2 layers105 × 98.1 mm
2 layers83.1 × 34.9 mm
Tube
llextv/leTubeLeTube is a DIY project to build a set of 10 LED tubes for stage lighting.
- Size
- 83.1 × 34.9 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 34
- Nets
- 41
- Pads
- 163
- Tracks, vias
- 270, 14
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 8.0 (file 20240108)
- Created
- 16 Jul 2026
- Updated
- 27 Sep 2026
Overview
Tube is an open-source printed circuit board by llextv, from the llextv/leTube repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 83.1 × 34.9 mm with 34 parts on 41 nets, routed with 270 tracks and 14 vias.
It is built around the ESP32-C3-WROOM-02-H4, MAX3485ED and TPS54331DR-JSM, with the AP2112K-3.3, MF-MSMF200-2 and SMBJ33A among its other parts. Its parts include 10 capacitors, 7 resistors, 6 connectors, 4 ICs and 3 diodes. It belongs with the ESP32 and RISC-V boards of this library.
Main components
7
ESP32-C3-WROOM-02-H4
SMD,20x18mm-105dBm -40℃~+105℃ 2.4GHz 20.5dBm 345mA 3V~3.6V 82mA Bluetooth5.0 ESP32-C3 On-board PCB Antenna UART、SPI、I2C、I2S、USB SMD,20x18mm WiFi Modules ROHSEspressif SystemsWiFi Modules
MAX3485ED
SOP-8-40℃~+85℃ 1 1 10Mbps 1mA 3.135V~3.465V 32 Half-Duplex Transceiver ±8kV SOP-8 RS-485 / RS-422 ICs ROHSHTC Korea TAEJIN TechRS-485 / RS-422 ICs
TPS54331DR-JSM
SOP-8-40℃~+125℃ 1 2mA 3A 4.5V~40V 400kHz Adjustable Buck Built-in No Overcurrent Protection、Light load efficient mode、Cycle-by-cycle current limiting Step-down type SOP-8 DC-DC Converters ROHSJSMSEMIDC-DC Converters
AP2112K-3.3
SOT253.3V 600mA CMOS Low Dropout Linear Regulator with EnableDiodes IncorporatedUncategorised
MF-MSMF200-2
1812-40℃~+85℃ 20mΩ 2A 2W 3.2mm 40A 4A 5.4mm 80mΩ 8V 1812 Resettable Fuses ROHSBournsResettable Fuses
SMBJ33A
DO-214AA(SMB)-55℃~+150℃ 11.26A@10/1000us 33V 40.6V 53.3V 5uA 600W@10/1000us IEC 61000-4-2 TVS Unidirectional DO-214AA(SMB) ESD and Surge Protection (TVS/ESD) ROHShongjiachengESD And Surge Protection (TVS/ESD)
SS34
SMA(DO-214AC)-55℃~+125℃ 3A 40V 500uA@40V 550mV@3A Independent SMA(DO-214AC) Schottky Diodes ROHSMDDSchottky Diodes
README
README.mdLeTube
10 addressable LED tubes for stage lighting, controlled with Art-Net and QLC+.
LeTube is a DIY project to build a set of 10 LED tubes for stage lighting.
The goal is pretty simple: build something similar to commercial pixel tubes, but for much less money and using hardware that I can actually modify and repair myself.
The tubes use WS2815 12V LED strips and are controlled by a single ESP32 running WLED. QLC+ sends the lighting data through Art-Net over Wi-Fi.
Why am I doing this?
Commercial pixel tubes can get expensive very quickly when you need 10 of them.
I wanted to build my own version instead of buying ready-made tubes.
Another choice I made was to not put an ESP32 inside every tube. All the tubes are controlled from one ESP32, which keeps the electronics inside the tubes very simple.
The current version is mainly a prototype / personal project. I'm not trying to make a commercial product with it.
Overview
Features
- 10 × 1 m LED tubes
- WS2815 12V addressable RGB LEDs
- 144 LEDs/m
- One ESP32 for all 10 tubes
- Art-Net over Wi-Fi
- QLC+ compatible
- WLED based
- Centralized 12V power supply
- Power distribution using busbars
- Aluminium profiles with diffusers
- No controller inside the tubes
Pictures
3D / Assembly
WLED
How it works
QLC+ generates the DMX values and sends them to the ESP32 using Art-Net.
The ESP32 receives the data and WLED handles the LED output.
Each tube contains a 1 meter section of WS2815 strip, so every LED can be controlled individually.
LED Tubes
Each tube is made from an aluminium LED profile with a diffuser.
The current design uses:
- 1 m aluminium profile
- 1 m WS2815 strip
- 12V power
- LED diffuser
- Wiring for power and data
There is no microcontroller inside the tube.
The 10 tubes are connected back to the central controller and power distribution.
Power
The whole LED system is powered from a 12V 600W power supply.
I use two busbars to distribute the power.
The ESP32 is powered separately.
The reason for using centralized power is mostly simplicity. I don't need a power supply or converter inside every tube.
The power supply can deliver a lot of current, so the final installation needs properly sized wiring and suitable protection/fusing.
