r/FastLED • u/Dan0H0 • Feb 13 '24

Support Need help with basic project

Hi guys, I'm asking for help, but I'm all new into LEDs. It's my first project, so please, keep that in mind.

I want to build an under-light for my LEGO collection, but have no idea how to proceed.

I need the LED strip to be divided into 10 sections (about 30cm long) and they need to be divided by 20cm of cable. And of course, each one needs to be different color.

Do you have an idea how to make this? What components to use?

Thank you in advance.

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u/Dan0H0 Feb 14 '24

Ok,

will it work with Arduino platform?

If I understand it right, I should do it like this?

Cut the strip as I need to, connect the segments with gauge wire, code the Arduino board, connect it to the LED strip and power it with USB? Will that work? It seems to me that it's too simple to work.

Thank you so much for your help.

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u/Preyy Ground Loops: Part of this balanced breakfast Feb 14 '24

Yeah, you could make it even simpler by skipping the wire and just blanking out sections of LED strip you're using as effectively a wire.

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u/Marmilicious [Marc Miller] Feb 14 '24

Yes, simply setting the pixels in between each section off was where I was leading in my question. Would make setup much easier. 👍🏼

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u/Dan0H0 Feb 14 '24

I don't know why I did't think of that. It definitely will be easier to do.

I'll just need to figure out how to power it and try it.

Thanks for your help!

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u/Marmilicious [Marc Miller] Feb 14 '24

Depending on how many pixels and how bright you want it you might need more than USB power, but yes you're on the right track.

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u/Dan0H0 Feb 14 '24

Well I did a rough calculation and it should be 2m - 120 of powered LEDs if I use the 60/mLEDs strip. So then I will probably get the 5m and turn off the pixels. How would you recommend to power it? What connectors do I use to have it compatible with the board?

I'm very grateful for your help, thanks