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Arduino Nano ESP32

Arduino Nano ESP32 - LED Strip

In this tutorial, we are going to learn how to program Arduino Nano ESP32 to control a LED strip to emit the light.

A relay or a MOSFET module can sit between the Nano ESP32 and the strip. With a relay, the strip can only be lit or dark. With a MOSFET module, the strip can be lit or dark too, and you can also dim it to any brightness with PWM, without any click. This tutorial covers both.

Hardware Preparation

1×Arduino Nano ESP32
1×USB Cable Type-A to Type-C (for USB-A PC)
1×USB Cable Type-C to Type-C (for USB-C PC)
1×Relay
1×Alternatively, MOSFET Module (AOD4184, LR7843 or FR120N)
1×12V 1-color LED Strip
1×12V RGB LED Strip
1×12V Power Adapter
1×DC Power Jack
1×Jumper Wires
1×Breadboard
1×Alternatively, 24V 1-color LED Strip
1×Alternatively, 24V RGB LED Strip
1×Alternatively, 24V Power Adapter
1×Optionally, 5V Power Adapter for Arduino Nano ESP32
1×Recommended: Screw Terminal Expansion Board for Arduino Nano
1×Recommended: Breakout Expansion Board for Arduino Nano
1×Recommended: Power Splitter for Arduino Nano ESP32

Or you can buy the following kits:

1×DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)
Disclosure: Some of the links provided in this section are Amazon affiliate links. We may receive a commission for any purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Additionally, some of these links are for products from our own brand, DIYables .

Overview of LED Strip

A LED strip, also known as LED tape or LED ribbon, is a flexible circuit board with surface-mounted LEDs that emit light. These strips are versatile and commonly used for decorative lighting in various applications. LED strips come in a range of colors and are often used to provide ambient lighting, accent lighting, or decorative lighting effects.

LED strips come in two main types:

  • Addressable LED Strips: In this type, the color and brightness of each individual LED on the strip can be independently controlled. This capability is due to the fact that each LED is assigned a specific address.
  • Non-Addressable LED Strips: In contrast, non-addressable LED strips allow control over the color and brightness, but this control applies uniformly to all LEDs on the strip.

This tutorial will focus on the Non-Addressable LED Strips. For Addressable LED Strips, please refer to the following tutorials:

Non-Addressable LED Strip Pinout

Non-Addressable LED Strip has two main types:

  • Non-Addressable 1-color LED strip: Only one color defined by manufacturer.
  • Non-Addressable RGB LED strip: any colors

A Non-Addressable 1-color LED Strip usually has two pins:

  • 12V/24V pin: needs to be connected to the positive pin of 12V or 24V DC power supply
  • GND pin: needs to be connected to the negative pin of 12V or 24V DC power supply

A Non-Addressable RGB LED Strip usually has four pins:

  • 12V/24V pin: needs to be connected to the positive pin of 12V or 24V DC power supply
  • R pin: This pin is used to control the red color. Connecting this pin to the negative pin of the power supply enables the red color
  • G pin: This pin is used to control the green color. Connecting this pin to the negative pin of the power supply enables the green color
  • B pin: This pin is used to control the blue color. Connecting this pin to the negative pin of the power supply enables the blue color
Arduino Nano ESP32 non-addressable led strip Pinout

We will learn how to control the both types by Arduino Nano ESP32 one-by-one.

LED Strip with Relay or MOSFET Module

Besides the relay, a MOSFET module can switch a non-addressable strip. To learn this module (pins, how it works, code), see the Arduino Nano ESP32 - MOSFET Module tutorial.

Relay MOSFET Module
Light control lit or dark lit, dark, and dimming to any brightness (PWM)
Noise when switching click silent
Switching speed slow, milliseconds very fast, fast enough for PWM
Lifetime contacts get worn long, no moving parts
Load AC or DC DC only
Strip supply any, within the relay rating at least about 6V (12V and 24V strips are fine)
Board isolation yes (coil vs contacts) yes (PC817 optocoupler)
Pick it for simple ON/OFF, AC lights dimming, effects, fast and frequent switching

For a 12V or 24V strip, the MOSFET module is the nicer option, because you can fade the light in and out. An RGB strip has three color channels (R, G, B), so it needs three MOSFET modules, one per channel, in the same way as it needs three relays.

