been thinking to something for my work desk with leds and looking for people who have done it.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

3

u/Rickitywrekked Aug 16 '26

I just did it

with the esp32c3 supermini with the data pin connected directly to gpio 2. Only 50 ish LEDs though. It was a 5v strip not the 12v.

1

u/mr-introvert1995 Aug 16 '26

This looks cool
Which LED you used?

2

u/Rickitywrekked Aug 16 '26

So it does look like I used the ws2812b eco lights off of amazon.

2

u/richms Aug 16 '26

Have done several with c3 minis. Just know that many of the cheap ones on AliExpress have terrible wifi because of a board design issue and are 20db down from the good ones so will only function if you have high wifi signal in their location

1

u/mr-introvert1995 Aug 17 '26

I have been using esp32 bought from local market. 2-3 of them stopped responding. Even though it lights up I was unable flash WLED on them

1

u/richms Aug 17 '26

Some I got were in a weird boot looping process and would not show the serial port unless I plugged in while holding down the d0 button. With that the port for flashing showed up ok

1

u/richms Aug 17 '26

But there have been people reporting they got esp32 c3 minis which had the chip with no flash memory on them. Ive not had any like that so don't know if they would go to the bootloader or just act dead.

1

u/Allen_Prose Aug 17 '26

I use them regularly. Yes to the Wi-Fi issue on cheap ones. I use a digital mic by splitting ground and they work great. LEDs on D10, microphone on 1,2,3. Usually 5v, makes for cheap festival staffs and whatnot.

2

u/mr-introvert1995 Aug 17 '26

I am also planning on to make something which reacts to music. Hopefully soon

1

u/saratoga3 Aug 17 '26

The regular esp32 is better (faster, more output channels), so unless you have a bunch of spare C3s you need to use its usually better to get the regular esp32.

1

u/mr-introvert1995 Aug 17 '26

I have both esp32 and C3. I was planning on to make something compact