Flashing the ESPixelStick Firmware

Flashing the ESPixelStick Firmware

ESPixelStick is an open-source firmware alternative that allows your RGB2Go controller to function as an FPP Remote, receiving sequences wirelessly from Falcon Player (FPP) and playing them back locally from an SD card. This is ideal for synchronized multi-controller show setups with xLights.

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Please note: ESPixelStick version 4 has not yet been officially released. You may encounter issues during setup or operation. We strongly recommend fully testing your installation before deploying it in a live show environment.
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An SD Card Module is required to use FPP Remote functionality. The SD card must be properly formatted before use.

Compatible Controllers

Solo2Go
✓ Supported
Tetra2Go
✓ Supported
Octa2Go
✓ Supported
Duo2Go
✗ Not Supported

The Duo2Go does not have an expansion header and cannot accommodate the SD Card Module.

1 Install the Serial Driver

A serial driver is required for your computer to recognize the controller over USB. Download and install the version for your operating system.

Most RGB2Go controllers use the CH9102F chip — start with that driver. If your controller is not recognized, try the CP210x or CH340 driver. All drivers can be installed simultaneously without conflict.

On Windows, run the installer after downloading. Once installed, a COM port will appear in Device Manager when the controller is connected.

2 Connect Your Controller
Important: Disconnect all external power from the controller before connecting via USB. Only USB power should be present during flashing.

Connect your controller to your computer using a data-capable USB cable. A charge-only cable will not work. On Windows, you should hear a notification sound confirming the device has been recognized.

3 Flash ESPixelStick

Open the ESPixelStick online installer in Chrome or Edge:

https://espixelstickwebflasher.from-ct.com:5000/

  1. Under Version, select the latest non-Experimental release.
  2. Under Platform, select the board matching your controller:
    ESP32 Solo2Go, ESP32 Tetra2Go, or ESP32 Octa2Go
  3. Under Wi-Fi Configuration, enter your network SSID and password. It is also recommended to set an AP password in case direct access is needed.
  4. Click Flash Device. When prompted, select the COM port marked as a USB-type port and click Connect.
  5. Click Install ESPixelStick, then Install. Flashing will take a few minutes.
Finding your IP address: Once flashing is complete, click Logs & Console to view the IP address assigned to your controller by your WiFi router.
4 Configure ESPixelStick

Open a browser and navigate to your controller's IP address to access the ESPixelStick web interface.

SD Card check: If a File Management tab is visible, your SD Card Module is installed and recognized correctly.

Click the Device Setup tab and configure the following:

  • Set Primary Input to DDP (recommended — easier to configure than E1.31)
  • Set Secondary Input to FPP Remote
  • Set each output to WS2811
Controller Outputs to Configure
Solo2Go Output 1
Tetra2Go Outputs 1–4
Octa2Go Outputs 1–8

Click Save Changes when done.

5 Reboot & Verify

Click the Admin tab in the upper right corner of the web interface, then click Reboot. Wait approximately one minute for the controller to restart and the page to refresh.

Your controller is now ready. It can be discovered in the Controller Setup section of xLights, and sequences can be uploaded to the SD card using Tools → FPP Connect.

Note: If you use Upload Output from xLights, pixel counts in the ESPixelStick firmware will be updated automatically.