This is a very minimalist controller for WS2811 and WS2812B style addressable LEDs.
It lets you choose an effect and speed, and will then run that effect whenever powered. Basically a fit-and-forget LED controller that could be ideal for signage, effects and costumes.
Although most of the dirty work is done by a microcontroller, the support circuitry is quite interesting, largely because of the use of a discrete voltage regulator. The module will run from 5V to 24V.
Supporting the channel with a dollar or two on Patreon helps keep it independent of YouTube's quirks, avoids intrusive mid-video adverts, gives early access, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
#ElectronicsCreators
It lets you choose an effect and speed, and will then run that effect whenever powered. Basically a fit-and-forget LED controller that could be ideal for signage, effects and costumes.
Although most of the dirty work is done by a microcontroller, the support circuitry is quite interesting, largely because of the use of a discrete voltage regulator. The module will run from 5V to 24V.
Supporting the channel with a dollar or two on Patreon helps keep it independent of YouTube's quirks, avoids intrusive mid-video adverts, gives early access, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.
https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
#ElectronicsCreators
WLED FTW!
I've been using ws2811/12 LEDs since 2014 I got into it for a charity Xmas display and then shop window displays this was before the days of esp8266/32, The 100 ohm resistor will help protect the microcontroller but are more about stopping signal ringing…if you're installing the microcontroller a long way from the LEDs the 100ohm resistor is a must have for stability, I often have 5-10 meters before the first led… nowadays most home users just use wled from aircookie and add custom user mods if necessary.
i have used this controller to run lights on a RC Plane for night flying. worked really well.
Bit overkill, but I find raspberry pi zeros are great for driving these strings.
The reason for the discrete voltage regulator is due to the wide range of the operating voltage, 5V-24V. The little uController cannot tolerate a high voltage, probably good up to only 6V. Many manufacturers make LDOs (low drop out regulators) that can produce a tight 3.3V from 5V, but they are only good for a 7V maximum input voltage. Hence these guys decided to "roll their own LDO" using a zener and an NPN, which can easily tolerate 30V or move.
I haven’t been doing any electronics lately because of my migraines so this was a nice refresher
I want this for my next christmas lights
I've used an Arduino Nano to control those neopixel lights, using an appropriate library file. It works well, although it gets a little complicated when you have an 8×32 pixel panel and you want to put up words but the pixel connections are in a zig-zag back and forth across the panel from one long edge to the next.
How much work to make it battery-powered and sew it into clothing? And have it spell out rude words?
Spooze !!
It's crazy how small and cheap everything has become, I mean, 40-50 years ago, a circuit board would have easily filled a room, especially the chips and memory….
Shift registers be like: but RGB
"oh cool, a new clive video. huh, I wonder what spooze is."