neopixels not working

Using Arduino General Electronics
1

I have had them working in the past and I have no idea what could have happened.

I previous had them working on the metro mini, pin 11 was the data pin with a 330 resistor. The power source was 5V 10A.

I also tried rewiring to use an arduino 101 updating the datapin in the code. still nothing.

I tested the power source voltage 5.13V and the data pin voltage 4.89V which seems suspicious but I'm not sure.
I also bought a second strip thinking that I possibly fried it somehow.
I also tried uploading the test code Test NeoPixel Strip | NeoPixel Painter | Adafruit Learning System updating the data pin and still nothing.

I'm honestly not even sure what to mention since I had everything working and out of no where it stopped. What can I do to trouble shoot this?

2

Hi,

Can you please post a copy of your circuit, in CAD or a picture of a hand drawn circuit in jpg, png?

How are you powering the controller?
Have you got the controller gnd connected the neopixel power supply gnd?

Thanks.. Tom.. :slight_smile:

3

the circuit matches this one:

800×469 135 KB

I am powering the controller by leaving it plugged into my commputer from which I uploaded the code
I am powering the leds using the 5V 10amp power power supply sold by adafruit 5V 10A switching power supply : ID 658 : $29.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

4

and the data pin voltage 4.89V which seems suspicious but I'm not sure.

You can't reliably read "data" with a multimeter. Sometimes it will tend toward the average, sometimes it will tend toward the peak, and sometimes it will jump-around randomly.

A reset should be low and I think it should be in the reset state when the data/colors are not changing, but I don't know if your software/library ever "pauses".

You can try running the Blink Example modified to "blink" pin-6 to see if that pin is working. You might also want to stretch-out the delay so your meter has more time to stabilize. ...Or, just run the Blink Example as-is because if that's not working your Arduino is dead!

I previous had them working on the metro mini, pin 11 was the data pin

Now, you're connected to pin 6. Did you modify your software to match?

5

Thank you for all your help! Mentioning that 5V vs 0V when the program is paused led me to testing a few different things, I found out that there was a faulty wire connection for ground. I'm glad it was something trivial and I didnt break anything.