ESP32 LED Matrix: Multi-Function with FULL WLED and more!

[@Phil_Schaffer]

Great Project - I've already built a WLED sound reactive clock/matrix but I do like some of the features you've added to this project. I'd love to modify your code to be able to use readily available 8x32 LED Matrices but honestly it sounds like it may be more work than it's worth given how easy it is to just use LED strips. When I built my clock, I 3D printed a grid that I fitted between the frosted plexiglass cover and the matrix LEDs. This keeps the light from one LED bleeding over to another. Gives it a more pixelated look that I kind of liked. I do need a new clock for the garage and this might just fit the bill. One or both of my kids might actually like one too.

[@ResinChemTech]

This one was built for an extended family member as well. He'd been asking for one for a while, but my prior version required Home Assistant/MQTT for control and he isn't (nor ever will be) a Home Assistant user. So I had to write a version with its own web interface. Some of the new features were things that he mentioned (e.g. binary clock... and the soon-to-be-added auto on/off times). It was also a chance to improve a lot of the code I originally wrote and to write it for the ESP32 as well. Unfortunately, the way I originally developed the code doesn't allow much flexibility with the LED layout. Someday I'll think about adding some sort of flexibility like WLED does in terms of the matrix layout and orientation. Don't know when... but maybe someday! Thanks for the comment!

[@spencerssatelliteservices-9132]

Amazing work as always!

[@ResinChemTech]

Thanks! I appreciate it. A ton of time went into the new firmware and making the matrix control available locally, without Home Assistant, but still maintaining that integration as an option for those that wish to do so. As always, thanks for the comment!

[@222inverter]

Great work!...well done and very informative.

[@ResinChemTech]

Thanks! And thanks for taking time to leave a comment!

[@withanHdammit]

Cool matrix, that looks like it was fun to build. A suggestion instead of looping the power back and forth on each side is to run a power rail on each end and add power on one side of the strips to each strip segment, and ground on the other side of the strips in the same fashion. That should help greatly with even power distribution, and you'd only then need to loop the data trough.

[@ResinChemTech]

Great idea! That is probably a better way to do it. Although, honestly, I sort of like the look of my "looping" wires on each end. Although once it is in the framed and trimmed out, no one will ever see them! But running the power lines up each side would give consistent power (mostly) and would eliminate the need for the separate power injection lines, since technically power would be injected at the end of each strip. Thanks for a good suggestion. I'll keep it in mind if I ever build another one. Although this now makes 5 of the full size matrices plus one "mini" version that sits on a desk, so not sure if/when I might build another.

[@withanHdammit]

You’re not wrong. That wiring has a certain appeal to it. Maybe even worth submitting to r/cableporn. 😊

[@hell_nope]

Great stuff as always, will definitely try to pull off this project. Oh and I for one would really like to see you codding, see the thought process and all :)

[@ResinChemTech]

Thanks. It was a fun project for me, but I enjoy writing code so the time spent developing the firmware was actually enjoyable (even it if did take quite a bit of time... and hence the break from my normal video schedule). Maybe if there's enough interest, I could consider a video (or maybe even a livestream, which I don't do very often) where I could sort of go over my code, process and maybe some of the standard routines I've created for things like WiFi onboarding, etc. Thanks for watching... and thanks for the comment!

[@scottstevens7569]

Very nice and complete guide to a useful project. Appreaciated.

[@ResinChemTech]

Thanks! It's another lengthy video, but with all the available features and options, I still couldn't go into complete details. That's where the written guide and wiki come into play... providing the details that I just couldn't squeeze into the video... despite its length. Thanks for watching, and thanks for taking time to leave a comment!

[@bobdurk5180]

Very nice build and tutorial; thanks for sharing!

[@ResinChemTech]

You are welcome. Thanks for the comment and the kind words!

[@gordon861]

Good video, could've been a perfect one to get PCBWAY to sponsor and put everything on one board.

[@ResinChemTech]

Thanks. I do enjoy designing PCBs, but have only ordered a couple. As a general rule, I just don't do "sponsored" videos or product reviews. I've done a couple in the past, but they weren't received very well. And honestly, I'd just as soon pay for any parts or services and not be beholden to a vendor or manufacturer. But that's just me and the type of channel I choose to run. I have absolutely nothing against other creators that accept sponsorships or products in exchange for including them in their videos. Maybe I'll change down the road, but right now, I generally turn down any offers of sponsorship or "free products" for review.

[@SaintHanappi]

Have to press the Like Button first, before I am going to watch it. :)

[@ResinChemTech]

Thanks... I just hope it doesn't disappoint when you do get a chance to watch it!

[@andreamitchell4758]

Is it economical to make this matrix or is it cheaper to get one of those flexible matrix off AliExpress? Also I wonder if you could just design PCB's for each side of the matrix and send to a JLC or someplace instead of using all those jumper wires. It would be a really easy thing to design and probably not that much have made Then you could just solder the ends of the strip to those boards

[@ResinChemTech]

That might be an option, _but as mentioned in the video_ the firmware is specifically written for WS2818b LEDs in a 16x25 layout for a total of 400 LEDs. Using different LEDs or a different layout would require _substantial_ modification to the firmware, as it is populating the display by illuminating particular LEDs. If, for example, LED "148" is in a different position than the firmware expects, then the wrong LED will be lit up and the letters/numbers won't render properly. So the layout positions and how letters/numbers are created would have to be completely rewritten for a different display orientation. I don't disagree about the PCB... and I've designed a few for other projects (I even have a video about creating my first one). But most of my projects are targeted towards beginner-to-intermediate folks. For these folks, that might have never designed a PCB or are reluctant to order from China via credit card, I almost always show how to build controllers manually on a prototype board (and to be honest, I enjoy it as well). If someone is proficient in creating PCB designs, then adapting the design to a custom PCB would be easy for them. But most of my viewers have never created a PCB, and I have no desire to build and sell PCBs myself so I target the build of my controllers towards them.

[@mjf-technology]

Hi 😇 You‘re doing quite cool videos. Thx 🙏. Perhaps you could one time do something on how to control simple DMX-Devices via a DIY-Controller an some free software. I would appreciate it very much. Ich found some who tried on KZbin but none with your knowledge and explaining competence 😇 Greetings Matthias

[@ResinChemTech]

Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately, other than just a bit of playing around with xLights, I really don't have much experience with DMX. I do briefly touch on it in my matrix t-shirt video when I give a short update on the LED matrix curtain and show an example of integrating WLED into xLights via DMX. But with a lot of the videos I make, I've had to learn how to do something first! So maybe I'll mess around with DMX at some point and then create a video. Regardless, thanks for watching and taking a moment to leave a comment.

[@mjf-technology]

@ Thx 😇🙏

[@dazealex]

What gauage of wire do I need with the same number of LEDS but one controller. That's all I need to get started on this project.

[@ResinChemTech]

The controllers aren't the big current users... it's the LEDs. So one controller vs. two controllers really won't impact the gauge of wire used. See here: 28:33

[@Alien_ape]

We could use LED matrix boards instead right?

[@ResinChemTech]

The firmware is specifically written for a 400 LED matrix, laid out in a 16 x 25 pattern. In addition, the firmware is configured to work with WS2812b LEDs. If you can find a matrix board that uses WS2812b and is configured in a 16x25 layout, then yes, you should theoretically be able to use it. Any other type of LED or a different layout other than 16 x 25 would require substantial modifications to the firmware.