Wi-Fi LED Fairy Light Controller with ESP8266

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A DIY Wi-Fi-controlled 5 V switcher for USB LED fairy lights, built around an ESP-12F module running Tasmota firmware. Powered by a battery bank, it lets you toggle garden lights remotely from your phone — no 230 V wiring outdoors and no freezing walks to the power outlet.

The lights
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“USB Fairy Lights” or “USB String Lights” — 10 m / 100 LEDs, available from China for under ~$3. They are 5 V USB-powered and weather-proof (except the USB connector).

Close-up of the LED string circuit — The 100-LED circuit with 5.1 Ohm series resistor — consumes ~1.8 W at 5 V.

Close-up of a single LED — brightness difference between first and last LED is barely noticeable from a distance.

The ESP-12F 5 V switcher
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An ESP-12F module with a MOSFET switches the USB 5 V supply to the LED string. Running Tasmota firmware, it connects to your Wi-Fi network and can be controlled from a phone or any MQTT/HTTP client.

Complete setup — battery bank, ESP switcher, and LED string — Complete setup — battery bank, ESP-12F switcher, and LED fairy lights.

Tip

With Tasmota’s default configuration (no deep sleep), the battery bank needs recharging every few days. A larger battery and ESP8266 deep sleep could extend runtime to weeks.

Assembly
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Note

Before starting, ensure the ESP-12F module is pre-programmed with Tasmota (or any OTA-capable firmware). See ESP-12F programming guide for first-time flashing.

Items needed:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

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Step 5:

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Step 8:

Step 9:

Final assembly:

Switcher connected to battery bank and LED string — Completed setup — ESP-12F switcher between battery bank and LED fairy lights.

The lights #

The ESP-12F 5 V switcher #

Assembly #

Related

The lights
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The ESP-12F 5 V switcher
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Assembly
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