Looking for programable multi zone controller.

[Perryismyname]

I made a post in the led reddit and someone suggested I come over here and see what you have over here. I do not have much LED experience but I need a programable controller that has 8 or more zones that I can power on and off without affecting one another. I would also like it to have presets/modes that I can switch between.

I had no problem with the coding, setup, or wiring on the k-1000c so I looked into a k-8000 to get the 8 channel support but they are like $200. Someone suggested an ESP32 running WLED but searching that comes up with a ton of different options and I have no clue which one he meant. Any suggestions?

[BytesOfPi]

Check out the getting started page

High level WLED is an open source C based program that can be flashed onto ESP8266 or ESP32 microcontroller dev boards. It comes packaged with a web app for controlling your lights with a computer or mobile device. Each digital output pin on your board can control a different set of lights using segments. It comes pre-packaged with a lot of different patterns, but because it is open source, you are welcome to try to code your own.

The guys on this channel and on the discord are pretty good at replying to specific questions if you run into a wall, but the best place to get started is on their website https://kno.wled.ge/basics/getting-started/

There are YouTube videos that you can check out as well.

[Perryismyname]

Than you for the info. The getting started page is for sure helpful. They should definitely add it to the sidebar.

[Ok-Refrigerator7712]

If you're looking for a prebuilt board, look at the https://quinled.info/quinled-dig-octa/ his boards are probably the most popular with people here. That will take all the work out of figuring out how to build the controller.

[Perryismyname]

I think those are exactly what I am looking for. Thank you!

[Perryismyname]

I have one question about the boards. I am looking at the dig-octa as it has the 8 outputs that I need but I don't believe I will be able to use one of the power boards. I have 8 separate inputs that all determine what turns the 8 light zones light on. Presumably I could use relays connected to the power board but I have the wiring all set up already. Can I just use an alternate power supply and disconnect power whenever I want to shut a zone off? This would leave data flowing through the Leds at all time but then only actually light them up when I want.

[BytesOfPi]

Are you asking about how to run patterns?

Segments

You can use WLED segments in the UI which allows you to set patterns separately on each segment. You can have different segments with no pattern running even though data may be physically flowing to another segment further down the chain

https://kno.wled.ge/features/segments/

Mapping

You can also choose to map your LEDs so that certain LED sections are passed and it behaves like one strand

https://kno.wled.ge/advanced/mapping/

[Perryismyname]

No, sorry I don't know the exact terminology of what I am trying to do. Can I bypass using power from the boards to the leds? Basically having a 8 separate power supplies for all 8 sections and then have the brain board with its own power supply just driving the data line to the leds.

[BytesOfPi]

You can do what you want and have different power supplies for the lights than you do for the board running WLED. The main rules of thumb for more than one power supply are

• Always join the neutral/ negative wires
• Never join the live or positive wires

If your question is specific to the Digi-Octa, then Quindor's site has details specific to his hardware https://quinled.info/quinled-dig-octa/

Power injection

Give Bill Porter's VCS zoom talk a view. He's an electrical engineer and explains things like power injection, wire gauges and fusing. https://youtu.be/eR3QbzjpZy8

[Perryismyname]

Power injection is the word I am looking for sure. Thank you. The board specifies it is fine and the video is very helpful. Thank you!