WARNINGS #
Ensure to follow proper safety precautions when working with electricity. Use only high quality USB power supplies and cables. Do not use LED strips with a power rating lower than the input power, as it may damage the LEDs. Ensure to only connect data outputs (an IO signal) to LED data inputs, as incorrect wiring may damage the LEDs. Do not use excessive force on the WAGO connection tabs, as they may break. The board will become hot during operation, do not touch or install in a location where objects can contact the board. Do not exceed the board’s output rating. Protect from water and moisture. Not for exterior use. Always double check connections to ensure that they are tight, and regularly inspect all connections and components to ensure continued safety and functionality. Do not use the board for anything other than its specified use.
Powering On & Connecting to The Board #
- Connect the board to power. The Eternaglo Mini can be powered via 5V-24V DC power via the barrel jack, traditional 5V USB, or USB-C PD, which allows for both 5V and 12V. Use only a high-quality USB-C PD supply, as lower-quality options may not function correctly. If using USB-C PD choose the output voltage (5V or 12V) using the voltage selector switch on the board.
- For 12V operation: Not all USB-C PD power supplies support 12V. Some only offer 5V, 9V, and then jump up to 15V. Double check that your chosen supply can support 12V. When a correct PD negotiation has taken place, there is an indicator light next to the voltage selector switch that will illuminate. If you have selected 12V on the voltage selector switch and the light does not illuminate, it indicates that the PD negotiation failed due to a low-quality or incompatible power supply.
- Once the board is powered on the LED indicator light for “IN” will illuminate. WLED comes pre-installed. Connect to the board’s access point (AP) with your phone by searching and connecting to the WiFi “WLED-AP” and using the password “wled1234“.
- Once connected you should be redirected automatically to the WLED options panel. If you’re not automatically redirected you can connect to the board by entering 4.3.2.1 into the address bar of your phone’s web browser. If you are using the Mini on the go, such as in a vehicle or wearable, you may choose to always control the board using the access point only. If you are using the Mini in a home project, you can connect the board to your home’s network by choosing “WIFI SETTINGS”, then entering your home network’s credentials.
- You can also change options like the board’s mDNS address here, which allows you to more easily access the board’s settings by entering this address into a browser connected to the same network as the board. For users utilizing the Pico on the go, it may be useful to re-configure the Access Point settings to something more customized. This allows for the Access Point name and password to be different from the default “WLED-AP”.
- If using the board with your home network, choose “Save and Connect” to connect the board to your WiFi. Once that’s done you can access the board again in a few ways. One way is to type the mDNS address you set/saw previously into a web browser. Another way is to use the WLED app, available for both iOS and Android.
- If using the mobile application, open the app and touch the “+” icon in the top right corner, then “Discover Lights”. If the board correctly connected to your home network it will be discovered automatically. Once added you can select the board to change its settings or control lights. If you wish to change the name of the board you can click the “Config” icon, then “User Interface”. Here you can enter a new name for the board under “Server Description”, which can help you identify the board’s location or use in the app’s list of devices.
- Connect lights to the board using the WAGO terminals. Connect voltage (power) to the 5V-12V terminal, data to either the GPIO10 or GPIO0 terminal, and ground to the GND terminal. Ensure to match your LED rating to the voltage being used with the board, e.g. use only 12V lights when the board is receiving 12V power.
- The board has an onboard button that by default will turn the lights on or off with a press. The Mini has an auto-cut output relay function that cuts output power to the LEDs when powered off in WLED, reducing standby power draw, which is especially important when your project is powered by a battery. The function of the button can be changed in the WLED settings. More information available here.
