Flora RGB Smart NeoPixel version 1 - Pack of 4

Product ID: 1060
$9.95
The v1 NeoPixels have been discontinued, please check out the v2 NeoPixels for sewable LEDs
Qty Discount
1-9 $9.95
10-99 $8.96
100+ $7.96

Description

Please note, this is the last batch of the V1 Neopixels we are making, please do not purchase the old version unless you have an older project with V1 pixels and you need the pixels to match! We will only be carrying V2 pixels after this batch runs out

What's a wearable project without LEDs? Our favorite part of the Flora platform is these tiny smart pixels. Designed specifically for wearables, we found the brightest RGB LEDs available (an eye-blistering ~3800mcd) and paired them with a constant-current driver chip that sits on the back. The pixels are chainable - so you only need 1 pin/wire to control as many LEDs as you like. They're easy to sew, and the chainable design means no crossed threads.

This is the first/original version of the Flora NeoPixels, which runs at at 'low speed' 400KHz communication. Unfortunately they are not forward-compatible with the fully-integrated 'high speed' (800KHz) Flora NeoPixel V2's. If you have a project that already uses high speed pixels, and you want to attach more pixels to the chain, you will need to purchase version 2's as these are not cross-compatible. If you don't have any pixels in your project yet, we suggest purchasing v2 pixels as they are lower cost and v1's will eventually be discontinued.

These pixels have full 24-bit color ability with PWM taken care of by the controller chip. Since the LED is so bright, you need less current/power to get the effects you want. The driver is constant current so its OK if your battery power changes or fluctuates a little.

Each pixel draws as much as 60mA (all three RGB LEDs on for full brightness white). In theory, the Flora can drive up to 500 pixels at 30 FPS (it will run out of RAM after that). However, after about 10 pixels (or if the distance between pixels is more than an inch or two) the resistance of the thread can affect the power supply. For large quantities of pixels over 10, you may want to consider using stranded core wire or copper braid to provide a "power bus" for the pixels - the current draw will add up fast!

Each order comes with 4 individually controllable pixels.

Technical Details

  • 0.5" (12.5mm) diameter circle PCB, 0.2" (5mm) total thickness
  • 400 KHz speed protocol
  • Chainable design
  • 5-9VDC power (can run at 3.5V but color will be dimmed), constant current 18.5mA per LED (~55mA max total per pixel)

Head to the Adafruit Learning System for the following FLORA tutorials:

Learn

Block bullets with Motion & Sound