[[Category:Ongoing_Projects]]
== Code == <pre>git clone ssh://gitolite@foo.fixme.ch:1337/led-strip.git</pre> == Links ==* http://wiki.muc.ccc.de/moodlamp_30* http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/19413/why-doesnt-my-5050-led-strip-draw-as-much-power-as-i-expect== Description == After having recently bought in a RGB LED Strip into The idea with 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 Retrofit is a little ledge. Eventually, they could be added under tables, on shelves, and so on to improve lighting within provide the HS. I have also uploaded a video on [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aowith an effective yet sleek lighting solution, by using color-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 changeable LED strips either used a poor manufacturing process, or simply took rejected strips, chopped them up into which are controllable via the pieces that worked, and soldered them together to sell at a lower pricenetwork.
== What are LED Strips? ==
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 buyCurrently 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 dilema I have Arduino is that for around ~60$ I can cover connected to the perimeter of local network via an ethernet shield, and it controls the hs with basic 5050 LED RGB Strips LEDs by PWMing a signal to 3 mosfets (1 for each color) which switches the 12vdc from eBay, like the ones that I bought in, however there are several other, attractive options available:modded 400w ATX PSU.
==== 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>
You must understand that there are several types of LED Strips. If you want RGB LEDs, Or 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 use a basic online interface found [http://wwwleds.ebayfixme.comch/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/meterhere] kind, so that there is double the brightness(accessible only via internal network).
There are also various degrees of waterproof-ness available. The basic kind (epoxy) is very bad, does not last long, and starts == Improvements ==* '''Figure out a way to yellow very quickly. Especially if fix brightness issue''' I think we should feed each 5m segment from multiple sides, or even split it into smaller pieces (it is poorly made. For this, you have to pay approx 5$ extra suspected that the pcb traces aren't thick enough for the strip on ebay, where as in reality it is nowhere near as expensivecurrent). The next kind Maybe use individual power supplies every couple of coating is epoxy+silicone sleeve. This is better, but still has epoxy. The most expensive kind meters coupled with their own (although the material price difference is minimalmore basic) control circuitry that get commands from central Arduino? I suspect that there is silicone coated in a silicone sleevesignificant voltage loss along the connecting cable because of the low voltage and long distance, using 230v AC could help. This can withstand We could also experiment in raising the toughest conditionsvoltage as long as it does not bypass the specified wattage, and still look new years from nowthat no single LED gets more than its designed voltage. Maybe the mosfets are the wrong kind? ==== Specialized sites ====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 Better control options''' maybe a supernicer web-low quality thinginterface with more options (See [https://fixme.ch/wiki/LED_Retrofit#Uses Uses] below), or a fakeas well as an android app. Either way, * '''avoidMoar LED strips'''. ==== TaoBao ====Prices are very similar to eBay. Not worth the risk, added shipping cost, and time place LED strips in my opinion unless buying a lot. ==== Manufacturers ====Great for bigger ordersother 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 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: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.
'''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.
====== Iteration 2 ======
''Got a better idea?
Please share, I'm eager to hear other people's opinions!''
==== Next time ====
Put LEDs under the tables, instead of the lightbulbs, and even on the shelves!
= Photos =
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 station
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
</gallery>
== Links ==
* [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]
Control
* [http://leds.fixme.ch/rgb Web control interface]
* ssh://gitolite@foo.fixme.ch:1337/led-strip.git Git repo
= Project Leader =