Control
WLED
The ESP32 runs WLED.
WLED is used to handle the addressable LEDs and the network communication.
Official documentation:
Hardware
Main components:
- ESP32
- WS2815 12V LED strip
- Aluminium LED profiles
- LED diffusers
- 12V 600W power supply
- M6 power busbars
- Wiring and connectors
The complete BOM is available here:
Project Files
KiCad
The KiCad files are available here:
CAD
Usage of LeTube.step: this component is used for maintain the tube in horizontal position
BOM
| Category | Item | Quantity | Unit Price (€) | Total (€) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Supply | 12 V 600 W Switching Power Supply | 1 | 35.99 | 35.99 | Main power supply |
| Power Distribution | M6 Battery Bus Bar Power Distribution Block | 2 | 6.50 | 13.00 | 1 positive + 1 negative |
| LED Profile | Aluminium LED Profile, 0.5 m | 20 | 2.55 | 51.00 | 10 m total |
| LED Strip | WS2815 Addressable RGB LED Strip | 10 m | 6.656 | 66.56 | 12 V |
| Wiring | Electrical Wire | — | 0.00 | 0.00 | Already available |
| Controller | ESP-WROOM-32 | 1 | 0.00 | 0.00 | Already available |
| TOTAL | 176.55 € | ≈ 195 USD |
Parts
34| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 100 µF | Capacitor_SMD:CP_Elec_6.3x5.8 | C3, C6, C9 |
| 2 | 10 nF | PCM_JLCPCB:C_0603 | C4, C5 |
| 2 | 1uF | PCM_JLCPCB:C_0603 | C7, C8 |
| 2 | R5.1k | Capacitor_SMD:C_0201_0603Metric | R2, R4 |
| 1 | 100 nF | PCM_JLCPCB:C_0603 | C1 |
| 1 | 100nF | PCM_JLCPCB:C_0603 | C10 |
| 1 | 22 µH 4 A | Inductor_SMD:L_7.3x7.3_H4.5 | L1 |
| 1 | 220 µF | Capacitor_SMD:CP_Elec_6.3x7.7 | C2 |
| 1 | 24V IN | Connector_JST:JST_XH_B2B-XH-A_1x02_P2.50mm_Vertical | J3 |
| 1 | 24V OUT | Connector_JST:JST_XH_B2B-XH-A_1x02_P2.50mm_Vertical | J2 |
| 1 | AP2112K-3.3 | PCM_JLCPCB:SOT-23-5_L3.0-W1.7-P0.95-LS2.8-BL | U4 |
| 1 | Boot | PCM_JLCPCB:SW-SMD_4P-L5.1-W5.1-P3.70-LS6.5-TL-2 | SW3 |
| 1 | DMX IN | Connector_JST:JST_XH_B3B-XH-A_1x03_P2.50mm_Vertical | J7 |
| 1 | DMX OUT | Connector_JST:JST_XH_B3B-XH-A_1x03_P2.50mm_Vertical | J5 |
| 1 | ESP32-C3-WROOM-02 | RF_Module:ESP32-C3-WROOM-02 | U1 |
| 1 | LED | Connector_JST:JST_XH_B3B-XH-A_1x03_P2.50mm_Vertical | J1 |
| 1 | LED | PCM_JLCPCB:D_0603 | D3 |
| 1 | MAX3485 | PCM_JLCPCB:SOIC-8_3.9x4.9mm_P1.27mm | U2 |
| 1 | MF-MSMF200 | Fuse:Fuse_1812_4532Metric | F1 |
| 1 | R100k | Capacitor_SMD:C_0201_0603Metric | R1 |
| 1 | R105k | Capacitor_SMD:C_0201_0603Metric | R5 |
| 1 | R10k | Capacitor_SMD:C_0201_0603Metric | R7 |
| 1 | R20k | Capacitor_SMD:C_0201_0603Metric | R6 |
| 1 | R330 | Capacitor_SMD:C_0201_0603Metric | R3 |
| 1 | RESET | PCM_JLCPCB:SW-SMD_4P-L5.1-W5.1-P3.70-LS6.5-TL-2 | SW2 |
| 1 | SMBJ33A | PCM_JLCPCB:D_SMB | D2 |
| 1 | SS34 | PCM_JLCPCB:D_DO-214AC(SMA) | D1 |
| 1 | TPS54331DR | PCM_JLCPCB:SOIC-8_3.9x4.9mm_P1.27mm | U3 |
| 1 | USB_C_Receptacle_USB2.0_14P | PCM_JLCPCB:TYPE-C-SMD_HX-TYPE-C-16PIN | J6 |
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Questions
How big is the Tube PCB?
It measures 83.1 × 34.9 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the Tube use?
34 parts, built around the ESP32-C3-WROOM-02-H4, MAX3485ED, TPS54331DR-JSM and AP2112K-3.3. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the Tube KiCad files?
From the llextv/leTube repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is assets/tube.kicad_pcb and its schematic assets/tube.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the Tube design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask llextv before reusing the design.