Need advice on LED strips wiring

[chung705]

@anon35827816

In fact, the grounding situation seems to have become worse. I see two separate 230V-12V power supplies now, but their grounds are not connected. If built and wired this way, there will be fireworks.

I thought by using two transformers will reduce the amount of current flowing through to some wires and make it less risky. I am sorry I still don't get the error/risk part of the wiring. Does it mean by connecting a the GNDs together will prevent a premature New Year Fireworks show?

@anon35827816

Since you're using an ESP32 now and that runs at 3.3V, I'd just get a 12V -> 3.3V buck step down regulator and power the ESP32 directly from that by connecting the Vout of the step down converter to the 3.3V pin on the ESP32. You'll bypass any linear regulator that's present 'under the hood' of the ESP32 module, which is probably a smart thing to do anyway since it'll be a tiny, underpowered regulator in the first place.

That sounds like a good plan. Hope the led strip will take a 3.3V otherwise I still have to consider boosting the signal from 3.3V to 5V

@anon35827816

You did realize you bought some bare smd chips, did you...?

I have never heard about SMD chips and have never dealt with PCB before too. Does it mean I have to use a PCB to progress further?