ESP 2 Bluetooth?

[Doyle4]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
To control WLED via Bluetooth using ESP32 :)
A clear and concise description of what you want to happen.
Enable bluetooth, connect to WLED and use

Describe alternatives you've considered
NA, Love WLED too much

Thank you for your ideas for making WLED better!

[Aircoookie]

Hi!
I'm very glad that you like WLED so much :)
This could be done, but it doesn't seem easy: https://esp32.com/viewtopic.php?t=6707
What would be your use case / what makes BLE better than the WLED-AP WiFi access point?
In any case it would only be useful with some client-side/app code to communicate over Bluetooth as it of course doesn't work in browser (no HTTP)

[Doyle4]

Thanks for getting back @Aircoookie :)

My friend owns a Gaming Bar and has a lot of consoles etc all ready using wireless and we have found the devices can conflict, tried various channels, so we thought it would good idea to be able to control them via bluetooth instead, I hope someday someone does release a WLED app that works like the web browser.

[redakker]

Hi!
I'm very glad that you like WLED so much :)
This could be done, but it doesn't seem easy: https://esp32.com/viewtopic.php?t=6707
What would be your use case / what makes BLE better than the WLED-AP WiFi access point?
In any case it would only be useful with some client-side/app code to communicate over Bluetooth as it of course doesn't work in browser (no HTTP)

Hi,

I'm currently working on this kind of solution for my own project.
There is a BluetoothSerial library and a Serial Bluetooth android app for this topic.
You can send commands over Bluetooth to ESP32.
OR
Maybe it could work as a BLE tracker and could change to a personal light effect. If it "feels" some bluetooth device (phone, beacon) around itself could change to greetings color.
But probably this is an overload function for this project. This kind of automation should be done by another device and control WLED board to change the color/effect

[JBlackJr]

I would also like to see bluetooth protocol incorporated into WLED project! My reasoning: I have installed ~500 LEDs at my family's lake house where they do not have WiFi/ISP. As they are a bit older, they find it troublesome connecting to the AP and and loosing LTE data just to use the lights. As a work-around, I've set up custom IR codes with a remote that has DIY programmable buttons to switch to some of their favorite settings. But would be nice if the APP could communicate via Bluetooth to interface with the controller/backend.

[ooglek]

I have a very different reason for this. I fly a paramotor and have a 5m strip of LEDs on it. Right now I'm using an SP-105E bluetooth controller for the lights, but want to move to WLED. I use the MagicLED app on IOS. The app sucks, but it is reliable and rock-solid.

Bluetooth is handy because I still want to use data on phone over LTE, and while it may work while I'm flying to have wifi connected to the WLED ESP32, it disrupts the normal flow of things.

Having the app able to control all the same stuff via Bluetooth instead of WiFi would definitely help in my situation.

When flying I don't want to have to mess with disconnecting and reconnecting networks, power-cycling the ESP32 to get it to reconnect, etc. Bluetooth requires less setup and configuration for a device that will be powered on for 2 hours with a battery and then shut off again, not something that is active all the time.

[andregodoy0]

I have another scenario for wanting this feature: I have an over desk cabinet that I've added a couple led strips, but I don't have any outlets nearby, so I'm powering it with a power bank and it works great for this purpose (I'm also building my own larger battery in order to provide more amperes and have less frequent recharge cycles).

The problem is that wifi consumes too much energy even with all LEDs turned off (a 10A battery is 50% discharged overnight), so I can't leave it connected all the time and have the automations that I've wanted to (like turn it on automatically when at dawn when I'm working or with the alarm clock in the morning). Adding a relay to the circuit may improve things, but from my research wifi still demands too much energy for a battery operated device.

I've looked into zigbee and BLE controllers/DIY solutions, but WLED is much more feature complete and I'm willing to help with implementation and test of this feature if needed.

[djvj1]

I'd like to see this as well. I'm trying to use WLED with an ESP32 in my vehicle and found with the chassis fuse in, it's acting as sort of faraday cage and I can't connect to the wifi or it never shows up. As soon as I take the chassis fuse out, all the problems go away. I've tried other bluetooth controllers in my vehicle and they work fine.

[blazoncek]

Bluetooth will not be implemented (anytime soon) due to huge amount of resources it demands.

[ooglek]

@blazoncek Would you be willing to roughly outline the work that needs to be done? Maybe I can get the ball rolling with just a piece that moves the functionality closer to completion.

[blazoncek]

It is the sheer code size and RAM requirements that are prohibiting.
You are still free to try if you wish. 😉

[Funkelfetisch]

Hi!
I'm very glad that you like WLED so much :)
This could be done, but it doesn't seem easy: https://esp32.com/viewtopic.php?t=6707
What would be your use case / what makes BLE better than the WLED-AP WiFi access point?
In any case it would only be useful with some client-side/app code to communicate over Bluetooth as it of course doesn't work in browser (no HTTP)

Hi,

I'm currently working on this kind of solution for my own project. There is a BluetoothSerial library and a Serial Bluetooth android app for this topic. You can send commands over Bluetooth to ESP32. OR Maybe it could work as a BLE tracker and could change to a personal light effect. If it "feels" some bluetooth device (phone, beacon) around itself could change to greetings color. But probably this is an overload function for this project. This kind of automation should be done by another device and control WLED board to change the color/effect

did you get any further on this?
we have a BLE app for our Pixelblaze based board (originally on NRF52) and it's esp32 port - but want to move to WLED asap.
This is pretty much a deal breaker, as the wifi stuff is just not practical for endusers.

[blazoncek]

No. And IMO WiFi is easier than BT. But that is just me.

Apart from my opinion, there was no-one willing to add BT yet. Until someone with interest shows up it may not happen soon. There are caveats as stated above.

[snickers2k]

+1 to build a few BT connected DIY-Hue-Go or DIY-BT-Obulbs :)