RGB 5050 style leds with no controller and just 3 switches? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2018, 06:53:13 pm
content: I'm seeing this kind of product being sold and I'm wondering how it works?I know the serial protocol addresses leds by their index from the top of the chain and I've seen the arduino code, etc. but are there leds that can directly read 3 switches and statically show the 8 colors possible?it does not seem that they are asking for a remote controller; they have those, like this:https://www.amazon.com/iFlight-Strip-Controller-Racing-Quadcopter/dp/B07DT79RSHanyone know what the story is, with this circuit? maybe there are new fake copies of the WS leds that have internal controllers, now, with a 'simple' mode feature?

author: JackJones
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2018, 06:57:13 pm
content: I think the DIP switch just applies 5V to the selected colour leds. Nothing fancy or addressable about it, just switching a colour on/off mechanically by the switch.

author: tsman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2018, 07:08:16 pm
content: Not all the 5050 LEDs have an integrated controller chip like the WS2812B ones. Your boards just has 3 separate LEDs in the 5050 package that are connected to the 6 leads. Provide your own current limiting and PWM for intensity control.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2018, 07:10:56 pm
content: so you think these are not 'neopixels' but are just regular old rgb leds?I can't find any info on these. vendors are calling them 5050 (somewhat generic term) but maybe that's just plain false.might have to buy one to try it out and see if feeding it the proper WS protocol works, too.it would be interesting if the same high-brightness neopixel parts are now available in 'dumb' chip format.

author: tsman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2018, 07:12:54 pm
content: Quote from: linux-works on December 12, 2018, 07:10:56 pmYesQuote from: linux-works on December 12, 2018, 07:10:56 pm5050 is the package since it is 5mm x 5mm. It doesn't imply anything about what is inside.Quote from: linux-works on December 12, 2018, 07:10:56 pmIt won't work. They're 3 separate LEDs inside.Quote from: linux-works on December 12, 2018, 07:10:56 pmThey've been available for years.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2018, 07:24:01 pm
content: oh!so that solves thatthanks! I guess one nice thing is that they are not voltage sensitive (serial protocol has 3.3v issues, in a way) and there will be no noise on the 5v line since it does not need clocking.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2018, 05:41:35 pm
content: I had some LEDs like that years ago, they came out a long time before the addressable types did. They're still used in a lot of RGB LED strips that are cheaper than the addressable type.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2018, 08:42:30 pm
content: Quote from: linux-works on December 12, 2018, 07:10:56 pmObviously, someone added a controller to a dumb 5050 RGB led to make a "smart led", not the other way round.You can actually see the controller chip sitting in the package with bond wires to the LEDs.