Neopixel power source

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Kokodoko
 
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Neopixel power source

Post by Kokodoko »

Yes, it's another super-noob with a beginner question that just baffles me to no end:

I have an arduino, connected to a power source 5V, 0.5A.
Then there's a neopixel ring that has its own separate power source so I can draw more Amps.

If I want to build a battery-less project with this, will I need TWO power adapters ?!?! Will I be the first person in the world that needs TWO adapters plugged in to run his project ???

Thanks,

Technician going bonkers.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Neopixel power source

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

You can power both with one adapter - assuming it has sufficient capacity.

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Kokodoko
 
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Re: Neopixel power source

Post by Kokodoko »

I'm confused because the Adafruit tutorial suggests that the pixels use a different power source than the Arduino board.
Also the Arduino documentation says that you need 9-12V to power the arduino, which is different from the exact 5V you need for Neopixels?
http://playground.arduino.cc/Learning/WhatAdapter

I've attached a Fritzing sketch (power supply is 5V 2A).
Would this work? Thanks a lot!
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pixel_powersupply.png
pixel_powersupply.png (59.99 KiB) Viewed 387 times

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Kokodoko
 
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Re: Neopixel power source

Post by Kokodoko »

Googling resulted in this image, I suppose this is the correct way to power an Arduino board with a 5V line.
Perhaps this can be added to the Neopixel Uberguide (if this is correct :-)
arduino_no_computer_power.jpg
arduino_no_computer_power.jpg (45.7 KiB) Viewed 385 times

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Neopixel power source

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Also the Arduino documentation says that you need 9-12V to power the arduino, which is different from the exact 5V you need for Neopixels?
You need 7-12v if you are powering via the DC input jack. The processor itself runs on 5v. Since you stated in your original post "I have an arduino, connected to a power source 5V, 0.5A." I was assuming that you are doing that either via the USB port or directly via the 5v pin.
Googling resulted in this image, I suppose this is the correct way to power an Arduino board with a 5V line.
That will work. However you should not connect the Arduino to your computer via USB when powered that way. A safer approach is to power the Arduino via the USB port. You can make a USB power cable by cutting the A-plug from an A-B cable and splicing the wires to your power suply. https://www.adafruit.com/products/900

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Kokodoko
 
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Re: Neopixel power source

Post by Kokodoko »

Thanks! So this should be it? (Now the USB is also used for grounding the Neopixels, instead of wiring to a GND pin).
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ground_usb.png
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Re: Neopixel power source

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Now the USB is also used for grounding the Neopixels, instead of wiring to a GND pin
Also run a separate "signal ground" wire directly from the Arduino GND pin to the neopixels.

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Re: Neopixel power source

Post by Kokodoko »

Thanks, just to wrap up this post I included a final sketch.
arduino_neopixel_external_power.png
arduino_neopixel_external_power.png (567.54 KiB) Viewed 317 times

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