ESP32 with TCS34725 RGB Sensor

🎨 What is the TCS34725?

The TCS34725 is a color sensor made by AMS (now part of Renesas).
It detects Red, Green, Blue, and Clear light (ambient).

🧠 Key Features:

• Detects RGB colors

• I2C interface (perfect for ESP32)

• Built-in IR filter for accurate color detection

• Built-in white LED for illumination

• Measures light intensity (lux) and color temperature (K)

🧰 What You Need

📌 TCS34725 Pinout

You can change SDA/SCL in software if needed, but 21/22 are default.

📚 Step 1: Install Libraries in Arduino IDE

1. Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries

2. Search and install:

   • ✅ Adafruit TCS34725

   • ✅ Adafruit Unified Sensor

   • 🎯 What You Can Do with TCS34725

     Application	Description
     🎨 Color Picker	Detect colors from surfaces
     🚥 Line/Fruit Sorting	Distinguish red/green/yellow
     💡 Ambient Lighting	Adjust RGB LEDs based on surroundings
     📦 Product Classification	Use color to classify packaging
     🎮 DIY Game Controllers	Color-based input

      

     ---

     🧠 Pro Tips

     Tip	Info
     Sensor too slow?	Use TCS34725_INTEGRATIONTIME_2_4MS for faster readings
     Low light?	Set gain to TCS34725_GAIN_60X
     Washed-out color?	Reduce LED brightness or cover with diffusion material
     Not detecting?	Use an I2C scanner to confirm address (default: 0x29)

      

     HOW TO OPERATE

      

     #include <Wire.h>
     #include "Adafruit_TCS34725.h"

     // Initialize with default I2C address (0x29)
     Adafruit_TCS34725 tcs = Adafruit_TCS34725(TCS34725_INTEGRATIONTIME_50MS, TCS34725_GAIN_4X);

     void setup() {
     Serial.begin(115200);
     if (tcs.begin()) {
     Serial.println("TCS34725 found!");
     } else {
     Serial.println("No TCS34725 found ... check your connections");
     while (1);
     }

     // Turn on LED for illumination (if supported)
     tcs.setInterrupt(false);
     }

     void loop() {
     uint16_t r, g, b, c;
     tcs.getRawData(&r, &g, &b, &c);

     // Calculate color temperature and lux
     uint16_t colorTemp = tcs.calculateColorTemperature_dn40(r, g, b, c);
     uint16_t lux = tcs.calculateLux(r, g, b);

     Serial.print("R: "); Serial.print(r);
     Serial.print(" G: "); Serial.print(g);
     Serial.print(" B: "); Serial.print(b);
     Serial.print(" C: "); Serial.print(c);
     Serial.print(" Color Temp: "); Serial.print(colorTemp); Serial.print(" K");
     Serial.print(" Lux: "); Serial.println(lux);

     delay(1000);
     }

     OUTPUT

     R: 1234 G: 1320 B: 1100 C: 3700 Color Temp: 4350 K Lux: 75