I've spent the past couple days reading various adafruit articles and forum posts, and I was hoping someone could confirm I'm heading down the right path before I click order!
Project
Create a wooden lamp in the shape of a dog for my child, with LEDs behind a diffuser in the head. See photo for lamp in progress. Desired functionality:
- Nightlight (low light)
- Go-to-sleep nightlight (low light on a timer)
- Lightshow (display different colors)
- Specific color light at a specific time ("it's ok to get up now")
- Remotely turn on any of the above
- (Future) Baby changing low light mode (use an IR sensor to turn on low light when we come in)
- Power: Wall power
- Speed: Doesn’t need to be fast
- Price: Flexible
- Communications: Bluetooth LE (that seems to be better than WiFi, since I'll connect via phone or PC)
- Programming: Flexible (I've done some LED programming with the Gemma platform before, and can muddle my way through the Arduino IDE, Node/JS, C++, and probably Python if needed. )
1. I initially considered a pre-built matrix, but I think I can get better LED coverage if I create my own by cutting up a NeoPixel Digital RGBW LED Strip and arranging it into rows on a metal panel inside the had. Does that make sense? (the pre-built arrangements adafruit has are ~3x2 IIRC, and the opening is about 2x2. However, maybe the hazy acrylic I have for a diffuser will make that irrelevant, and I should keep it simpler with the pre-built?)
2. Looking at what I need feature/spec wise, my sense is that the Feather nRF52840 Express is the best option. (It seems like the Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE could work, but it doesn't give me as much future upgradability.) Is that right?
3. And finally, how much do I need to worry about airflow / fire risk if I'm putting this inside the wooden head? And do I need to do anything special to mount it? Everything I've seen is that it's pretty low power so should be fine, but I'm also happy to put in an external enclosure and have a wire from there to the LEDs in the dog if that's better.
Thank you!