The Periscope Logics are a custom PCB kit for Matt Zwarts Domelift Periscope – but should fit almost all Periscopes.
It needs 5V and can run standalone or be controlled via serial command or I2C.
Firmware is still not final but running the needed sequences.
(we just want more sequences and full integration into the Benduino/Marcduino system)
Revisions:
Current version:
ESP32 Lolin C3 Mini (easy programmable via USB)
Old versions:
ESP32 (programmable via serial pins)
ATmega328P (programmable via serial pins)
Currently, it seems all recent versions might cause issues. Please test and use previous versions instead.Working Fastled version: 3.9.0











ESP32 C3 Mini Version:
C3 Mini Enhanced Sketch v2.1 +
Quick Start Guide
What You Need
- R2D2 Periscope with LED controller installed
- USB cable (USB-C for Lolin C3 Mini)
- Computer with Arduino IDE or Serial Terminal
- 5V power supply (3A or more)
First Time Setup
- Connect USB cable to your computer
- Open Serial Monitor (Arduino IDE: Tools → Serial Monitor)
- Set Baud Rate to 9600
- Set Line Ending to “Newline” or “Carriage Return”
- Type
ON
and press Enter – LEDs should start!
Basic Commands
Power Control
Command | What it does |
---|---|
ON | Turn on all LEDs |
OFF | Turn off all LEDs |
X | Alternative way to turn off |
? | Show help menu |
Pre-Made Light Shows (Sequences)
Just type the command and press Enter:
Command | Light Show | Description |
---|---|---|
Q0 | R2D2 Classic | Original startup sequence |
Q1 | Party Mode | Colorful rainbow effects |
Q2 | Bright Pulse | Bright white pulsing |
Q3 | Communication | Fast data transmission effect |
Q4 | Police Lights | Red & blue emergency lights |
Q5 | Red Alert | Warning alarm pattern |
Q6 | Knight Rider | KITT scanner effect |
Q7 | Searchlight | Bright white scanning |
Q8 | Stealth Mode | Dim red scanning |
Q9 | Diving | Blue water effect going down |
Q10 | Surfacing | Cyan water effect going up |
Q11 | Calm Blue | Relaxing blue pulse |
Q12 | System Boot | Green startup sequence |
Q13 | Hidden Mode | Minimal purple activity |
Q14 | Celebration | Victory rainbow party |
Q15 | Charging | Blue energy charging up |
Q16 | Hyperdrive | Star Wars warp effect |
Q17 | Malfunction | Red/yellow electrical fault |
Q18 | Scan Done | Green completion sweep |
Q19 | Sonar Ping | Submarine sonar effect |
Q20 | Demo Mode | Plays all sequences automatically |
LED Groups Explained
[TOP - 7 LEDs]
↑
[LEFT] [MAIN] [RIGHT]
9 LEDs 9 LEDs 9 LEDs
↓
[BOTTOM - 8 LEDs]
↓
[BACK - 3 LEDs]
LED Group Codes
- M = Main (center, 9 LEDs)
- T = Top (7 LEDs)
- B = Bottom (8 LEDs)
- S = Sides (both left & right)
- L = Left only (9 LEDs)
- R = Right only (9 LEDs)
- K = Back (3 LEDs)
- A = All LEDs at once
Custom Effects
Basic Format
[Group][Effect][Color][Speed]
Example Commands
Simple Examples
M185
= Main LEDs, Effect 1, White, Speed 5T200
= Top LEDs, Effect 2, Red, Speed 0 (slow)A199
= All LEDs, Effect 1, Pink, Speed 9 (fast)
Step by Step Example
Let’s make the top LEDs do a blue chase effect:
- T = Top LEDs
- 6 = Chase effect
- 4 = Blue color
- 7 = Fast speed
Command: T647
Available Colors:
Number | Color |
---|---|
0 | Red |
1 | Yellow |
2 | Green |
3 | Cyan |
4 | Blue |
5 | Magenta |
6 | Orange |
7 | Purple |
8 | White |
9 | Pink |
Speed Settings
- 0 = Slowest
- 5 = Medium
- 9 = Fastest
Popular Effect Numbers
Main LEDs (M)
- 0 = Off
- 1 = Pulsing
- 2-5 = Spinning effects
- 9 = Strobe
- 12 = Rainbow
Top LEDs (T)
- 1 = Left to right
- 5 = Comet
- 11 = Knight Rider scanner
Sides (S/L/R)
- 1 = Pulse
- 5 = Strobe
- 7 = Fire effect
Tips & Tricks
1. Start Simple
Begin with sequences (Q0-Q20) before trying custom commands
2. Demo Mode
Type Q20
to see all effects automatically (15 seconds each)
3. Emergency Off
Type X
or OFF
to quickly turn everything off
4. Combine Effects
You can send multiple commands:
M185
T647
B209
This creates a custom combination!
5. Save Power
Lower speed numbers use less power and create calmer effects
Troubleshooting
LEDs won’t turn on?
- Check USB connection
- Try
ON
command - Check power supply
- Try
Q0
for default sequence
Commands not working?
- Check baud rate is 9600
- Press Enter after each command
- Commands are CASE SENSITIVE (use capitals)
- Try the
?
command for help
LEDs flickering?
- Power supply might be too weak
- Try reducing brightness in the code
- Check all connections
Status LED
The small LED on the controller blinks every second to show the system is running. This is normal!
Have Fun!
Experiment with different combinations and find your favorite effects. The periscope is designed to be eye-catching and fun!
Remember:
Q20
shows all effects in sequenceQ7
is great for getting attentionQ11
is perfect for calm ambianceOFF
orX
turns everything off
ESP32 Version:
The advantages are that WiFi and bluetooth are available as additional connection options.
Mimir created a sketch to make the periscope board compatible with the Uppity Spinner:
https://github.com/rimim/R2D2_Periscope_esp32
To revert back to Serial change this line:
#define UPPITY_SPINNER_MODE
To this:
//#define UPPITY_SPINNER_MODE
Connect rotary board pin A to to RX, rotary board pin B to SDA, and rotary board pin C to SCL. Connect rotary GND pin to GND pin on the light kit
Programming the ESP32 Version:
You need an FTDI programmer.
Connect 5V and GND as usual.
Cross connect RX and TX (RX goes to TX and vice versa)
Start the upload in the Arduino IDE and wait till you see this in the output:
…..——…..—–…..—–
Then press and hold the flash button
Press the reset button briefly (reset is still pressed)
Release the reset button
The upload should now start.
EPS32 Pinout:
Top Lights | IO33 |
Bottom Lights | IO17 |
Main Lights | IO27 |
Left Lights | IO16 |
Right Lights | IO25 |
Rear Lights | IO26 |
RX | IO3 |
TX | IO1 |
SDA | IO21 |
SCL | IO22 |
Arduino 328P Version:
Same functions (except wifi & bluetooth) like the newer Esp32 version.
To revert back to Serial change this line:
#define UPPITY_SPINNER_MODE
To this:
//#define UPPITY_SPINNER_MODE
Connect rotary board pin A to to RX, rotary board pin B to SDA, and rotary board pin C to SCL. Connect rotary GND pin to GND pin on the light kit
Pinout corresponding to the sketch:
Pin 5 – Main Lights
Pin 10 – Right Side
Pin 3 – Left Side
Pin 2 – Bottom Leds
Pin 6 – Top Leds
Pin 9 – Rear Leds
Available at shop.printed-droid.com