Powering both neopixels and arduino from same power supply

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

Hi,
under normal circumstances (separate power supply for leds and arduino) with neopixels (apa106 to be precise, similar to ws2812) the gnd of all the leds should be connected to the arduino and gnd on the power supply, but does the same apply if both the arduino and the led are powered by the same power supply? Can't it break something?

2

Welcome to the forum

As long as there is a common GND connection it should not matter either way

3

That means, if they have any shared gnd it should work?

4

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The red wire from this external 5v supply can be connected to the 5v pin on the Arduino.

When you do, do not use the USB cable connected to the PC as it might back feed to the PC.

You need a GND return for the Arduino to work with the LED strip as shown.

5

So, I will connect both + and - to Arduinos power connector, but i cant connect usb directly from computer, do I understood it correctly?

6

First program the Arduino.

Remove the USB cable.

Connect the external 5v supply +/- terminals to the Arduino 5v/GND pins.

Note

With a board like the Nano you may not need to remove the USB cable.

7

Okay, thanks.

8

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