Years ago i did buy 12V garden lights from the brand LUDECO (GAMMA/KARWEI), see left.
These can be bought as a set of 3 with a 230V to 12V/1A transformer. Also single lights can be bought.
6 months ago i came to the idea to convert the standard warm white light in to a color light with an ESP8266 module (ESP8266 D1 Mini V3) and some own electronics like a 12 to 5V converter and WS2812B or WS2815B digital leds.
The result was an own LED light board with the possibility to use WS2812B or WS2815 digital LEDS. Also a powersupply board with the possibility to connect to a ESP8266 D1 Mini V3 was needed.
The ESP8266 D1 Mini V3 was choosen above the ESP8266 D1 Mini V4, because the V3 version uses approx. 25% less supply current.
At the moment i use 8 converted Ludeco lights with 1x 230V to 12V/1A Lucedo transformer.
On the left you can see the converted Ludeco light.
The difference with the original light is the light gray PLA piece between the white led kap and the metal part.
This part is needed for WIFI reasons.
The module inside the light connects to WIFI and metal prevents WIFI signals to travel outside of the converted light when the internal module is surrounded by metal.
From the outside world the difference lets you see if it is a converted light or an original warm white Ludeco light.
Example of converted Ludeco warm white light to color light
Below you can see the inside of the converted Ludeco light.
- White light cap
- LED light board with 8X WS2815 digital LEDS
- ESP8266 D1 Mini V3 with powerboard which is connected to 12V. 12 V polarity is of no concern as internaly the polarity is converted to the correct one.
- RVS Metal light base.
The light gray PLA parts are printed with a 3D printer.
- LED PCB holder
- Main powerPCB/ESP8266 holder
- Clamp holding Main powerPCB
- PLA piece to let WIFI signals travel outside the light.
Below you can see the PCB's i created and ordered at PCBWAY.
Below you can download the gerber files of LED PCB and MAIN power PCB. The LED PCB and Main powerPCB are connected with JST3pin male and a female cable. the same cables are used for connecting LED strips.
The PLA parts are in a separate downloadable file, see below.