Hi,
I have a project working with with a12-LED and 16-LED neopixel ring WS-2812. I just bought a 60-LED ring but it is comprised of 4 quarter-circle segments each with 15 Leds. Trouble is, I don't know how to connect them to each other to make a ring nor can I find any posts about it.
Can someone advise me on how this can be done?
Thank you,
Dan
You need to solder the 4 sections together.
+5v to +5v
GND (0V) TO GND.
Output to input; the first input on section 1 goes to the Arduino pin thru a 470 Ω resistor, the output pin on section 4 does not solder to anything.
I used PCB header pins. I thought these would be stronger than using only solder because solder is quite soft, even when cold.
I broke off a section of 3 PCB header pins from a strip, and soldered the longer side of the pins to one led segment. Then I used small pliers to remove the black plastic separators from the PCB headers by sliding them off the end of the pins. Finally I soldered the other side of the headers to the next led segment.
When completing the circle, I did not solder the middle pin of the strip of 3 header pins. When I removed the plastic separators, I was left with 2 pins soldered to the 5V & GND pins but the Din/Dout pins were not connected. This meant I could solder a flexible wire to the Din pad.
I hope that makes sense, because I did not take any photos of the process!
Hi, thank you very much for the fast and informative reply. I do indeed have some of the PCB headers and can copy what you've done. Really nice soldering BTW! No bridges or cold joints.
Can you send me a pic of each of the four joints? I'm having trouble understanding how it all comes together.
I've been happy with the two smaller neopixel rings I own which is why I didn't hesitate to order a bigger one. But I'm very surprised that they put relatively little thought into making it easy for hobbyists like us to work with. IMO, it should be one contiguous ring like the smaller ones, ready to go right out of the box. At the very least, there should be a clever way to quickly connect the segments together without having to invent our own solutions to the problems they created.
Thanks again for your help.
Dan
That would make it cost more and use up more PCB material. We have a planet to save you know.
Electronic components are not LEGO blocks. There is nothing clever about making three soldered joints per segment.
LoL, thx for the reply. "Grumpy" indeed. 
I'd guess you are right; it would cost more to make one contiguous ring but they can do better than to leave us those pads to lay wires across and hope solder will hold it together. There are a bazillion types of mechanisms engineers have dreamed up to connect one electrical gizmo to another. They can and should do better on this one IMO. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.
You can solder it up and give it some structural reinforcement with two-part epoxy or "UV glue".
What to do depends on your application.
You also assume that people ALL want a ring. They could want a semi circle or even a three quarter circle for mapping to the turning of a pot.
It's in the name right up front so there are no surprises.
No, if someone thinks it is something people are willing to pay extra for then sure as eggs is eggs someone will make something. You can even buy boards with the header pins ready soldered on for those so unskilled as to not be able to do this. Although what they are actually skilled to do if they can't solder header pins is a bit of a puzzle.
Remember this is a component, that is it is a part that is assembled into something else. It is not a finished item.
Understood and thx for the suggestions. I've seen some people have made 3D printed cradles for the ring to fit inside. That can solve a ton of physical mounting issues.
3 of the 4 would look identical, like the photo in post #3. The 4th is almost the same. 5V and ground connected across but the Din and Dout pads are not connected. Probably 3 flexible wires are connected there for 5V, ground and Din.
Got it. I appreciate your kindness and knowledge.
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