<![CDATA[How to control lots of Neopixel]]>Hey guys, I hope someone help me~

Currently, I bought M5stack Gray and just started programming with UIflow.
I want to control five led strip which has 144 leds-WS2822B each.
I found out that M5stack doesn't have enough amps like 500mA. I hope you could answer which I should connect to M5stack.

Thank you!

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/topic/1703/how-to-control-lots-of-neopixelRSS for NodeFri, 13 Mar 2026 11:21:20 GMTSun, 16 Feb 2020 14:15:27 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Wed, 16 Feb 2022 14:04:20 GMT]]>wled on M5stack is easy I have tested it with ATOM LITE, ATOM U, and ATOM MATRIX especially ATOM MATRIX is easy it comes with the LED. Simply install via WEB
https://install.wled.me

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/16670https://community.m5stack.com/post/16670Wed, 16 Feb 2022 14:04:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:11:34 GMT]]>@world101 said in How to control lots of Neopixel:

@osc,

WLED (https://github.com/Aircoookie/WLED) is a really great and easy way to control lots of neopixels. The author has done an awesome job and there are so many features supported now. I used it this past Christmas season to control 800 of the WS2811 string LEDs on the exterior of my home.

It runs on the ESP8266 and ESP32, but I haven’t seen anyone using an m5stack product as a controller yet. The most common platform used is the nodeMCU which is based on the ESP8266.

I only started trying to port WLED to the m5stack yesterday (I was inspired by this thread), but since I’m new to PlatformIO and I’m a weak programmer, I’m running into build/compile issues. I’ll let you know if I make any progress, but you could also look into the nodeMCU if you want something running quickly.

If there was a Micropython lib then i would be interested in testing.

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7570https://community.m5stack.com/post/7570Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:11:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Tue, 25 Feb 2020 13:17:03 GMT]]>@osc,

WLED (https://github.com/Aircoookie/WLED) is a really great and easy way to control lots of neopixels. The author has done an awesome job and there are so many features supported now. I used it this past Christmas season to control 800 of the WS2811 string LEDs on the exterior of my home.

It runs on the ESP8266 and ESP32, but I haven’t seen anyone using an m5stack product as a controller yet. The most common platform used is the nodeMCU which is based on the ESP8266.

I only started trying to port WLED to the m5stack yesterday (I was inspired by this thread), but since I’m new to PlatformIO and I’m a weak programmer, I’m running into build/compile issues. I’ll let you know if I make any progress, but you could also look into the nodeMCU if you want something running quickly.

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7565https://community.m5stack.com/post/7565Tue, 25 Feb 2020 13:17:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 24 Feb 2020 21:25:52 GMT]]>One diode set to max brightness consumes 0.06A of current, so your external power supply should have a current efficiency of at least 10A for 144 diodes. For long tapes, separate power wires can be used that run parallel to the led strip and connected in addition to the supply lines for the led strip every one meter. You can use loudspeaker cables or 1.5 mm² rigid electric cables.

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7563https://community.m5stack.com/post/7563Mon, 24 Feb 2020 21:25:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Sun, 23 Feb 2020 08:55:04 GMT]]>@thrasher
So sorry for my late reply. Thank you for precise tips and I understand the points to care!

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7537https://community.m5stack.com/post/7537Sun, 23 Feb 2020 08:55:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Tue, 18 Feb 2020 13:28:04 GMT]]>@osc 74HC595 is walkaround when you don't have enough pins but wiring and coding will be pain as I'm not sure neopixel library supports it.

For 5 strips you need 5 digital pins. I don't have M5Stack by hand right now but I'm pretty sure it can provide those.
My advice: Don't rush with 5 strips, do some examples with single strip or even 10-20 LEDS. No offence but I see you're not very common with electronics, may get stuck with 5 strips same time.

Some advices:

  1. Yes, you can connect 5 strips into one huge strip but this will cause voltage drops most likely which leads to different powering experiments. Start with small amount of leds and code, than grow to full strip and when it satisfies you go to 5 strips.
  2. Read about Interface, protocol, physical and software layers. This will help you to understand why i2c hub wont help.
  3. Use legit power supply, M5Stack pin can hold up to 5 ws2182 leds guranteed. I don't remember how much ESP32 port provide, but I believe its something around 250 mA. Connecting heavy load on those may damage your M5 device.
  4. When using separate power supply, make sure ground wires (black ones) are all connected (M5-strip-PSU)
  5. Don't froget that U=IR (voltage = current*resistance). You can use this formula to calculate desired current or resistance aswell
]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7471https://community.m5stack.com/post/7471Tue, 18 Feb 2020 13:28:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Tue, 18 Feb 2020 13:15:35 GMT]]>@ajb2k3
Thank you for reply!
I understand how to connect from one pin.
Then I need to choose each cables between strips which has allowable current 4A, isn't it?

@Thrasher
At first I hoped I could use thin cables to each strips from each pins.
I should research about 74HC595. Thanks!

