# Lighting LED Nets with WLED and xLights ## Overview https://youtu.be/BuiNdW6cMdA Add hundreds of lights to your home or yard with these fantastic [Pebble Pixel Nets](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6159). Adafruit carries them in a variety of sizes, from 1x1m to 1x6m large, and they are chainable and expandable so no vision is too big. These nets use 12v power, which can be easily handled by the [Adafruit Sparkle Motion](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6100) microcontroller. It has 4 powered LED outputs, a power manager so you can run 12v or 5v lights, and an onboard I2S microphone, which makes sound-reactive projects a snap.  The build is fairly easy, with no soldering required (though adding connectors can make your life easier). This gives you time to focus on making beautiful sequences and enjoying your pretty lights. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/135/340/medium800/adafruit_products_star_hero.jpg?1739565332) ### WLED and xLights Both WLED and xLights are open source control software for LEDs. The Sparkle Motion board works great with both. What's the difference? WLED is a fast and easy way to get your lights doing beautiful things. It's easy to install and configure, and you can be up and running within just a few minutes. WLED's software lives on the microcontroller and works over your local WiFi network to talk to each controller. It's easy to sync your projects together and use the preset animations and customize them to a certain extent.  I use WLED when I want to "set it and forget it" -- the controller boots up when I power it on and then the animations just run automatically. xLights is a more advanced option, and it's biggest strength is sequencing. This program is used by industry professionals and also by homeowners who want a crazy mad holiday display in their front yard, with animated trees, windows, roof lines, arches, and matrices. xLights makes it possible to run animations across all your different lights at once. It's free to download and use, and there are online communities where people share and sell their favorite sequences. xLights really shines when it's showtime: sequence all your different lights to a piece of music and impress the heck out of your neighbors. To run xLights you first need to install and configure WLED, so work through that section first. ## Parts ### NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting - 20 x 20 LEDs - 1x1 Meter Sizing [NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting - 20 x 20 LEDs - 1x1 Meter Sizing](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6159) This ready-to-go **NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting ** will make it easy to make large grids easy without having to piece together multiple LED strips. It looks like a 20 x 20 RGB LED grid, but requires only a single pin for drawing to the entire 400-point... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6159) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6159/guides) ![Video of LED netting emitting a space invader toon.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/6159-05.jpg) ### NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting - 80 x 20 LEDs - 1x4 Meter Sizing [NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting - 80 x 20 LEDs - 1x4 Meter Sizing](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6165) This ready-to-go **NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting ** will make it easy to make large grids easy without having to piece together multiple LED strips. It looks like a 20 x 80 RGB LED grid, but requires only a single pin for drawing to the entire 1,600-point... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6165) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6165/guides) ![Video of LED netting emitting a a brightly colored wavelength animation.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/6165-06.jpg) ### Adafruit Sparkle Motion - All-In-One WLED and xLights Board [Adafruit Sparkle Motion - All-In-One WLED and xLights Board](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6100) The  **Adafruit Sparkle Motion ** is the flagship in our series of "Sparkle Motion" boards, that are our attempt to make the best small WLED-friendly smart LED driving board in the whole world. Our resident mermaid,  In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6100) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6100/guides) ![Angled shot of rectangular LED driver PCB with green terminal blocks.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/6100-07.jpg) These nets require 12v power. For just 1-2m of net, this 5a power supply is just fine. If you're using the bigger nets or chaining multiple nets together, or if you're doing an outdoor installation, look for a beefier power supply. ### 12V 5A switching power supply [12V 5A switching power supply](https://www.adafruit.com/product/352) This is a beefy switching supply, for when you need a lot of power! It can supply 12V DC up to 5 Amps, running from 110V or 220V power (the plug it comes with is for US/Canada/Japan but you can use any plug adapter for your country, or just replace the cable with a standard 'figure-8'... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/352) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/352/guides) ![Power brick with coiled cables.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/352-07.jpg) This net will also run on battery power. Our 8 x AA battery holder supplies 12v and will run a 1-2m net for several hours. It's insufficient for larger projects, but sometimes a few hours is all you need. ### 8 x AA battery holder with 5.5mm/2.1mm Plug and On/Off Switch [8 x AA battery holder with 5.5mm/2.1mm Plug and On/Off Switch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/875) Make a portable power brick with plenty of juice! Use Alkaline AA's for a 12V 3000-4000mAh power supply, or rechargeable NiMH for 2000mAh 9.6V supply. Either one is good for running electronics that have a 5V voltage regulator (thus requiring a 7V+ supply) or perhaps some motors or... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/875) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/875/guides) ![Angled shot rectangular black 8 x AA battery holder with 5.5mm/2.1mm plug and on/off switch.