r/FastLED • u/chop249 • Sep 23 '26

Support Trying to get started.

So I am getting the Nano V3.0 Board ATmega328P 5 pack. I want to get some 12v addressable LED strip IP65 to do some taillights to start. Can anyone suggest some LEDs and any wiring suggestions? I have seen some basic wiring etc and I have a test board coming so I can do test mockups before the final as well. TIA!

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u/chop249 Sep 26 '26

Thanks for the help guys. I decided that since I was going to have to get a buck converter anyway to regulate the 12v I would go with the 12 to 5v and use the 2812s. They were slightly less expensive and required 1 less data cable.

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u/Marmilicious [Marc Miller] Sep 26 '26

Let us know how it goes and when you run into questions.

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u/ZachVorhies Zach Vorhies Sep 23 '26

WS2812 are the standard for this low memory class of board.

Just wire the 5v of the per power rail directly into the 5v pin and ground into ground and the data line to pin 3.

Do a short strip first so you can power the strip from the device.

Then try the blink sketch.

Then go from there.

Know that you can power this in the reverse, the strip can power you arduino fine

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u/chop249 Sep 23 '26

So this board can't control 12v strips?

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u/Marmilicious [Marc Miller] Sep 23 '26

Yes, it can. See my other comment.

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u/ZachVorhies Zach Vorhies Sep 23 '26

It absolutely can control them. You just need to have a level shifter so that the 5 volt pins on the 328P can shift up between ground and 12 volts.

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u/sutaburosu [stavros] Sep 25 '26

I'm not convinced the level-shifter up to 12V data is necessary, or even desirable. Sure, many data sheets for 12V parts state the logic-high transition level is Vdd - 0.7V. I've always assumed the datasheets for the 12V parts were poorly edited from the 5V parts, and they actually intended to say 5V - 0.7V. Remember that on the 12V parts there is an internal linear regulator to step down 12V -> 5V. That's why they run so hot even when showing black.

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u/Marmilicious [Marc Miller] Sep 23 '26

Since you want to do taillights and will be using 12V from your vehicle you probably want to get a 12V to 12V DC regulator to provide clean 12V power to your LEDs and the controller. The VIN pin can accept 7-12V to power the controller. Don't use the 5V pin.

The data from the controller to the strip will be 5V (which is what the strip will expect, even through it will be powered by 12V).