Hi,
I bought a 1m long strip of Dotstar (60 LEDs/m) and I've tried almost everything, and the only success I'm getting is with the 5V pinout on my Grand Central. I don't know what is going on, but I've made 2 strips with 10 Dotstar LEDs and the 5V pinout is the only thing that works flawlessly with each. I'm using the 5V pinout for something else for this project, and having these all hooked up to the same 5V pinout will not work.
I'm kind of at a loss right now, any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!
Kevin
Dotstar strip not working with 5V 2A external power supply
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Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
- kgrove
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- adafruit_support_bill
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Re: Dotstar strip not working with 5V 2A external power supp
Please post some photos showing all your connections for the strip, processor and power supply.
- kgrove
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- Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2021 4:51 pm
Re: Dotstar strip not working with 5V 2A external power supp
The photo with the consistent color is when I plug it directly into the 5V & GND pinouts. You can't tell from the external power supply photo, but the lights are constantly switching into random colors. I don't get it, but then again, I'm not an electrical engineer...
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- adafruit_support_bill
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Re: Dotstar strip not working with 5V 2A external power supp
You need a ground connection from the Arduino to the DotStars. All signals are measured relative to GND, so without a ground connection, the signals that control the DotStars are 'undefined'.
- kgrove
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Re: Dotstar strip not working with 5V 2A external power supp
I tried hooking it up like the diagram from the lesson
https://learn.adafruit.com/assets/63279
But it didn't do anything other than freeze up the Grand Central, ceasing all functionality.
In the photos, the green wire is going straight to a GC gnd pinout, the black is going to the Dotstar GND and red is going to VCC. CI and DI are connected properly.
https://learn.adafruit.com/assets/63279
But it didn't do anything other than freeze up the Grand Central, ceasing all functionality.
In the photos, the green wire is going straight to a GC gnd pinout, the black is going to the Dotstar GND and red is going to VCC. CI and DI are connected properly.
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- kgrove
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Re: Dotstar strip not working with 5V 2A external power supp
I'm just now seeing that I should probably have bought the Neopixel strip, rather than the Dotstar.
- kgrove
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Re: Dotstar strip not working with 5V 2A external power supp
Now my GC isn't working at all...
I connect it via USB and it pops up and then immediately disappears
I connect it via USB and it pops up and then immediately disappears
- kgrove
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2021 4:51 pm
Re: Dotstar strip not working with 5V 2A external power supp
Update: I was able to reset the board. Everything working as normal, except the LEDs. Not gonna try that diagram again
- adafruit_support_bill
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Re: Dotstar strip not working with 5V 2A external power supp
Power connections for Neopixels and Dotstars are the same. You need a ground connection between the strip and the processor for a signal reference. The diagram is correct. There must be some other issue with your wiring.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.