# Will it WLED - Episode 1

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LPgn81PJnc
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/9LPgn81PJnc
Generated: 2025-10-25T14:34:26.442+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The video successfully demonstrates how to upgrade a Govee RGB lamp by replacing its standard LED strip with an individually addressable BTF-Lighting SK6812 SPI RGBW strip using a Gledopto ESP32 controller, resulting in more advanced and granular lighting control features like smooth animations and segmented effects.

**Key Points:**
- The project involves replacing the Govee lamp's original LED strip with a BTF-Lighting SK6812 SPI RGBW LED strip.
- The installation requires careful physical assembly, including screwing aluminum profiles together and feeding the new LED strip through the silicone diffuser.
- The Govee lamp base is disassembled by removing felt pads and screws to access the wiring connections.
- The new LED strip is wired to a Gledopto ESP32 Digital LED Controller, connecting power, ground, and data lines.
- The controller is configured via the WLED mobile app, connecting to the WLED-AP network first for setup.
- In the WLED app, the LED type is set to 'SM16716/SK6812', the LED count is set to 78 (down from 85), and the color order is set to GRB.
- The final result shows that the custom SK6812 strip offers superior, individually controllable light effects, such as smooth animations, compared to the stock Govee strip.

![Screenshot at 0:09: Hands carefully assembling the aluminum pole segments and feeding the white silicone diffuser containing the new LED strip through the housing.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9LPgn81PJnc/00-00-09.png)

**Context:** This video documents the first installation episode, titled 'Will it WLED', focusing on upgrading a Govee RGB floor lamp. The core concept is swapping the factory-installed LED strip with a more advanced, individually addressable strip (BTF-Lighting SK6812) to gain access to the extensive customization options available through the WLED software ecosystem, controlled via a Gledopto ESP32 controller.

## Detailed Analysis

The video details the process of modifying a Govee RGB floor lamp to use WLED control by swapping out its integrated LED strip for a BTF-Lighting SK6812 SPI RGBW LED strip. The initial steps involve physical disassembly: removing felt pads and screws from the lamp base to access the internal wiring, disconnecting the old LED strip, and then assembling the new light bar using the provided aluminum profiles. The presenter shows that the new strip is individually addressable (controlling LEDs in groups of six or individually), which is a significant advantage over the stock strip. After soldering new wires onto the replacement strip (and discarding the initial segment), the new strip is carefully fed into the silicone diffuser and reinstalled into the aluminum housing. The wiring (power, data, ground) is then connected to a Gledopto ESP32 controller. The final stage involves software setup using the WLED app: connecting to the lamp's temporary AP network, configuring the Wi-Fi, and entering the LED settings in the controller menu. Key settings confirmed are the LED type (SK6812), LED count (set to 78), and color order (GRB/Swap=None). The video concludes by showcasing the superior, smooth, and individually controllable animations achievable with the new setup compared to the standard Govee lamp functionality.

### Govee Lamp Teardown & Prep

- Removing felt pads and screws from the base to access internal wiring
- Cutting the silicone diffuser using a utility knife to access the pre-installed LED strip
- Disconnecting the old LED strip wires at the base.

### LED Strip Replacement

- Showing the BTF-Lighting SK6812 SPI RGBW LED strip which features individually addressable RGB and dedicated White LEDs
- Feeding the new LED strip into the silicone diffuser channel using its adhesive backing.

### Wiring and Controller Setup

- Wiring the new LED strip (Red/Green/White/Black for V+/Data/GND/Unused) to the Gledopto ESP32 Controller
- Connecting the 12V 3A power supply to the controller.

### WLED Software Configuration

- Connecting the mobile phone to the lamp's temporary AP network (WLED-AP)
- Entering home Wi-Fi credentials in the app's setup screen
- Setting LED Output type to 'SM16716/SK6812', Color Order to 'GRB Swap', and total LED count to 78.

### Final Demonstration

- Testing advanced WLED effects like 'Aurora' and 'Bouncing Balls' on the modified lamp
- Comparing the granular control and smooth animations of the custom strip against the standard Govee strip effects.

![Screenshot at 0:01: Amazon search results displaying various sponsored Govee and similar smart lighting products.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9LPgn81PJnc/00-00-01.png)
![Screenshot at 0:26: Unboxing the Govee lamp, showing the base, four aluminum pole sections, controller, and accessories laid out on the floor.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9LPgn81PJnc/00-00-26.png)
![Screenshot at 0:52: Hands peeling protective felt pads off the bottom metal plate of the lamp base to access mounting screws.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9LPgn81PJnc/00-00-52.png)
![Screenshot at 1:00: Using a power drill to remove the screws securing the metal plate on the lamp base.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9LPgn81PJnc/00-01-00.png)
![Screenshot at 1:25: Using a utility knife to score the silicone diffuser channel lengthwise near the connector end.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9LPgn81PJnc/00-01-25.png)
![Screenshot at 1:50: Close-up of the BTF-Lighting SK6812 LED strip, showing both RGB and dedicated Warm White \(W\) diodes, confirming its individually addressable nature.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9LPgn81PJnc/00-01-50.png)
![Screenshot at 2:25: Connecting the power \(Red/White\) and data wires \(Green\) from the LED strip to the corresponding terminals on the Gledopto ESP32 Controller.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9LPgn81PJnc/00-02-25.png)
![Screenshot at 4:49: The WLED mobile app screen prompting the user to scan for available Wi-Fi networks after connecting to the lamp's AP mode.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9LPgn81PJnc/00-04-49.png)
![Screenshot at 5:22: The WLED app interface showing the 'LED Preferences' screen where the LED strip type is set to 'SM16716/SK6812' and the LED count is confirmed as 78.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9LPgn81PJnc/00-05-22.png)
![Screenshot at 6:09: Demonstration of the 'Fireworks 10' effect running simultaneously on both the modified Govee lamp \(left\) and the stock Govee lamp \(right\), highlighting the difference in control.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/9LPgn81PJnc/00-06-09.png)