Difference between revisions of "LED Retrofit"

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After having recently bought in a RGB LED Strip into the hackerspace, I received a lot of positive feedback about it. 2 people even gave me 20 CHF each to buy more LED Strips so that they can be used around the hackerspace. In particular, around the perimeter of the room next to the ceiling, where there is a little ledge. Eventually, they could be added under tables, on shelves, and so on to improve lighting within the HS. Here are 2 videos and a pic I took of how they look like:
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[[Category:Closed_Projects]]
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<gallery>
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File:Beta-LED-Strips-at-HS.JPG|LED Strip above the solder station
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File:LED-Strips-from-close-up.mp4|Video of the strip from afar
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File:LED-Strips-Up-Close.mp4|Video of the strip from up close
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</gallery>
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I have also uploaded a video on [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao-ws8F6UJA youtube] where you can see me looking at them up close. Please note the many solder points, indicating that the factory that made these strips either used a poor manufacturing process, or simply took rejected strips, chopped them up into the pieces that worked, and soldered them together to sell at a lower price.
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{{warning|'''Please note that this page has been depreciated.''' See [[LED_Lighting]]}}
  
 
== What are LED Strips? ==
 
== What are LED Strips? ==
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Here is an exhaustive explanation and tutorial from [http://www.ladyada.net/products/rgbledstrip/| laydyada]. In essence, there are 3 SMD (Surface Mount Technology) RGB (Red Green Blue) LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) on a segment with 3 resistors which allow the ~3 v LEDs to be drivven using a 12v power supply. These 'segments' are continuously joined together to form spools 5 meters each. Sometimes you can buy them in smaller bits (1 meter, 50 cm, 1 foot, etc), but sticking to a 5 meter spool is the best.  
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The idea with the LED Retrofit is to provide the HS with an effective yet sleek lighting solution, by using color-changeable LED strips which are controllable via the network.  
  
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== Where to buy? ==
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Here is an exhaustive explanation and tutorial from [http://www.ladyada.net/products/rgbledstrip/ laydyada]. In essence, there are 3 SMD (Surface Mount Technology) RGB (Red Green Blue) LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) on a segment with 3 resistors which allow the ~3 v LEDs to be drivven using a 12v power supply. These 'segments' are continuously joined together to form spools 5 meters each. Sometimes you can buy them in smaller bits (1 meter, 50 cm, 1 foot, etc), but sticking to a 5 meter spool is the best.
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The dilema I have is that for around ~60$ I can cover the perimeter of the hs with basic 5050 LED RGB Strips from eBay, like the ones that I bought in, however there are several other, attractive options available:
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==== eBay ====
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The precise LED Strips that I bought can be found [http://www.ebay.com/itm/120897032000| here]. I am not too happy with the quality, so I may get a refund, or a partial refund in the near future. My biggest concern is that there are way too many solder points leading me to believe that these strips are of crap quality, and won't last the specified 50'000 hours.
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You must understand that there are several types of LED Strips. If you want RGB LEDs, you can either choose 3528, 5050 and 5060 SMD package sizes. The most common one is 5050, and I highly recommend you stick to that. The next variable is LEDs/meter. The ones currently at the hs are [http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_stpos=1234&_sop=15&_fcid=193&gbr=1&_localstpos=1234&_nkw=5050+rgb+5m+30+150+-60+-300+-cathode&_clu=2&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1| thirty LEDs/meter], however I sugest that we buy the [http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_stpos=1234&_sop=15&_fcid=193&gbr=1&_localstpos=1234&_nkw=5050+rgb+5m+60+300+-30+-150+-cathode&_clu=2&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1| six-ty LEDs/meter] kind, so that there is double the brightness.
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Currently there are 5x5m of [http://www.ebay.com/itm/5m-SMD-5050-RGB-SMD-LED-Flexible-Strips-300-LEDs-Strip-12V-60-LEDs-Meter-/150960156950?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item2325ed3116 5050 RGB LED Strips] @ 60 LEDs/m placed on the ledge just under the ceiling. Each 5 meter segment is individually connected to the Arduino-based controller via repurposed 230v cables. The Arduino is connected to the local network via an ethernet shield, and it controls the LEDs by PWMing a signal to 3 mosfets (1 for each color) which switches the 12vdc from the modded 400w ATX PSU.  
  
