Introduction
Connect a Crazy Circuits NeoPixel and a Potentiometer to a Bit Board and control them with code.
We'll explore how to control an RGB LED (a "NeoPixel") using a potentiometer.
Featured Document
-
-
We'll use Maker Tape to connect the NeoPixel and the Potentiometer to the Bit Board on a LEGO baseplate.
-
We'll connect our Potentiometer to Pin 1, Ground (GND), and 3.3v BUT! We're going to use the "gutter" between the LEGO baseplate studs so we can have two layers of tape that do not touch.
-
See the photos to show how this works. It's a technique we'll use for certain projects. It can also be used when you're tight on space for tape paths.
-
Once the Button is connected we'll need to connect the NeoPixel. One side goes to Ground (GND) and the other side to 3.3v
-
We'll then connect the center pin labeled DI (for Digital Input) to Pin 0, which will control the NeoPixel. Run the tape on top of the studs so it does not touch the tape connected to the Potentiometer.
-
You'll notice the Ground on the Bit Board (as well as the NeoPixel and other Crazy Circuits components we'll use) is color coded White.
-
The 3.3v hole on the Bit Board is labeled and is actually two holes right next to each other on the Bit Board. (There is a small line showing the connection between them.)
-
-
-
If you've never used a micro:bit before you'll want to check out this guide: Bit Board V2 Setup and Use
-
We're going to load the following code for our NeoPixel Potentiometer RG program: https://makecode.microbit.org/_JW1bi7cgu...
-
We will once again read (and map) the value from the potentiometer, but then we'll do some math to set another variable...
-
We'll use the otherVal in conjunction with our potVal so that as one increases the amount of a color, the other will decrease the amount of a color...
-
The result will be a change from red to green as you turn the dial, with the colors mixing equally in the center, and to various amounts as you turn.
-
-
-
Once the code is loaded it should start running immediately.
-
You can power the micro:bit via the USB cable you used to load the code or you can use a battery pack plugged into the Bit Board.
-
Turn the small blue knob on the Potentiometer and you'll see the color go from red to green, with a mixing of the two colors during the turn.
-
-
-
Follow along with our recorded Live Stream!
-
You can watch the full video of us walking through this project, along with explaining and exploring the code: https://youtube.com/live/KBatTBnfasY
-
Attached Documents
