Controlling 5V led strip using MaxMSP and Arduino

Projects General Guidance
1

I try to control a 5v led strip (3 pin: 5V,GND, Data) using maxMSP software.
Here is my arduino code:

#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>

// Pin where your LED strip is connected
#define PIN1 6

// Set maximum number of LEDs you want to control
#define MAX_LEDS 25  // Change this to the actual number of LEDs in your strip
int numLeds = MAX_LEDS;  // Set this variable based on how many LEDs you want to use

// Create the NeoPixel strip object
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip1 = Adafruit_NeoPixel(MAX_LEDS, PIN1, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

void setup() {
  // Initialize serial communication at 115200 baud
  Serial.begin(115200);

  // Initialize the LED strip
  strip1.begin();
  strip1.show();  // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
}

void loop() {
  // Check if there is data available in the serial buffer
  if (Serial.available() > 0) {
    int r = Serial.parseInt();  // Read red value
    int g = Serial.parseInt();  // Read green value
    int b = Serial.parseInt();  // Read blue value

    // If a complete set of values (r, g, b) is received, apply them to all LEDs
    if (Serial.read() == '\n') {
      // Loop through all the LEDs and set the color
      for (int i = 0; i < numLeds; i++) {
        strip1.setPixelColor(i, r, g, b);  // Set the color for each LED
      }
      strip1.show();  // Update the LED strip to reflect the changes
    }
  }
}

When I'm controlling les then 40~ leds it is working fine. The moment I try to controll more leds the last leds are changing colors not according to the color I choose via Max msp.
Why is that?
could it be because I'm powering the led strip from the Arduino 5V pin?

Here is a screenshot of my Max Patch:

image
image554×312 18.1 KB

2

OK so some update - it is working well when I pass from one color to another manually. If I'm using the RGB platte it stuck the code and color is not changing.
Anyway to solved that?

3

For an Uno / Mega / Leonardo you can (with a little luck you) power (8) 6 NeoPixels on full white from the 5V pin. This assumes that you're powering the Arduino over USB; powering on Vin or the barrel and it will be less.

You need roughly 60mA per NeoPixel for full white.

4

Post a simple schematic showing your power sources. If you are powering them from the Arduino forget it and go get a power supply that is large enough to power all of the pixels. Assume 1 Amp for each 16 pixels.

5

Which makes no mention of maxMSP. So can you run the Arduino code using regular serial input, and do the same problems occur?

This looks more like a problem with maxMSP than the simple Arduino sketch and circuit.

a7

6

So I have 5v 4A PSU and I’m powering the ledstrip with it instead directly from the arduino. I still have hard time to get constant color such as yellow, orange etc.

Is this because 4A is not enough to power all the 300 LEDs?

7

300 LEDs (on full white) requires 300x60mA. For that you need (with a little overhead included) a 20A power supply.

Every strip needs a 5V and GND connection to the power supply at roughly each 50..60 LEDs.

8

So I bought a 5V 20A PSU - I thought it will solved my problem with the light strip changing color across the strip but it desplay the light same as when I am using 5V 4A PSU.

So I guess I’m facing different issue.

What else can it be?

9

Make more use of the serial monitor to see if you are feeding plausible numbers to the LEDs.

Post the code you are using to test your strip.

Maybe write a find a simpler test sketch for the strip.

Try the code (any of the sketches) with quite a few LEDs.

Post a picture of your circuitry. Post a schematic showing how power gets to the things that need it.

a7