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There are also various degrees of waterproof-ness available. The basic kind (epoxy) is very bad, does not last long, and starts to yellow very quickly. Especially if it is poorly made. For this, you have to pay approx 5$ extra for the strip on ebay, where as in reality it is nowhere near as expensive. The next kind of coating is epoxy+silicone sleeve. This is better, but still has epoxy. The most expensive kind (although the material price difference is minimal) is silicone coated in a silicone sleeve. This can withstand the toughest conditions, and still look new years from now.  
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== How to control them?==
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You can get the code from git:
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<pre>
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git clone ssh://gitolite@foo.fixme.ch:1337/led-strip.git
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</pre>
  
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==== Specialized sites ====
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Or you can use a basic online interface found [http://led.fixme.ch/rgb here] (accessible only via internal network).
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If the website is based anywhere else other than China, don't even bother. The markup is ridiculous (heck, even eBay's markup is pretty big!). If it is in China, avoid, unless the price is very good, meaning that it is either a super-low quality thing, or a fake. Either way, '''avoid'''.
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==== TaoBao ====
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== How to compile ? ==
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Prices are very similar to eBay. Not worth the risk, added shipping cost, and time in my opinion unless buying a lot.  
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* There is a library problem which need to be adresse, but since then, there's a chroot on foo with the correct settings to compile/upload the code
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ssh foo.fixme.ch
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sudo su
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/root/enter-chroot.sh
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cd /root/led-strip/LedStripDriver
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make
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# Put the USB cable from foo to the leds
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make upload
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# Remove the USB cable
  
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==== Manufacturers ====
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== Improvements ==
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Great for bigger orders, however on smaller ones, the shipping can be prohibitive (most insist on using DHL, adding a ton of shipping fees + unwanted taxes). The prices are really good though. Like 1.45$ a meter good.
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* '''Figure out a way to fix brightness issue''' I think we should feed each 5m segment from multiple sides, or even split it into smaller pieces (it is suspected that the pcb traces aren't thick enough for the current). Maybe use individual power supplies every couple of meters coupled with their own (more basic) control circuitry that get commands from central Arduino? I suspect that there is a significant voltage loss along the connecting cable because of the low voltage and long distance, using 230v AC could help. We could also experiment in raising the voltage as long as it does not bypass the specified wattage, and that no single LED gets more than its designed voltage. Maybe the mosfets are the wrong kind?
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* '''Better control options''' maybe a nicer web-interface with more options (See [https://fixme.ch/wiki/LED_Retrofit#Uses Uses] below), as well as an android app.  
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* '''Moar LED strips''' place LED strips in other places, e.g. to replace the crappy CFL in the middle of the room (maybe use [http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Brand-New-5050-5M-LED-300-SMD-Warm-White-Flexible-non-Waterproof-Light-Strip-12V-Free/465436346.html pure white LED strips] instead of RGB ones), electronics bench, inside fridge, foyer, inside thermibel :) ?
  
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== Plan of Action ==
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== Uses ==
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Here are the steps which need to be taken in order to upgrade the lighting at the HS:
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* Control remotly using a script (netcat)
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#Decide on type of LED Strip
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** Web server running on an Arduino board to control the LEDs: http://leds.fixme.ch/rgb
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##Get the brighter (60 LEDs/meter) or the cheaper (30 LEDs/meter) strip?
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** Little scripts for the current implementation inside the repository
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##Get the cheaper but lower quality one or the better quality but more expensive one?
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* Controled by the music (color, intensity)
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#Buy 20 meters of LED Strip and wait a couple of weeks for it to get here
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* Special program: Burger time, etc
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#Create an Arduino sketch with networking capabilities to control the strips
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* Philips ambilight-like for projected videos
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#???
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* Time dependent light (i.e. automatically dimming)
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#Profit!!!
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== Suggestions ==
 
