04 Using the Web Interface
To access the web setting, you must know the IP address of the controller. If you do not know the IP address use your router to find it.
If your router recognized the device name you specified as a valid host name, it may be shown in your router. Otherwise, you'll have to use the MAC address you (hopefully) captured when originally installing the firmware. If the hostname was not recognized, you router may show ESPxxxxxx or similar as the host name.
Once you know the IP address, you can enter it in your browser to access the settings and command page. Prior to version 0.30, you had to issue a /reset command and onboard the controller again. See the notes at the bottom of the page for information on versions prior to 0.46
Changes to the settings via the web interface are valid for the current running session unless you check the box to save the current settings as the new boot defaults. If the controller is restarted, loses power, etc. the default boot options will be loaded upon restart. To permanently change the default boot options, assure you check the box. The controller will reboot and the current settings will be saved as the new defaults.
Simply enter your controller's IP address (e.g. 192.168.1.194) in a browser that is on the same WiFi network as your controller.
The device name you gave your controller will be shown at the top of the page. You may make changes to any values on this page and test them prior to writing the changes to the flash memory and making them the new defaults by leaving the 'Save all settings as new boot defaults' unchecked.. For example, you can try different colors and effects until you find a combination you like. Each time you click the Update button (with the checkbox empty), the lights will briefly flash with the Motion 1 settings and then display the result page so that you know the new settings are temporarily in place. See the note below if you change the number of motion detectors in use.
Once you have settings that you'd like to keep, simply check the checkbox and click 'Update'. The settings will be written to the flash memory and the controller will reboot to load these new defaults. You will know that the boot process is complete when the LEDs briefly flash blue followed by red/green for 2-3 seconds each.
Using different colors and effects for each motion detector Starting with v0.45, you can specify a different set of colors and effect for each motion detector. Whichever motion detector fires from motion, that particular motion detector's settings will be used for the LED strip. This allows for some unique applications. For example, if used on stairs, you can have the lights chase "up" the stairs if motion is detected by the motion detector at the bottom of the stairs and then chase-reverse "down" the stairs if motion is detected at the top. See the wiki section on motion effects for brief descriptions of the current effects.
If you change the number of motion detectors (PIRs), assure your installation matches the settings. If you set the number of PIRs to 2, but only have a single PIR connected, the LED lights will come on and remain on. In addition, if you are using only one motion detector, assure it is connected to pin D5 (GPIO14). The second detector, if used, should be connected to pin D6 (GPIO12). If you need or want to use different pins, you will need to download the source code, modify and compile your own version.
If you need to restart or reboot the controller, you can do so by clicking the 'Reset' button. The reset occurs immediately, without confirmation. On a reset, the default boot options and settings are restored. A confirmation page will show the restart is occurring:
After the restart completes (indicated by the LEDs turning blue then red/green for about 2-3 seconds each), you can use the link on the restart confirmation page to return to the original settings page.
WARNING If you reset the controller, the settings, including your WiFi information, are reset. You will have to onboard the controller again, following steps outlined in the First Time Setup. There is no warning when you click the 'Reset' button... the restart occurs immediately. But a confirmation page will let you know that the reset is occurring:
Starting with v0.40, new versions of the firmware (.bin files) can be uploaded via the web interface.
See the wiki section on Peforming Updates for more information on updating and upgrading the firmware via the browser or other manual options.
Device name is not present. Router will probably show ESPxxxxx as the host name. The web page will use a default 'LED Controller Settings' as the title, meaning if you have more than one device you will need to carefully check the IP address to assure you are working with the correct controller. Please see the release notes if upgrading from a prior version to v0.46 as a controller reset is necessary.
The settings page always loads with the current boot defaults. Even if you make changes, when you return to this page, the defaults will be shown even if they were changed for the current session. This version also only contains a single color selection and no effects.
Versions 0.3x did not have the option to update the default boot settings. For these versions, it was necessary to perform a full reset and complete the first time setup again. The values entered during the intital setup became the default boot settings and could not be updated via the web interface.
If you are running a version prior to 0.30, you are encouraged to upgrade to get the latest version with the above web controls. With prior versions, the only way to change the settings (even for things like color or brightness) was to do a complete reset and onboard the controller again. There were a few limited commands that could be issued via the browser. The following commands could be used (substitute your controller's IP address). Note that these commands can also be used with the latest version, but using the web interface is recommended:
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your_ip_address/restart- Issues a reboot command. Settings retained. -
your_ip_address/reset- Resets the controller and clears settings. Initial setup must be completed again. -
your_ip_address/otaupdate- Puts the controller into update mode (See performing updates).