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<center> <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/d4936d5d-727c-465d-b8d8-97bc52111617.png" style="width: 330px; border-radius: 50px; border: 3px solid #333; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3) 0px 4px 12px;"/> # LED Art Projects &amp; Research My notes from a recent LED strip project and research on the options in general. *Originally published 2023-10-05 on [docs.sweeting.me/s/blog](https://docs.sweeting.me/s/blog)* --- </center> [TOC] --- ## Addressable RGB LED Packages > `5v`: SK6812, WS2812b (best) > `12v`: WS2811, WS2815, GS8208 (best) - **[WS2815B-v3](https://www.ledlightinghut.com/files/WS2815B.pdf)** and **[`WS2812b`]** are my fave WS281*-compatible options as of 2023 - [GS8208](https://shop.electromage.com/products/5-meter-spool-of-60-m-gs8206-12v-led-strip) (faster, gamma-corrected version of WS2815) - [GS8512](https://www.artleds.com/blog/addressable-12v-dmx512-rgbw-led-tape-the-unique-integrated-dmx512-led) is the best DMX512-compatible option as of 2023 - WS2812B 5v version of ws28** standard - WS2811 12v version of ws2811 standard - sk6812 older 5v LED strip option - SK9822 / APA102C DATA + Clock strips #### Other Form Factors - [WS2812/WS2815 2D LED Matrix Panels](https://www.superlightingled.com/flex-8x8-led-matrix-display-panel-ws2815-rgb-light-for-signs-p-4908.html) 1x8, 8x8, 16x16, 8x32 - [WS28** COB LED Strips](https://www.amazon.com/Gingsow-Addressable-Multicolored-Decoration-Controller/dp/B0CBS9YH2Q/) - high-power WS2811 [1W, 3W, 9W](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DKCQ1ZJ/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_7?smid=A3LQIRPQS6FX6Q&th=1 ) PCB LEDs --- ## Bare LED Emitter Chips - [5054](https://www.yujiintl.com/rgb-5054/) RGB Pixels for non-addressable strips (>2x as bright as 5050) https://store.yujiintl.com/products/yujileds-1-5w-3-in-1-rgb-led-smd-5054 - [5050](https://www.flexfireleds.com/comparison-between-3528-leds-and-5050-leds/) standard RGB emitter used by many strips - [3528](https://www.flexfireleds.com/comparison-between-3528-leds-and-5050-leds/) smaller RBB emitter, less common - COB Emmiters - High-Power Emmiters 1W, 3W, 9W, etc. --- ## LED Controllers - a bare ESP32 (https://github.com/agucova/awesome-esp) - a pre-built WLED + power & mic board: - https://quinled.info/ - https://www.athom.tech/wled - https://dig2go.info/ - https://shop.myhome-control.de/ABC-WLED-Controller-Board-5-24V/HW10015 - https://wled.shop/ - https://kno.wled.ge/basics/compatible-controllers/ - general purpose boards - [LILYGO T-BEAM](https://www.lilygo.cc/) - power managemenet board (cuts quiescent current when strips are off) - https://hackaday.com/2024/07/27/the-bappr-keeps-your-addressable-led-system-cool/ --- ## Light Diffusers - Polycarbonate (less optical clarity but much tougher than acrylic) - Acrylic (better optical clarity but more brittle) - Fresnel Lenses harvested from old LED TVs / displays #### Enclosures - WLED ESP32 enclosure with XT60/Barrel jack in and 4x JST-SM 4 outs that I designed <center> <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/93818ede-72a9-4bcb-b30d-2c273cb21167.png" style="border-radius: 20px; border: 1px solid #eee; box-shadow: 4px 4px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.04)"/> <br/><br/><a href="https://cad.onshape.com/documents/67864edcbdf038469de833b7/w/d0dd9e5ab867f8ccf59e2b09/e/46c14f973a4fba49ac126538" class="btn btn-info">3D CAD Model for my WLED Enclosure (OnShape + STL for 3D Printing) ➡️</a> </center> ### Best Software Available - **[WLED](https://wled-install.github.io/)** - [PixelBlaze](https://electromage.com/pixelblaze) - [Resolume Arena](https://www.resolume.com/software/avenue_arena) (for videomapping from a PC/Mac) - [FastLed](https://github.com/FastLED/FastLED) - LedFX - ColorChord - Home Assistant / HomeBridge Notable mentions: - [Home Assistant](https://www.home-assistant.io) - [Tasmota](https://tasmota.github.io/docs/) - ESPHome - [squeezelite-esp32](https://github.com/sle118/squeezelite-esp32) (for using an ESP32 as an Airplay/Chromecast/audio receiver) --- ## Further Reading - This excellent deep-dive series of posts by pro LED artist [Keith Williamson](https://electricfiredesign.com/about/): - https://electricfiredesign.com/2021/01/30/leds-for-light-art-part-1-led-types/ - https://electricfiredesign.com/2021/02/05/leds-for-light-art-part-2-optics/ - https://electricfiredesign.com/2021/02/15/leds-for-light-art-part-3-lighting-techniques/ - https://electricfiredesign.com/2021/02/26/leds-for-light-art-part-4-led-driver-circuits/ - https://electricfiredesign.com/2022/04/14/wiring-design-for-addressable-led-strips/ - https://electricfiredesign.com/2021/03/12/logic-level-shifters-for-driving-led-strips/ - https://electricfiredesign.com/2022/09/21/weatherproofing-techniques-for-led-lighting-systems/ - https://electricfiredesign.com/2022/11/14/gamma-correction-for-led-lighting/ - WS2815B-V3 Datasheet: https://www.ledlightinghut.com/files/WS2815B.pdf - GS8208: http://www.normandled.com/upload/201805/GS8208%20LED%20Datasheet.pdf - real-world power use: https://quinled.info/2020/03/12/digital-led-power-usage/ - https://electromage.com/pixelblaze - https://shop.electromage.com/products/pixelblaze-sensor-expansion-board - https://shop.electromage.com/products/pixelblaze-v3-standard-wifi-led-controller - https://shop.electromage.com/products/pixelblaze-output-expander-serial-to-8x-ws2812-apa102-driver - https://www.geekmomprojects.com - https://www.geekmomprojects.com/build-a-blob/ - https://www.geekmomprojects.com/infinity-octahedron/ - https://www.geekmomprojects.com/fiber-optic-hyperbolic-paraboloid/ - https://www.geekmomprojects.com/make-a-sewable-invisible-led-string/ - https://www.geekmomprojects.com/color-changing-led-fiber-optic-wearable-project/ - https://www.geekmomprojects.com/led-matrix-handbag-2-0-how-to/ - https://www.geekmomprojects.com/fiber-optic-dress/ - https://www.facebook.com/groups/211979028997564/? (LEDs Are Awesome FB Group) - Introduction to LED Matrixing https://docs.broadcom.com/doc/AV02-3697EN?ICID=I-CT-TECH-RES-CLA-SEP_21-0