   pinMode(BUILTIN_LED, OUTPUT);
   // start ticker with 0.5 because we start in AP mode and try to connect
   ticker.attach(0.6, tick);
+
+  // ***************************************************************************
+  // Setup: Neopixel
+  // ***************************************************************************
+  strip.begin();
+  strip.setBrightness(brightness);
+  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
 
   // ***************************************************************************
   // Setup: WiFiManager

  DBG_OUTPUT_PORT.println(myWiFiManager->getConfigPortalSSID());
  //entered config mode, make led toggle faster
  ticker.attach(0.2, tick);
}



  ticker.detach();
  //keep LED on
  digitalWrite(BUILTIN_LED, LOW);


  // ***************************************************************************
