KrakenKodersLights/INSTALLATION_GUIDE.md

Installation Guide - D1 Mini Blinkin Emulator

Two Ways to Install

Option 1: PlatformIO (Recommended for VS Code Users)

Step 1: Install PlatformIO

1. Open VS Code
2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
3. Search for "PlatformIO IDE"
4. Click Install
5. Restart VS Code

Step 2: Open the Project

1. File → Open Folder
2. Select KrakenKodersAllianceLights folder
3. PlatformIO will auto-detect the project

Step 3: Install Libraries

The libraries should install automatically when you build. If not:

Method A: Through PlatformIO Home

1. Click PlatformIO icon in sidebar
2. Open "PIO Home" → Libraries
3. Search for "Adafruit NeoPixel"
4. Click "Add to Project"
5. Select your project

Method B: Manual Command

1. Open PlatformIO Terminal (bottom toolbar)
2. Run: pio lib install "Adafruit NeoPixel"

Step 4: Configure Your Settings

Edit src/D1Mini_Blinkin_Ready.ino:

#define NUM_LEDS 60        // Your LED count
#define BRIGHTNESS 100     // 0-255

Step 5: Build and Upload

1. Connect D1 Mini via USB
2. Click checkmark (✓) to build
3. Click arrow (→) to upload

Option 2: Arduino IDE (Simpler for Beginners)

Step 1: Install Arduino IDE

Download from: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software

Step 2: Add ESP8266 Board Support

1. Open Arduino IDE
2. File → Preferences
3. In "Additional Board Manager URLs" add:

   http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json
   

4. Click OK
5. Tools → Board → Board Manager
6. Search "ESP8266"
7. Install "ESP8266 by ESP8266 Community"

Step 3: Install NeoPixel Library

1. Tools → Manage Libraries
2. Search "Adafruit NeoPixel"
3. Click Install
4. Also install any dependencies it asks for

Step 4: Open the Sketch

1. File → Open
2. Navigate to D1Mini_Blinkin_Arduino.ino

Step 5: Configure Board Settings

Tools menu:

• Board: "LOLIN(WEMOS) D1 R2 & mini"
• Upload Speed: 921600
• CPU Frequency: 80 MHz
• Flash Size: 4MB (FS:2MB OTA:~1019KB)
• Port: Select your COM port (appears when D1 Mini connected)

Step 6: Configure Your LEDs

Edit these lines in the code:

#define NUM_LEDS 60        // Your LED count
#define BRIGHTNESS 100     // 0-255

Step 7: Upload

1. Connect D1 Mini via USB
2. Click Upload button (→)
3. Wait for "Done uploading"

Troubleshooting

PlatformIO Issues

"Adafruit_NeoPixel.h not found"

• Ensure platformio.ini contains:

  lib_deps = 
      adafruit/Adafruit NeoPixel@^1.11.0
  

• Clean and rebuild: PlatformIO → Clean, then Build

"Platform not installed"

• Terminal: pio platform install espressif8266

Wrong COM Port

• Add to platformio.ini:

  upload_port = COM3  ; Change to your port
  monitor_port = COM3
  

Arduino IDE Issues

"Board not found"

• Ensure ESP8266 package is installed
• Restart Arduino IDE
• Select correct board from Tools → Board menu

"Port not showing"

• Install CH340 drivers: https://sparks.gogo.co.nz/ch340.html
• Try different USB cable (data cable, not charge-only)
• Windows: Check Device Manager for COM port

"Upload failed"

• Hold FLASH button on D1 Mini while uploading starts
• Release after upload begins
• Try slower upload speed (115200)

General Issues

LEDs not working after upload

• Check wiring (D4 → LED Data)
• Verify LED strip has power
• Test with Serial Monitor for debug output
• Check voltage divider if using servo port

Wrong colors or flickering

• Some LED strips are RGB instead of GRB
• Change in code:

  // From:
  Adafruit_NeoPixel strip(NUM_LEDS, LED_DATA_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
  // To:
  Adafruit_NeoPixel strip(NUM_LEDS, LED_DATA_PIN, NEO_RGB + NEO_KHZ800);
  

Testing Your Installation

Serial Monitor Test

1. Open Serial Monitor (115200 baud)
2. Should see:

   D1 Mini Blinkin Emulator
   Kraken Koders FTC Team
   LEDs: 60
   Ready!
   

LED Test

1. LEDs should show green sweep on startup
2. Without PWM input, LEDs turn off
3. With PWM input, patterns change

Simple Blink Test

Upload this minimal test first:

#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#define PIN 2  // D4
#define NUMPIXELS 10

Adafruit_NeoPixel pixels(NUMPIXELS, PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

void setup() {
  pixels.begin();
  pixels.setBrightness(50);
}

void loop() {
  pixels.clear();
  pixels.setPixelColor(0, pixels.Color(255, 0, 0));
  pixels.show();
  delay(500);
  pixels.clear();
  pixels.show();
  delay(500);
}

Next Steps

1. Build the voltage divider - See VOLTAGE_DIVIDER_BUILD_GUIDE.md
2. Test with servo tester - Verify PWM reading
3. Connect to FTC robot - Configure as servo device
4. Customize patterns - Add your team colors!

Quick Command Reference

PlatformIO Commands

pio run                  # Build
pio run -t upload        # Upload
pio run -t clean         # Clean
pio device monitor       # Serial monitor
pio lib install "name"   # Install library

Arduino IDE Shortcuts

• Ctrl+R - Verify/Compile
• Ctrl+U - Upload
• Ctrl+Shift+M - Serial Monitor
• Ctrl+Shift+L - Library Manager

Support

If you're still having issues:

1. Check all connections with multimeter
2. Try the simple blink test first
3. Enable DEBUG_MODE in code for more output
4. Verify voltage divider output is 2.5-3.3V
5. Test with different USB cable/port

Remember: The D1 Mini is 3.3V logic - never connect 5V directly to GPIO pins!