Now available directly from OSH Park: https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/dDX67jyf

This is a shield/breakout for the NodeMCU-32S ESP32 board that makes it easy to control addressable RGB LEDs such as WS2811, WS2812 (Adafruit NeoPixels), SK6812, APA102 (Adafruit DotStars), and SK9822. The NodeMCU-32S ESP32 is an excellent Wi-Fi and Bluetooth development board based on the ES32. This shield supports 16x parallel output.

RGB LEDs not included

I made this shield because I was hand-wiring this same layout on perma-proto boards, which was time-consuming and unprofessional looking.

The shield includes two 74HCT245 level shifters, which are the most well-regarded high speed level shifters I've found. They shift the 3.3V logic level of the ESP32 to the 5V expected by addressable RGB LEDs. These projects often work fine without a level shifter, until they don't.

Sixteen digital output pins (0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23) are run through the level shifter. It supports parallel output, thanks to Sam Guyer's excellent work on FastLED ESP32 support.

The shield also includes places for data line resistors as recommended when driving LEDs. A large capacitor should be connected across the power and ground connections near the LEDs. The 70 mil 5V and GND traces should be rated for up to 6 amps. That's enough for about 100 LEDs at max output (solid white, full brightness). A barrel connector can be added to connect a power supply, but most are only rated for 2.5A (~50 LEDs at max output). For larger quantities, power should be connected directly to the LEDs, and/or brightness should be limited in software.

Specifications

• Size: 2.06 x 1.55 x .063 inch (52.2 x 39.5 x 1.6 mm)
• 2 layer printed circuit board
• FR4 substrate
• Lead free
• Purple SMOBC (solder mask over bare copper)
• ENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold) finish
• Manufactured in the USA

These parts are required to assemble. They are not included.

• NodeMCU-32S Board
• 2 x 19-pin Female Headers

These parts are also required to assemble. They are included if you choose the Component Kit option:

• 2 x SN74HCT245N Level Shifters
• 2 x 0.10µF Capacitor
• 16 x 330 Ohm resistor
• Power Barrel Connector Jack

Full assembly instructions