How to Use Adafruit NeoPixel Stick: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Adafruit NeoPixel Stick is an innovative LED strip that allows for individual control of multiple RGB LEDs, enabling users to create a wide array of colorful lighting effects. This component is ideal for DIY projects, wearables, and any application requiring dynamic and customizable lighting solutions.

• Decorative lighting
• Wearable electronics
• Signal indicators
• Interactive art installations
• Custom PC case lighting
• Educational projects teaching digital electronics and programming

• LED Count: 8 RGB LEDs per stick
• Operating Voltage: 5V DC
• Max Current per LED: ~60 mA (with all three RGB diodes at full brightness)
• Max Power Consumption per LED: ~0.3W
• Communication Protocol: Single-wire (data) control protocol
• Operating Temperature: -40°C to 80°C

1. Power Supply: Connect the VCC pin to a 5V power supply and the GND pin to the common ground.
2. Signal Connection: Connect the DIN pin to a digital output pin on your microcontroller (e.g., an Arduino UNO).
3. Chaining NeoPixel Sticks: If you are using multiple NeoPixel Sticks, connect the DOUT pin of the first stick to the DIN pin of the next.
4. Current Limitation: Ensure that your power supply can handle the maximum current draw when all LEDs are at full brightness.

• Use a capacitor (1000 µF, 6.3V or higher) across the + and – terminals of the power supply to prevent initial onrush of current from damaging the LEDs.
• Place a 300 to 500 Ohm resistor in series with the DIN pin to protect the NeoPixel’s data input.
• Always share a common ground between the NeoPixel Stick and the microcontroller.
• Avoid powering the NeoPixel Stick directly from a microcontroller pin; instead, use an external power supply.
• Update the LEDs at a rate of at least 30 frames per second to avoid visible flicker.

#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>

#define PIN            6 // Define the pin connected to NeoPixel DIN
#define NUMPIXELS      8 // Number of LEDs in the NeoPixel Stick

Adafruit_NeoPixel pixels(NUMPIXELS, PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

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

void loop() {
  for(int i = 0; i < NUMPIXELS; i++) {
    pixels.setPixelColor(i, pixels.Color(255, 0, 0)); // Set color to red.
    pixels.show(); // Update the LEDs with the set color.
    delay(500);
    pixels.setPixelColor(i, pixels.Color(0, 0, 0)); // Turn off the LED.
    pixels.show();
    delay(500);
  }
}

• LEDs not lighting up: Check power supply and connections, ensure the correct pin is used for data input, and verify that the code is uploaded correctly.
• Flickering LEDs: Ensure that the update rate is sufficient and that there is a common ground between the NeoPixel Stick and the microcontroller.
• Incorrect colors: Verify that the color order in the code matches the NeoPixel Stick's configuration (GRB in this case).

• Double-check wiring, especially the data input and ground connections.
• Use a multimeter to verify that the power supply is delivering 5V.
• Ensure that the Arduino library for NeoPixel is up to date and correctly included in your project.
• Reduce the brightness of the LEDs if the power supply is insufficient for the current draw.

Q: Can I control each LED individually? A: Yes, each LED can be addressed individually using the setPixelColor function in the Adafruit NeoPixel library.

Q: How many NeoPixel Sticks can I chain together? A: The number is limited by the power supply capacity and the memory of the microcontroller. Each LED requires 3 bytes of RAM.

Q: Do I need to use an external power supply? A: For more than a few LEDs, an external power supply is recommended to provide sufficient current.

Q: Can I use the NeoPixel Stick with a 3.3V microcontroller? A: While the NeoPixel Stick is designed for 5V, many users have successfully driven it with 3.3V logic. However, for reliable operation, level shifting to 5V may be necessary.