How to Control a Non-Addressable 1-color LED strip.

If 12V LED strip is powered by 12V power supply, it emits light. To control a 12V LED strip, we need to use a relay in between Arduino Nano ESP32 and 12V LED strip. Arduino Nano ESP32 can control the 12V LED strip via the relay. Unfamiliar with relay, including their pinouts, functionality, and programming? learn about relay in the Arduino Nano ESP32 - Relay tutorial

Wiring Diagram.

Wiring Diagram between Arduino Nano ESP32 and Non-Addressable 1-color LED strip.

The wiring diagram between Arduino Nano ESP32 and 12V LED strip

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

Wiring Diagram between Arduino Nano ESP32 and Non-Addressable RGB LED strip.

The wiring diagram between Arduino Nano ESP32 and 12V LED strip

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

Arduino Nano ESP32 Code

Arduino Nano ESP32 Code for controlling Non-Addressable 1-color LED strip.

The below code repeatedly turns the LED strip ON in 5 seconds and OFF in 5 seconds,

/* * This Arduino Nano ESP32 code was developed by newbiely.com * * This Arduino Nano ESP32 code is made available for public use without any restriction * * For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: * https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-nano-esp32/arduino-nano-esp32-led-strip */ #define LED_STRIP_PIN D5 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin controls to the LED strip via relay void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); // initialize ESP32 pins as digital output pins pinMode(LED_STRIP_PIN, OUTPUT); } // The loop function repeats indefinitely void loop() { Serial.println("The LED strip is turned on"); digitalWrite(LED_STRIP_PIN, HIGH); delay(5000); Serial.println("The LED strip is turned off"); digitalWrite(LED_STRIP_PIN, LOW); delay(5000); }

Arduino Nano ESP32 Code for controlling Non-Addressable RGB LED strip.

The below code repeatedly control the color of the RGB LED strip (red, green, blue, yellow, magenta, cyan and white)

/* * This Arduino Nano ESP32 code was developed by newbiely.com * * This Arduino Nano ESP32 code is made available for public use without any restriction * * For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: * https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-nano-esp32/arduino-nano-esp32-led-strip */ #define BLUE_PIN D6 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin connects to the blue pin of LED strip via relay 1 #define RED_PIN D5 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin connects to the red pin of LED strip via relay 2 #define GREEN_PIN D4 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin connects to the green pin of LED strip via relay 3 void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); // initialize ESP32 pins as digital output pins pinMode(BLUE_PIN, OUTPUT); pinMode(RED_PIN, OUTPUT); pinMode(GREEN_PIN, OUTPUT); } // The loop function repeats indefinitely void loop() { Serial.println("The LED strip is turned red"); digitalWrite(BLUE_PIN, LOW); digitalWrite(RED_PIN, HIGH); digitalWrite(GREEN_PIN, LOW); delay(2000); Serial.println("The LED strip is turned green"); digitalWrite(BLUE_PIN, LOW); digitalWrite(RED_PIN, LOW); digitalWrite(GREEN_PIN, HIGH); delay(2000); Serial.println("The LED strip is turned blue"); digitalWrite(BLUE_PIN, HIGH); digitalWrite(RED_PIN, LOW); digitalWrite(GREEN_PIN, LOW); delay(2000); Serial.println("The LED strip is turned yellow"); digitalWrite(BLUE_PIN, LOW); digitalWrite(RED_PIN, HIGH); digitalWrite(GREEN_PIN, HIGH); delay(2000); Serial.println("The LED strip is turned magenta"); digitalWrite(BLUE_PIN, HIGH); digitalWrite(RED_PIN, HIGH); digitalWrite(GREEN_PIN, LOW); delay(2000); Serial.println("The LED strip is turned cyan"); digitalWrite(BLUE_PIN, HIGH); digitalWrite(RED_PIN, LOW); digitalWrite(GREEN_PIN, HIGH); delay(2000); Serial.println("The LED strip is turned white"); digitalWrite(BLUE_PIN, HIGH); digitalWrite(RED_PIN, HIGH); digitalWrite(GREEN_PIN, HIGH); delay(2000); }

Detailed Instructions

To get started with Arduino Nano ESP32, follow these steps:

