Will this configuration work?

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mcbenton
 
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Will this configuration work?

Post by mcbenton »

Hi,

I teach introductory programming at the college level. I'd like to use a Trinket/NeoPixel combo to teach basic concepts like variables, arrays, looping, etc. However, I have almost zero experience with microcontrollers and so I don't know if what I'd like to do will work. Here's what I was thinking. Each student (or maybe pair of students) would get:

* A 3.3V Trinket http://www.adafruit.com/products/1500
* An approximately 1-foot strip (20 LEDs) of NeoPixel strip http://www.adafruit.com/products/1138
* A USB cable http://www.adafruit.com/products/592

Each student would wire and solder the 20-light strip to the Trinket and would be able to power both strip and Trinket using the USB cable (i.e. it would only run while connected to their computer).

My question is whether or not this will work. Should I get the 5V Trinket instead? Can I do this without having an additional power supply for the LEDs, i.e. power just through the USB? Even buying in bulk, this project would run me about $17/student. This is the first time I'm doing this and I think I can get my department to pay for it this time, but I would really like to keep costs down.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Morgan

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Will this configuration work?

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

For runing from USB power, I'd suggest the 5v trinket. Then you can power the NeoPixlels from the USB+ pin on the trinket.

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mcbenton
 
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Re: Will this configuration work?

Post by mcbenton »

Perfect. Thank you!

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mcbenton
 
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Re: Will this configuration work?

Post by mcbenton »

Just to follow up, this combination worked perfectly. Here's an (admittedly bad) photo of the end product. I put clear heatshrink tubing around the USB plug, Trinket, and end of the LED strip to hold it together more sturdily. You can still push the reset button through the tubing.

Image

I'm looking forward to building and programming these with my students! Thank you!!!

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Will this configuration work?

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Looks good! That will be a nice way for students to visualize some of the basic programming concepts.

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