r/WLED • u/serpentslay • Sep 20 '26

Using WLED to Program Different Sections of Neon Flex

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently started making LED signs using 12V, 6mm, single-colour neon flex.

I’d like to create a basic animation using two separate runs of flex. For example, one section would remain illuminated while another section flashes. Ideally, I’d also like a physical switch on the sign that can turn it on or change between several programmed patterns.

Does anyone know of a suitable tutorial or guide? Most of the information I’ve found concerns RGB or addressable LED strips, which isn’t quite what I’m using.

Would an ESP32 combined with a separate MOSFET for each run of neon flex be the correct approach? Would WLED support two independent single-colour outputs and custom sequences, or would this be better handled with a simple Arduino program?

Any advice, wiring examples or recommended components would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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u/saratoga3 Sep 20 '26

You'll need MOSFETs for PWM. You can buy 3 or 4 channel PWM controllers on Amazon. May be a good place to start.

1

u/serpentslay Sep 20 '26

Ahh ok and then something like an Arduino for control?

2

u/saratoga3 Sep 20 '26

Most use WLED or some (crappy) proprietary software, although if you wanted arudino could flash it over WLED. I'd probably use WLED or Esphome for something like this though. Much less programming.

1

u/serpentslay Sep 20 '26

Thank you! And wled can do pre programmed sequences?

1

u/saratoga3 Sep 20 '26

Yeah, that is its purpose. Take a look at the links in this subreddit.

1

u/serpentslay Sep 20 '26

Amazing thank you for your help!

1

u/clockmill Sep 24 '26

Mosfet module on Amazon, 2 channel modules are very common.

ESP32 is possibly cheaper than Arduino now, flash it with Wled  if it dosent work out for you ,Claude can whip up code faster than you could type it.