Wi-Fi controlled addressable LED sign (ESP32 + WS2812B)
This project is a custom Route 66 LED panel, inspired by classic American road signs.
It uses addressable RGB LED strips controlled by an ESP32, allowing:
- Full RGB color control
- Smooth animations (neon glow, chase, pulse, etc.)
- Control directly from a smartphone via Wi-Fi
- Clean wiring with hidden cables behind the structure
The entire system runs from one single 5 V power supply, safely distributed between the LEDs and the ESP32.
- 📱 Wi-Fi control (ESP32 web interface)
- 🌈 Individually addressable RGB LEDs
- 🔴⚪🔵 Multiple visual zones
- 🔒 Safe power distribution with fuses
- 🧠 ESP32 used only as controller (never powers LEDs)
- 🧰 Modular, serviceable wiring
- LED type: WS2812B (5 V, addressable RGB)
- Controller: ESP32 DevKit (ESP32-WROOM / ESP32-32U)
- Power supply: 5 V / 10 A (50 W)
- Control: Single DATA line (zones handled in software)
- Power injection: Multiple points to avoid voltage drop
- 1× 5 V 10 A power supply (AC 230 V → DC 5 V)
- ~10 m WS2812B LED strip
- 5 V
- 60 LEDs/m
- IP20 (recommended for indoor use)
- 1× ESP32 DevKit
- ESP32-WROOM / ESP32-32U
- Integrated Wi-Fi antenna
- No external antenna required
- 2× Power distribution blocks / WAGO connectors
- One for +5 V
- One for GND
- Automotive blade fuse holders
- 2× 5 A fuse (LED branches)
- 1× 3–5 A fuse (ESP32 branch)
- 1× 220 Ω resistor (DATA line)
- 1× 1000 µF electrolytic capacitor (≥ 6.3 V)
- Optional: Logic level shifter 3.3 V → 5 V
(only if DATA cable is long or noisy)
- AWG10 — PSU → power distribution
- AWG14 / AWG16 — distribution → LED strips
- AWG22 / AWG24 — ESP32 power & DATA
- Heat-shrink tubing, cable ties
- One single power supply for LEDs and ESP32
- LEDs are powered directly from the PSU
- ESP32 is powered via a dedicated fused branch
- All grounds are common
- ESP32 never supplies power to LEDs
230V AC
│
│
┌───────────────────────┐
│ 5V / 10A POWER SUPPLY │
│ (AC → DC converter) │
└───────┬────────┬──────┘
│ │
+5V GND
│ │
────────────┴────────┴────────────
MAIN POWER DISTRIBUTION (BUS)
────────────┬────────┬────────────
│ │
[5A Fuse] [5A Fuse]
│ │
LED Zone 1 LED Zone 2
+5V / GND +5V / GND
│ │
└────────┴───────── GND (common)
│
LED Zone 3 (optional)
+5V / GND
────────────┬────────────────────
│
[3–5A Fuse]
│
+5V ESP32
GND ESP32
│
│
ESP32 GPIO (DATA) ──[220Ω]───► DI (first LED) │ WS2812B LED STRIP (zones handled in software)
- GND of PSU, LEDs and ESP32 must be connected together
- Fuse only the +5 V, never the GND
- Capacitor is placed at the first LED power input
- The ESP32 creates a Wi-Fi access point or connects to your home Wi-Fi
- A small web interface allows:
- Color selection
- Animation control
- Brightness adjustment
- The ESP32 sends a DATA signal to the LED strip
- Power is distributed independently via the power bus
- LED zones are handled in software by LED index ranges
- Smartphone → Wi-Fi → ESP32
- No mobile app required
- Works on Android, iOS and desktop browsers
- Cables routed behind the leds
- Small cable passages hidden in dark areas
- PSU, ESP32 and fuses mounted on the back side
- Always enclose the power supply
- Use a strain relief on the mains cable
- Never leave AC terminals exposed
- Verify output voltage before connecting LEDs
- PETG is recommended over PLA for PSU enclosures
- Additional animations
- Physical buttons
- Automatic day/night brightness
- Migration to WS2815 (12 V) for long LED runs
The ESP32 control code (.cpp) is available in this repository.
The 3D-printable Route 66 panel and enclosure models are published on MakerWorld.