I’ve just ordered the following parts:
The plan is to make the prototype of a programmable LED matrix that can be used for my Christmas light competition with my neighbors. Last year was all about scale, this year is about quality and style :) If this works I’m going to scale it up a couple of times.
With 5m and 30 LEDs each meter I will end up with the following dimensions.
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Monday last week I received all the components via UPS after some delivery problems. First thing to do is to rip the box open and put all the gadgets on the table. I forgot to make an unboxing video, but I promise you it wasn’t a great experience. Traditional brown cardboard box with the components securely wrapped in transparent bubble plastic.
First thing I noticed is that the Arduino was smaller than I thought and that 5 meters of led isn’t that much.
After a bit of soldering and mounting with gaffa tape this is what I ended up with on my first prototype.
I’ve done a cross soldering like this. The SDK from Adafruit supports a couple of different ways to put together the led strips. Progressive and zig-zag. For this prototype I’ve chosen the zig-zag pattern.
--- row 1 -->
<-- row 2 --
--- row 3 -->
First thing I had to do was to download and install the Arduino software.
Then I had to install the Adafruit libraries for NeoPixels. Remember to add the libraries inside the Arduino software so you’re able to use them.
Finally I connected the power supply to the Arduino and the NeoPixel strips, crossed my fingers and powered up my new prototype.
First out to test was the example with horizontal scrolling text. I had to rewrite the code so it was more flexible.
Next out was the theater cycle example. This has been used without any modification.
Same with the rainbow effect.
All nice effects but what is christmas without snow? Nothing! I just had to create a snow function from scratch.
The next effect out was the vertical text scroll.
And the last function so far is the show bitmap. This function is based on the examples from Adafruit.
To be continued…
PS! If you have any ideas about cool effects please share with me in the comments below. I’m currently thinking about the Christmas play list :)