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Thread: Testing Neopixel Strips

  1. #1

    Default Testing Neopixel Strips

    Hello from Seattle!

    My students and I have begun building a neopixel saber.

    We've assembled the paired neopixel strips, as Madcow demonstrates in his excellent video, Plecter Pixel Blade Construction.

    One student has wisely asked, "Is there a way to test the pixel strips before we solder the wires to the PCB and assemble the blade?"

    Thanks, as always.

    Cheers,
    - Mike Lemon

  2. #2
    Sith Warrior darth_chasm's Avatar
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    This is the little test rig I made for testing the Illumicore crystals sold in the shop. It’s an attiny 85 loaded with a test program and uses pogo pins for quick connection to the pixel pads. Simple, easy, cheap.

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  3. #3

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    Thanks, Darth.

    What's the voltage? I'm not sure what load to use ...

    Best regards,
    - Mike

  4. #4
    Sith Warrior darth_chasm's Avatar
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    No problem. It’s usb powered. +5v. If programming a tiny is too troublesome, you can always use an arduino pro mini or pro micro. Or even a seeed xiao.
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  5. #5

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    Thanks!

    We have arduino kits, but I want to avoid any more complicating steps - she's looking at it more simply.

    The neopixel strips haven't been soldered to the PCB (she just has the two strips stuck together with the three wires from each strip), so she's considering just clipping a battery or batteries to the positive and negative wires from each strip for a quick check of the connection.

    I haven't built a neopixel blade, so I'm not sure what resistance or current to use for a quick check.

    Is it possible to use a 7.4V battery to check for illumination?

    Thanks, as always!
    -Mike

  6. #6
    Sith Warrior darth_chasm's Avatar
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    That’s too much voltage for the strips. Ws2812 has an operating voltage of I think 3.8-5V. Plus you need data to see any illumination. That’s why the microcontroller is used. If you have arduino kits you could simply upload the adafruit test sketch and go from there.
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  7. #7

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    Well, look who’s back.
    TCSS MODERATOR
    All n00bs READ these first (PLEASE)!!!:
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    "Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before... you want blindingly bright, super loud, running 1138 blinkies off of the cheapest sound card you can find AND you want all of it to run on a battery the size of a dime, and run for a very, VERY long time. That one cracks me up every time..."
    My email: fjk_tcss@yahoo.com

  8. #8
    Sith Warrior darth_chasm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Forgetful Jedi Knight View Post
    Well, look who’s back.
    Quiet but always watching
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  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by darth_chasm View Post
    Quiet but always watching
    Funny how that works out, huh?
    TCSS MODERATOR
    All n00bs READ these first (PLEASE)!!!:
    1. Forum Guidelines
    2. FJK’s “Down and Dirty” guide to Ohm’s Law

    "Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before... you want blindingly bright, super loud, running 1138 blinkies off of the cheapest sound card you can find AND you want all of it to run on a battery the size of a dime, and run for a very, VERY long time. That one cracks me up every time..."
    My email: fjk_tcss@yahoo.com

  10. #10

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    Thanks, darth_chasm - much obliged.

    Would an Arduino Uno from a Starter Kit work?

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