WS2812b LED Strip not working when connected with a resistor

Other Hardware LEDs and Multiplexing
1

Hi, I'm trying to control a 1 m WS2812b LED strip (144 LEDs/m) with an Arduino Uno with the fastLED library and an external 5 V 10 A power supply. My setup is as shown in the diagram:

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  • Resistor: 220 ohm
  • Capacitor: 100 uF, 25 V
  • Connected through a breadboard

My problem is that initially I connected the strip to the Uno with no resistor and it worked but after further research I found that a resistor on the data line is recommended so I put that in but only after killing the first LED in the strip. Now with the 220 ohm resistor in series, I get no response from the strip when probing the first, second or third pad after the dead LED whereas if I do the same without the resistor the LEDs react to the control signal.

I have tried 220, 560, and 2 220 ohm resistors in parallel for 110 ohms as that is what I had on hand but they all resulted in no response from the LEDs. They still respond to data input without going through a resistor so I know my code, the Arduino and the strip still function.

I appreciate all your input!

2

First thing I'd do is cut off that first dead LED. IF that doesn't help, I might go so far as to cut off the second one as well.

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3

  • Always Show us good images of your ‘actual’ wiring.

  • Use DMM to confirm the 5v pin on the strip is really 5v.

4

Thanks for the suggestion, I should have done this earlier but I cut it off and resoldered the connections and now it works.

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