Wiring diagram for the NeoPXL8 FeatherWing for Feather M4

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red533k
 
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Wiring diagram for the NeoPXL8 FeatherWing for Feather M4

Post by red533k »

hello! first time poster let me know if I need to do something different!
I am super new to this stuff, so I don't know the terminology very well. I am working on a big neopixel project, with 500 - 600 neopixels. It's a wearable project and I am working with CircuitPython. I was looking at the NeoPXL8 Featherwing on a Feather M4, but I really don't know what I'm looking at here. I'm wondering if anyone has examples/a diagram of how this is wired up, and what the parts are? https://www.adafruit.com/product/4537
Thanks!

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dastels
 
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Re: Wiring diagram for the NeoPXL8 FeatherWing for Feather M4

Post by dastels »

Have you read the tutorial guide? https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neo ... nd-library

Also, make sure your read and understand the NeoPixel guide: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide.

Hmm.. a wearable with 500-600 NeoPixels might be a challenge. 500 NeoPixels will need 30 amps in the "worst" case (when all on on bright white). They'll need less depending on how they are used (i.e. how many are on and how much of the 3 LEDs in each), but it's something that needs to be dealt with and provided for, especially for something wearable that is by definition battery powered.

Dave

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red533k
 
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Re: Wiring diagram for the NeoPXL8 FeatherWing for Feather M4

Post by red533k »

Thank you for your response! I've done more research and I think I understand a bit better, or at least I have more clear questions ^^;. Firstly I decided to cut down to 300 pixels in a few different strands. I'm struggling with how to wire the power specifically.

ie In this guide https://learn.adafruit.com/holiday-icic ... ing-crafty I think the power for all the lights goes through the Feather, to the FeatherWing, to a Bus, then out to all the lights. https://learn.adafruit.com/assets/85536 Please correct me if I am wrong!

However the guide for the NeoPXL8 FeatherWings says that 5V power should not be distributed through the NeoPXL8 board. And this guide complies with that but has a significantly more complicated wiring set up that I don't really understand ^^; https://learn.adafruit.com/1500-neopixe ... ng-harness https://learn.adafruit.com/assets/18743

I am sure I am just getting confused with the terminology and everything, but I am wondering if it's ok to power 300 neopixels through the method of the former? (going through the board)

Thanks!

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dastels
 
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Re: Wiring diagram for the NeoPXL8 FeatherWing for Feather M4

Post by dastels »

No, the board can't power that many pixels. You'll need to run 5v power to the strips separately. I woudl can use a big USB power pack.

The "drip" project only has a fews pixels lit at any time so overall power requirements are relatively low... about 360mA. It all depends how many pixels are going to be on at any one time. Again, see the uberguide I linked for more information about powering the strands.

Dave

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red533k
 
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Re: Wiring diagram for the NeoPXL8 FeatherWing for Feather M4

Post by red533k »

That makes sense, thank you! If I did the math right from the guide, it says I'll need about 10 Amps. Would one of those portable phone chargers that is 5V and 10000 - 15000 mAh (approx 10 - 15 Amps per hour if I'm understanding the guide right) be acceptable, with an adapter from USB of some kind?

I think my last question is about the Featherwing itself. The 2 x 8 headers for the strips also have a corresponding ground pin. This is definitely an electronics noob question but do I need to make sure the Neopixel strips are connected to that ground as well as the ground of the power source? Do you splice these together like in the LED curtain guide? https://learn.adafruit.com/1500-neopixe ... ng-harness

I really appreciate your help!!

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dastels
 
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Re: Wiring diagram for the NeoPXL8 FeatherWing for Feather M4

Post by dastels »

Be careful about current. Too much current through too thin of a wire will cause problems, generally overheating and potentially causing a fire. So low current, or thick wires.Also, running power to multiple points on a strip will lower the level of current running through any single section of wire. All grounds need to be connected together, so strip grounds need to be connected to the strip power source as well as the data source.

The exact wiring configuration will depend on the physical arrangement of things, but that's a reasonable starting point.

Dave

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