CONTROLLING CHEAP, remarkable Christmas LIGHTS

[James] was wandering around Walgreens after Christmas as well as discovered something extremely fascinating – RGB LED Christmas lights that were individually addressable. At $6.50 for a strand of 15 lights, he just had to purchase a few as well as figure out the manage protocol. After all, who can turn down a big, cheap, controllable RGB LED strip?

The packaging for these lights – obviously produced by BriteStar – includes a ‘try me’ button that cycles with different light patterns. This button is what at first tipped [James] off to the truth the lights on this strand might be individually controllable. opening up one of the lights, he discovered precisely what he wanted: an epoxy blob, two wires for power, as well as three wires for the signaling.

After inspecting out this light with a range as well as logic analyzer, [James] realized there was a very, extremely easy protocol going on. Essentially, the entire string functioned as a enormous shift register, taking the values for one light as well as pushing it down the string. In taking a look at the protocol, [James] likewise discovered] these lights support 16 levels of brightness. Yep, RGB LED Christmas Lights with PWM for under $7. Can’t beat that.

[James] composed an Arduino library to manage these strings as well as put it up on Github. While your regional Walgreens has most likely already hidden these lights away in the back of the store, it may be worth asking around to see if they have any type of left.