While waiting for the turkey to finish brining, we’re designing a board for using WLED – and we want to make like the bestest board in the whole world.

Our resident mermaid, firepixie, makes a lot of projects with WLED, and she loves it! So, how can we make something that will be powerful but not too bulky? Here are some things we’re thinking about as the design starts to congeal like cranberry sauce:

Power via USB Type C PD with a slide switch that selects between 5, 12, and 20V (24V pixels can usually run fine at 20V) OR via a 2.1mm DC jack. With ideal diodes, it’s good for up to 5A from either.

ESP32-Mini module with built-in or optional wFL antenna port. The classic ’32 has broad support, even if we’d prefer the ‘S2 or ‘S3.

There are three output signal terminal block sets, with power and ground for each. They’ll be level-shifted to 5V.

Built in I2S microphone (we’re still pondering this one).

Stemma QT I2C port to connect external sensors/OLEDs/etc.; separate analog/digital input JST port.

1.3″x1.75″ / 33mm x 45mm size with mounting holes.

Anything we’re missing, anything that’s extraneous? And here’s a video.