[[Category:Ongoing_ProjectsClosed_Projects]]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:<gallery>File:Beta-LED-Strips-at-HS.JPG|LED Strip above the solder stationFile:LED-Strips-from-close-up.mp4|Video of the strip from afarFile:LED-Strips-Up-Close.mp4|Video of the strip from up close</gallery>
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. {{warning|'''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 pricethis 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 [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.
== Where to buy? ==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 Currently there are several other, attractive options available:==== eBay ====The precise LED Strips that I bought can be found 5x5m of [http://www.ebay.com/itm/120897032000| here5m-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]. I am not too happy with @ 60 LEDs/m placed on the quality, so I may get a refund, or a partial refund in ledge just under the near futureceiling. My biggest concern Each 5 meter segment is that there are way too many solder points leading me individually connected to believe that these strips are of crap qualitythe Arduino-based controller via repurposed 230v cables. The Arduino is connected to the local network via an ethernet shield, and won't last it controls the LEDs by PWMing a signal to 3 mosfets (1 for each color) which switches the 12vdc from the specified 50'000 hoursmodded 400w ATX PSU.
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 == How to that. The next variable is LEDs/meter. The ones currently at the hs are [http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.htmlcontrol them?_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 You can get the [httpcode from git:<pre>git clone ssh://wwwgitolite@foo.ebayfixme.comch:1337/sch/iled-strip.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 LEDsgit</meter] kind, so that there is double the brightness.pre>
There are also various degrees of waterproof-ness available. The Or you can use a basic kind (epoxy) is very bad, does not last long, and starts to yellow very quicklyonline interface found [http://led. Especially if it is poorly madefixme. 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 ch/rgb here] (although the material price difference is minimalaccessible only via internal network) is silicone coated in a silicone sleeve. This can withstand the toughest conditions, and still look new years from now.
==== Specialized sites ==How to compile ? ==If the website * There is based anywhere else other than Chinaa library problem which need to be adresse, don't even bother. The markup is ridiculous (heckbut since then, even eBaythere's markup is pretty big!)a chroot on foo with the correct settings to compile/upload the code ssh foo.fixme. If it is in China, avoid, unless the price is very good, meaning that it is either a superch sudo su /root/enter-low quality thing, or a fake. Either way, '''avoid'''chroot.sh cd /root/led-strip/LedStripDriver make # Put the USB cable from foo to the leds make upload # Remove the USB cable
==== TaoBao ==Improvements ==Prices are very similar * '''Figure out a way to eBay. Not worth the riskfix brightness issue''' I think we should feed each 5m segment from multiple sides, added shipping cost, and time in my opinion unless buying a lot. ==== Manufacturers ====Great for bigger orders, however on or even split it into smaller ones, pieces (it is suspected that the shipping can be prohibitive (most insist on using DHL, adding a ton pcb traces aren't thick enough for the current). Maybe use individual power supplies every couple of shipping fees + unwanted taxesmeters coupled with their own (more basic). The prices are really good though. Like 1.45$ control circuitry that get commands from central Arduino? I suspect that there is a meter good. == Plan significant voltage loss along the connecting cable because of Action ==Here are the steps which need to be taken low voltage and long distance, using 230v AC could help. We could also experiment in order to upgrade raising the lighting at voltage as long as it does not bypass the HS:#Decide on type of specified wattage, and that no single LED Strip##Get gets more than its designed voltage. Maybe the brighter (60 LEDs/meter) or mosfets are the cheaper wrong kind?* '''Better control options''' maybe a nicer web-interface with more options (30 LEDsSee [https:/meter/fixme.ch/wiki/LED_Retrofit#Uses Uses] below) strip?, as well as an android app. ##Get * '''Moar LED strips''' place LED strips in other places, e.g. to replace the cheaper but lower quality one or crappy CFL in the better quality but more expensive one?#Buy 20 meters 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 and wait a couple -12V-Free/465436346.html pure white LED strips] instead of weeks for it to get here#Create an Arduino sketch with networking capabilities to control the strips#RGB ones), electronics bench, inside fridge, foyer, inside thermibel :) ???#Profit!!!
== Uses ==
* Control remotly using a script (netcat)
** Web server running on an Arduino board to control the LEDs: http://62leds.220fixme.135.201ch/rgb** Little scripts for the current implementation: [[File:led.sh]] [[File:led-strombo.sh]] [[File:led-colors.sh]] [[File:led-prog.sh]]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)
== Suggestions ==
==== This time ====
====== Iteration 1 ======
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.
We will also need a 400w power supply (or multiple smaller ones), some serious mosfets, optocouplers (do we?), an Arduino, network interface, a [user= Photos =<gallery>File:gcmalloc], and a bunch of various bits 'n piecesBeta-LED-Strips-at-HS. For JPG|LED Strip above the power supply I suggest we get 2 185solder stationFile:LED-200w constant current ones ('''''this is a must''''' if we want to control Strips-from-close-up.mp4|Video of the strips easily), or something along strip from afarFile:LED-Strips-Up-Close.mp4|Video of the linesstrip from up closeFile:LED-night-fixme. I'm sure we'll find somethingpng|LEDs strip installed and visible from the outsideFile:LED_Retrofit_blue.jpg|Hackerspace LED Retrofit in blueFile:LED-strip-controller-tinkering. Plus, we probably won't be using all jpg|Tinkering with the power at once, unless we're outputting white at max power (that would be equivalent to setupFile:leds-controler.jpg|Housing for the power output of a 60w incandescent lightbulb every meter), so I guess a Arduino and power supply of about 350w total will doFile:Sofa-led.jpg|LEDs above sofa area (24v 3528 240 LED/m strips)File:Table-led.jpg|Bright LEDs above table area (same as sofa)
'''Currently, I have 60 CHF out of the 75 CHF required to get the good File:HS-trigger-and-LED Strips.''' We will also need to find a constant current power supply-control.png|Interface for controlling the LEDs and HS status </gallery>
====== Iteration 2 ====Links ==* [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/building-large-led-installations Sparkfun''Got a better idea?s guide to large LED installations]Please share* [http://nodes.nurdspace.nl/ DMX controlled LEDs], Iinstallation/setup [[NurdNodes]]* [http://www.ladyada.net/products/rgbledstrip/ Laydyada'm eager to hear other peoples tutorial and background info]* [http://wiki.muc.ccc.de/moodlamp_30 CCC's opinions!'Moodlamp (DE)]* [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?]* [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]* [https://tindie.com/shops/ch00ftech/qr-clock-1/ QR LED Clock]
==== Next time ====ControlPut LEDs under the tables, instead of the lightbulbs, and even on the shelves!* [http://leds.fixme.ch/rgb Web control interface]* ssh://gitolite@foo.fixme.ch:1337/led-strip.git Git repo
= Project Leader =
