MAGIC LED TREE

Hello everyone!

I’m Shahnewaz Jamil from Bangladesh, and this is my second Instructable. I’m excited to share another colorful LED project with the community. I hope you enjoy it, and I would love to hear your feedback and suggestions for improvement.

I absolutely love LEDs, especially the ones that can change colors and create stunning lighting effects. My first Instructable featured a Magic LED Ball, a decorative desk showpiece powered by WLED. This time, I wanted to create something that looks more artistic and natural, so I designed the Magic LED Tree.

The Magic LED Tree is a handcrafted decorative lamp made from wire and addressable RGB LEDs. It can change colors remotely, display beautiful animations, and create a relaxing atmosphere in any room. Just like my previous project, it uses WLED, an amazing open-source firmware that makes creating LED projects incredibly easy. However, this time I chose the ESP-01S instead of a NodeMCU because of its compact size, allowing the entire electronics package to fit neatly inside a small base.

The best part is that this project requires only a few basic tools and materials, and no 3D printer is needed.

Electronics

1. 1 × ESP-01S with USB-to-TTL Programmer
2. 18 × 5mm Diffused Addressable RGB LEDs
3. 1 × USB Type-C Charging Module
4. 1 × 600mAh Li-ion Battery
5. 1 × Mini Slide Switch

Structural Materials

1. Approximately 12 ft (3.6 m) of 1.2mm Iron Wire
2. Magnet (Enamel) Wire as required
3. Plastic Wood Sheet
4. Small Plastic Container/Base Housing
5. Black Electrical Tape
6. Super Glue
7. Hot Glue

Tools

1. Soldering Iron
2. Hot Glue Gun
3. Wire Cutter
4. Pliers
5. Multimeter

The frame of the tree is made entirely from iron wire.

Start with approximately 360 cm (12 ft) of 1.2mm iron wire and cut it into 12 pieces, each about 30 cm long.

1. Twist two wires together to form a branch.
2. Add a third wire and continue twisting.
3. Repeat the process to create multiple branches.
4. Gradually twist the branches together to form the main trunk.
5. Shape and bend the branches until the structure resembles a natural tree.

Don't worry about making it perfectly symmetrical. Slight imperfections make the tree look more realistic and organic.

Before assembling the project, we need to install WLED on the ESP-01S.

Unlike NodeMCU boards, the ESP-01S does not include an automatic programming circuit. To enter programming mode:

1. Connect a push button between GPIO0 and GND on the USB-to-TTL programmer.
2. Press and hold the button.
3. Plug the programmer into your computer.
4. Release the button after a few seconds.

The ESP-01S is now ready for flashing.

Download Required Files

1. Download ESPHome Flasher
2. Download the latest WLED ESP-01 Binary

Flashing Process

1. Open ESPHome Flasher.
2. Select the correct COM port.
3. If no port appears, install the CH340 USB driver.
4. Click Browse and select the downloaded WLED binary file.
5. Press Flash ESP.
6. Wait for the upload process to complete.

Once finished, your ESP-01S is ready to control the LED tree with Data Out Pin GPIO2

Now it's time to install the LEDs onto the tree frame.

Carefully position the LEDs at the ends of the branches and solder each LED's GND pin directly to the iron wire frame.

This step requires patience and precision. Take your time to ensure every solder joint is strong and reliable.

Next, connect all LEDs in a single data chain.

1. Connect the Data Out (DOUT) of one LED to the Data In (DIN) of the next LED.
2. Continue until all LEDs are connected in sequence.

Use thin enamel wire to keep the wiring discreet and maintain the tree's appearance.

After completing the wiring:

1. Set your multimeter to continuity mode.
2. Check every connection carefully.
3. Verify there are no broken connections or accidental shorts.

Testing now can save a lot of troubleshooting later.

Before final assembly, it's a good idea to test everything.

I built a temporary test setup using:

1. A battery
2. The USB Type-C charging module
3. An ESP-01S test board

Power up the LEDs and verify that every LED responds correctly.

If all LEDs illuminate and animations work properly, you're ready for final assembly.

This step is optional, but highly recommended.

For the base, I used a small round Gypsum pot approximately 2 inches in diameter.

1. Cut a circular piece of 5mm plastic wood to fit inside the container.
2. Drill openings for:
3. The tree trunk
4. Power switch
5. USB Type-C charging port
6. Insert all components into position.
7. Secure everything using super glue and hot glue.

The base serves as both a support structure and a housing for the electronics.

To improve the appearance of the tree:

1. Wrap the branches and trunk using black electrical tape.
2. Hide the iron wire and enamel wiring as much as possible.
3. Cover exposed metal to reduce the chance of corrosion.

This simple step dramatically improves the overall look and gives the tree a cleaner, more professional finish.

Now install the battery inside the base.

I used a compact 600mAh Li-ion battery, which fit perfectly inside the enclosure.

1. Secure the battery using double-sided tape.
2. Connect the battery to the charging module.
3. Verify all wiring connections.
4. Close the base and complete the final assembly.

Your Magic LED Tree is now ready to come to life!

Congratulations! you've successfully built your own Magic LED Tree!

Turn on the power switch and connect to the device using your smartphone. Through WLED's Wi-Fi interface, you can:

1. Change colors instantly
2. Select from dozens of built-in effects
3. Adjust brightness
4. Create custom lighting moods
5. Control the tree remotely

Whether used as a desk decoration, night light, conversation piece, or gift, the Magic LED Tree adds a unique touch of color and creativity to any space.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Instructable. I hope you enjoyed the project as much as I enjoyed building it. If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback, please leave a comment—I would love to hear from you.

Happy Making! 😊