WLED replacement for LIFX Z-Strip LED-Strip

This is a case designed to hold an ESP32 running WLED alongside a DC-DC buck-converter to control LIFX “Z-Strip” LED strips, replacing the original controller.

Models

All variants of the bottom part (aka the box) fit the same top (aka lid) there are the following versions of the box:

• 3xNeutral: Uses a WAGO 221-413 3-port lever nut for the ground (you only need 3 wires)
• 5xNeutral: Uses WAGO 221-415 5-port lever nut for the ground (you only need 3 wired but I added a buffer for some additional ideas I had)
• NoCableChannel: Removes the short wall that I designed to be used as a cable channel

Parts

In addition to the printed files I used these parts (but you can select others if they fit):

• 1x D1-mini style ESP32: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08BTYCGVV 
• 1x MP1584EN DC-DC buck converter: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0CGVMRQXB 
• 2x WAGO 221-413
• 1x 221-415 (can be replaced by another 221-413, just use the 3xNeutral version of the base instead of the 5xNeutral version)

Wiring

I just cut the cables from the original controller and re-purposed them inside the case. The original connector is used to connect to the strips themselves. The third picture is a wiring diagram (can you tell i never have to share these so I just defaulted to excalidraw?) and the electronics part is pretty straight forward. Please use a multimeter to check if your buck-converter is set to 5V!

Configuration

In the WLED go to “Settings”  → “LED preferences” and set these values:

• Maximum PSU Current: Just leave it at default, we power the strips with 24V from the PSU and not from the ESP32
• Type: TM1418
• mA/LED: Leave at the default 5V 55mA
• Color Order: GRB (or you will get wrong colors)
• Swap: None
• Length: There are 8 adressable segments of 6 LEDs on every strip
  • 1 Strip aka 1m: 8
  • 2 Strips  aka 2m:  16
  • 3 Strips aka 3m: 24
  • 4 Strips aka 4m: 32
• Data GPIO: 16 (Should be the default value)

Shoutout

A gigantic THANK YOU to InstantCasette on Makerworld aka u/ZerrethDotCom on Reddit who made this possible by being the only real ressource i was able to find about the correct WLED settings and cable order!
They designed a different case that is designed to use the official LIFX controller as the 5V PSU and allows you to switch the control between LIFX and WLED.

• Their design (hosted on Makerworld): https://makerworld.com/de/models/1806640-lifx-z-to-esp32-wled-conversion
• The reddit thread that explains this setup: https://www.reddit.com/r/WLED/comments/olcv42/controlling_lifx_z_strip_with_wled/

Another thank you goes to krampus  who designed the WAGO holder I chopped up to use in my model.
This is the original holder: https://www.printables.com/model/1455697-wago-holder  

Disclaimer/reminder

Please only do this if you're willing to potentially destroy your strips or esp32. Even if it's low voltage (24V max) just straigt-piping 24V into something that wanted 5V can destroy things.

This is more inspired by the original model from makerworld, I used 0 files from the original but it helped me with the wiring and configuration so I thinks it's fair to mark this a remix.

But I 100% used chopped up the WGO holder by krampus.