Installation and First Time Setup

Installation and First Time Setup

This guide covers first install and initial configuration for UnleashedCreativity Lights on VESC Express (ESP32-C3).

Requirements

• VESC Express hardware (hw-express)
• VESC firmware 6.05+
• Refloat installed and configured on your system
• CAN-connected lighting node(s), if running multi-node

Install the Package

1. Open VESC Tool.
2. Connect to your VESC Express.
3. Go to the package manager and install UCLights.vescpkg.
4. Reboot if prompted.

First Launch Checks

1. Open the package UI.
2. Confirm the board is detected as VESC Express.
3. Confirm firmware is 6.05 or newer.
4. Press Read Config once to sync runtime/UI state.

Configure Node Role

This package uses a two-role model:

• Master: polls Refloat and is the configuration source.
• Slave: follows pushed config from the master.

1. Set each node role (Master or Slave).
2. For multi-node setups, ensure only one Master is active.
3. Save config.

Configure LED Outputs

For each channel (status/front/rear):

1. Set pin, strip type, LED count, and direction/reverse options.
2. Set target routing:
   • SELF (-1) for local output
   • Peer CAN-ID for remote-targeted output
3. Set brightness and highbeam behavior.
4. Save config.

Verify Operation

1. Trigger Refloat light state changes (on/off, highbeam, ride state).
2. Confirm LEDs respond correctly.
3. In multi-node layouts, verify Slave outputs track Master-forwarded state.
4. Confirm no duplicate overlay behavior after Save Config.

Troubleshooting

• No LEDs: verify role, target ID, pin mapping, strip type, and LED count.
• Slave not updating: verify CAN wiring/IDs and that Master is online.
• Stale behavior: press Read Config, then Save Config.
• Unexpected output after config changes: reboot the node and retest.