# Adafruit NeoRGB Stemma
## Overview
**Revision History:**
- **As of February 13, 2025** - We've updated this design to add a built-in level shifter so it will work flawlessly with 3V or 5V NeoPixel signals.
Whenever we're working with ['true analog' LED strips](https://www.adafruit.com/search?q=analog+LED), that have 1-3 channels of RGB or White LEDs, we wish we had already invented something to make wiring them easier: controlling these strips takes a bit of wiring since they almost always need 12VDC and driver FETs.
Now, we've finally created the **Adafruit NeoRGB Stemma** board - which will make our lives easier, and maybe even some customer's too!
The NeoRGB is a no-soldering, plug-and-play STEMMA board with a [2mm JST PH connector](http://www.adafruit.com/product/3893) on one end, and a 5-pin 0.1" screw terminal block on the other. It can convert standard 800KHz NeoPixel signal using a WS2811F chip to [AO3406 N-channel FETs](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/alpha-omega-semiconductor-inc/AO3406/1855777) that are high efficiency and can sink a chunk of current - 3 Amps a piece with 50milliOhm Ron!
Basically, this means that you can treat any PWM-able common-anode RGB LED strip or LED as a single NeoPixel, at up to 16V and 3 Amps per channel. Perfect for large analog LEDs or arrays, LED strips, even ones that are not RGB, such as controlling 3 independent single-channel LEDs or strips. Note that the WS2811 bare chips don't support 4 channels, so this won't work on RGBW strips.
Usage is easy. First [you'll need a 2mm JST PH cable, such as this one with pins](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3893). Then pick one of two powering options
**If you are using less than 2A of current total across all 3 channels:**
1. Connect the white wire to your NeoPixel-compatible signal, 3 or 5V logic.
2. Connect the red wire to 3-16VDC, this will power the LED strip
3. Connect the black ground wire to your microcontroller and power supply shared ground
**If you are using more than 2A of current total across all 3 channels,** you'll need to wire the power supply to the terminal block since JST PH connectors are only rated for 2A.
1. Connect the white wire to your NeoPixel-compatible signal, 3 or 5V logic.
2. Connect your 3-16V power supply positive pin to the V+ to the terminal block, keep the red wire from being used by taping it or cutting it off.
3. Connect the 3-16V power supply ground pin to the GND on the terminal block
4. Connect the black wire as a 'reference' ground to your microcontroller that is providing the NeoPixel signal
An onboard green ON LED will let you know that it is powered correctly, and a red Signal LED will lightly blink when data is sent on the Signal line. If you need to chain more than one, or want to connect some other NeoPixels to the output, there's a pin for the Output signal on the board.
# Adafruit NeoRGB Stemma
## Pinouts
**Revision History:**
- **As of February 13, 2025** - We've updated this design to add a built-in level shifter so it will work flawlessly with 3V or 5V NeoPixel signals.
## STEMMA JST PH
- [**STEMMA JST PH**](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-adafruit-stemma-qt) - 2mm pitch STEMMA JST port for use with [3-pin STEMMA JST PH cables](https://www.adafruit.com/category/619). It has connections for:
- **GND** - common ground for power and data. It is the black wire on the JST PH cable.
- **VIN** - power input for the RGB LED(s). It is the red wire on the JST PH cable. You can use 3-16VDC. Use the voltage that matches the requirements for your RGB LEDs (ex: 12V for a 12V strip). The JST PH connector is rated for 2A input. If you are using more than **2A of current total across all 3 RGB channels** then you need to use the **VIN** input on terminal block.
- **SIG/Neo In** - NeoPixel-compatible signal from your microcontroller, 3 or 5V logic. It is the white wire on the JST PH cable.
Warning:
## Terminal Block
- **GND** - common ground for power and data.
- **VIN** - power input for the RGB LED(s). You can use 3-16VDC. Use the voltage that matches the requirements for your RGB LEDs (ex: 12V for a 12V strip). **If you are using more than 2A of current total across all 3 RGB channels,** you'll need to wire the power supply to this input.
- **RED** - red channel output from the WS2811. Connect to the red channel input on your RGB LED strip.
- **GRN** - green channel output from the WS2811. Connect to the green channel input on your RGB LED strip.
- **BLU** - blue channel output from the WS2811. Connect to the blue channel input on your RGB LED strip.
