Neotrellis lights flickering

Projects General Guidance
1

with a project for a falling blocks game on my neotrellis with my arduino nano esp32 the lights are visibly flickering. here is my code.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////// Dodging blocks game ////////////////////
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

////////////////////libraries////////////////////
#include "Adafruit_NeoTrellis.h"
#include <BlockNot.h>
////////////////////variables////////////////////
int speedCount = 0;  //points and speed variable
byte hundreds;       //variables used to display numbers on the screen
byte tens;
byte ones;
constexpr uint32_t RED = 6553600;  //color values
constexpr uint32_t GREEN = 25600;
constexpr uint32_t BLUE = 100;
constexpr uint32_t YELLOW = 6579200;
constexpr uint32_t CYAN = 25700;
constexpr uint32_t PURPLE = 6553700;
constexpr uint32_t WHITE = 6579300;
constexpr uint32_t characterColor = PURPLE;  //change the color to another to customise the aesthetics
constexpr uint32_t blockColor = CYAN;
constexpr uint32_t numberColor = WHITE;
byte blockPosition[4] = { 16, 16, 16, 16 };                          // array varible to handle block positions
bool zero[16] = { 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 };  // array variables for numbers
bool one[16] = { 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0 };
bool two[16] = { 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1 };
bool three[16] = { 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 };
bool four[16] = { 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0 };
bool five[16] = { 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0 };
bool six[16] = { 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 };
bool seven[16] = { 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0 };
bool eight[16] = { 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 };
bool nine[16] = { 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1 };
////////////////////initializing code////////////////////
BlockNot timer(1000);  // timer set to one second per block falling, this gets faster as the game progresses

Adafruit_NeoTrellis trellis;

////////////////////define a callback for key presses////////////////////
TrellisCallback blink(keyEvent evt) {
  // Check is the pad pressed?
  if (evt.bit.EDGE == SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_RISING) {  // if button was just pressed
    Serial.println("BUTTON PRESS");
    //////////////////// character movement ////////////////////
    enum { left = -1,
           neither,
           right } dir = [](int NUM) {
      switch (NUM) {
        case 12: return left;
        case 15: return right;
        default: return neither;
      }
    }(evt.bit.NUM);
    if (dir) {
      int current = 0;
      for (int p = 12; p <= 15; p++) {
        if (trellis.pixels.getPixelColor(p) == characterColor) {
          current = p;
          break;
        }
      }
      if (current) {
        int next = current + dir;
        if (next < 12) {
          next = 15;
        } else if (next > 15) {
          next = 12;
        }
        if (trellis.pixels.getPixelColor(next) != blockColor) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(current, 0);
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(next, characterColor);
          trellis.pixels.show();
          Serial.println("MOVE");
        } else {
          Serial.println("CANT MOVE ON TO YELLOW");
        }
      } else {
        Serial.println("MOVE ERROR");
      }
    }
  } else if (evt.bit.EDGE == SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_FALLING) {
    // or is the pad released?
    return 0;
  }
}
////////////////////setup////////////////////
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  if (!trellis.begin()) {
    Serial.println("Could not start trellis, check wiring?");
    while (1) delay(1);
  } else {
    Serial.println("NeoPixel Trellis started");
  }
  //activate all keys and set callbacks
  for (int i = 0; i < NEO_TRELLIS_NUM_KEYS; i++) {
    trellis.activateKey(i, SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_RISING);
    trellis.activateKey(i, SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_FALLING);
    trellis.registerCallback(i, blink);
  }
  //do a little animation to show we're on
  for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
    trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, Wheel(map(i, 0, trellis.pixels.numPixels(), 0, 255)));
    trellis.pixels.show();
    delay(50);
  }

