Hi,
i am currently planing a project to build a ambilight for my 34" Widescreen monitor. I already ordered some parts for the project:
- 5m WS2812b LED Strip (60 Leds/m and IP30) I will probably use 2.5m
- Jumper cables
- Connectors to connect the 4 strips together (Picture)
At this point I am not sure what Arduino I should use. Nano? Uno? Any other board? Also I don't have a power supply yet. I was hoping I can connect the strips somehow to my pc powersupply.
What parts besides an arduino and a powersupply (if not possible to connect to pc powersupply) do i have to order? Resistors?
Additional question: I know there are enough tools to get the ambilight running, but is it possible to quickly turn of the ambietlight and just display a desired color or effect? (for example while browsing or writing)
Thanks for the help guys!
Hi. I would look at using an esp8266. Then you could control the colors off/on using your phone.
You probably could use your pc power supply, but I think getting a 5v supply is better.
You also need a resistor and a capacitor to protect the strips.
Thanks for your reply. Is this diagram showing the plan I should use for my project?
I calculated that I might need 10A from the power source.
Yes, that is fine. You can also use the power supply to power the arduino/esp8266. If you go the esp8266 route, check out node mcu boards.
What is the benefit of using esp8266?
I still don't now if I have to use the uno or if the nano is perfectly fine to run the strip for ambilight.
Control from your cell phone
Both will be fine for doing a simple ambilight project..
Thanks again. I will check that one out. Hopefuly I can switch fast between the ambilight mod and the android controller.
I will order the nano since it's a lot smaller. Haven't found a decent (not huge) power supply yet but I think I am on the right path.
I am relay concerned about this project right now because of the amps. If I need to solder the strips together at the corners I guess normal wire is way to thin to handle the amps. I guess a normal dupont wire can't even handle the 9 Amps. Am I right?
hi.
22 wag wire (as in most dupont cables) is rated at 7 amps for chassis wiring. However, i would recommend using solid 18 awg cable. It is still easy to solder, is stronger, and rated at a higher ampacity.
however, you are still probably going to need to inject power every 40 leds are so to avoid voltage drop on the pcb itself.
I have seen another solution today. Someone did cut his strip in 2 segments, was putting data and ground trough the complete strip but used two separat power supplys at each and to run the strip. Is this smart? With this technique I could reduce the Amps to 4.5 A max each and two 5V 10A power bricks are smaller and quieter then the big ones.
There are no real advantages unless you already have the stuff, but if would work as long as you connect the grounds.