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==== This time ====
 
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====== Iteration 1 ======
 
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I would recommend to get these [http://www.ebay.com/itm/5M-16-4FT-300LEDS-60leds-M-5050-SMD-RGB-Flexible-Strip-Lights-DIY-12V-/160768057949?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256e85e25d#ht_3226wt_1144| 5050 RGB 60 LEDs/meter Strips] instead of the cheaper ones (like the ones that I've got), seeing as the seller has very good feedback, with no real issues concerning his LED Strip selling - I'm sure it's better to pay 15 CHF extra to get double the brightness and good quality strips. If you don't want to waste an extra 8CHF, you can get [http://www.ebay.com/itm/5M-16-4FT-300LEDS-60leds-M-5050-SMD-RGB-Flexible-Strip-Lights-DIY-12V-/160768057949?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256e85e25d#ht_3226wt_1144| these], but have a look at the guy's reputation. If you guys insist on staying with the original plan, we can get [http://www.ebay.com/itm/5M-RGB-5050-SMD-150leds-30leds-M-No-Waterproof-Flexible-LED-Light-Strips-DIY-Car-/160748617598?pt=US_String_Lights_Fairy_Lights&hash=item256d5d3f7e#ht_2935wt_1144| these ones] then.
 
  
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We will also need a 400w power supply (or multiple smaller ones), some serious mosfets, optocouplers (do we?), an Arduino, network interface, a [user:gcmalloc], and a bunch of various bits 'n pieces. For the power supply I suggest we get 2 185-200w constant current ones ('''''this is a must''''' if we want to control the strips easily), or something along the lines. I'm sure we'll find something. Plus, we probably won't be using all the power at once, unless we're outputting white at max power (that would be equivalent to the power output of a 60w incandescent lightbulb every meter), so I guess a power supply of about 350w total will do.
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= Photos =
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<gallery>
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File:Beta-LED-Strips-at-HS.JPG|LED Strip above the solder station
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File:LED-Strips-from-close-up.mp4|Video of the strip from afar
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File:LED-Strips-Up-Close.mp4|Video of the strip from up close
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File:LED-night-fixme.png|LEDs strip installed and visible from the outside
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File:LED_Retrofit_blue.jpg|Hackerspace LED Retrofit in blue
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File:LED-strip-controller-tinkering.jpg|Tinkering with the setup
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File:leds-controler.jpg|Housing for the Arduino and power supply
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File:Sofa-led.jpg|LEDs above sofa area (24v 3528 240 LED/m strips)
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File:Table-led.jpg|Bright LEDs above table area (same as sofa)
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File:HS-trigger-and-LED-control.png|Interface for controlling the LEDs and HS status
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</gallery>
  
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'''Currently, I have 60 CHF out of the 75 CHF required to get the good LED Strips.''' We will also need to find a constant current power supply.
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== Links ==
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* [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/building-large-led-installations Sparkfun's guide to large LED installations]
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* [http://nodes.nurdspace.nl/ DMX controlled LEDs], installation/setup [[NurdNodes]]
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* [http://www.ladyada.net/products/rgbledstrip/ Laydyada's tutorial and background info]
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* [http://wiki.muc.ccc.de/moodlamp_30 CCC's Moodlamp (DE)]
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* [http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/19413/why-doesnt-my-5050-led-strip-draw-as-much-power-as-i-expect Why doesn't my 5050 led strip draw as much power as I expect?]
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* [http://www.ebay.com/itm/5m-SMD-5050-RGB-SMD-LED-Flexible-Strips-300-LEDs-Strip-12V-60-LEDs-Meter-/150960156950?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item2325ed3116 The LED strips that were used]
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* [https://tindie.com/shops/ch00ftech/qr-clock-1/ QR LED Clock]
  
