Light Parts

This is a list of parts used in building this repository, and a few more that might be useful.

Programmable LEDs (WS2812b, SK6812, APA102C or equivalent):

• WS281x modules - There are many variations on this. It’s useful to keep one of the small 4-8 LED modules handy for testing code, even if you’re planning to use longer strips in your actual project.
• SK6812 RGBW Digital Addressable LED Strip, 60LEDs/m, 5VDC - These typically come in 60 LEDs/m or 144 LEDs/m
• Programmable LED strips, WWA, 60 LEDs (or greater) per meter, 5V. These are WWA versions of the WS281x LEDs. The same code will control them, but you get tunable white instead of colors.

LED Strips (not individually addressable):

• Tunable White LED Strip Light/Tape Light - 12V - 350 Lumens/ft . Strips like these come in variable brightness as well as length and density.
• RGBW LED Strip Lights, 245 Lumens/ft
• Low Profile Aluminum LED Strip Channel - Surface Mount LED Extrusion - KLUS MICRO-ALU Series - These are used to mount LED strips. They come with a diffuser lens which fits in the channel.
• Klus 0945 - HR-ALU series LED Profile Heavy Duty Frosted Lens - These are a heavier diffuser than the one that comes with the strips above.

DC power supplies:

• Wall-Mounted AC Adapter - 12 VDC Power Supply - 12-36W - Many standard 12V DC supplies will do the job. This will pair with a 2.1mm I.D./5.5mm O.D. DC jack.
• Mean Well LED Switching Power Supply, AP Series 12-35W Single Output LED Power Supply, 12V DC - I usually get these because they’re a constant current supply. They are good for powering LED strips. Get them with power cord or get a power cord that will work from a local electrical supplier.

Connectors:

• DC Barrel Jack Adapter, Male - These are for making connections to 2.1mm I.D./5.5mm OD D.C. power supplies like the one above.
• DC Barrel Jack Adapter, Female - To connect to the item above

LED standard-base 12V bulbs (G6.35 2-pin base):

• Bi-Pin Socket for GU5.3/G4/GX5.3/GY6.35/GZ4 Base Bulbs - This socket works with the lamps below, and many others.
• GY6.35 LED Landscape Light Bulb - 40 Watt Equivalent - Bi-Pin LED Bulb - 450 Lumens
• GY6.35 LED Landscape Light Bulb - 40 Watt Equivalent - Bi-Pin LED Bulb - 275 Lumens

Components

Transistors. For most 12-24V sources, you’ll need transistors to control them from a microcontroller. The following transistors have been tested with the examples here:

• IRLB8721 - A MOSFET that operates well on 3.3V. Here’s its data sheet. It can switch a load up to 30V and theoretically 60A with proper head dissipation.
• FQP30N06L - Another 3.3V-tolerant MOSFET. Here’s its datasheet. This one can switch 60V and 30A.
• TIP120 This Darlington transistor, well-known in Arduino circles for switching motors, will also work for switching LED sources. Here’s its data sheet. It requires a base resistor of about 1 kilohm for the examples used here.

Tangible controls. These are included for example purposes only. You can use whatever input you want for your LED projects.

• pushbuttons - I like these ones because they fit on a breadboard well but are big enough to push in a satisfying way.
• rotary encoders - These are breadboard-friendly as well, if you bend the side tabs up.
• potentiometers - These are breadboard-friendly as well.

Microcontrollers

I tend to use the MKR series Arduinos a lot:

• MKR Zero
• MKR 1010 WiFi/BLE
• MKR 1000 WiFi
• The Nano 33 IoT works well for these examples also

Spectrometers

The AS7341 is an 11-channel spectral sensor that can detect light levels in multiple frequencies from around 400nm to 900nm. It has 8 that sense light in visible spectrum; one channel in the near infrared spectrum; one clear channel without a filter; and one channel that detects 50Hz-60Hz light flicker.

• product page
• datasheet.
• Sparkfun breakout board
• Adafruit breakout board
• DFRobot breakout board