This project delivers a fully functional, waterproof smart aquarium lamp powered and controlled wirelessly through glass via electromagnetic induction. It features custom PCBs, integrated battery backup, and a novel dual-channel communication architecture (Wi-Fi and power-switching OOK), allowing seamless remote control of RGB LED animations via a smartphone web interface.
The Wireless Aquarium Lamp project eliminates hazardous and aesthetically unpleasing submerged power cables by developing an isolated, wirelessly powered lighting system. Building upon the initial proof of concept, Project B transitions from a breadboard testbench to a fully functional, hermetically sealed, and magnetically aligned final product. It utilizes electromagnetic induction to continuously transfer 24V power across the aquarium glass to an internal receiver and a rechargeable LiPo battery.
At the heart of the system is a custom dual-channel communication architecture powered by ESP32-C3 microcontrollers. The external hub hosts a local Wi-Fi Access Point and an interactive web interface, allowing users to control RGB colors, brightness, and lighting animations. Commands are transmitted either instantly via a primary Wi-Fi (ESP-NOW) link or through a highly resilient secondary channel using Power-Switching On-Off Keying (OOK). In OOK mode, the external unit modulates the magnetic field by physically interrupting the 24V power for precise macroscopic durations to encode a 24-bit command frame.
A major engineering achievement in this phase is the internal unit’s power management. To maintain microcontroller and LED stability during the intentional power interruptions of the OOK protocol, the internal PCB integrates a Mini360 buck converter and a TP4056 charge controller. This circuit functions as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), seamlessly toggling between harvested inductive power and the internal battery to guarantee a continuous 5V supply.
The final design incorporates robust hardware and software safeguards, including a 1N5822 Schottky flyback diode to prevent inductive kickback, an active EMA voltage filter with a deep-sleep emergency mode to protect the battery, and a software hard-limit on LED brightness to prevent thermal buildup. Sealed with Gorilla Waterproof Tape, the system provides a safe, aesthetic, and reliable underwater lighting solution.
