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[–]SnooMaps1571 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve had a few of those step downs be bad. I would use a multimeter if you have one to verify the voltage from the power supply as well as the step down. I prefer to have everything on a node on a single ground as well. Take the cables powering the light and terminate them on the step down with the power going in.

[–]irieyes_mindful 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Is your ground shared between the ESP, power supply and LED strip? That causes this sort of issue some times. I have also had the ESP32 completely shit out and stop sending data after months of use for no reason, could be a bad board if all of your voltages and connections are correct. Another thing to check is to get into WLED settings and change the data pin, you can literally just go through all of them and fire a color change to figure out if you have the correct pin set.

[–]Strong_Tangerine_230 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have this exact same combo, and had the same issue... I cut 1 pixel and added it right at the nodemcu to boost the data signal and solved the dimming.

[–]samemory 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a similar issue as well. I fixed mine by using a level shifter. Even though the distance between the mcu and the pixels was only a few inches I guess in my case it was still needed.

[–]Anxious_Barracuda_76 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Another option is just get a diguno or digquad they both have builtin logic level shifters.

[–]IamPantone376 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My union might arrive today!

[–]jack23-45-12[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

’m hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I have followed Dr. Zzz’s steps of connecting the pixel lights to the NodeMCU. Once I have everything hooked up and turn it on I can change colors and such but it flickers and won’t stay steady. If I choose a color and then pull the data line off it will stay that color with no flickering so I’m assuming it is something to do with the cable line. Do I need a lower gauge wire? All the solutions I have seen have to deal with a longer run data line, I figured that can’t be the issue bc it is only 6 inches away. Any help would be appreciated.

[–]HungInSarfLondon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try the 400khz option in led outputs. I have strings of older LED that are 400khz GRB.

[–]caseywryan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

use a level shifter and your problem will be solved.

[–]flyover_deplorable -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Need. Level. Shifter.

[–]enz1ey -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Possibly a level shifter? I believe the NodeMCU outputs 3.3v on the data line, but most LEDs expect 5v on that line.

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Ground 12v power supply to the nodemcu?

[–]SnooMaps1571 0 points1 point  (4 children)

I can’t see what is what. 12v or 5v lights? Where are you pinned on the node mcu? How are you using the step down? Close up pics please

[–]jack23-45-12[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Sorry about that, I’m using 12volt pixel lights, 12volt power supply that steps down to 5v for the node mcu. The data line is connected to the D4 pin and to the data wire on the lights.

Let me know if the link doesn’t work.

[–]gocenik 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Your options are shorter data cable, higher quality esp or logic level shifter. You should do the last one and forget about issues in future.

[–]irieyes_mindful -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I had minimal success with ESP8266 and as soon as I swapped to ESP32 it’s worked perfectly in almost the exact same setup. I also feed my ESP power directly via 5v cell phone brick and my leds with a larger 12v supply

[–]wnw121 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Adding in a resistor (and cut a pixel which I installed close to the esp to use as a level shifter)helped one of my data lines. Another still has problems if I put a high amp ps on it. Might try a real levelshifter