You'll need a screwdriver and some wire cutters / strippers, plus the Circuit Playground Bluefruit, LED strand and bolt-on kit.
Find the IN end of the strip. The lights won't work if you connect to the wrong end. It's written really small on the back so look closely. If you just can't see any writing, align it with the photo and you should be safe. The male connector is usually (but not always) connected to the IN end.
Neaten up the strands with your fingers, then hook the wires through the holes as shown:
- Red wire --> VOUT
- Middle wire --> A1
- Last wire --> GND
The light should be face up with this orientation. If it's face down, you've got the wrong end of the strip! Switch it around and use the other end.
Push a screw through each wired hole and secure it on the back with a bolt. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screw firmly down while holding the bolt tightly against the back of the board with your fingers.
Time to test it! Upload your code, if you haven't already, and make sure the lights come on and that the buttons work to change the modes and variations of the lights.
Troubleshooting
If your lights didn't come on, here are a few things to try:
- Flip the tiny slide switch on the face of the Circuit Playground the other way. Our sample code uses this as an on/off switch, so make sure it's not just in the "off" position
- Check your wiring. Is the red wire on VOUT, the middle wire on A1 (not Audio) and the 3rd wire on GND?
- Try connecting to the other end of the strip -- you may have the "out" end instead of the "in" end.
- Make sure your wires are neat and tidy, and not touching any of the other pads or causing a short
- Re-upload your code to make sure it's on there
If nothing helps, head over to the Circuit Playground Bluefruit Guide for more things to try.
Page last edited March 08, 2024
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