## NeoPixel Signal Input and Output Pins
On the edges of the board are pins for Neo In and Neo Out. These pins allow you to connect multiple NeoRGB Stemma boards together.
- **Neo In** - NeoPixel-compatible signal from your microcontroller, 3 or 5V logic.
- **Neo Out** - output of the NeoPixel-compatible signal from your microcontroller
## Signal LED and Jumper
- **Signal LED** - to the left of the JST PH connector is the signal LED, labeled **SIG**. It is the red LED. It will lightly blink when data is sent on the **Neo In** / **Signal** line.
- **LED jumper** - in the upper left corner on the back of the board is a jumper for the signal LED. If you want to disable the signal LED, cut the trace on this jumper.
## Power LED and Jumper
- **Power LED** - to the right of the JST PH connector is the power LED, labeled **ON**. It is the green LED.
- **LED jumper** - in the upper right corner on the back of the board is a jumper for the power LED. It is labeled **LED** on the board silk. If you want to disable the power LED, cut the trace on this jumper.
# Adafruit NeoRGB Stemma
## CircuitPython and Python
It's easy to use the **NeoRGB Stemma** with CircuitPython and the [Adafruit\_CircuitPython\_NeoPixel](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_CircuitPython_NeoPixel) module. This module allows you to easily write Python code for NeoPixels.
You can use this driver with any CircuitPython microcontroller board or with a computer that has GPIO and Python [thanks to Adafruit\_Blinka, our CircuitPython-for-Python compatibility library](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-on-raspberrypi-linux). You should note though that many single board computers (SBCs) don't have NeoPixel support due to the precision timing required to send data.
Info:
## CircuitPython Microcontroller Wiring
Your wiring will differ depending on how many total amps will be used across all three RGB channels. Here is how you'll wire the breakout to a Feather RP2040 and single RGB LED using less than 2A total used across all three RGB channels.
- **Feather 3V** to **NeoRGB JST PH VIN (red wire)**
- **Feather GND** to **NeoRGB JST PH GND (black wire)**
- **Feather pin 5** to **NeoRGB JST PH SIG (white wire)**
- **NeoRGB RED** to **RGB LED red cathode (red wire)**
- **NeoRGB GRN** to **RGB LED green cathode (green wire)**
- **NeoRGB BLU** to **RGB LED blue cathode (blue wire)**
- **NeoRGB VIN** to **RGB LED anode (black wire)**
Here is how you'll wire the breakout to a Feather RP2040 and a 12V RGB LED strip with more than 2A total used across all three RGB channels:
- **Feather GND** to **NeoRGB JST PH GND (black wire)**
- **Feather pin 5** to **NeoRGB JST PH SIG (white wire)**
- **Power supply positive pin** to **NeoRGB terminal block VIN (red wire)**
- **Power supply negative pin** to **NeoRGB terminal block GND (black wire)**
- **NeoRGB RED** to **RGB strip red channel (pink wire)**
- **NeoRGB GRN** to **RGB strip green channel (green wire)**
- **NeoRGB BLU** to **RGB strip blue channel (blue wire)**
- **NeoRGB VIN** to **RGB strip VIN (red wire)**
## Python Computer Wiring
Since there are _dozens_ of Linux computers/boards you can use, we will show wiring for Raspberry Pi. For other platforms, [please visit the guide for CircuitPython on Linux to see whether your platform is supported](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-on-raspberrypi-linux).
Here's the Raspberry Pi wired to the breakout and a single RGB LED with **less than 2A** used across all three RGB channels:
Info:
- **Pi 3V** to **NeoRGB JST PH VIN (red wire)**
- **Pi GND** to **NeoRGB JST PH GND (black wire)**
- **Pi GPIO18** to **NeoRGB JST PH SIG (white wire)**
- **NeoRGB RED** to **RGB LED red cathode (red wire)**
- **NeoRGB GRN** to **RGB LED green cathode (green wire)**
- **NeoRGB BLU** to **RGB LED blue cathode (blue wire)**
- **NeoRGB VIN** to **RGB LED anode (black wire)**
On the Raspberry Pi, **NeoPixels must be connected to GPIO10, GPIO12, GPIO18 or GPIO21** to work!
