fun car project with lcd

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fanno
 
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fun car project with lcd

Post by fanno »

Hello

First of all i hope i post in the correct forum.

I am a hardware coder by trade so i don't expect that part should be a problem for me

I have thought about this project for a while..

there are a few methods i could use.

PIE preferred

both methods would require some king of transparent to hold them

method 1 https://www.adafruit.com/product/2237
Would be using with rows of about a meter (back window width)
PRO
it is "easy" compared to method 2
CON
blocks a lot of the view in the background could remove backingof the strip to block less

method 2 https://www.adafruit.com/product/3587
Would need to manually sorder togather all the inviviual leg's
PRO
potientually could block way less view mounter on acrylic with "super thin" wires (could feed display from both sides to lower wire diameter needed to carry the load)
CON
Cost could be more expensive
Way more work and way harder to soder

in essence a "transparent" display"

regardless of what method you all could recommend i would properly have to start making a mock up wit a few a single row if method 2

just also like to hear what you all thing

idea is to show messages and low resolution animation

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: fun car project with lcd

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

That's a reasonable breakdown of the options and tradeoffs. I'm afraid we can't suggest anything that would make it easier to handle the electrical connections while blocking less space than a DotStar stip.

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fanno
 
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Re: fun car project with lcd

Post by fanno »

Hello just had a thought if i instead bought a

https://www.adafruit.com/product/2329 (unless there is a RED version)

could i seperante between secment ? and sorder between them should be way more easy than sorder the LED alone.

How would this work?

Side note it looks like there is a "shroud" around the led's can this shroud be bought seperatly? if so i could have them in shroud while still separate them by manually order wires between and use a "empty" shroud to manage them.

as the shroud looks "transparent or at least semi transparent" insted of me making my own "mounting" framework.

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: fun car project with lcd

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

fanno wrote:could i seperante between secment ? and sorder between them should be way more easy than sorder the LED alone.
It's possible to cut and rewire NeoPixel strips, but the 144-pixel-per-meter strip makes it tricky.. the gaps between the pixels are pretty small.

We suggest removing one pixel and cutting through the middle of its footprint. Then all you have to do is wire the open DIN pin to the DOUT pin after you've cut the strip.
fanno wrote:Side note it looks like there is a "shroud" around the led's can this shroud be bought seperatly? if so i could have them in shroud while still separate them by manually order wires between and use a "empty" shroud to manage them.
The strips come with a silicone sheath that makes them 'weather-resistant'. We don't sell it separately, but you can use clear vinyl tubing to get the same effect.

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fanno
 
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Re: fun car project with lcd

Post by fanno »

The strips come with a silicone sheath that makes them 'weather-resistant'. We don't sell it separately, but you can use clear vinyl tubing to get the same effect.
That is not a bad idea do you have a known/have, tube you know fits if no no biggy.

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Re: fun car project with lcd

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

The strips themselves are 1/2" wide, so any tubing that size or larger will work.

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fanno
 
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Re: fun car project with lcd

Post by fanno »

thanks for your help i will make a order soon =)

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fanno
 
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Re: fun car project with lcd

Post by fanno »

BUMMER PI'S OUT OF STOCK =((((

I added notifi me but do you have any idea on when it may be back ?

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fanno
 
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Re: fun car project with lcd

Post by fanno »

Just filling out a wish list so i can order when a pie comes in.

Think i will get a:
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2345 as well with a https://www.adafruit.com/product/420

I just wanna be sure i understand correct if i had the https://www.adafruit.com/product/2345 to the pie i can still use the Dorstar (on other pins think only 2 pin) correct i guide say its not pin specific ( https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-dotstar-leds )

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Re: fun car project with lcd

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

fanno wrote:I added notifi me but do you have any idea on when it may be back ?
Nope.. that's part of the global supply chain mess. The RasPi Foundation has unexpected delays on things they need, and shipping times are all over the place. Notification when the next batch comes in is the best we can do without basically lying.
fanno wrote:I just wanna be sure i understand correct if i had the https://www.adafruit.com/product/2345 to the pie i can still use the Dorstar (on other pins think only 2 pin) correct i guide say its not pin specific ( https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-dotstar-leds )
The connections will be okay, but running DotStars and an RGB matrix at the same time will be a challenge. They both want a lot of precise signal timing. The code to run them works well on its own, but combining the two without having one get in the way of the other can be a nuisance.

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fanno
 
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Re: fun car project with lcd

Post by fanno »

Thanks for your reply

I have made a wish list ready to go when there is supply.

i did not mean to run both at the same time. I just meant having the hat on the pie so i would not have to unsoder the HAT to switch between the two.

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Re: fun car project with lcd

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

The Matrix Hat has female header, so it doesn't need a soldered connection to the RasPi.

You can use a separate piece of female header to make the connections for the DotStars so you won't need to solder those either:

https://www.adafruit.com/?q=female+head ... =BestMatch

Then swapping between the DotStars and an RGB Matrix will just be a matter of unplugging one and plugging in the other.

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