Distributing power inside the cylinder was going to be messy. I knew it needed power feeds at the top and bottom and probably in the middle. Model railroaders see this sort of thing often. For now, I had to trust that my homemade slip ring setup would and get all the power where it was supposed to get. Inside the cylinder, I had a green pluggable terminal block, so it was easy to swap. A brown four-position terminal block would take that power and send it to all the wires once they were run.
The wires on the bottom, where the power enters the cylinder, would start with the stock wires on the LED strips. These locking plastic connectors were soldered together at the power sides, on the red and white wires. The green data wires were connected to DuPont connectors so they could easily attach to the microcontroller.
The cabling worked! I was able to control LEDs via Bluetooth from across the room like before, but this time the lights were powered by the battery on the Arduino. This is not how the final design will function, but it proved that the wires were in the right places.
In my first measurements, there were twenty-four LEDs in a revolution, this time there were twenty-three. On top of that, there was no consideration for ensuring LEDs aligned each turn, so they were understandably a bit crooked. This may not be evident during the game, especially if it is fast-paced.
A handful of LEDs lit up well and did not draw more than the battery could handle without resetting, but when all the lights were turned on, the problems became apparent. The end farthest from the camera was closest to the power connection, and the lights there were bright and clear when I set all of them to turn white. The LEDs nearest the camera were starved for power due to the distance from the power source and draw from the rest of the lights. The red lights were lower voltage did not struggle as much as their blue and green counterparts. It also amazed me that a small battery was able to power so many lights, even if they were not lit well.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2019-09-03
Power block for cylinder 5V
The wires on the bottom, where the power enters the cylinder, would start with the stock wires on the LED strips. These locking plastic connectors were soldered together at the power sides, on the red and white wires. The green data wires were connected to DuPont connectors so they could easily attach to the microcontroller.
Cables for first end of LED strips
The cabling worked! I was able to control LEDs via Bluetooth from across the room like before, but this time the lights were powered by the battery on the Arduino. This is not how the final design will function, but it proved that the wires were in the right places.
Controlling LEDs on the couch from across the room
In my first measurements, there were twenty-four LEDs in a revolution, this time there were twenty-three. On top of that, there was no consideration for ensuring LEDs aligned each turn, so they were understandably a bit crooked. This may not be evident during the game, especially if it is fast-paced.
Imperfect alignment
A handful of LEDs lit up well and did not draw more than the battery could handle without resetting, but when all the lights were turned on, the problems became apparent. The end farthest from the camera was closest to the power connection, and the lights there were bright and clear when I set all of them to turn white. The LEDs nearest the camera were starved for power due to the distance from the power source and draw from the rest of the lights. The red lights were lower voltage did not struggle as much as their blue and green counterparts. It also amazed me that a small battery was able to power so many lights, even if they were not lit well.
Sign of voltage drop
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2019-09-03
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