# Adafruit NeoPixel Driver BFF
## Overview
Adafruit's QT Py boards are a great way to make very small microcontroller projects that pack a ton of power - and now there is a way for you to quickly add a [strand of NeoPixels](https://www.adafruit.com/category/168) with a 5V level shifter and a detachable JST PH connector. It's an excellent way to make tiny wearable, cosplay or IoT projects with dazzling LEDs.
We call this the **Adafruit NeoPixel Driver BFF** - a "Best Friend Forever". When you were a kid, you may have learned about the "buddy" system. Well, this product is kinda like that! A board that will watch your QT Py's back and give it the power and support to drive NeoPixel strips, rings, and panels.
This PCB is designed to fit onto the back of any QT Py or Xiao board, it can be soldered into place or use pin and socket headers to make it removable. Onboard is a 74AHCT125 single-gate level shifter that will take pin A3's output, and shift it up to 5V using the USB power as a reference. The USB power, ground and shifted data is then piped out to a JST PH 2mm 3-pin connector.
If using one of our [NeoPixel strips with a JST-PH connector on them already](https://www.adafruit.com/?q=neopixel+JST+PH&sort=BestMatch), you can just plug it right in for instant lights. If you're using a common JST SH (black in-line) connector on the strips, you can use a [JST-PH-to-female-header cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3894) and use that to plug into the pins on the input of the SH port and/or can jam the wires into the header sockets.
Note that we connect the USB 5V power directly out to the NeoPixel power pin on the JST PH connector and PH connectors are only rated for about 2 Amps, so it's not for powering directly more than maybe 30-60 NeoPixels (less if they're on full white brightness).
We include some header that you can solder to your QT Py. [You can also pick up an Itsy Bitsy short female header kit to make it removable but compact](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4174), you'll just need to trim down the headers to 7 pins long.
- Comes as an assembled and tested PCB
- For any QT Py or Xiao boards
- Uses the 5V input via USB Type-C connector on QT Py to Power 30ish NeoPixels
- Level-shifted data from pin **A3 default** , can solder-jumper select **SCL** , **TX** , **RX** , **SCK ** or **MOSI**
- For driving any WS2812/WS2811/NeoPixel LEDs
**NeoPixels and QT Py are not included**.
- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-driver-bff/pinouts.md)
## Primary Products
### Adafruit NeoPixel Driver BFF Add-On for QT Py and Xiao
[Adafruit NeoPixel Driver BFF Add-On for QT Py and Xiao](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5645)
Our QT Py boards are a great way to make very small microcontroller projects that pack a ton of power - and now we have a way for you to quickly add a [strand of NeoPixels](https://www.adafruit.com/category/168) with a 5V level shifter and a detachable JST PH connector. It's an...
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5645)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5645/guides)
## Featured Products
### Adafruit NeoPixel LED Strip with 3-pin JST PH 2mm Connector
[Adafruit NeoPixel LED Strip with 3-pin JST PH 2mm Connector](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3919)
Plug in and glow, this **Adafruit NeoPixel LED Strip with JST PH Connector** has **30 total LEDs** in a **"60 LED per meter" spacing** , and is 0.5 meters long, in classy Adafruit Black. Its not too long, but has lots of glowing action.
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3919)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3919/guides)
### Adafruit NeoPixel LED Strip with 3-pin JST Connector - 1 meter
[Adafruit NeoPixel LED Strip with 3-pin JST Connector - 1 meter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4801)
Plug in and glow, this **Adafruit NeoPixel LED Strip with JST PH Connector** has **30 total LEDs** and is 1 meter long, in classy Adafruit Black. It's not too long but has lots of glowing action.[...](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3900)
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4801)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4801/guides)
### STEMMA JST PH 2mm 3-Pin to Male Header Cable - 200mm
[STEMMA JST PH 2mm 3-Pin to Male Header Cable - 200mm](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3893)
This cable will let you turn a JST PH 3-pin cable port into 3 individual wires with high-quality 0.1" male header plugs on the end. We're carrying these to match up with our Hallowing, for extending and connecting sensors or LEDs - and the wires are even color coded!
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3893)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3893/guides)
## Related Guides
- [CircuitPython Animated Holiday Wreath Lights](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-animated-holiday-wreath-lights.md)
- [NeoPIO: Drive lots of LEDs with Raspberry Pi Pico](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopio-drive-lots-of-leds-with-raspberry-pi-pico.md)
- [Wireless LED Juggling Balls with ESP-NOW](https://learn.adafruit.com/wireless-juggling-balls-esp-now.md)
- [FunHouse Parking Assistant](https://learn.adafruit.com/funhouse-parking-assistant.md)
- [CircuitPython LED Animations](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-led-animations.md)
- [NeoPixel Remote: IR Control with WLED](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-remote-ir-control-with-wled.md)
- [Adafruit Hallowing M4](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-hallowing-m4.md)
- [Cheerlights Holiday Wreath with Animations](https://learn.adafruit.com/cheerlights-led-animations.md)
- [WiFi Jellyfish Lantern with WLED](https://learn.adafruit.com/wifi-jellyfish-lantern-with-wled.md)
- [Synchronized NeoPixel Shoelaces with WLED](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-shoelaces-with-wled.md)
- [Adafruit PyBadge and PyBadge LC](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pybadge.md)
- [Light-Up Costumes in Harsh Environments](https://learn.adafruit.com/light-up-costumes-in-harsh-environments.md)
- [Adafruit QT Py and NeoPixel LEDs](https://learn.adafruit.com/qt-py-and-neopixel-leds.md)
- [HalloWing Lightsabers](https://learn.adafruit.com/hallowing-lightsaber.md)
- [RGB LED Matrices with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-led-matrices-matrix-panels-with-circuitpython.md)