Hello,
I am interested in starting a project involving Adafruit's neopixels and the Arduino.. To be more specific I want to use them as lights for a Christmas tree like in this project (Hardware | WiFi Controlled LED Christmahanukwanzaa Tree | Adafruit Learning System).
I am very new to electronics and only started a few weeks ago when I purchased an Arduino Uno with the Vilros starter kit Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Plus Ultimate Kit | Vilros.com | Free Shipping. I completed all of the example projects included in the booklet that came with the kit, so I understand the basics of how to program and use the Arduino, find and use libraries etc, control leds etc. However, since I do not have any electronics background (I am a software developer) I am not 100% sure how to wire the Neopixel strips or what to expect when I purchase them from Adafruit.
I had done some research and read the Adafruit site. From my understanding these are the items I need to purchase.
I plan on purchasing the the neopixel strip of 30
In order to have enough power I need a power supply
This adapter for easily connecting the neopixels to the power supply
1000uF 6.3V Capacitor to protect the neopixel strip from power surge
Wires for connecting the power supply, led strip, arduino
I have read both the Adafruit guide The Magic of NeoPixels | Adafruit NeoPixel Überguide | Adafruit Learning System and the the project guide here Hardware | WiFi Controlled LED Christmahanukwanzaa Tree | Adafruit Learning System and I did some Google searching, but I am still not sure about a few things. I have a few questions.
First the Adafruit guide suggests that I use a resister between the Arduino outpin pin and the input pin of the first led pixel as additional protection from power surges. How is this resister supposed to be connected and with what? Best Practices | Adafruit NeoPixel Überguide | Adafruit Learning System
Also, I have never soldered anything before and I do not currently own a soldering iron and I do not know much about it. I have watched a few guides on soldering on Youtube, but I am not sure what I should know specifically for soldering wires to the led pixel strip or if I need to? What type of soldering iron is best, and what temperature etc. Also, are there ways to connect a "solderless" adapter to the pixels similar to the ones that Adafruit has for the other types of LED strips they have? I know they will not work with the neopixels because they do not have the same wires. I am not against learning to solder, but if I can make the project easier and cheaper, but not having to buy a soldering iron and materials for it that would be best.
Am I missing anything from the items above? Is there anything I can add/change about the items to make the project easier?
Also, since I am new to electronics (but, not new to programming) is there anything I should learn before starting this project? What other types of projects can I do that would help give me the experience I need to do this project? Is this project too advanced for a beginner or can I start doing it now?
Thanks