There's a 5 meter LED strip for a pretty low price on Newegg that has me tempted. I have seen around online that one can use an LED strip with Arduino, and program it to change colors/etc.
I am pretty new to electronics (I dare say electrical engineering, but I suppose that's what we're doing, no?) and don't really know how to solder. My question is, is the linked LED strip something that would be good to learn with? I have soldered a few things before, but nothing to hook to breadboard. I'm just looking for an LED strip to hook to my Arduino, to use with say a potentiometer to change colors. I am also not quite sure how I would power the whole thing - I am assuming the USB cable alone wouldn't be enough if I started using PIR Sensor/PING sensors, etc.
What am I looking for in general or in the specs of LED strips that would let me know that I could hook it up to an Arduino? I saw this tutorial and it doesn't look too crazy or complicated. I'm just looking for general advice I suppose on what to keep an eye out for as far as LED strips go. I can buy strips that are "premade" to be Arduino capable at places like Adafruit or Radio Shack, but it's more expensive for sure (like $30 for 1 meter).
Thanks for any advice.
Edit: Apparently the Newegg link may not work, here's a link to Amazon
Really - works for me ...hmm, well it's a "5M 3528 RGB Waterproof Flexible Strip 300 LED Light 24 Keys IR Remote Controller" . Try this Amazon link. Does that work?
As the device already works via infra red remote control, I'd just buy an IR receiver and an IR LED and use the IR library to look at what codes the existing remote control sends,
Then get the Arduino to send the same codes
Ignore that tutorial, it seems too much like hard work
rogerClark:
As the device already works via infra red remote control, I'd just buy an IR receiver and an IR LED and use the IR library to look at what codes the existing remote control sends,
Then get the Arduino to send the same codes
Ignore that tutorial, it seems too much like hard work
Ooh! I just got an IR Receiver the other day with a remote and have been playing around with it (pressing buttons on the remote to turn a servo or a laser on or off). I do have an IR LED, but haven't used it. But basically, I should be able to use my remote, receive that signal via my IR Receiver, and then use the IR LED to send a signal back out to the IR Receiver that comes with the LED strip?
Or, run a program that adds numbers, and when (for example) X = 10, send an IR signal through the LED which the LED strip would pick up?
If you have one of those 3 pin IR receivers and you run the IR library, you can use the library to show what codes are sent by which buttons.
Then wire up the IR LED and get the IR library to send the same codes.
You may need to use some sort of RAW data mode for the IR stuff, as the device may not use a standard protocol e.g. like the Sony protocol, but it should still be possible
Note the normal IR LEDs are not very bright especially if driven just off a pin on the arduino, so you will need to put it right next to the IR receiver for the LED strip
If I were to try and solder them so I could connect to the Arduino - how would I power it? This is a bonus question so no worries if you/anyone isn't sure, I'm just thinking out loud and realized I couldn't power 5 meters of LEDs with an Arduino alone.
If I were to try and solder them so I could connect to the Arduino - how would I power it?
You'd need to use transistors to "drive" the LEDS, as in the tutorial you linked to (and use the power supply that came with the LEDS)
You can buy FET modules cheaply on eBay if you won't want to do all the soldering etc
But as you already have the Infrared stuff, I'd give that a try first
Once you have a IR solution working, you could possibly take the IR receiver apart and directly inject the IR signal from a pin on the Arduino (though a suitable resistor etc), but I'd not do that unless you know what you are doing and have a multimeter and possibly an oscilloscope to look at the voltages etc
And are used to taking things apart... Actually most of this sort of stuff comes apart surprisingly easily, the boxes are not normally screwed together, they just clip together, so just run your nail or a plastic tool around the edge and the housing may split apart.
I think its always best to do things in a modular fashion, i.e one step at a time. Its much easier to work out why things aren't working (as they don't normally work first time)
BTW. You've spurred me on to get one of those LED strips, but probably from eBay
I think its always best to do things in a modular fashion, i.e one step at a time. Its much easier to work out why things aren't working (as they don't normally work first time)
Agreed with the modular fashion - especially since I'm only maybe 3 months in to learning Arduino/electrical engineering stuff...
rogerClark:
BTW. You've spurred me on to get one of those LED strips, but probably from eBay
Quick comment then - apparently the one I am looking at isn't true RGB - it's three separate LEDs, one red, one blue, one green. Will still work for my idea, but just thought I'd point that out.
