60 Neopixel Ring: Erratic Behavior

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crzasmoliza
 
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60 Neopixel Ring: Erratic Behavior

Post by crzasmoliza »

I have built several 60 Neopixel rings within the past few months.
50% exhibit periodic erratic flashing across segments two and three in the ring.
Have you guys switched to a new pcb manufacturer?

I tin all of the contacts and then solder across the contacts.
Perhaps I will try using bare headers to bridge the segments?
The flashing looks like a data line issue, but the solder points are thick and solid.

The problem is maddening, and I've been working with Neopixels for approximately 2 years now.

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davidl13
 
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Re: 60 Neopixel Ring: Erratic Behavior

Post by davidl13 »

Are power and ground solid across all the segments?

Can you post a video?

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crzasmoliza
 
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Re: 60 Neopixel Ring: Erratic Behavior

Post by crzasmoliza »

https://youtu.be/CSB_zdZ8I4k
What an epileptic nightmare!

You can see that the soldering looks fine in the image below.
Image

I have since resolved this by taking the plastic off of the header pins and soldering them across the contacts for better conductivity.
Maybe it was an issue with the solder I used?

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davidl13
 
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Re: 60 Neopixel Ring: Erratic Behavior

Post by davidl13 »

Interesting. I'd try a 10K trim pot as shown in the PICsellator Guide https://learn.adafruit.com/the-picsella ... ot-dot-dot or the Pixif Guide https://learn.adafruit.com/the-pixif/co ... ot-dot-dot.

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crzasmoliza
 
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Re: 60 Neopixel Ring: Erratic Behavior

Post by crzasmoliza »

Thanks David,
I trust there's a good reason for your suggestion, but my brain is unable to decipher it from your guides.
It is clear that you and I employ two very different approaches to problem solving.
This is not to say that I don't appreciate the skill you employ in your design.

-CHris

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crzasmoliza
 
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Re: 60 Neopixel Ring: Erratic Behavior

Post by crzasmoliza »

It seems I spoke too soon.
Apparently the issues are still occurring even with the improved contacts.
The behavior allegedly presented itself again (the crown was already delivered) after 20 mins of illumination.

I am driving the ring from a lipoly battery, and 5v pro-trinket with battery backpack.
I know the data voltage has to be within a certain range of the power voltage with neopixels.
I suspected something could be funky there.

After hooking the ring up to my testing setup, I still encountered the same issue across segments.
Setup uses an arduino uno and a 5v 10a power supply.

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