u/Pretend_Respect_447

Complete beginner question: Powering a 1m 144-LED strip with an ESP32 C3 Mini?
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Complete beginner question: Powering a 1m 144-LED strip with an ESP32 C3 Mini?

Hey everyone, I’m a total beginner working on my first project and need some broad advice on my power setup.

What I have:

  • 1 meter of a 144-LED strip (5V)
  • ESP32 C3 Mini board
  • No power supply yet

My constraints & questions:

  1. Can I run this off USB-C alone? Is the USB-C port on the ESP32 mini enough to power all 144 LEDs, or will it draw too much current and fry the board?
  2. Form Factor: Because of space constraints, I cannot use a large, open-frame industrial power supply. It needs to be compact and fully enclosed (like a laptop brick). What should I look for?
  3. Wiring: If USB-C isn't enough, how do I safely wire the enclosed power supply, the ESP32, and the LED strip together?
  4. Final question: My 144-led strip doesn't have text labels (+5V, Data, GND) on the copper pads because they are so dense, just numbers and arrows (image attached). How do I know which pad is which?These are the led 1M, 144, Ip30. https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004129769604.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.35.2ce55c5fh9YPzr&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu#nav-review

https://preview.redd.it/ossfcstj552h1.jpg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a10ca48907ec24d2579ac803ad939d7d7e20edfa

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u/Pretend_Respect_447 — 16 hours ago