LED Configuration

This guide will help you configure your LED strip settings to match your hardware and preferences.

Before You Begin#

Make sure you have:

• ✅ Hardware assembled (Hardware Setup)
• ✅ Ryzer connected to WiFi (First Time Setup)
• ✅ Access to Ryzer web interface at http://ryzer.local
• ✅ LEDs powered on and showing some light

Step 1: Count Your LEDs#

Before configuring, you need to know exactly how many LEDs are on your strip.

How to Count LEDs#

Method 1: Physical Count (Most Accurate)

1. Look closely at your LED strip
2. Each individual LED is a small square chip
3. Count them one by one
4. Write down the total number

Method 2: Check Strip Label (If Available)

• Some strips have markings like “60 LEDs/m”
• Measure your strip length
• Calculate: (LEDs per meter) × (meters)
• Example: 60 LEDs/m × 2m = 120 LEDs

Method 3: Test with Different Values

1. Start with an estimate
2. Set that count in Ryzer
3. Test the LEDs
4. If not all LEDs light up, increase count
5. If LEDs behave oddly, decrease count

💡 Common LED Strip Densities:

• 30 LEDs/meter - Lower density, good spacing
• 60 LEDs/meter - Standard density (most common)
• 144 LEDs/meter - High density, very bright

Maximum LED Count#

Ryzer supports up to 200 LEDs per controller.

Why is there a limit?

• Memory constraints on ESP32-C3
• Data refresh rate limitations
• Power supply considerations

Need more than 200 LEDs?

• Use multiple Ryzer controllers
• Consider LED strip “zones” (future feature)
• Use higher-density strips for same length

📸 Screenshot Needed: Close-up of LED strip showing individual LEDs with count overlay

Step 2: Access LED Configuration#

1. Open Ryzer web interface:

   • Navigate to http://ryzer.local
   • Or use your Ryzer’s IP address

2. Go to Lighting page:

   • Click “Lighting” in the navigation
   • Or go directly to http://ryzer.local/pages/lighting

3. You should see the LED configuration form

📸 Screenshot Needed: Ryzer Lighting page showing configuration form

Step 3: Set LED Count#

1. Locate “Total LED Count” field:

   • Should be a number input box
   • Default may be 200 or 0

2. Enter your LED count:

   • Type the exact number you counted
   • Example: 120 for 120 LEDs
   • Must be between 1 and 200

3. Don’t save yet! First, let’s configure brightness…

LED Count Guidelines#

Step 4: Set Brightness#

Brightness controls how bright your LEDs shine.

Brightness Range#

• Minimum: 0 (LEDs off)
• Maximum: 255 (full brightness)
• Recommended start: 50-100 (moderate brightness)

Choosing the Right Brightness#

Start with 100:

• Good middle ground
• Not too bright, not too dim
• Safe for power supply

Adjust based on:

• 🔆 Ambient light - Brighter room = higher brightness
• 💡 Purpose - Status indicator vs. work light
• ⚡ Power supply - Lower brightness = less power draw
• 👁️ Eye comfort - Don’t blind yourself!

Brightness Guidelines#

⚠️ Power Warning: Higher brightness = more power consumption. Ensure your power supply can handle it!

Power calculation example:

• 100 LEDs × 60mA (max) = 6A maximum
• At brightness 100/255 = ~40% power
• 6A × 0.4 = 2.4A actual draw
• Need power supply rated for 3A+ (safety margin)

Step 5: Save Configuration#

1. Review your settings:

   • LED count is correct
   • Brightness is reasonable (start with 100)

2. Click “Save Settings” button:

   • Settings are stored to Ryzer’s filesystem
   • Persist across reboots
   • Take effect immediately

3. Wait for confirmation:

   • “Settings saved successfully” message
   • Green checkmark or success indicator

📸 Screenshot Needed: Lighting page with values filled in and Save button highlighted

Step 6: Test Your LEDs#

Let’s verify everything is working!

Run LED Test#

1. Click “Test LEDs” button (if available)

   • LEDs should light up in sequence
   • All LEDs should show the same color
   • Pattern sweeps from first to last LED

2. Watch for issues:

   • ✅ All LEDs light up: Perfect! Your count is correct
   • ❌ Some LEDs stay dark: Count too high, decrease it
   • ❌ LEDs beyond your strip flash: Count too low, increase it
   • ❌ Random colors/flickering: See troubleshooting below

Manual Brightness Test#

Want to see the effect of brightness settings?

1. Set brightness to 25:

   • Save settings
   • Observe LED brightness

2. Gradually increase:

   • Try 50, 100, 150, 200
   • Notice how brightness and power draw increase

3. Choose your preference:

   • Find a comfortable brightness level
   • Consider your use case and environment

💡 Tip: You can adjust brightness anytime through the web interface. No need to power cycle!

