G+_Bob Shields Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 I have a question on WS2812B and WS2811 with Arduinos: As an Arduino n00b, I have purchased a kit with an Arduino Uno and many sensors, LEDs, etc. and have managed to get most of the sample projects running fine. I have since purchased a string of 50 5V WS2811 LEDs (and 25W PS) and can drive them fine. Ditto for some small WS2812B 16-bit rings. My question is: can I simply attach the WS2812B ring to the end of the WS2811 string and have them addressed as if I have a 50+16 = 66 LED string? I plan on using these for lights on my Christmas tree, with the ring at the top. (I hope to do some special programming for the ring segment, maybe making use of the FastLED CRGBSet objects.) I think the power issues are OK, but don't know if the timing for the data line is compatible... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 It's my understanding that the only difference is if one of the LEDs go out on the ws2812b it won't affect the subsequent LEDs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Dan Hockey Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 The worst that could happen is they just won't light up, or light up with some weird color and stay that way.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 http://www.instructables.com/id/Upgrading-Smart-RGB-LEDs-WS2812B-vs-WS2812/ Here's a great comparison of WS2812 vs WS2812B. Most important part for this discussion is that the protocol stayed the same. I think I've read that the RGB order is mixed up on some? That's the only other thing I'd watch for. Sounds like a great project! I'm hoping to try out some of the light strips soon too. instructables.com - Upgrading Smart RGB LEDs: WS2812B Vs. WS2812 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Bob Shields Posted October 29, 2017 Author Share Posted October 29, 2017 Resolution: I was holding off waiting for some "bits and bobs" needed to solder things together, when I realized I had some unused jumpers with connectors I could use. I tried, and all the lamps did light up and seem to function properly... except that as Ben Reese said, there is indeed a difference in the sub-pixel ordering. WS2811 is RGB, but WS2812B is GRB! So...I'm going ahead with my plan, but will need to do some programming to have the ring show up in the proper color. My intention was always to have the ring function like a "Christmas star" tree-topper, so I expected to need some additional code to handle these last 16 LEDs on the string anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Charlene williams Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Hello Cute , How are you doing today ? I'm Charlene i will like to know you better am new on googleplus If you are intrested in me kindly text me my number is 3234547352 text me my email is Wcharlene535@gmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jared Alexander Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Yes you can. Just change your total number of LEDs to 66 in your sketch. With WS2811/2812 pixel strings you need to inject power every 100 pixels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Bob Shields Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 I recorded a short video of the "string + ring" in action. (This my first time recording and publishing video from my iPhone, so don't expect great cinematography. Also, the lights are just strung across a bookshelf as I haven't set up my tree yet...) The video shows the WS2811 string being populated, then the WS2812B ring "spinning" at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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