How do you make a pair of Macetech RGB Neopixel LED Shades even better? Custom hardware, sensors, and bluetooth from Adafruit of course! Read on to learn how to turn a pair of "Hacker Edition" Macetech Shades into fully controllable "smart shades" with the Adafruit Bluefruit app for iOS and Android and some clever Arduino programming!

Recommended Precursor Guide

Before starting this guide, I recommend that you look through the guide on controlling neopixels over bluetooth found here as this project will expand on this basic principle.

Tools Needed

For this project you will need a soldering iron, solder, edge cutters, wire strippers, and tweezers; a basic electronics hacker tool kit.

The Hakko FX-888D, my personal favorite Soldering iron

60/40 rosin core solder for easy flowing, strong solder joints

Flush diagonal cutters essential for quick, precise snips of wire and leads

One thing you really can't skimp on is a good pair of wire strippers, these are the best balance of price and quality from Hakko, a very good buy

Fine tip curved tweezers, perfect for guiding wires accurately into place for soldering and keeping fingers away from very hot things.

With these tools gathered, we can move on to parts and modifying the LED Shades!

This guide was first published on Mar 12, 2016. It was last updated on Mar 12, 2016.

This page (Project Overview) was last updated on Feb 10, 2016.

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