RGB LEDs

WS2812 Addressable RGB LEDs (NeoPixels)

RGB LEDs

Install the NeoPixels Library

• Download ZIP of all library files here
• Unzip the ZIP file when it's done downloading
• Put all of the files from the folder into a new folder called "Adafruit_NeoPixels"
• Put this new folder into your Adruino Libraries folder (usually located at (home folder)/Documents/Arduino/Libraries)
  • If you don't have a "Libraries" folder in Arduino/Libraries, create one and put the Adafruit_NeoPixels folder in it
• Restart the Arduino IDE if it's already running
• Open up a new Arduino sketch (program) and check to see if the Adafruit NeoPixels library is installed by going to Sketch-->Import Library and seeing if the NeoPixels library is listed.

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RGB LEDs Datasheet

Wiring up Two LEDs

Wire Up Your LEDs

• The pinout for one of our RGB LEDs is as shown to the right
• When creating a circuit with RGB LEDs, make sure to have a 300-500 ohm resistor on the data input for the first LED
  • Also make sure to connect the ground wire, then the +5V wire
  • When disconnecting, disconnect power, then ground
• The next diagram down to the right shows how to wire up two RGB LEDs in a chain to an Arduino Uno.
  • The signal for the second LED will travel through the first one.

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Writing Code

• This program is a simple test program based on the "simple" example program that comes with the NeoPixels Library.
• If you're using the circuit diagrammed above, this program should make both of your LEDs a moderate green color

#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#include <avr/power.h>

// Which pin on the Arduino is connected to the NeoPixels?
// On a Trinket or Gemma we suggest changing this to 1
#define PIN            8

// How many NeoPixels are attached to the Arduino?
#define NUMPIXELS      2

// When we setup the NeoPixel library, we tell it how many pixels, and which pin to use to send signals.
// example for more information on possible values.
Adafruit_NeoPixel pixels = Adafruit_NeoPixel(NUMPIXELS, PIN, NEO_RGB + NEO_KHZ800);

int delayval = 500; // delay for half a second

void setup() {
  pixels.begin(); // This initializes the NeoPixel library.
}

void loop() {

  // For a set of NeoPixels the first NeoPixel is 0, second is 1, all the way up to the count of pixels minus one.
  for(int i=0;i<NUMPIXELS;i++){

    // pixels.Color takes RGB values, from 0,0,0 up to 255,255,255
    pixels.setPixelColor(i, pixels.Color(0,150,0)); // Moderately bright green color.

    pixels.show(); // This sends the updated pixel color to the hardware.

    delay(delayval); // Delay for a period of time (in milliseconds).

  }
}

• The other examples in the NeoPixels example folder give demonstrations of more complex programs and other displays you can create with the NeoPixels

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Applications

• RGB LEDs are great to use as analog "status" lights telling you information such as:
  • How much battery something has left
  • How much pressure is applied to something
  • If it's an appropriate time to trigger some other action