  for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
    trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, 0x000000);
    trellis.pixels.show();
    delay(50);
  }
  trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(12, characterColor);  //display the character
  trellis.pixels.show();
  timer.start(WITH_RESET);  // start the timer
}
////////////////////loop////////////////////
void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
  if (speedCount >= 1000) {                           // if you win
    for (int i = 0; i < NEO_TRELLIS_NUM_KEYS; i++) {  //turn off buttons
      trellis.activateKey(i, SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_RISING, false);
      trellis.activateKey(i, SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_FALLING, false);
    }
    for (uint16_t i = 0; i < 150; i++) {  // make a fun animation
      trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(random(0, 16), Wheel(random(0, 256)));
      trellis.pixels.show();
      delay(10);
    }
    blockPosition[0] = 16;  // reset the block variable
    blockPosition[1] = 16;
    blockPosition[2] = 16;
    blockPosition[3] = 16;
    timer.setDuration(1000);
    hundreds = (speedCount / 100) % 10;  // calculate the numbers for the display. if the score is exactly 1000 it will show 000 on the screen. if it is higher than 1000 it will show how much higher than 1000 it is.
    tens = (speedCount / 10) % 10;
    ones = speedCount % 10;
    updateNumbers();                                  // show the numbers
    speedCount = 0;                                   // reset score
    for (int i = 0; i < NEO_TRELLIS_NUM_KEYS; i++) {  //turn buttons back on
      trellis.activateKey(i, SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_RISING);
      trellis.activateKey(i, SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_FALLING);
      trellis.registerCallback(i, blink);
    }
    trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(12, characterColor);
    trellis.pixels.show();
    timer.start(WITH_RESET);
  }
  trellis.read();                          // update the buttons
  if (timer.triggered()) {                 //if the timer to make the blocks fall triggers
    speedCount = speedCount + 10;          // increment the score. this number can be customised to change how fast the game changes from fast to slow.
    timer.setDuration(1000 - speedCount);  // make the timer faster
    Serial.println(speedCount);
    //////////////////// block movement code ////////////////////
    if (blockPosition[3] != 16 && trellis.pixels.getPixelColor(blockPosition[3]) != characterColor) {  // delete the pixel on the bottom liner
      trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(blockPosition[3], 0);
    }
    if (blockPosition[2] != 16) {  //move the pixel from the second to bottom line to the bottom line
      blockPosition[3] = blockPosition[2] + 4;
      if (trellis.pixels.getPixelColor(blockPosition[3]) == characterColor) {  // if a block falls into the character you lose
        for (int i = 0; i < NEO_TRELLIS_NUM_KEYS; i++) {                       //turn off buttons
          trellis.activateKey(i, SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_RISING, false);
          trellis.activateKey(i, SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_FALLING, false);
        }
        Serial.println("lose");
        for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, Wheel(map(i, 0, trellis.pixels.numPixels(), 60, 100)));
          trellis.pixels.show();
          delay(50);
        }
        blockPosition[0] = 16;  // reset block variables
        blockPosition[1] = 16;
        blockPosition[2] = 16;
        blockPosition[3] = 16;
        timer.setDuration(1000);             // reset the timer
        hundreds = (speedCount / 100) % 10;  // calculate numbers to be displayed
        tens = (speedCount / 10) % 10;
        ones = speedCount % 10;
        updateNumbers();                                             //update the display
        speedCount = 0;                                              // reset the score
        for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {  // losing animation
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, Wheel(map(i, 0, trellis.pixels.numPixels(), 60, 100)));
          trellis.pixels.show();
          delay(50);
        }
        for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, 0x000000);
          trellis.pixels.show();
          delay(50);
        }
        for (int i = 0; i < NEO_TRELLIS_NUM_KEYS; i++) {  //turn buttons on again
          trellis.activateKey(i, SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_RISING);
          trellis.activateKey(i, SEESAW_KEYPAD_EDGE_FALLING);
          trellis.registerCallback(i, blink);
        }
        trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(12, characterColor);
        trellis.pixels.show();
        timer.start(WITH_RESET);
      } else {

        trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(blockPosition[3], blockColor);
        trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(blockPosition[2], 0);
        blockPosition[2] = 16;
      }
    }
    if (blockPosition[1] != 16) {  //move the pixel from the second to tope line to the second to bottom line
      blockPosition[2] = blockPosition[1] + 4;
      trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(blockPosition[2], blockColor);
      trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(blockPosition[1], 0);
      blockPosition[1] = 16;
    }
    if (blockPosition[0] != 16) {  //move the pixel from the top line to the second to top line
      blockPosition[1] = blockPosition[0] + 4;
      trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(blockPosition[1], blockColor);
      trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(blockPosition[0], 0);
      blockPosition[0] = 16;
    }


