What is it?

This is a somewhat specialised board, it is ESP32-S3-MINI-1-N4-R2 based.

• All WAGO push connectors
• USB-C for power and programming
• Two TDK ICS 43434 MEMS microphones (not needed for IronMan but why not)
• Two MAX98357A speaker drivers
• Micro SD card fully wired for the WAV files to play
• Two GPIO input contact sets for buttons
• Four LED strip controllers or other outputs such as servos, 5V (big capacitor) power from USB, 3.3V data line
• On board status LED (WS2812)
• GPIOs clearly marked on board

The multiple LED driver connections was because we needed the arc reactor which was an RGBW ring, and we had some centre bits which were RGB, and two chains of single pixel RGB WS2812 for the suit body.

Use cases

I made this for an IronMan suit, but it is really flexible. It has 4 GPIO outputs each with GND and 5V on WAGOs with nice chunky capacitors on each - this means it is good to run LED strips as well as servos. We use for servos in the IronMan helmet for the visor. But also speakers (with SD card for audio files). This means it is ideal for a lot of automation projects. I have a Stargate LED ring, for example, and plan to change over to this controller to add the sound effects.

Why did you make it?

I know a man that does IronMan at parties and events and he needs his suit re-doing.

What makes it special?

Well, what doesn't?

These controllers do BLE, and I have used this to link helmet, gloves, and suit for synchronised sound effects.

Using LED strips

LED strips come in a range of lengths and densities and voltages. If you are new to LED strips, one of the main things to consider is power requirements. A typical 5V LED strip can easily be powered from the USB in-line with via this board, if using a USB charger (i.e. 2A+), but high density strips and multiple strips may need additional power supplies. The power also depends how you use the strip, so if you are not running all LEDs on full brightness white you may not need as much power.

If you want longer strips, a 12V type, such as WS2815, is ideal - if using external strip power over 5V. Do not connect higher voltage power to the strip power connectors on the board - just GND and DI. It uses 5V for the speaker drivers so you will blow those if you connect 12V to the board.

My son has loads of videos on LED strips and using these boards at https://hiwtsi.uk/