PROJECTS LED Matrix Pillows
alternate grid intersections, so that the LEDs in
each row are offset by one from their neighbors
(Figure
P
). Double check that all LEDs have front
sides oriented upward, away from the pillow.
Next, weave the second half of the string in
and out of the attached rows. Start by turning the
pillow 90 degrees, then lay the next loose portion
of the string across the closest perimeter row.
Fasten the next LED at the intersection nearest
the pillow corner as shown in Figure
Q
.
Continue connecting the LED string along the
rows like before, sliding the loose portion of string
under each of the LEDs in perpendicular columns
(Figure
R
). When you’re finished, the LED string
input/output connectors should extend from
opposite pillow corners and the string will be
woven into a pattern that looks like Figure
T
. You
can use more ties to affix any parts of the string
that seem loose.
After the first LED matrix is secured, repeat the
process with the second pillowcase. This step can
take hours for two pillows; you might want to cue
up a podcast or TV show for distraction.
4. SET UP PIXELBLAZE AND POWER
Next you’ll connect the Pixelblaze controller and
power supply to one of the LED matrixes. Both
the Pixelblaze and LED string operate at 5V and
can be powered with the same source. Don’t
run the power for the LED string through the
Pixelblaze USB micro-B connector, as it is not
designed to carry that much current.
The specific wiring layout will depend on
whether your LED string connector has extra
power wires broken out. If so, it is straightforward
to attach those extra power wires to the barrel-
jack screw terminal connector as shown in
Figure
S
, then connect an extra 3-pin JST-SM
cable to the LED string input, and connect that
cable’s Power, Data, and Ground wires to the
corresponding screw terminals on the Pixelblaze.
If your connectors don’t have extra power wires
broken out, you’ll need to splice hookup wire
to the JST connector’s 5V and GND wires and
attach those hookup wires to the DC jack’s screw
terminals to supply power.
Once the Pixelblaze and the power adapter have
been connected to the input end of one matrix,
use a JST-SM extension cable to connect the first
N
O
Q
P
R
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