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7469https://community.m5stack.com/post/7469Tue, 18 Feb 2020 13:15:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Tue, 18 Feb 2020 08:27:02 GMT]]>Go hardcore. 74HC595

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7467https://community.m5stack.com/post/7467Tue, 18 Feb 2020 08:27:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Tue, 18 Feb 2020 05:51:30 GMT]]>@osc Each strip has data in and data out. you connect data in of the first strip to the m5stack and then the data in of the next strip is connected to data out of the first.
alt text

alt text

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7466https://community.m5stack.com/post/7466Tue, 18 Feb 2020 05:51:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 19:57:56 GMT]]>@ajb2k3
So how could I add more pin for controlling five strips each from portA??

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7465https://community.m5stack.com/post/7465Mon, 17 Feb 2020 19:57:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 19:09:08 GMT]]>@osc Looks like you have discovered a bug however you don't need the hub to control the LEDS
Also you dont need the i2c block

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7464https://community.m5stack.com/post/7464Mon, 17 Feb 2020 19:09:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 18:38:41 GMT]]>![alt text](0_1581964708701_Screen Shot 2020-02-18 at 3.33.03.png image url)

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7463https://community.m5stack.com/post/7463Mon, 17 Feb 2020 18:38:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 18:36:22 GMT]]>@ajb2k3
Thank you for your precise explanation!
So I can still use M5Stack's unit cable and PaHub!

I checked PaHub code above example here and tried to use UIflow.
https://docs.m5stack.com/#/en/unit/pahub

But I can't click the number and can't expect how programming..
Maybe I have to ask other question thread~
Thank you so much!

V14.3
alt text

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7462https://community.m5stack.com/post/7462Mon, 17 Feb 2020 18:36:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 16:24:33 GMT]]>@osc Port A is ok for RGB LEDS, all you need to do is provide additional pins to the black and red wires.
Black, white and yellow remain connected between the M5Stack snd the leds
I need to make a picture :(
@Thrasher not all LED strips come with power supplies, Most RGB/neopixel/WS2812/SK6812 come without power supplies.

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7461https://community.m5stack.com/post/7461Mon, 17 Feb 2020 16:24:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 14:36:53 GMT]]>@thrasher
Thank you for your fast reply!
I would check my schedule!~

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7460https://community.m5stack.com/post/7460Mon, 17 Feb 2020 14:36:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 13:31:52 GMT]]>https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000385799147.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.398a3026DnIolq&algo_pvid=018f702f-143e-4ac7-b710-40149cfef11f&algo_expid=018f702f-143e-4ac7-b710-40149cfef11f-1&btsid=0b8b035c15819462182664106ee8a3&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

16$ for 20A one

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7459https://community.m5stack.com/post/7459Mon, 17 Feb 2020 13:31:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 13:25:02 GMT]]>@thrasher
Thank you for you good tips!
So I should two adaptor like below.
https://amzn.to/3bN7tfR
or this? That's too expensive..
https://www.sanwa.co.jp/product/syohin.asp?code=ACA-IP64

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7457https://community.m5stack.com/post/7457Mon, 17 Feb 2020 13:25:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 13:04:28 GMT]]>@ajb2k3
Thank you for your kind explanation!
So I almost can't M5Stack's unit cable which I bought haha.
I just wonder which pins of M5Stack could I connect to?
I know M5Stack has only two DAC pins.
Could you tell me which good extension device??
thank you so much!

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7456https://community.m5stack.com/post/7456Mon, 17 Feb 2020 13:04:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 10:14:59 GMT]]>@osc Considering strip will drain >10 A current you can compare it with apple adaptor output. Strips usually come with power source unit which provide heavy load

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7453https://community.m5stack.com/post/7453Mon, 17 Feb 2020 10:14:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 09:50:33 GMT]]>@osc all each strip needs is data and gnd from the M5Stack. My lead can be used on any USB adapter that can provide enough power. The power supply you linked to only needs the 5V and gnd connected to the strip but both the supply and the M5Stack must have the gnd connected together.

In addition if you have a pattered you want duplicated on a second strip you can connect strips together in parallel

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7451https://community.m5stack.com/post/7451Mon, 17 Feb 2020 09:50:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 09:09:27 GMT]]>@thrasher
I hope I can make it with supplying from USB Power like Apple USB adaptor!
Could you tell me more detail about that?

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7450https://community.m5stack.com/post/7450Mon, 17 Feb 2020 09:09:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 08:01:03 GMT]]>@ajb2k3

Thank you for nice tips!
I understand how PSU and then, I'm researching how connect multiple LED strips.
I think I just need a hub for controlling each strips.
Maybe like above unit?
https://m5stack.com/products/pahub-unit?_pos=2&_sid=469853686&_ss=r

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7449https://community.m5stack.com/post/7449Mon, 17 Feb 2020 08:01:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to How to control lots of Neopixel on Mon, 17 Feb 2020 06:15:29 GMT]]>You can actually power up arduino/m5stack from USB or any other source, just make sure all grounds are connected (black wire)

]]>https://community.m5stack.com/post/7447https://community.m5stack.com/post/7447Mon, 17 Feb 2020 06:15:29 GMT