This board is more than just a carrier board for an ESP-01. It also contains a CH340C USB-to-serial chip for communicating with and programming the ESP8266, as well as charging circuitry to charge and regulate a lithium battery pack! While powered externally, the USB-to-serial connection is active and everything is powered from the external supply. However, if the external supply fails or is removed, it instantly switches over to powering everything from the attached battery pack.
The board has a constant 5V out for strips that you want to be powered all the time. It also has a connection from the ESP-01 so you can control the LEDs via PWM or an external transistor. An N-channel MOSFET like an IRLB8721 would be a great way to control large numbers of LEDs with this board! An onboard 3.3V regulator is also included to power the ESP-01 correctly.
Potential applications include emergency lighting for signage. Another application that comes to mind is a remotely-controlled ON AIR sign for podcasters and streamers! The design files are freely available, so you can easily hack the board to fit whatever application you have in mind.
