# Astrolite NeoPixel Upgrade ## Overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZHMZIlp6GU In this project we’re upcycling a classic construction kit from 1969.   Astrolite by Hasbro, introduced in 1969, was a building toy set made of clear tubes that snap fit together, allowing one to build cities or robots of light!   In this project we’re adding NeoPixels and motorizing the color wheel. ![3d_printing_hero_wide.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/690/medium640/3d_printing_hero_wide.jpg?1547959532) The Adafruit CRICKIT is great for this project, it can drive NeoPixels, servos and lots of other sensors and components for building robots.   The board and components fit inside the light box and secured with 3d printed parts.   All of the components stack on top of each other, making this an easy mod! ![3d_printing_hero-adastar.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/691/medium640/3d_printing_hero-adastar.jpg?1547959648) The 3d files are free to download and modify in any CAD package!   Program the Crickit and Circuit Playground Express with Microsoft Makecode or [Circuit Python](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-crickit-creative-robotic-interactive-construction-kit/circuitpython-examples). Use the onboard sensors to trigger drivers, motors, change light animations and sounds.   Add our polycarbonate case to a couple of Circuit Playground Expresses to add even more interactive lights! We 3d printed ¼ tripod attachments to fit with the tubes! ![3d_printing_top-attach-loop.gif](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/692/medium640thumb/3d_printing_top-attach-loop.jpg?1547959985) ![3d_printing_hero-cpx-adapt.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/693/medium640/3d_printing_hero-cpx-adapt.jpg?1547960064) ## Prerequisite Guides There's resources in these guides that go beyond what's covered in this tutorial. MakeCode guide is all about setting up your Circuit Playground Express board. TheCircuit Playground Express introduction guide walks you through all of the pinouts, sensors and everything you need to know. - [MakeCode for Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/makecode) - [Introducing Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express) - [Introducing CRICKIT](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-crickit-creative-robotic-interactive-construction-kit) ## Parts You can find the list of all parts used to make this project linked below! ### Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express [Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3093) Sometimes we wonder if robotics engineers ever watch movies. If they did, they'd know that making robots into servants always ends up in a robot rebellion. Why even go down that path? Here at Adafruit, we believe in making robots our  **friends!** So if you find... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3093) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3093/guides) ![Top down view of a Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express with a circular board connected. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3093-07.jpg) ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ![A Black woman's manicured hand holds a round microcontroller with lit up LEDs.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3333-05.jpg) ### Adafruit NeoPixel LED Side Light Strip - Black 120 LED [Adafruit NeoPixel LED Side Light Strip - Black 120 LED](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3634) Fancy new _side light_ LED strips are a great alternative for folks who have loved and used Adafruit LED strips for a few years but want gorgeous, glowy light emitting at 90 degrees. They're very skinny so you can run them along a thin edge and curve them around shapes and... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3634) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3634/guides) ![Top down view of a Adafruit NeoPixel Digital RGB 120 LED-per-meter strip.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3634-04.jpg) ### Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or Bluefruit Enclosure [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or Bluefruit Enclosure](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3915) We've got nice cases for many of our beloved boards, but the [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) and [Circuit Playground Bluefruit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333) has been left out of couture enclosure... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3915) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3915/guides) ![Top down view of a clear acrylic Adafruit Circuit Playground Express or Bluefruit Enclosure.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/3915-06.jpg) ### Part: Servo quantity: 1 Continuous Rotation Servo [Servo](https://www.adafruit.com/product/154) ### Part: 4 x AA Battery Holder with 2.1mm Plug quantity: 1 4 x AA Battery Holder with 2.1mm Plug [4 x AA Battery Holder with 2.1mm Plug](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3784) ### Part: 1/4" to 1/4" Screw Adapter quantity: 1 1/4" to 1/4" Screw Adapter [1/4" to 1/4" Screw Adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2632) ### Part: Camera and Tripod 3/8" to 1/4" Adapter Screw quantity: 1 Camera and Tripod 3/8" to 1/4" Adapter Screw [Camera and Tripod 3/8" to 1/4" Adapter Screw](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2392) ## Standoffs    (4) M3x15mm secures Crickit to the 3D Printed Base   CPX Servo Mount screws (2) M3x6mm   Servo Standoffs (4) M3x10mm   Servo Horn Standoffs (2) M3x25mm ![3d_printing_screws.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/069/716/medium640/3d_printing_screws.jpg?1548015266) ### Part: M3 Male-Female Hex Brass Standoffs quantity: 1 M3 Male-Female Hex Brass Standoffs [M3 Male-Female Hex Brass Standoffs](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XQ33Y9X) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/astrolite-neopixel-upgrade/circuit-diagram.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express [Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3093) Sometimes we wonder if robotics engineers ever watch movies. If they did, they'd know that making robots into servants always ends up in a robot rebellion. Why even go down that path? Here at Adafruit, we believe in making robots our  **friends!** So if you find... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3093) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3093/guides) ## Related Guides - [Sparky the Blue Smoke Monster Automaton](https://learn.adafruit.com/sparky-automaton.md) - [Animatronic Glowing Medusa Headdress](https://learn.adafruit.com/animatronic-glowing-medusa-headdress.md) - [Living Starry Night Painting](https://learn.adafruit.com/animated-starry-night-circuit-playground-express.md) - [Crickit Powered Dancin' Snowman!](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-powered-dancin-snowman.md) - [CRICKIT WobblyBot](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-wobblybot.md) - [Cam Follower Automaton](https://learn.adafruit.com/cam-follower-automaton.md) - [Tightrope Unicycle Bot](https://learn.adafruit.com/tightrope-unicycle-bot.md) - [Halloween Sentry-Bot with CRICKIT for CPX](https://learn.adafruit.com/halloween-sentry-bot.md) - [Crickit Controlled Animatronic Eyeball](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-controlled-animatronic-eyeball.md) - [Crickit Powered Minerva Owl Robot](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-powered-owl-robot.md) - [Infrared Hand Gesture Robot Control Glove](https://learn.adafruit.com/cpx-ir-infrared-hand-gesture-robot-control-glove.md) - [Hammer Time Mini Golf Hazard with Crickit](https://learn.adafruit.com/mini-golf-hammer-time-circuit-playground-crickit.md) - [Mini Golf Course with Circuit Playground and Crickit](https://learn.adafruit.com/mini-golf-course-with-makecode-circuit-playground-crickit.md) - [The Scream: Interactive Screaming Painting](https://learn.adafruit.com/the-scream-munch-screaming-interactive-scream-painting.md) - [Crickit Dancing Marionette Kit](https://learn.adafruit.com/universal-marionette-with-crickit.md)