Understanding LED Behavior#

Normal Operation#

During normal operation (when not testing):

• LEDs should be BLACK (off/standby)
• This is the “idle” state
• Waiting for printer status messages

Status Indication Colors#

Ryzer uses LED colors to indicate its own status:

📸 Screenshot Needed: Split image showing LEDs in different status colors (white, blue, purple, orange, green, red)

Future: Print Status Patterns#

Coming in future firmware:

• Animated patterns during printing
• Different colors for print states
• Layer-by-layer progress indication
• Error alerts

Currently, Ryzer receives printer data but doesn’t yet react with LED patterns (beyond status colors).

Optimizing LED Performance#

Reduce Flickering#

If you notice flickering:

1. Lower brightness - Reduces power demand
2. Add smoothing capacitor - 1000µF across power supply
3. Use shorter data wire - Under 6 inches ideal
4. Add level shifter - For reliable 5V data signal

Improve Responsiveness#

For faster LED updates (future features):

1. Reduce LED count - Fewer LEDs = faster refresh
2. Stable WiFi connection - Strong signal to printer
3. Update firmware - Latest optimizations

Save Power#

To reduce power consumption:

1. Lower brightness - Most effective method
2. Reduce LED count - Use only what you need
3. Use warm white instead of RGB white (future)

Power saving example:

• 100 LEDs at brightness 255: ~6A
• 100 LEDs at brightness 100: ~2.4A
• 60% power savings!

Troubleshooting LED Configuration#

LEDs Don’t Change After Saving Settings#

Solutions:

1. Refresh browser page - Force reload settings
2. Power cycle Ryzer - Unplug USB-C, wait 5s, plug back in
3. Check saved values - Go back to Lighting page, verify settings
4. Try test pattern - Use Test LEDs button

Only Some LEDs Light Up#

Cause: LED count set too low

Solution:

1. Count physical LEDs on your strip
2. Increase count in Ryzer to match
3. Save and test again

LEDs Past My Strip Are “Flashing”#

Cause: LED count set too high

Explanation: Ryzer is sending data to LEDs that don’t exist. The data wire acts as an antenna, causing random behavior.

Solution:

1. Reduce LED count to match your physical strip
2. Save settings

All LEDs Flash Random Colors#

Common causes:

• Power supply insufficient or failing
• Data line poor connection or too long
• Incorrect LED type (not WS2812B)
• Corrupted data from interference

Solutions:

1. Check power supply:

   • Verify 5V output with multimeter
   • Try different power supply
   • Ensure adequate amperage rating

2. Check data line:

   • Verify D6 → DIN connection
   • Shorten data wire if possible
   • Add 470Ω resistor in series

3. Add capacitor:

   • 1000µF across VCC and GND at LED strip
   • Reduces voltage spikes

4. Try level shifter:

   • Converts 3.3V to 5V for data line
   • Improves signal reliability

Brightness Changes Don’t Seem to Work#

Check:

1. Refresh browser after saving
2. Test LEDs to see current brightness
3. Power supply limit - May max out at certain current
4. LED count - Must be set correctly first

LEDs Work But Look Dim Even at Max Brightness#

Possible causes:

• Power supply voltage too low (measure with multimeter)
• LED strip is damaged or poor quality
• Long power wire runs (voltage drop)
• Power supply under-rated for LED count

Solutions:

• Use quality 5V power supply (regulated)
• Shorten power wire runs
• Use thicker gauge wire (18-20 AWG)
• Add power injection for long strips (>150 LEDs)

Advanced: Power Injection#

For long LED strips (>150 LEDs) or high brightness, you may need power injection.

What is Power Injection?#

Connecting power supply at multiple points along the LED strip to maintain consistent brightness and prevent voltage drop.

When You Need It#

Signs you need power injection:

• LEDs at end of strip are dimmer than start
• Colors shift toward red at far end
• Using >150 LEDs at high brightness
• Strip longer than 3 meters

How to Add Power Injection#

1. Every ~100 LEDs, connect additional power:

   • Power supply + → LED strip VCC
   • Power supply - → LED strip GND

2. All grounds must be connected together

3. Data line stays single wire (no injection needed)

⚠️ Never connect 5V between different power supplies! Use a single power supply with multiple connection points, OR separate isolated supplies with isolated grounds.

Saving Custom Profiles (Future Feature)#

Future firmware may support:

• Multiple brightness profiles
• Scheduled brightness changes (day/night)
• Per-printer LED settings
• Custom color palettes

Stay tuned for updates!

Next Steps#

Now that your LEDs are configured:

1. Check for Firmware Updates - Get latest features
2. Learn About LED Patterns - Understand status colors
3. Troubleshooting Guide - Fix LED problems

Need More Help?#

• LED Troubleshooting - Detailed LED issue solutions
• Hardware Setup Guide - Review wiring and assembly
• FAQ - Common LED questions

Estimated Configuration Time: 5 minutes Difficulty: Beginner-friendly Can be changed anytime: Yes, adjust settings whenever you want!