    blockPosition[0] = random(0, 4);  // make a new pixel on the top line
    trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(blockPosition[0], blockColor);
    trellis.pixels.show();
  }
}
////////////////////color calculator////////////////////
uint32_t Wheel(byte WheelPos) {
  if (WheelPos < 85) {
    return trellis.pixels.Color(WheelPos * 3, 255 - WheelPos * 3, 0);
  } else if (WheelPos < 170) {
    WheelPos -= 85;
    return trellis.pixels.Color(255 - WheelPos * 3, 0, WheelPos * 3);
  } else {
    WheelPos -= 170;
    return trellis.pixels.Color(0, WheelPos * 3, 255 - WheelPos * 3);
  }
  return 0;
}
////////////////////update screen function////////////////////
void updateNumbers() {
  for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
    trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, 0x000000);
    trellis.pixels.show();
    delay(30);
  }
  Serial.println("HUNDREDS");
  switch (hundreds) {  // display the hundreds digit
    case 0:
      Serial.println(0);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (zero[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 1:
      Serial.println(1);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (one[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 2:
      Serial.println(2);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (two[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 3:
      Serial.println(3);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (three[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 4:
      Serial.println(4);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (four[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 5:
      Serial.println(5);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (five[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 6:
      Serial.println(6);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (six[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 7:
      Serial.println(7);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (seven[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 8:
      Serial.println(8);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (eight[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 9:
      Serial.println(9);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (nine[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    default:
      Serial.println("HUNDREDS ERROR");
      break;
  }
  delay(2000);
  for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
    trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, 0x000000);
    trellis.pixels.show();
    delay(30);
  }
  Serial.println("TENS");
  switch (tens) {  // display the tens digit
    case 0:
      Serial.println(0);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (zero[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 1:
      Serial.println(1);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (one[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 2:
      Serial.println(2);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (two[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 3:
      Serial.println(3);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (three[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 4:
      Serial.println(4);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (four[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 5:
      Serial.println(5);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (five[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 6:
      Serial.println(6);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (six[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 7:
      Serial.println(7);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (seven[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 8:
      Serial.println(8);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (eight[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 9:
      Serial.println(9);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (nine[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    default:
      Serial.println("TENS ERROR");
      break;
  }
  delay(2000);
  for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
    trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, 0x000000);
    trellis.pixels.show();
    delay(30);
  }
  Serial.println("ONES");
  switch (ones) {  // display the ones digit
    case 0:
      Serial.println(0);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (zero[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 1:
      Serial.println(1);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (one[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 2:
      Serial.println(2);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (two[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 3:
      Serial.println(3);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (three[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 4:
      Serial.println(4);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (four[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 5:
      Serial.println(5);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (five[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 6:
      Serial.println(6);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (six[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 7:
      Serial.println(7);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (seven[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 8:
      Serial.println(8);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (eight[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    case 9:
      Serial.println(9);
      for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
        if (nine[i] == 1) {
          trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, numberColor);
        }
      }
      trellis.pixels.show();
      break;
    default:
      Serial.println("ONES ERROR");
      break;
  }
  delay(2000);
  for (uint16_t i = 0; i < trellis.pixels.numPixels(); i++) {
    trellis.pixels.setPixelColor(i, 0x000000);
    trellis.pixels.show();
    delay(30);
  }
}

does the arduino not supply enough power?

2

Use an external power supply.

Arduino should not be used as a power supply over 40mA per pin, and 200mA total.

3

the power comes from the 3.3v pin not the gpio pin. the digital pin is used for signal on the neotrellis

4

So?

5

the 3.3v pin can supply more power

6

Ok.

7

Be sure to inform the Arduino engineers to change the documentation.

8

so is the power the thing that is making them flicker?

9

Why?

10

because if they were not receiving enough power they might not work correctly

11

Yes.

Where is the proper place to get power?

12

i thought that the 3.3v pin supplies enough

13

Ok.

14

How much power do you need?

15

at most i think it would use around 960 mA for all sixteen leds litt up

16

Show us the math, 'I think' is not science.
2nd question, what does the documentation that I looked at yesterday say the max is?

17

Eek... Einstein could be listening from a parallel dimension. : )

18

neopixels each use at most 60 mA at full brightness. 60 mA times 16 leds equals 960 mA.

19

What can your Arduino source?

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