12mm Digital RBB LED Strand Questions

[bunger]

I have a Mega 2560 and was going to try to power about 7 - 10 individual RGB LEDs, but am now seeing that I don't have enough PWM pins to do what I want. I don't really want to get into shift registers ( actually, am not even sure if the would left me expand the pwm pins ), so am looking at the 12mm Digital RGB LED 25 Strand product in the adaStore:

http://www.adafruit.com/products/322

I have a couple of quick questions:

I am mounting the LEDs in a plastic case and was going to use 5mm plastic LED holders to hold them in the case - drill hole, pop in the holder, pop in the LED. Because these LEDs are 12mm, I don't think they will work with my existing holders. Are their holders available for these to mount them in a case?

I don't need all 25 LEDs... only about 10 or so. Can I cut them after the 8th or 10th LED and will they still be functional?

Thanks in advance!!
Bill

[pounce]

Those look like they have their own holder built in. Drill a hole and push fit them. Look at the manufacturer page for them:

http://bliptronics.com/item.aspx?ItemID=86

Yes, you can cut the strip. These are 2801 based LED pixels so they don't really know they have neighbors.

I recall our previous thread:

viewtopic.php?f=47&t=25807

[adafruit_support_bill]

Pounce is correct. These are designed for a press-fit. Just drill a 12mm hole and push them in from behind.

[bunger]

Excellent!

Needless to say, this is my first *real* electronics project and if I knew what I doing, would probably cost me less than $100 total. Unfortunately, I will like triple that before I am done. BUT... I've got lots of cool extra parts and learned a ton!!

Small price to pay for the awesomeness of the ADA and the forums!

[pounce]

BUT... I've got lots of cool extra parts and learned a ton!!

That's the right attitude. Extra parts are the seeds that grow and bear the fruits of inspiration for the next learning adventure.

Hope you share some pictures of your project when you are done