Will this work in Nano without power supply?

Hello guys, first of all sorry if I'm not writing in the correct subforum. I wasn't sure about write here or in the Nano subforum, but the main doubt I have is about a WS2812B so I thought this is the best subforum for it.

Some months ago I did a project on an Arduino Nano:
-2 TM1638 with LEDS
-1 MAX7219 8x8

This first project worked well, no problem and no power supply required. Now I want to repeat this project but connecting this too:
-1 WS2812B 8x8 RGB

I've searched in this and other forums but still i'm not sure: Do I need a power supply? I read some topics that said yes because of the WS2812B, but I saw videos too where an Arduino could give enough power. I'm very newbie about Arduino, maybe this could be an easy question for you but not for me :'(. The parts won't arrive until Febraury or March, but I wouldn't like to wait that time and then have to wait other 1-2 months because I forgot something.

If the answer is yes... I have this power supply at home. Is it ok for it?
-5V 2A

Welcome to the forum

luismuku:
WS2812B 8x8 RGB[/url]

Do I need a power supply? ... If the answer is yes... I have this power supply at home. Is it ok for it? ... 5V 2A

You will need a separate power supply. The Arduino can provide some power but there are limits. There are multiple parameters e.g.

  • How much does the Arduino need for itself and other components e.g. sensors?
  • What is the rated current the power converter can supply? (see datasheet)
  • How much heat is created during the conversion in the converter? (depends on input voltage and current)
  • How much heat can the PCB transfer from the devices? (depends on layout, temperature, heat-sink, ...)
  • How long will the maximum current flow?

As you can see just because the datasheet of a device says you get e.g. 1A from a power converter, does not mean you can get it continuously or at all.

Regarding your power supply. With 2A / (8x8x3) you get around 10mA per single LED (30mA per RGB). This looks too low. These LEDs are quite bright. A quick Google suggest you need around 50mA per RGB LED at full brightness. 64 x 50mA is 3.2A. So, I would go for a power supply that has at least 3.5A at 5V.

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