About MagWLED-2

MagWLED-2 is a major upgrade over the original MagWLED-1, packing more power, more outputs, and more peripherals into a slightly smaller form factor. Here’s everything that’s new.

Core Features

• Dual LED outputs — Two LED digital and power outputs.
• Faster MCU — MagWLED-2 runs the latest ESP32-S3 dual-core controller, which leads to higher frame rates, especially in Audio Reactive mode.
• Better networking performance — The new MCU and improved RF design of the board will in many cases provide significantly better WiFi performance.
• Slightly smaller — This is a 6-layer, two-sided PCB which packs all of these features into a footprint that’s slightly smaller than MagWLED-1.

Power Handling

• USB-C up to 20V — The device can now negotiate up to 20V for USB-C, which will drive most 24V LED strips without any issues. This means really bright and/or really long runs — if that’s what you want.
• Regular screw terminal — As much as I liked the original connector, people were having trouble with it, leading to lots of frustration.
• Up to 24 volt external power — The MagWLED-2 doubles the voltage tolerance over the MagWLED-1 to 24V.
• Fuses for external power — Although the board still can be powered by USB, if you connect external power, that power will now be rerouted through the fuses, keeping you safe.
• Internal MOSFET relays for external power — External power will also be routed through the internal relays, allowing you to completely turn off power to LED strips without turning off the external power supply.
• Current sensor — Both USB and external power is routed through a shunt resistor that allows for accurate current, voltage, and power measurements within WLED.
• USB-C standby for external power — USB-C and external power can be connected at the same time, allowing you to e.g. have MagWLED-2 control an external power relay.

Peripherals

• More GPIOs — There are now a total of five GPIO breakout pins for sensors and buttons.
• I2C connector — In addition to the GPIOs, there’s also now a Stemma QT connector for I2C peripherals, like time-of-flight sensors, and tons of other sensors.
• Built-in microphone — The most requested feature was always a microphone. This one comes with one built in.
• Dual switching converters — Both the 3.3V and 5V rails have buck converters and you can now easily draw 500mA from them in parallel for more power-hungry peripherals.