Connecting the Digital LEDs to Raspberry Pi

[andrewmunsell]

I'd like to control the Digital LED pixels here on Adafruit, but unfortunately due to being in a dorm, I can't do any soldering. I also have a Raspberry Pi to connect the LEDs to, but I'm not entirely sure how to do so.

In a video, I did see someone using what looked like the jumper extenders to connect the LED's wires to the GPIO headers on the Pi.

https://www.adafruit.com/products/826

Would the above work to control the LED strip, or would there be an incompatibility for any reason? I'm guessing I would use the female end to connect to the Raspberry Pi, and use electrical tape or heatshrink to attach the wire from the LED string to the male pin. Obviously the power would be connected to the barrel connector also here on Adafruit.

Sorry for the dumb questions-- I'm new to electronics and am trying to start learning

[funkytaco]

Just get a cheap bread board

https://www.adafruit.com/products/64

Then jump the wires and components as needed.

[andrewmunsell]

Just get a cheap bread board

https://www.adafruit.com/products/64

Then jump the wires and components as needed.

That'd definitely be an option, but for sturdiness when moving the board around, would the heatshrink/electrical tape work ok? I'm guessing yes since the breadboard is just a way of connecting the wires...

If I did go the breadboard route, then would I just press the wires from the strip into the board?

[adafruit_support_bill]

Yes, using extension jumpers like these: https://www.adafruit.com/products/824 will work. It won't be as secure as a soldered connection, but tape or heat-shrink will help prevent them from pulling apart.

[andrewmunsell]

Yes, using extension jumpers like these: https://www.adafruit.com/products/824 will work. It won't be as secure as a soldered connection, but tape or heat-shrink will help prevent them from pulling apart.

Perfect, thanks. I ordered the LED's and can't wait to try them out