We noticed in the Arduino sketch application there are two 3.3V Arduino Pro Mini devices listed, is it possible we need one of these and not the other?
Thanks in advance for any help, obviously we’re very new and just getting our hands dirty.
That suit looks like it was constructed from several LED strips. You can get them in a number of places including SFE. The ones they used for that look to be single color (three different strands though). They are pretty easy to drive. Some strips allow individual LED addressing and have a form of shift register built in. So it’s usually 2 or 3 wires to control the LEDs on a single strip. http://www.sparkfun.com/search/results? … t=products
Before you go selecting various components, figure out what LED strips you are going to use. Then figure out what you will need to drive the strips. Everything will be a lot clearer at that point.
I have already purchased the led modules that he specifies in his parts list, which are 3 LED RGB 5050 SMD Module, he has a picture at the bottom of what it looks like the ones I have purchased look very similar, they are rgb modules with 3 leds per module… Do these have anything built into them?
That’s a definite maybe. If the modules you bought are exactly the same as the one in the video, then yes. But, all I have to go on is a very blurry picture. However, looking “very similar” doesn’t mean much in this context. Where did you get them and are there any specs? Did they come with a controller? If it were me, I’d sniff the protocol between the controller and the modules. It’s probably a variant of SPI. We’d need a lot more info to help you.
Philba:
That suit looks like it was constructed from several LED strips. You can get them in a number of places including SFE. The ones they used for that look to be single color (three different strands though). They are pretty easy to drive. Some strips allow individual LED addressing and have a form of shift register built in. So it’s usually 2 or 3 wires to control the LEDs on a single strip. http://www.sparkfun.com/search/results? … t=products
Before you go selecting various components, figure out what LED strips you are going to use. Then figure out what you will need to drive the strips. Everything will be a lot clearer at that point.
Looking at the video at the URL provided, I can see that some LEDs in a string are on while others are off. Ones that are on can have different colors that others that are on. My conclusion is that they are individually addressable**. It looks like they are daisy-chained, 4 wires in, 4 wires out. I’d GUESS that each of the LED modules is built around the [WS2801 chip but it’s not identifiable in the pics or video nor is any detailed info given on the website. One can only hope that the LEDs the OP purchased came with some datasheet of some kind.
**And yet I see this in the “specs” given on Ebay for those purchased by the OP …
Interface definition: AWG 20 # wire, 100mm, black is positive, red, green, blue for the negative
That sure doesn’t look like they’re individually addressable ! I hate to ask this but …
Ok I have contacted the supplier and canceled the order because they did not in fact have the WS2801 chip, now I just need to find a 3 led module 5050 rgb with this chip in it. I appreciate the help and from the blurry picture that he puts on his webside of the module it looks as if the chip is built into the module in the middle.
This is the problem with buying components from china on ebay. You are spinning a roulette wheel. Maybe you get what you expected, maybe you don’t. I buy stuff like that and spend a lot of time trying to determine what I might be getting before I whip out my paypal account. And even then, I get surprised but it’s usually on a $5-10 purchase so it’s not a big deal. Just recently I bought an accelerometer module and 2 ultrasonic rangers from a china/ebay site for a total of $16. The rangers ($3 ea) work fine but the accelerometer looks like a mess (design error on the bd reversed Vcc and Gnd plus I suspect the acc chip is counterfeit, it doesn’t look right to me).
No, the module you linked to does not look like what you want. I don’t believe it is addressable either. Look at the datasheet they link to - the controller hook up shows B, G, R and Y wires. Addressable would show something like +V, Gnd, Clk and Data.
If you want certainty, use SFE or Adafruit. They have specs and tutorials as to how to use their LED stings. People here (or on the adafruit forum) can help you make them work. The original builder didn’t really give you cookbook instructions, you’ll have to figure stuff out as you go anyway. Given the risk of not getting the right thing and the long shipping times, why buy from China?
In the end it’s about building what you want, not getting the absolute lowest price, right?
By the way, I wouldn’t fixate on a “5050 3 LED module”. I’d look at anything RGB, addressable with a PWM controller and about 2000 mcd brightness. You’ve got lots of choices.
In short I have no idea what the above LED sets (in your post) really do. Other than the pic they look to be the same as the last set. There’s nothing in writing to tell me one way or the other. When I’m in a gambling mood I go to Vegas. At least there you can get a dinner and a show to go with throwing your $$s away.
philmyboob:
Or maybe I should contact this supplier for a more detailed datasheet on the correct module?
This is where I would start. Afterall Shane did get his "stuff" from someplace. At some point you're going to have to trust the seller enough that you believe what he says it true. You just need to ask enough specific questions so that a simple misunderstanding can be avoided. I think the key question to ask is what is the interface between some "controller" and the LED sets being sold. If that interface is nothing more than a "ground" for each LED, to make the LED go on, then avoid that device.
Sigh. Why go chasing the chinese vendors in the hope of maybe getting just what shane did? I see that as an exercise in frustration.
SFE (see link in my 1st reply) or adafruit http://www.adafruit.com/category/37 have plenty of lights strings that will work and you have the benefit of not having to guess.
Gotcha, let me see what I can find… I am looking for something that will take up space without having to use too many leds that will kill the battery and I am assuming that is why Shane used the 3 led modules, for space and the fact that he only used 600 leds, which on most led strips is 150-300 each 5m roll but they cover a lot less space. Any ideas on what else I should use?
Thanks for all of the help any feedback is appreciated