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/875-04.jpg) ## Connectors & Wire Using connectors allow you to remove your Sparkle Motion controller from your project, which is especially helpful when it's a larger scale project that's hard to move. Adding 3-pin JST connectors is a bit more work during setup but can save you a lot of time down the road. They're pretty weatherproof and hold up to wind and rain. I like these color-coded ones. - [3 Pin Color-coded JST Connectors](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071H5XCN5?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1) Get some heat-shrink tubing too! ### Part: Heat Shrink Tubing quantity: 1 Heat Shrink Pack [Heat Shrink Tubing](https://www.adafruit.com/product/344) ### For a Large Install Bigger (800+ pixel) installations will require thicker wire connections and more power. Here are a couple suggestions to get you started. - [16g Power Wire](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q4CB7MK?ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_S16BZPFRK17HG1PH01Y0&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_S16BZPFRK17HG1PH01Y0&social_share=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_S16BZPFRK17HG1PH01Y0&_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) - [12v 25A power supply](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q4CB7MK?ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_S16BZPFRK17HG1PH01Y0&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_S16BZPFRK17HG1PH01Y0&social_share=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_S16BZPFRK17HG1PH01Y0&_encoding=UTF8&th=1) Standard JST connectors won't work in this case: the wires inside those little connectors just aren't rated to carry that much current. Solder your wires together or use a 12v rated connector like these.  - [18AWG 12v Pigtail Barrel Connectors](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BXB2Y8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/lighting-led-nets-with-wled-and-xlights/wiring-diagram.md) ## Featured Products ### NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting - 20 x 20 LEDs - 1x1 Meter Sizing [NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting - 20 x 20 LEDs - 1x1 Meter Sizing](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6159) This ready-to-go **NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting ** will make it easy to make large grids easy without having to piece together multiple LED strips. It looks like a 20 x 20 RGB LED grid, but requires only a single pin for drawing to the entire 400-point... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6159) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6159/guides) ### NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting - 80 x 20 LEDs - 1x4 Meter Sizing [NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting - 80 x 20 LEDs - 1x4 Meter Sizing](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6165) This ready-to-go **NeoPixel LED Outdoor Netting ** will make it easy to make large grids easy without having to piece together multiple LED strips. It looks like a 20 x 80 RGB LED grid, but requires only a single pin for drawing to the entire 1,600-point... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6165) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6165/guides) ### Adafruit Sparkle Motion - All-In-One WLED and xLights Board [Adafruit Sparkle Motion - All-In-One WLED and xLights Board](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6100) The  **Adafruit Sparkle Motion ** is the flagship in our series of "Sparkle Motion" boards, that are our attempt to make the best small WLED-friendly smart LED driving board in the whole world. Our resident mermaid,  In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6100) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6100/guides) ### 12V 5A switching power supply [12V 5A switching power supply](https://www.adafruit.com/product/352) This is a beefy switching supply, for when you need a lot of power! It can supply 12V DC up to 5 Amps, running from 110V or 220V power (the plug it comes with is for US/Canada/Japan but you can use any plug adapter for your country, or just replace the cable with a standard 'figure-8'... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/352) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/352/guides) ### 8 x AA battery holder with 5.5mm/2.1mm Plug and On/Off Switch [8 x AA battery holder with 5.5mm/2.1mm Plug and On/Off Switch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/875) Make a portable power brick with plenty of juice! Use Alkaline AA's for a 12V 3000-4000mAh power supply, or rechargeable NiMH for 2000mAh 9.6V supply. Either one is good for running electronics that have a 5V voltage regulator (thus requiring a 7V+ supply) or perhaps some motors or... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/875) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/875/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit Sparkle Motion](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-sparkle-motion.md) - [Adafruit MAX98357 I2S Class-D Mono Amp](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-max98357-i2s-class-d-mono-amp.md) - [Adafruit 2.13" Monochrome E-Ink Bonnet for Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/2-13-in-e-ink-bonnet.md) - [Adafruit VCNL4200 Long Distance IR Proximity and Light Sensor](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-vcnl4200-long-distance-ir-proximity-and-light-sensor.md) - [Measuring Parts from Product Photos in FreeCAD](https://learn.adafruit.com/measuring-parts-from-product-photos-in-freecad.md) - [You and Your Tytera MD-380 DMR](https://learn.adafruit.com/tytera-md-380-dmr.md) - [Adafruit TLV320DAC3100 I2S DAC](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-tlv320dac3100-i2s-dac.md) - [Introducing Pro Trinket](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-pro-trinket.md) - [Adafruit LED Arcade Button 1x4 STEMMA QT](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-led-arcade-button-qt.md) - [Adafruit Feather 32u4 FONA](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-feather-32u4-fona.md) - [Adafruit DS3502 I2C Digital Potentiometer](https://learn.adafruit.com/ds3502-i2c-potentiometer.md) - [Raspberry Pi RGB LED Matrix Webapp](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-rgb-led-matrix-webapp.md) - [Spell Jam App on Fruit Jam](https://learn.adafruit.com/spell-jam-app-on-fruit-jam.md) - [Adafruit 5x5 NeoPixel Grid BFF](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-5x5-neopixel-grid-bff.md) - [Skill Badge Requirements: Digi XBee](https://learn.adafruit.com/skill-badge-requirements-digi-xbee.md) - [Adafruit ADXL375](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-adxl375.md)