To remotely control an RGB LED, you will build a web server using an ESP8266 in this project. ESP8266 RGB Colour Picker is the name of this project.
Let’s get started!
Parts Required
You will need the following items to proceed with this project:
You can use the preceding links to find all the parts for your projects at the best price!
Flashing Your ESP with NodeMCU
In this article, we are going to use the NodeMCU firmware. You have to flash your ESP using the NodeMCU firmware.
Downloading ESPlorer IDE
I recommend using the ESPlorer IDE, a program created by 4refr0nt, to send commands to your ESP8266.
Follow these instructions to download and install ESPlorer IDE:
- Click here to download ESPlorer
- Unzip that folder
- Go to the main folder
- Run “ESPlorer.jar” file
- Open the ESPlorer IDE
Uploading Code
You should see a window similar to the one shown in the preceding illustration. To upload a Lua file, follow these instructions:
- Connect your ESP8266-12E, which has a built-in programmer, to your computer.
- Select your ESP8266-12E port.
- Press Open/Close.
- Select NodeMCU+MicroPtyhon tab.
- Create a new file called init.lua.
- Press Save to ESP.
Everything you need to worry about or change is highlighted in Red Box.
Code
Using the preceding program, upload the following code to your ESP8266: You should have a file named “init.lua” in your project.
Note: Don’t forget to add your network name (SSID) and password to the script below.
-- LEDEdit PRO
-- Complete project details at https://lededitpro.com
wifi.setmode(wifi.STATION)
wifi.sta.config("YOUR_NETWORK_NAME","YOUR_NETWORK_PASSWORD")
print(wifi.sta.getip())
function led(r, g, b)
pwm.setduty(1, r)
pwm.setduty(2, g)
pwm.setduty(3, b)
end
pwm.setup(1, 1000, 1023)
pwm.setup(2, 1000, 1023)
pwm.setup(3, 1000, 1023)
pwm.start(1)
pwm.start(2)
pwm.start(3)
srv=net.createServer(net.TCP)
srv:listen(80,function(conn)
conn:on("receive", function(client,request)
local buf = "";
buf = buf.."HTTP/1.1 200 OK\n\n"
local _, _, method, path, vars = string.find(request, "([A-Z]+) (.+)?(.+) HTTP");
if(method == nil)then
_, _, method, path = string.find(request, "([A-Z]+) (.+) HTTP");
end
local _GET = {}
if (vars ~= nil)then
for k, v in string.gmatch(vars, "(%w+)=(%w+)&*") do
_GET[k] = v
end
end
buf = buf.."<!DOCTYPE html><html><head>";
buf = buf.."<meta charset=\"utf-8\">";
buf = buf.."<meta http-equiv=\"X-UA-Compatible\" content=\"IE=edge\">";
buf = buf.."<meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1\">";
buf = buf.."<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.6/css/bootstrap.min.css\">";
buf = buf.."<script src=\"https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.6/js/bootstrap.min.js\"></script>";
buf = buf.."<script src=\"https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jscolor/2.0.4/jscolor.min.js\"></script>";
buf = buf.."</head><body><div class=\"container\"><div class=\"row\"><h1>ESP Color Picker</h1>";
buf = buf.."<a type=\"submit\" id=\"change_color\" type=\"button\" class=\"btn btn-primary\">Change Color</a> ";
buf = buf.."<input class=\"jscolor {onFineChange:'update(this)'}\" id=\"rgb\"></div></div>";
buf = buf.."<script>function update(picker) {document.getElementById('rgb').innerHTML = Math.round(picker.rgb[0]) + ', ' + Math.round(picker.rgb[1]) + ', ' + Math.round(picker.rgb[2]);";
buf = buf.."document.getElementById(\"change_color\").href=\"?r=\" + Math.round(picker.rgb[0]*4.0117) + \"&g=\" + Math.round(picker.rgb[1]*4.0117) + \"&b=\" + Math.round(picker.rgb[2]*4.0117);}</script></body></html>";
if(_GET.r or _GET.g or _GET.b) then
-- This is for RGB Common Cathode
-- led(_GET.r, _GET.g,_GET.b)
-- This is for RGB Common Anode
led(1023-_GET.r, 1023-_GET.g,1023-_GET.b)
end
client:send(buf);
client:close();
collectgarbage();
end)
end)Important: If you're using an RGB LED common cathode, you'll need to comment and uncomment some code in the if(_GET.r, _GET.g, or _GET.b) statement, as explained in the script comments.
Schematics
To create the circuit for the RGB LED common anode, follow these schematics.
Important: If you're using an RGB LED's common cathode, you'll need to connect the longer lead to GND.
Your ESP IP Address
When you restart your ESP8266, it prints the ESP IP address to your serial monitor. Keep the IP address handy in case you need it later.
![Arduino UNO R4 WiFi [ABX00087] - Renesas RA4M1 / ESP32-S3 - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, CAN, DAC, OP AMP, Qwiic Connector, 12x8 LED Matrix](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416S910MpBL.jpg)
The ESP IP address in my case is 192.168.1.7. Read this troubleshooting guide if you experience problems seeing your IP.
You’re all set!
Opening Your Web Server
Enter your ESP8266's IP address into any browser. What you should see is as follows:
A small window with a color picker opens when you click on the field. To select the color for your RGB LED, drag your mouse or finger over the screen.
Then simply click the “Change Color” button:
Your RGB LED has now turned blue.
![Official Arduino Starter Kit [K000007] (English Projects Book) - 12 DIY Projects with All Necessary Electronic Components and Instructions - origianl kit by Arduino from Italy](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fPv6DsjQL.jpg)
Conclusion
This is a simple example that shows how easy it is to remotely control an RGB LED with an ESP8266. To control an actual bulb, take this example and modify it.
If you like ESP8266, you may also like:
- ESP8266 OTA Firmware Updates with Arduino IDE
- Get MAC Address of ESP32/ESP8266 and Change It (Arduino IDE)
- ESP8266 NodeMCU Web Server using SPIFFS (Beginner Guide)
- How to Wire an OLED Display with ESP8266 NodeMCU
We hope you find this tutorial useful. Thanks for reading.
