KinderLight

KinderLight RGB

KinderLight RGB is a smart night light based on an ESP32-C6 microcontroller, capable of automatically adjusting brightness and color based on ambient light using a BH1750 sensor.

Designed to integrate natively with Home Assistant via ESPHome.

Features

• Automatic ambient light detection with BH1750 sensor.
• RGB LED control via PWM (independent channels for Red, Green, Blue).
• Wi-Fi control and OTA (Over The Air) firmware updates.
• Web server interface for local diagnostics.
• Optional manual serial debug connection via JST-SH 5P or Tag-Connect footprint (future).
• Easy snap-in mount inside a Vimar Plana 14041 cover plate.
• Input voltage 7–24V regulated to 5V with buck converter.
• Smooth fade-in and fade-out effects.
• Automatic activation from sunset to sunrise (future).

Hardware Required

• ESP32-C6 Supermini
• BH1750 light sensor module
• MP1584 DC-DC Stepdown Module
• RGB LED (common anode)
• 3D printed snap-in panel for Vimar 14041
• optionally, the PCB to host the components, otherwise replicate the same BOM

Software

• ESPHome (latest)
• Home Assistant (latest)
• YAML automations provided.

Installation

1. Flash the ESP32 using provided kinderlight.yaml ESPHome config.
2. Install the snap-in panel inside a Vimar 14041 (or custom box).
3. Wire the RGB LED and the BH1750 sensor
4. Upload automations to Home Assistant.

Configuration

Lux table: 0.0 - 2.0 lx: Danger Zone (High risk of tripping/hitting furniture). 2.0 - 5.0 lx: Deep Twilight (Silhouettes only; no colors or textures visible). 5.0 - 10.0 lx: Twilight (General shapes visible; fine details are lost). 10.0 - 15.0 lx: Low Orientation (Safe to move; colors begin to be distinguishable). 15.0 - 20.0 lx: Dim Orientation (Comfortable for a nightlight; eye starts to adapt). 20.0 - 30.0 lx: Gloomy Interior (Environment feels "dark" but fully visible).

Entities Created

• light.kinderlight_rgb
• sensor.ambient_light_lux

(Optional Voltage monitor if configured.)

Automation Logic

• Turns on at sunset, off at sunrise.
• During daytime, activates if ambient lux falls below threshold.
• Full color control from Home Assistant dashboard.

Future Plans

• Support for multiple KinderLights via groups.
• Additional effects (color cycling, breathing mode).

License

GPL-3.0 License

Project Structure

kinderlight_rgb/
├── README.md
├── LICENSE
├── hardware/
│   └── 3d_models/
│       ├── snapin_14041.stl
│       └── 
├── firmware/
│   ├── kinderlight_rgb.yaml
│   ├── example_automation.yaml
├── bom/
│   ├── bom_front.csv
│   ├── bom_rear.csv
└── tools/
    ├── wiring_diagram.svg
    └── wiring_diagram.png

## Backlog

MP1584 dimensions for kicad has been taken from:

https://components101.com/modules/mini-mp1584-dc-dc-3a-adjustable-buck-module

[docs/MP1584-Dimensions.png]
[docs/MP1584-Pinout.jpg]