Test WS2801 pixels

**eroberts** · 04-03-2012, 05:30 PM

Is there a beginners way to test WS2801 pixel strings (or just a single pixel)? It'll be a few weeks before I have time to build the E681 controller. But I do have working LV and gumption.

Basically, I just got my order from Todd/Mark today and am salivating to see something turn on. It's a disease. There should really be a vaccination or something.

BTW, super big thanks to the two of them for organizing their group buy. I got my box today and thought it looked small. It was like a bag of holding - kept reaching in, more stuff kept coming out.

-Eric

**Zeph** · 04-03-2012, 05:43 PM

Y'know those little plastic flickering LED candles? You can dissolve the epoxy blob and connect the pad in the upper left to data, middle pad to clock, and bottom pad to ground (use a different supply for your power wire, the button cell is a bit small to power the pixels). Use a microscope and 40ga wire.

Naw, just joshing ya. You may need to wait for the e681. Ray has some cheap controllers but that will take weeks to arrive, too. So unless you have an Arduino or something like that, you may have to wait. Problem is, if you have to *build* or program something else, you could instead be building the e681 !

I do sympathize, tho.

**tjetzer** · 04-03-2012, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by eroberts

Is there a beginners way to test WS2801 pixel strings (or just a single pixel)? It'll be a few weeks before I have time to build the E681 controller. But I do have working LV and gumption.

Basically, I just got my order from Todd/Mark today and am salivating to see something turn on. It's a disease. There should really be a vaccination or something.

BTW, super big thanks to the two of them for organizing their group buy. I got my box today and thought it looked small. It was like a bag of holding - kept reaching in, more stuff kept coming out.

-Eric

To test I simply plugged them in created a random sequence in Vixen. That will give you the perfect opportunity to ohh and ahh!

**eroberts** · 04-03-2012, 05:47 PM

I do have an Arduino...

**Zeph** · 04-03-2012, 05:48 PM

Problem is, without his e681 pixel controller, just what can he plug them into?

**eroberts** · 04-03-2012, 05:49 PM

I tried to plug them in to Rudolph. He didn't appreciate it.

**angus40** · 04-03-2012, 05:52 PM

lmao , you will need a controller capable of speaking the language . the e681 or one of these http://www.j1sys.com/ecg-p12r/ maybe even one of these http://doityourselfchristmas.com/for...1-Pixel-Bridge

**Zeph** · 04-03-2012, 06:06 PM

OK, if this delays your completion of the e681, you've been warned. The fastspi Arduino library supports the ws2801. You have your power supply for the pixels, and the library can control the clock and data lines so you are good to go...

http://waitingforbigo.com/tag/fastspi_led/

**eroberts** · 04-03-2012, 07:37 PM

Oh, goody, goody, goody! I've already had the Arduino and accessories out playing on some other projects. They were real important to me until about ten seconds ago.

**bigredsoftware** · 04-03-2012, 11:20 PM

I did the same thing when I got some WS2801, I just HAD to see them light up. There is a copy paste example for the Arduino out there, but this will be stand alone only, no Vixen

...but...... I also have a Parallax Propeller board, and Ben helped me come up with a quick SPIN code for USB control through Open DMX.
http://doityourselfchristmas.com/for...SB-DMX-control