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• Modifying OctoWS2811 to work with RGBW led strips

  Mackenzie Hauck • 06/12/2016 at 23:37 • 1 comment

  When using these single data line led strips a problem arises when using hundreds (or more) leds off a single data line. The 800kHz signal is too slow to update all the leds at a high framerate. The way to get around this is driving strips in parallel which is what products like the Fadecandy or the software OctoWS2811 for Teensy solve.

  However, both of these solutions are currently only compatible with rgb strips (24 bits per pixel) so I had to modify OctoWS2811 to work with rgbw (32 bits per pixel). It was a pretty simple modification of using a variable to set the bits per pixel instead of a hard coded value of 24, as well as adding a way to convert from RGBW to GRBW which my strips were wired as. I renamed the library to OctoSK6812 since I took out the compatibility with 400kHz strips, and to differentiate from the official release of OctoWS2811 since my additions might break things since it hasn't been fully tested. It's OctoSK6812 since that is the driver chip inside these new rgbw leds, and this chip is also found in the mini rgb single data line leds.

  Here's the code:

  https://gist.github.com/nocduro/f26f8dbdd156ad73955f8288b138ba83

  And a slightly modified test example also from OctoWS2811:

  https://gist.github.com/nocduro/9b15ba001f52465897c56ba58b9d4d26
  

  This test lights up the first 4 pixels to help identify the arrangement of the colours for a particular strip. If the leds show as: RGBWW then the correct configuration is set.

  This modified version should also still work with the rgb variants of the SK6812 driver chip.

• More parts arrived

  Mackenzie Hauck • 05/31/2016 at 05:50 • 0 comments

  Kinda at the last minute for the entrance into the anything goes part of the Hackaday prize so one more quick project log to qualify :O More better posts in the next week or so...

  I got some more parts over the last week, mostly so I can start testing stuff to see what works.

  • Couple of Teensy 3.2's so I can use one to test and embed the other in the project
  • Meanwell 5V 26A power supply to test the led strips with a beefy supply
  • Battery clips to build the battery holder
  • Resistors to make voltage dividers to monitor battery pack state through balance connector
  • Buffer chip to level shift 6 3.3V data lines to 5V to control leds
  • and a little bit of bakelite protoboard

  Read more »

• Design number 2

  Mackenzie Hauck • 05/31/2016 at 05:41 • 0 comments

  So after the first idea didn't pan out I went back to the drawing board. One of the biggest problems was trying to fit the battery inside of the metal framework for the leds, and thanks to geometry if I add more sides that means I can decrease the outer radius. Basically lets me make the metal structure fit more tightly around the batteries as well as having more lights around them to hopefully get me 360 degree light distribution a little easier.

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• Experimenting with diffusion material

  Mackenzie Hauck • 05/23/2016 at 21:00 • 0 comments

  The end goal of this project was to emulate a standard fluorescent tube, and to do that the light coming off the tube would have to be very even. I tried a few different methods for diffusing with mixed results. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the progress as they weren't working as well as I'd hoped...

  Methods tried (so far):

  • Sanding the outside of the acrylic tube
  • Very thin coat of white paint
  • Spray on frosted coating (Rustoleum type stuff)
  • Under cabinet diffusers that are used in kitchens

  Read more »

• Initial idea

  Mackenzie Hauck • 05/23/2016 at 20:46 • 0 comments

  I didn't document as I was trying stuff out, so these first few entries are a recap of what I've done so far. Hopefully that's ok with the hackadayprize2016 rules :)

  I was originally going to mount some APA102 all white addressable leds to some aluminum in a triangle to create the 360 degrees of light I wanted.

  Read more »

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