Changes
[[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.
== 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.
==== eBay ==How to control them?==The precise LED Strips that I bought You can be found [httpget the code from git:<pre>git clone ssh://wwwgitolite@foo.ebayfixme.comch:1337/itmled-strip.git</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.pre>
== How to compile ? ==* There are also various degrees of waterproof-ness available. The basic kind (epoxy) is very bada library problem which need to be adresse, does not last longbut since then, and starts there's a chroot on foo with the correct settings to yellow very quickly. Especially if it is poorly made. For this, you have to pay approx 5$ extra for compile/upload the strip on ebay, where as in reality it is nowhere near as expensivecode ssh foo. The next kind of coating is epoxy+silicone sleevefixme. This is better, but still has epoxych sudo su /root/enter-chroot. The most expensive kind (although sh cd /root/led-strip/LedStripDriver make # Put the material price difference is minimal) is silicone coated in a silicone sleeve. This can withstand USB cable from foo to the toughest conditions, and still look new years from now. leds make upload # Remove the USB cable
==== Specialized sites ==Improvements ==If * '''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 website is based anywhere else other than China, donpcb traces aren't even botherthick enough for the current). The markup is ridiculous Maybe use individual power supplies every couple of meters coupled with their own (heck, even eBay's markup is pretty big!more basic). If it is in China, avoid, unless the price is very good, meaning control circuitry that it get commands from central Arduino? I suspect that there is either a super-significant voltage loss along the connecting cable because of the low quality thingvoltage and long distance, or a fakeusing 230v AC could help. Either wayWe 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?* '''avoidBetter control options'''maybe a nicer web-interface with more options (See [https://fixme. ==== TaoBao ====Prices are very similar to eBay. Not worth the riskch/wiki/LED_Retrofit#Uses Uses] below), added shipping cost, and time in my opinion unless buying a lotas well as an android app. ==== Manufacturers ====Great for bigger orders* '''Moar LED strips''' place LED strips in other places, however on smaller ones, the shipping can be prohibitive (most insist on using DHL, adding a ton of shipping fees + unwanted taxes)e. The prices are really good thoughg. Like 1.45$ a meter good. == Plan of Action ==Here are to replace the steps which need to be taken crappy CFL in order to upgrade the lighting at the HS:#Decide on type middle of LED Strip##Get the brighter room (60 LEDsmaybe use [http:/meter) or the cheaper (30 LEDs/meter) strip?##Get the cheaper but lower quality one or the better quality but more expensive one?#Buy 20 meters of 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]]*** [[File:led-all.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)
= Photos =
<gallery>
File:Beta-LED-Strips-at-HS.JPG|LED Strip above the solder station
File:LED-Strips-Up-Close.mp4|Video of the strip from up close
File:LED-night-fixme.png|LEDs strip installed and visible from the outside
File:LED_Retrofit_blue.jpg|Hackerspace LED Retrofit in blue
File:LED-strip-controller-tinkering.jpg|Tinkering with the setup
File:leds-controler.jpg|Housing for the Arduino and power supply
File: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)
File:HS-trigger-and-LED-control.png|Interface for controlling the LEDs and HS status
</gallery>
== Links ==
* [https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/building-large-led-installations Sparkfun's guide to large LED installations]
* [http://nodes.nurdspace.nl/ DMX controlled LEDs], installation/setup [[NurdNodes]]
* [http://www.ladyada.net/products/rgbledstrip/ Laydyada's tutorial and background info]
* [http://wiki.muc.ccc.de/moodlamp_30 CCC's 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]
Control
* [http://leds.fixme.ch/rgb Web control interface]
* ssh://gitolite@foo.fixme.ch:1337/led-strip.git Git repo
= Project Leader =