# Canary Nightlight ## Overview https://youtu.be/bGIKo_uxZWE Everyone needs a _blue canary in the outlet by the light switch_, ready to watch over them. How can you find a little glowing friend for yourself? Well, get the _birdhouse in your soul_ ready! This canary night light is ready to move in and light it up. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/164/medium800/led_matrices_hero-night-outlet.jpg?1684767931) This guide shows you how to build your own canary nightlight. The build involves a QT Py ESP32-S3, paired with a 5x5 NeoPixel Grid BFF, fitted into a beautiful 3D printed bird. The circuit diagram helps ensure that you're pairing the two boards properly. The CAD files are provided, along with info about what filaments work best for this print. After installing CircuitPython on your QT Py, you'll load the code, and learn how it works. Finally, you'll assemble the canary nightlight. Blue light promotes wakefulness, and can be super helpful when it's time for you to be awake or you're trying to concentrate. The nightlight lights up blue during the day by default to help you with both. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/165/medium800/led_matrices_hero-top-outlet.jpg?1684768169) On the other hand, bright blue light can often hinder you when you're trying to wind down or sleep. To avoid that, this canary is designed to turn red and dim during the evening and night to help you slumber. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/235/medium800/led_matrices_Canary_Nightlight_red.jpg?1684887257) What would a canary nightlight be if it wasn't watching over you? Well, this light also includes a feature that let's you know if your internet connection goes down. When the connection is down for a period of time, the canary will begin blinking red to notify you. It keeps blinking until the internet is back up. Wonder no more if it's you or the internet! This canary has your back. The code for this project is super customisable so you can tweak it to your exact wants and needs. You can update the colors, brightness, timing, and more. The guide goes through everything you can change so you know your options. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/238/medium800/led_matrices_Canary_nightlight_iphone_adapter.jpg?1684891288) ## Parts This is a relatively simple build. To follow along with this guide, in addition to a 3D printer to print your canary (if you don't have a 3D printer, you can send the files to a printing company for manufacturing), you'll need the following parts. ### Adafruit QT Py ESP32-S3 WiFi Dev Board with STEMMA QT [Adafruit QT Py ESP32-S3 WiFi Dev Board with STEMMA QT](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5426) The ESP32-S3 has arrived in QT Py format - and what a great way to get started with this powerful new chip from Espressif! With dual 240 MHz cores, WiFi and BLE support, and native USB, this QT Py is great for powering your IoT projects. The ESP32-S3 is a highly-integrated,... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5426) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5426/guides) ![Angled shot of small purple microcontroller.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5426-00.jpg) ### Adafruit 5x5 NeoPixel Grid BFF Add-On for QT Py and Xiao [Adafruit 5x5 NeoPixel Grid BFF Add-On for QT Py and Xiao](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5646) 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 glittering grid of 25 RGB addressable micro NeoPixels. It's an excellent way to make tiny wearable, cosplay, or IoT projects with... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5646) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5646/guides) ![Video of a 5x5 LED matrix glowing heart and text: "A D A F R U I T"](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5646-05.jpg) ### Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 1 meter long [Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 1 meter long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5153) This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern, it's also made for USB C for our modernized breakout boards, Feathers, and more.  [If you want something just like it but for Micro B, we...](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111) Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5153) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5153/guides) ![Angled shot of coiled pink and purple USB cable with USB A and USB C connectors.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5153-02.jpg) ## Powering the Canary from an Outlet You'll need a USB wall plug if you plan to power it from an outlet, regardless of whether or not it's by a light switch. To properly power your canary, your wall plug needs to provide 5V, and at least 2A. If you have a 5V USB-C iPhone power adapter sitting around, it is the best option for plugging in the canary. To complete this setup, you'll need to get a [USB Type C plug to plug adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5328) to go with it. ![led_matrices_Canary_nightlight_iphone_adapter.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/237/medium640/led_matrices_Canary_nightlight_iphone_adapter.jpg?1684889215) Alternatively, you can use [any wall adapter that provides the required 5V 2A](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1994). If your wall plug is USB-A, then you'll need a [USB-A to USB-C plug adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5329). If your wall plug is USB-C, you'll need the [USB Type C plug to plug adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5328). Depending on the orientation your wall plug, you may also require a [right angle USB type C adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4432) to complete your set up. ![led_matrices_Canary_nightlight_multi_adapter.