First NeoPixel

Locate the first NeoPixel in the strand. The connector should match the one in the photo. You'll need to replace it with the silicon ribbon cable so it can be connected to the screw-block terminal on the PropMaker Feather.

Create the Cable

Using the 26AWG silicone ribbon cable, create a 3-wire cable and cut it to a desired length. In this project, 12-inches (30cm) was suffice. 

Using wire strippers, remove a bit of insulation from each wire on both ends. Then, twist and tin the exposed wire using a bit of solder - This helps to prevent the wires from fraying when soldering to the NeoPixel strand.

Solder Wires

Cut the cable from the first NeoPixel in the strand and strip the three wires for power, data in, and ground.

The power wire is denoted with small white dot markings, followed by the data wire, and then the ground wire.

Cut three short pieces of heat shrink tubbing and slip them over the silicone ribbon wires.

Solder the three wires from the strand to the silicone ribbon wires. 

Wired NeoPixel Strip

Double check that the solder joints are solid. Slip heat shrink over them and applying heat to the tubing to set them in place.

LED Count

This project only needs 72 NeoPixel LEDs. You can either manually count them out, one by one, or light them up! The code features a boot sequence that lights up each NeoPixel LED - useful for testing out the strand before assembling the rest of the project.

If you choose to test them first, you can connect the wires from the strand to the screw-block terminal on the PropMaker Feather.

Cut Strip

Locate the 72nd NeoPixel in the strand and cut the cable in between the 72nd and 73rd NeoPixel using wire cutters.

Save the remaining strand (that's 128 NeoPixels!) for another project.

NeoPixel Strand

With the NeoPixel Pebble/Seed strand cut now, we're ready for assembling the 3D printed frame.