will it WLED - Episode 3

Quick Overview

The video successfully demonstrates converting Govee permanent outdoor lights to WLED control by physically splicing the existing power controller's output wires into a Gledopto Elite 2D-EXMU controller, achieving full addressable control and dynamic Christmas animations like color gradients and dual-color effects via the WLED app.

Key Points: The Govee permanent outdoor lights successfully switch from Govee software control to WLED control using a Gledopto Elite 2D-EXMU Advanced WLED Controller. The conversion involves physically disconnecting the Govee controller output wires (Voltage, Data, Ground) and splicing them into the corresponding terminals on the Gledopto controller. The Govee power supply provides 36 Volts and 2.3 Amps, while the Gledopto controller is powered by a separate 5V, 2A AC/DC adapter. In WLED configuration, the strip type is set to 'SM168E/WS2812B' with 6 pucks, length 18, and GPIO 16 for data input. The setup allows for dynamic effects, including seamless switching between Govee's built-in animations and complex WLED effects like 'Stelion Dual' and color gradients. The ability to switch back and forth between the native Govee app and WLED, facilitated by keeping the original Govee splice kits, proves the versatility of this conversion method.

Context: This episode focuses on integrating Govee's permanent outdoor lighting system into the highly customizable WLED (Worldwide LED) ecosystem, which is known for advanced, addressable lighting control. The presenter is demonstrating the physical wiring modification required to replace the proprietary Govee controller with a more flexible, open-source compatible controller, specifically the Gledopto Elite 2D-EXMU, to unlock advanced animation capabilities for the installed house lighting.

Detailed Analysis

The video provides a complete tutorial on converting Govee permanent outdoor lights to operate under WLED control using a Gledopto Elite 2D-EXMU controller. The process begins by identifying the components, noting the Govee power supply outputs 36V at 2.3A. The core modification involves using the included input splice pieces to connect the light string to the Gledopto controller. The wires are identified: Red for Voltage (+V), White for Ground (GND), and Green for Data. The Green (Data) wire connects to GPIO 16 on the Gledopto controller, and the White (Ground) wire connects to a GND slot. The Voltage (Red) wire connects to the V+ slot. The Gledopto controller itself is powered separately by a 5V, 2A AC/DC adapter. After wiring, the WLED app configuration is shown: the strip type is set to 'SM168E/WS2812B', with a length of 18 pixels (6 pucks x 3 LEDs each), and the data pin set to GPIO 16. The presenter successfully demonstrates controlling the lights, showing both static white light control and dynamic color effects like Christmas red/green gradients using WLED presets. A key advantage highlighted is the ability to easily switch back to the original Govee software by simply unplugging the Gledopto controller and reconnecting the original Govee controller, making the modification non-destructive. The final result showcases impressive, complex lighting animations on the house exterior, such as 'Stelion Dual' and simulated light reflections, which surpass the capabilities of the standard Govee app.