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/121/236/medium640/led_matrices_Canary_nightlight_multi_adapter.jpg?1684888723) ### Attribution This was inspired by one of Kattni's favorite songs from [They Might Be Giants](https://www.theymightbegiants.com/): [Birdhouse In Your Soul](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdgRYMdPSZQ). Check it out, and while you're at it, keep the nightlight on inside the birdhouse in your soul! - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/canary-nightlight/circuit-diagram.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit QT Py ESP32-S3 WiFi Dev Board with STEMMA QT [Adafruit QT Py ESP32-S3 WiFi Dev Board with STEMMA QT](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5426) The ESP32-S3 has arrived in QT Py format - and what a great way to get started with this powerful new chip from Espressif! With dual 240 MHz cores, WiFi and BLE support, and native USB, this QT Py is great for powering your IoT projects. The ESP32-S3 is a highly-integrated,... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5426) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5426/guides) ### Adafruit 5x5 NeoPixel Grid BFF Add-On for QT Py and Xiao [Adafruit 5x5 NeoPixel Grid BFF Add-On for QT Py and Xiao](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5646) 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 glittering grid of 25 RGB addressable micro NeoPixels. It's an excellent way to make tiny wearable, cosplay, or IoT projects with... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5646) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5646/guides) ### Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 1 meter long [Pink and Purple Woven USB A to USB C Cable - 1 meter long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5153) This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern, it's also made for USB C for our modernized breakout boards, Feathers, and more.  [If you want something just like it but for Micro B, we...](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111) Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5153) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5153/guides) ### USB Type C Plug to Plug Adapter [USB Type C Plug to Plug Adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5328) Turn any USB Type C device into a pluggable USB key with this 'plug to plug' adapter. Works with Windows / Linux computer/laptops with a USB type C port. **This adapter doesn't work with Macbook laptops due to a mistake in the design** : The CC1/CC2 pins should... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5328) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5328/guides) ### USB-A Plug to USB-C Plug Adapter [USB-A Plug to USB-C Plug Adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5329) If your computer has a USB A port still, and you want a small, cable-less way to connect our modern USB C devices, this little dongle will do the job nicely. It's quite simple - you've got your USB A plug on one side, a C plug on the other. Since C is reversible, you can always plug in... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5329) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5329/guides) ### Right Angle USB Type C Adapter - USB 3.1 Gen 4 Compatible [Right Angle USB Type C Adapter - USB 3.1 Gen 4 Compatible](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4432) As technology changes and adapts, so does Adafruit, and speaking of _adapting_, this **_right angle_**  _ **adapter** _ is USB C socket-to-plug. USB C is the latest industry-standard connector for transmitting... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4432) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4432/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit QT Py ESP32-S3](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-qt-py-esp32-s3.md) - [Adafruit 5x5 NeoPixel Grid BFF](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-5x5-neopixel-grid-bff.md) - [LED Matrix Alarm Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-matrix-alarm-clock.md) - [ESP-NOW in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/esp-now-in-circuitpython.md) - [NeoPixel Novelty Cufflinks with Scrolling Text](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-novelty-cufflinks-with-scrolling-text.md) - [Tiny LED WiFi Companion Cube](https://learn.adafruit.com/tiny-led-wifi-cube.md) - [CircuitPython Web Workflow Code Editor Quick Start](https://learn.adafruit.com/getting-started-with-web-workflow-using-the-code-editor.md) - [No-Code IKEA Vindriktning Air Quality Sensor Hack with Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/no-code-ikea-vindriktning-hack-with-qt-py-esp32-s3-and-adafruit-io.md) - [DeviceScript, TypeScript for Microcontrollers](https://learn.adafruit.com/devicescript.md) - [Ikea Vindriktning Hack with QT Py ESP32-S3 and Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/ikea-vindriktning-hack-with-qt-py-esp32-s3-and-adafruit-io.md) - [NeoPixel Sprite Weather Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-sprite-weather-display.md) - [NeoPixel Arcade Buttons](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-arcade-button.md) - [Adafruit Pixel Trinkey](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pixel-trinkey.md) - [Adabot Toy Robot Friend](https://learn.adafruit.com/adabot-rp2040.md) - [Mini Weather Station ESP32-S3 TFT](https://learn.adafruit.com/mini-weather-station-esp32-s2-tft.md)