Advice appreciated about how to approach project

[benjam2k4]

Hi there,

I'm designing and escape room and trying to learn as much as possible as I go along to build up my knowledge.

I have 5 arduino controlled puzzles in a game, but I want to communicate to another arduino, which will control a progress light (Neo Pixel) as and when they are finished. So desired behaviour will be:

• Puzzle 1 is completed
• Neopixels light up 20% of the lights (this part I am fine with addressing individual LEDs)
• Puzzle 2 is completed
• Sends a signal to Neopixels to light up the next 20%

I have been looking for ways to do this, possibly via Ethernet, or WiFi or Bluetooth but I thought before delving into each one of those in detail I might ask here if someone can point me in the right direction, it doesn't seem like a complicated task but when you don't know you don't know.

Many thanks in advance for any advice.
Ben

[J-M-L]

@benjam2k4

I have 5 arduino controlled puzzles in a game,

Thinking a bit out of the box - have you considered using only one Arduino?

if it's not possible (why?) what's the distance / environment like between the Arduinos ? (a simple wire / shared ground could be use to set a pin HIGH to notify the master that a puzzle is solved)

[wildbill]

I'd be inclined towards devices like the Wemos range that have WiFi built in. Then it's less trouble to add, move or remove puzzles as your escape room evolves.

[benjam2k4]

It’s definitely crossed my mind but at this stage I’ve just started using and incorporating them so the simpler the better but for sure in future ideally as few as possible controlling as much as possible.