  • If you are new to Arduino Nano ESP32, refer to the tutorial on how to set up the environment for Arduino Nano ESP32 in the Arduino IDE.
  • Wire the components according to the provided diagram.
  • Connect the Arduino Nano ESP32 board to your computer using a USB cable.
  • Launch the Arduino IDE on your computer.
  • Select the Arduino Nano ESP32 board and its corresponding COM port.
  • Connect Arduino Nano ESP32 to PC via USB cable
  • Open Arduino IDE, select the right board and port
  • Copy the above code and open with Arduino IDE
  • Click Upload button on Arduino IDE to upload code to Arduino Nano ESP32
  • Check out the LED strip's state

Code Explanation

Read the line-by-line explanation in comment lines of code!

Please note that, to control the brightness an other colors of non-addressable LED strip, we need to use the L298N driver instead of relay

Arduino Nano ESP32 Code - Dim LED Strip with MOSFET Module

This part uses a MOSFET module in place of the relay to change the brightness of a 1-color LED strip.

Wiring Diagram between Arduino Nano ESP32, MOSFET Module and 1-color LED strip

The wiring diagram between Arduino Nano ESP32 and LED strip MOSFET module

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

  • Nano ESP32 D9 to the PWM pin of the module
  • Nano ESP32 GND to the GND pin of the module
  • 12V adapter + to the + terminal
  • LED strip 12V pin to the + terminal as well
  • LED strip GND pin to the LOAD terminal
  • 12V adapter − to the − terminal

An LED strip has no coil, so you do not need a flyback diode. For a 24V strip, just use a 24V adapter. All three modules can take 24V.

Code

It is the same code as in the MOSFET module tutorial. The strip shines at full brightness for 2 seconds, goes dark for 2 seconds, then gets brighter from 10% to 100% and dimmer back to 0%.

/* * This Arduino Nano ESP32 code was developed by newbiely.com * * This Arduino Nano ESP32 code is made available for public use without any restriction * * For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: * https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-nano-esp32/arduino-nano-esp32-led-strip */ const int MOSFET_PIN = D9; // Arduino Nano ESP32 pin connected to the PWM pin of the MOSFET module void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); pinMode(MOSFET_PIN, OUTPUT); analogWrite(MOSFET_PIN, 0); // start with the load OFF } void setLoad(int percent) { int duty = map(percent, 0, 100, 0, 255); // convert 0-100% to 0-255 analogWrite(MOSFET_PIN, duty); Serial.print("Load power: "); Serial.print(percent); Serial.println("%"); } void loop() { // turn the load fully ON, then fully OFF Serial.println("Load: ON"); setLoad(100); delay(2000); Serial.println("Load: OFF"); setLoad(0); delay(2000); // increase the power step by step (PWM) for (int percent = 10; percent <= 100; percent += 10) { setLoad(percent); delay(500); } // decrease the power step by step (PWM) for (int percent = 90; percent >= 0; percent -= 10) { setLoad(percent); delay(500); } delay(1000); }

Detailed Instructions

  • Do the IDE setup from the relay Quick Steps above, if you have not done it yet.
  • Make the wiring shown in the diagram, but leave the 12V adapter unplugged.
  • Upload the code to the Arduino Nano ESP32.
  • Plug in the 12V adapter.
  • Open the Serial Monitor, with the baud rate set to 9600.
  • See the strip fade in and fade out.
∞
Newbiely | Arduino IDE 2.3.8
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File
Edit
Sketch
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Arduino Nano ESP32
Newbiely.ino
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8 Serial.println("Hello World!");
Output
Serial Monitor
Message (Enter to send message to 'Arduino Nano ESP32' on 'COM15')
New Line
9600 baud
Load: ON Load power: 100% Load: OFF Load power: 0% Load power: 10% Load power: 20% Load power: 30% Load power: 40% Load power: 50% Load power: 60% Load power: 70% Load power: 80% Load power: 90% Load power: 100% Load power: 90% Load power: 80% Load power: 70% Load power: 60% Load power: 50% Load power: 40% Load power: 30% Load power: 20% Load power: 10% Load power: 0%
Ln 11, Col 1
Arduino Nano ESP32 on COM15
2

Tip: the MOSFET module handles DC only, and the strip supply should be at least about 6V. For AC lamps, use the relay instead.

Video Tutorial

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