Here is how you'll wire the breakout to a Raspberry Pi and a 12V RGB LED strip with **more than 2A** total used across all three RGB channels:
- **Pi GND** to **NeoRGB JST PH GND (black wire)**
- **Pi GPIO18** to **NeoRGB JST PH SIG (white wire)**
- **Power supply positive pin** to **NeoRGB terminal block VIN (red wire)**
- **Power supply negative pin** to **NeoRGB terminal block GND (black wire)**
- **NeoRGB RED** to **RGB strip red channel (pink wire)**
- **NeoRGB GRN** to **RGB strip green channel (green wire)**
- **NeoRGB BLU** to **RGB strip blue channel (blue wire)**
- **NeoRGB VIN** to **RGB strip VIN (red wire)**
## Python Installation of NeoPixel Library
You'll need to install the **Adafruit\_Blinka** library that provides the CircuitPython support in Python. This may also require enabling I2C on your platform and verifying you are running Python 3. [Since each platform is a little different, and Linux changes often, please visit the CircuitPython on Linux guide to get your computer ready](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-on-raspberrypi-linux)!
Once that's done, from your command line run the following command:
- `pip3 install adafruit-circuitpython-neopixel`
If your default Python is version 3 you may need to run 'pip' instead. Just make sure you aren't trying to use CircuitPython on Python 2.x, it isn't supported!
## CircuitPython Usage
To use with CircuitPython, you need to first install the **Adafruit\_CircuitPython\_NeoPixel** library, and its dependencies, into the **lib** folder on your **CIRCUITPY** drive. Then you need to update **code.py** with the example script.
Thankfully, we can do this in one go. In the example below, click the **Download Project Bundle** button below to download the necessary libraries and the **code.py** file in a zip file. Extract the contents of the zip file, and copy the **entire** **lib** **folder** and the **code.py** file to your **CIRCUITPY** drive.
Your **CIRCUITPY/lib** folder should contain the following files:
- **neopixel.mpy**
- **adafruit\_pixelbuf.mpy**
## Python Usage
Once you have the library `pip3` installed on your computer, copy or download the following example to your computer, and run the following, replacing **code.py** with whatever you named the file:
`python3 code.py`
## Example Code
**If running CircuitPython:** Once everything is saved to the **CIRCUITPY** drive, [connect to the serial console](https://learn.adafruit.com/welcome-to-circuitpython/kattni-connecting-to-the-serial-console) to see the data printed out!
**If running Python:** The console output will appear wherever you are running Python.
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Learning_System_Guides/blob/main/NeoRGB_Stemma_Examples/circuitpython/code.py
The code has a check to determine if you are running the code on a Raspberry Pi or not. If you are, the NeoPixel pin is set as **GPIO18**. Otherwise, the NeoPixel pin is set as **D5**. Once the loop starts, you'll see your RGB LED(s) cycle through the colors of the rainbow.
You should keep in mind when you write your own code that if you are using a strip, all of the LEDs will act as one LED from a programming perspective since they aren't individually addressable. That means some effects may look flashier or more abrupt.
# Adafruit NeoRGB Stemma
## Python Docs
# Adafruit NeoRGB Stemma
## Arduino
Using the NeoRGB Stemma with Arduino involves wiring up the breakout to your Arduino-compatible microcontroller, installing the [Adafruit\_NeoPixel](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_NeoPixel) library and running the provided example code.
## Wiring
Your wiring will differ depending on how many total amps will be used across all three RGB channels. Here is how you'll wire the breakout to an Adafruit Metro and a single RGB LED with **less than 2A total** used across all three RGB channels:
- **Metro 5V** to **NeoRGB JST PH VIN (red wire)**
- **Metro GND** to **NeoRGB JST PH GND (black wire)**
- **Metro pin 6** to **NeoRGB JST PH SIG (white wire)**
- **NeoRGB RED** to **RGB LED red cathode (red wire)**
- **NeoRGB GRN** to **RGB LED green cathode (green wire)**
- **NeoRGB BLU** to **RGB LED blue cathode (blue wire)**
- **NeoRGB VIN** to **RGB LED anode (black wire)**
Here is how you'll wire the breakout to an Adafruit Metro and a 12V RGB LED strip with **more than 2A total** used across all three RGB channels:
- **Metro GND** to **NeoRGB JST PH GND (black wire)**
- **Metro pin 6** to **NeoRGB JST PH SIG (white wire)**
- **Power supply positive pin** to **NeoRGB terminal block VIN (red wire)**
- **Power supply negative pin** to **NeoRGB terminal block GND (black wire)**
- **NeoRGB RED** to **RGB strip red channel (pink wire)**
- **NeoRGB GRN** to **RGB strip green channel (green wire)**
- **NeoRGB BLU** to **RGB strip blue channel (blue wire)**
- **NeoRGB VIN** to **RGB strip VIN (red wire)**
## Library Installation
You can install the **Adafruit NeoPixel** library for Arduino using the Library Manager in the Arduino IDE.
