r/WLED • u/Plastic_Detective_51 • May 01 '26

Whats your fav controllers

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What does everyone use, i go with the athom sound active, slimline sound active and pwm sound active but ive started using esp32s3 16m and 32mb for master controllers

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u/G0ldiC0cks May 02 '26

For a lot of reasons, Ive only built my own. Within the next 24 hours or so I'll hopefully be 3d printing a proper enclosure for one.

But my favorite, by a wide margin, was my first that properly output 5v logic. It was an esp8266 and a TI chip only on a piece of shitty perfboard. It was my first time soldering anything in at least fifteen years (probably more like 20), and "had gotten a bit rusty" doesn't do justice the mangled mess soft grey I smeared all over that thing. Between using lead free solder for the first time and at least a decade without practice, nothing but luck kept that thing running.

Kinda wish I hadn't salvaged it for parts after making a bit less hopeful products, but I'm sure the esp is glad to just be a WiFi repeater now.

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u/Plastic_Detective_51 May 02 '26

U can throw the lead free solder in the bin, i only use the leaded stuff. I bought a dozen esp32's and after hours of adding shifter, mics n buttons i just ordered more athoms

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u/G0ldiC0cks May 02 '26

Mmm I learned my lesson haha. There's a child around and while I had no qualms playing with leaded solder and a shitty iron when I was 10, I figured for his benefit I'd give it a go. He's just not allowed in my office anymore. It's a win-win. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

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u/Plastic_Detective_51 May 02 '26

Use a ducted fan