Dimmer Switch For NeoPixel Ring

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motionpotion
 
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Dimmer Switch For NeoPixel Ring

Post by motionpotion »

Hi.

I purchased the 4 of the NeoPixel ring 1/4 segments a while back and assembled them into a circle. http://www.adafruit.com/products/1768

I now want to make a circular light from them that allows dimming.

Would this be possible and if so where/how would I get/make a dimmer switch that is compatible with the NeoPixel ring?

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: Dimmer Switch For NeoPixel Ring

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

NeoPixels won't work with a dimmer switch. You need a microcontroller to tell them how to fade.

What are you using to run the ring now?

motionpotion
 
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Re: Dimmer Switch For NeoPixel Ring

Post by motionpotion »

I'm using a DC Boarduino. I was hoping to just be able to connect it to a switch that I can turn on. I was planning on installing it into a camper van in the ceiling as a circular light that would be connected up to a switch which in turn was powered from the 12V battery.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Dimmer Switch For NeoPixel Ring

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

A regular home-wiring type dimmer switch would not work. But you could use a pot with an integral on/off switch. If you connect the on/off switch pins to a digital input on the Boarduino and the pot output to an analog input, the Boarduino can control the brightness of the ring.

If you have a 12v source, you will want to get a 12v/5v DC/DC 'buck' converter to power the Boarduino and ring.

motionpotion
 
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Re: Dimmer Switch For NeoPixel Ring

Post by motionpotion »

Thanks for the info. Could you point me in the correct direction where I could buy pot with integral switch and the buck converter? Or would I need to make the buck converter depending on the power drawn and supplied?

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Dimmer Switch For NeoPixel Ring

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Any of the major electronics suppliers should carry a variety of volume pots with on/off switches. You can also find them on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Potentiometer-24m ... B00BJ8AZM0

For a buck converter - to drive the 60 pixel ring at full brightness, you would need at least 3.6A at 5v. Here is one rated for 5A:
http://www.amazon.com/DROK-Waterproof-C ... B00CE75K0W

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