Having problems getting my neopixel ring up and running

[foopod]

Hey there,

Got a Gemma and a neopixel! First thing I did was try to make the Hoop Earrings, so I wired it up as per http://learn.adafruit.com/gemma-hoop-ea ... it-diagram.

After that didn't work I thought I might start simpler. So I got the Gemma to blink the onboard led to make sure I could to that. Then attempted to run the strandtest example, but to no avail. I will chuck some pics in below.

http://i.imgur.com/6PzSF5j.jpg
http://imgur.com/0sqiukZ.jpg

I don't have a power pack for it yet, so at the moment I am running it off a portable usb charger battery thing.

I have been playing around with it for hours now, but cant get it going. If anyone has any recommendations please let me know.

Cheers

[adafruit_support_bill]

Do the neopixels light up at all?
Can't see much detail in the photos. Try outside or near a window for more light.

[foopod]

A few flash sometimes when i plug the usb cable into Gemma, otherwise none at all when I actually run the program. Is there an even simpler way to test the neopixel ring?

I know my soldering is a bit iffy, but I checked all the connections with a multimeter. Here are some more pictures of what I have set up.
http://i.imgur.com/wdXjD15.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kdt7sLz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m03IEkQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/uSNl7GD.jpg

[adafruit_support_bill]

Much better photos, thanks. I don't see any real problems with the soldering.

I don't have a power pack for it yet, so at the moment I am running it off a portable usb charger battery thing.

What exactly are you using? What voltage are you getting on the Gemma's Vout pin?

[foopod]

I am getting 4.8V on Gemmas Vout.

Also I am using one of these http://www.thinkcomputers.org/reviews/c ... fort/4.jpg, sorry couldn't find a better picture. It is Choiix 5600mAh USB battery pack.

[adafruit_support_bill]

That supply should be OK. Looking closer at your VOUT connection, it looks like it might be a cold-joint. Re-flow that one until it is smooth any shiny.

[foopod]

http://i.imgur.com/qMcW5LO.jpg

Done, but it didn't change anything. Is there any simple way to test the neopixel ring? Rather than running the test code in the Adafruit_NeoPixel library

[adafruit_support_bill]

Is there any simple way to test the neopixel ring? Rather than running the test code in the Adafruit_NeoPixel library

No. You need a microcontroller of some kind to send it precisely timed control signals. There is no 'manual' test.

It appears that you have everything connected correctly. If you contact [email protected] with a link to this thread we can send you a replacement ring.

[foopod]

Done, thanks for your help.