Hey guys
A question about behavior of ws2812 led strip with different boards.
I'm working on a project with ws2812 led strip and a button for switching lighting modes.
Worked with an Uno board, all fine. To finish the project and put it in a small housing box, I got an Nano board. When I plug the one data cable from the strip, with the same code, same conditions to the Nano - the leds go crazy. The serial monitor prints everything like normal, though.
So is there something I'm doing wrong? or should the leds work the same with the other board and my board is just bad?
below is my code.
I'm new to Arduino and this kind of stuff so thanks for help
There is no reason in principal why the code/LEDs would not work the same on Nano. We need more details of your circuit, including the power supply. If you are relying on the Nano's regulator to supply the LEDs, then this could be a reason, because the Nano's regulator is less capable than Uno's. But it's not a good idea to power more than a handful of ws2812 LEDs this way for any kind of Arduino. A separate 5V power supply is needed, with enough current capacity for all your LEDs, plus the Nano (which will need around as much current as 1 extra ws2812 led).
Hey guys thanks for the replies
So I use a 5v/10A power supply to power both the arduino board and the LED strip (63 lamps).
UKHeliBob:
How are the LEDs powered in both cases ?
So I was powering both the board and the strip from the power supply in both scenarios. there are 63 lamps so 10A should be more than enough.
surveyranger:
If the Nano says WAVGAT on it, then it's definitely the board.
Do you have a series resistor from the pin to the DIN line on the strip?
hmm, I indeed have a WAVGAT nano board. So is this board problematic? I don't have the DIN connected directly to the board on digital pin 11. Should i have a resistor? (note -it works without a resistor with uno)
PaulRB:
There is no reason in principal why the code/LEDs would not work the same on Nano. We need more details of your circuit, including the power supply. If you are relying on the Nano's regulator to supply the LEDs, then this could be a reason, because the Nano's regulator is less capable than Uno's. But it's not a good idea to power more than a handful of ws2812 LEDs this way for any kind of Arduino. A separate 5V power supply is needed, with enough current capacity for all your LEDs, plus the Nano (which will need around as much current as 1 extra ws2812 led).
Rubooblik:
hmm, I indeed have a WAVGAT nano board. So is this board problematic?
Sorry mate, afraid WAVGAT clones have some compatibility issues.
Rubooblik:
I don't have the DIN connected directly to the board on digital pin 11. Should i have a resistor? (note -it works without a resistor with uno). ...So should i try connecting the DIN after a resistor? Is it the specific WAVGAT board?
The series resistor is recommended to reduce transients for any Arduino on the line connecting the Arduino data output pin & the DIN pin on the NeoPixel. The capacitor reduces surges on power supply lines. The spikes are microseconds long so they can only be seen with an oscilloscope. There are a few pictures runing around on the forums. You don't need either of them, but they will extend the life of the pixels.
Rubooblik:
I can't seem to find a way to post a picture of the circuit
Easiest way is to upload it to IMGUR and hyperlink the image(s).
There's also the option to add it as an attachment and edit the post after it's posted. You right click on the attachment name, copy the address, edit your post, and use that address in the "Insert an image."
Rubooblik:
What do you think of WAVGAT as a brand in general?
I bought some WAVGAT Pro Mini clones, and I couldn't get any of them to work with NeoPixels. I tried ALL the pins on ALL 5 Pro Mini's with no luck besides random flashing pixels. They now reside in the bottom drawer of my parts bin, and I may fiddle with them later. I recommend looking for a different Nano.
You can dig around in the topics below to see if maybe you'll have more luck.
Hey Guys sorry for late reply, thank you everbody so much for your kind help :)) you're awsome !
surveyranger:
Sorry mate, afraid WAVGAT clones have some compatibility issues.
The series resistor is recommended to reduce transients for any Arduino on the line connecting the Arduino data output pin & the DIN pin on the NeoPixel. The capacitor reduces surges on power supply lines. The spikes are microseconds long so they can only be seen with an oscilloscope. There are a few pictures runing around on the forums. You don't need either of them, but they will extend the life of the pixels.
Easiest way is to upload it to IMGUR and hyperlink the image(s).
There's also the option to add it as an attachment and edit the post after it's posted. You right click on the attachment name, copy the address, edit your post, and use that address in the "Insert an image."
I bought some WAVGAT Pro Mini clones, and I couldn't get any of them to work with NeoPixels. I tried ALL the pins on ALL 5 Pro Mini's with no luck besides random flashing pixels. They now reside in the bottom drawer of my parts bin, and I may fiddle with them later. I recommend looking for a different Nano.
You can dig around in the topics below to see if maybe you'll have more luck.