Click the **Manage Libraries...** menu item, search for **Adafruit NeoPixel** , and select the **Adafruit NeoPixel** library:
Info:
## Example Code
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Learning_System_Guides/blob/main/NeoRGB_Stemma_Examples/arduino_rainbow_neorgb/arduino_rainbow_neorgb.ino
Upload the sketch to your board. You'll see your RGB LED(s) cycle through a rainbow swirl animation.
You should keep in mind when you write your own code that if you are using a strip, all of the LEDs will act as one LED from a programming perspective since they aren't individually addressable. That means some effects may look flashier or more abrupt.
# Adafruit NeoRGB Stemma
## Arduino Docs
# Adafruit NeoRGB Stemma
## WipperSnapper
## What is WipperSnapper
WipperSnapper is a firmware designed to turn any WiFi-capable board into an Internet-of-Things device without programming a single line of code. WipperSnapper connects to [Adafruit IO](https://io.adafruit.com/), a web platform designed ([by Adafruit!](https://www.adafruit.com/about)) to _display_, _respond_, and _interact_ with your project's data.
Simply load the WipperSnapper firmware onto your board, add credentials, and plug it into power. Your board will automatically register itself with your Adafruit IO account.
From there, you can add _components_ to your board such as buttons, switches, potentiometers, sensors, and more! Components are _dynamically _added to hardware, so you can immediately start interacting, logging, and streaming the data your projects produce without writing code.
If you've never used WipperSnapper, click below to read through the quick start guide before continuing.
[Quickstart: Adafruit IO WipperSnapper](https://learn.adafruit.com/quickstart-adafruit-io-wippersnapper)
## Wiring
First, wire up a NeoRGB Stemma component to your board following one of the methods below, using a signal/data pin supporting [PWM](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-lesson-3-rgb-leds/theory-pwm) (see the pinouts page on your board's learn guide).
Your wiring will differ depending on how many total amps will be used across all three RGB channels (STEMMA / JST-PH connectors are [rated](https://www.jst.com/products/crimp-style-connectors-wire-to-board-type/ph-connector/) for 2 Amps continuous load).
Here is how you'll wire the breakout to an [Adafruit ESP32 Feather V2](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5400) using pin D14 and single RGB LED using less than 2A total used across all three RGB channels.
- **Feather 3V** to **NeoRGB JST PH VIN (red wire)**
- **Feather GND** to **NeoRGB JST PH GND (black wire)**
- **Feather pin 14** to **NeoRGB JST PH SIG (white wire)**
- **NeoRGB RED** to **RGB LED red cathode (red wire)**
- **NeoRGB GRN** to **RGB LED green cathode (green wire)**
- **NeoRGB BLU** to **RGB LED blue cathode (blue wire)**
- **NeoRGB VIN** to **RGB LED anode (black wire)**
Here is how you'll wire the breakout to an [Adafruit ESP32 Feather V2](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5400) using pin D14 and a 12V RGB LED strip with more than 2A total used across all three RGB channels:
- **Feather GND** to **NeoRGB JST PH GND (black wire)**
- **Feather pin 14** to **NeoRGB JST PH SIG (white wire)**
- **Power supply positive pin** to **NeoRGB terminal block VIN (red wire)**
- **Power supply negative pin** to **NeoRGB terminal block GND (black wire)**
- **NeoRGB RED** to **RGB strip red channel (pink wire)**
- **NeoRGB GRN** to **RGB strip green channel (green wire)**
- **NeoRGB BLU** to **RGB strip blue channel (blue wire)**
- **NeoRGB VIN** to **RGB strip VIN (red wire)**
## Usage
Connect your board to Adafruit IO Wippersnapper and **[navigate to the WipperSnapper board list](https://io.adafruit.com/wippersnapper).**
On this page, **select the WipperSnapper board you're using** to be brought to the board's interface page.
If you do not see your board listed here - you need [to connect your board to Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/quickstart-adafruit-io-wippersnapper) first.