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====== Iteration 2 ======
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Control
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''Got a better idea?
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* [http://leds.fixme.ch/rgb Web control interface]
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Please share, I'm eager to hear other people's opinions!''
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* ssh://gitolite@foo.fixme.ch:1337/led-strip.git Git repo
  
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==== Next time ====
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= Project Leader =
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Put LEDs under the tables, instead of the lightbulbs, and even on the shelves!
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* [[User:Sasha|Sasha]]
  
 
== Participants ==
 
== Participants ==
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user:Sasha
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* [[User:Rorist|Rorist]]
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* [[User:gcmalloc|gcmalloc]]
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* [[User:Francois|Francois]]
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* [[User:Freestorm|Freestorm]]

Latest revision as of 15:03, 14 November 2019


Warning Warning: Please note that this page has been depreciated. See LED_Lighting


What are LED Strips?

The idea with the LED Retrofit is to provide the HS with an effective yet sleek lighting solution, by using color-changeable LED strips which are controllable via the network.

Here is an exhaustive explanation and tutorial from laydyada. In essence, there are 3 SMD (Surface Mount Technology) RGB (Red Green Blue) LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) on a segment with 3 resistors which allow the ~3 v LEDs to be drivven using a 12v power supply. These 'segments' are continuously joined together to form spools 5 meters each. Sometimes you can buy them in smaller bits (1 meter, 50 cm, 1 foot, etc), but sticking to a 5 meter spool is the best.

Currently there are 5x5m of 5050 RGB LED Strips @ 60 LEDs/m placed on the ledge just under the ceiling. Each 5 meter segment is individually connected to the Arduino-based controller via repurposed 230v cables. The Arduino is connected to the local network via an ethernet shield, and it controls the LEDs by PWMing a signal to 3 mosfets (1 for each color) which switches the 12vdc from the modded 400w ATX PSU.

How to control them?

You can get the code from git: 

git clone ssh://gitolite@foo.fixme.ch:1337/led-strip.git

Or you can use a basic online interface found here (accessible only via internal network).

How to compile ?

  • There is a library problem which need to be adresse, but since then, there's a chroot on foo with the correct settings to compile/upload the code
ssh foo.fixme.ch
sudo su
/root/enter-chroot.sh
cd /root/led-strip/LedStripDriver
make
# Put the USB cable from foo to the leds
make upload
# Remove the USB cable

Improvements

  • Figure out a way to fix brightness issue I think we should feed each 5m segment from multiple sides, or even split it into smaller pieces (it is suspected that the pcb traces aren't thick enough for the current). Maybe use individual power supplies every couple of meters coupled with their own (more basic) control circuitry that get commands from central Arduino? I suspect that there is a significant voltage loss along the connecting cable because of the low voltage and long distance, using 230v AC could help. We could also experiment in raising the voltage as long as it does not bypass the specified wattage, and that no single LED gets more than its designed voltage. Maybe the mosfets are the wrong kind?
  • Better control options maybe a nicer web-interface with more options (See Uses below), as well as an android app.
  • Moar LED strips place LED strips in other places, e.g. to replace the crappy CFL in the middle of the room (maybe use pure white LED strips instead of RGB ones), electronics bench, inside fridge, foyer, inside thermibel :) ?

Uses

  • Control remotly using a script (netcat)
    • Web server running on an Arduino board to control the LEDs: http://leds.fixme.ch/rgb
    • Little scripts for the current implementation inside the repository
  • Controled by the music (color, intensity)
  • Special program: Burger time, etc
  • Philips ambilight-like for projected videos
  • Time dependent light (i.e. automatically dimming)


Photos

  • LED Strip above the solder station

  • Video of the strip from afar

  • Video of the strip from up close

  • LEDs strip installed and visible from the outside

  • Hackerspace LED Retrofit in blue

  • Tinkering with the setup

  • Housing for the Arduino and power supply

  • LEDs above sofa area (24v 3528 240 LED/m strips)

  • Bright LEDs above table area (same as sofa)

  • Interface for controlling the LEDs and HS status

Links

Control

Project Leader

Participants

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