On the device page, quickly **check that you're running the latest version of the WipperSnapper firmware**.
The device tile on the left indicates the version number of the firmware running on the connected board.
- **If the firmware version is green with a checkmark -** continue with this guide.
- **If the firmware version is red with an exclamation mark "!" -** [update to the latest WipperSnapper firmware](https://learn.adafruit.com/quickstart-adafruit-io-wippersnapper) on your board before continuing.
Next, make sure the component is plugged into your board, any external components are correctly wired and powered, and then finally that your board is powered too.
Now you're ready to add your component to your WipperSnapper device.
**Click the New Component button or the + button ** to bring up the component picker.
Adafruit IO supports a large amount of components. To quickly find your sensor, type `NeoRGB` into the search bar, then select the **NeoRGB** **Stemma** component.
On the component configuration page, the NeoRGB's component settings should be listed. Select the **NeoPixel Pin** that has the NeoRGB / STEMMA signal wire attached ( **D12** here), and leave **Number of Pixels** set to **1**.
The **Color Order** option is specific to each RGB strip or your wiring. This option will tell the Feather which signals to match up to Red / Green / Blue, and as a result for each color in the palette. Here the value is set to **RGB** as that matches the LED strip's wiring.
Finally **Brightness ** is an overall maximum brightness for the LEDs, which can also be useful to limit the current. This will be used to scale the components chosen color and brightness via the Color Picker.
For this example, set the **Brightness** to 255, which is full brightness.
Your device interface should now show the NeoRGB component you created.
Clicking one of the colors in the Color Picker, using the color dropper, and adjusting the Brightness slider will cause WipperSnapper to automatically send Hexadecimal color values to the component via Adafruit IO.
To view the data that has been previously sent to the component, click on the graph next to the component name.
Here you can see the feed history and edit things about the feed such as the name, privacy, webhooks associated with the feed and more. If you want to learn more about how feeds work, [check out this page](https://learn.adafruit.com/all-the-internet-of-things-episode-four-adafruit-io/advanced-feeds).
# Adafruit NeoRGB Stemma
## Downloads
## Files
- [WS2811 Datasheet](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/datasheets/WS2811.pdf)
- [AO3406 N-channel FET Datasheet](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/127/716/original/AO3406.pdf?1707944354)
- [EagleCAD PCB files on GitHub](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-NeoRGB-Stemma-PCB)
- [Fritzing object in the Adafruit Fritzing Library](https://github.com/adafruit/Fritzing-Library/blob/master/parts/Adafruit%20NeoRGB%20Stemma.fzpz)
## Schematic and Fab Print
### Rev B
### Rev A
## Primary Products
### Adafruit NeoRGB Stemma - NeoPixel to RGB PWM LEDs and Strips
[Adafruit NeoRGB Stemma - NeoPixel to RGB PWM LEDs and Strips](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5888)
Whenever we're working with ['true analog' LED strips](https://www.adafruit.com/search?q=analog+LED), that have 1-3 channels of RGB or White LEDs, we wish we had already invented to make wiring them easier: controlling these strips takes a bit of wiring...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5888)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5888/guides)
## Featured Products
### 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)
### STEMMA JST PH 2mm 3-Pin to Female Socket Cable - 200mm
[STEMMA JST PH 2mm 3-Pin to Female Socket Cable - 200mm](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3894)
This cable will let you turn a JST PH 3-pin cable port into 3 individual wires with high-quality 0.1" female header sockets 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/3894)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3894/guides)
### Side-Light Flexible Analog RGB LED Strip - 630 LEDs per meter
[Side-Light Flexible Analog RGB LED Strip - 630 LEDs per meter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5687)
Here at Adafruit, we love discovering new and exotic glowing things. Like moths to the flame, we were intrigued by this 'chip on board' ultra-flexible RGB LED Strip with a whoppin' **_630_ SMT LEDs per meter** (210 x RGB LEDs, with 3 in series per...
In Stock
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5687/guides)
### Flexible RGB Neon-like LED Strip 120 LEDs - 1 meter long
[Flexible RGB Neon-like LED Strip 120 LEDs - 1 meter long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4245)
Here at Adafruit we love discovering new and exotic glowing things. Like moths to the flame, we were intrigued by these fresh **Flexible Silicone Neon-Like LED Strips**! They _look_ a lot like neon, but without the need for expensive transformers, glass tubing or inert...
In Stock
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4245/guides)
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