I’d like to do a project with FastLed and some RGB LED Hexagons with 3/4" PEX pipe like in this instructable:
http://www.instructables.com/id/PEX-Hexagons-With-RGB-LED-Strip/
I’d like each hexagon to be programmed as one pixel. The folks at renewable energy innovation have a fully documented project which is an Arduino shield with a WS2801 and three high power transistors. This is great for controlling just one RGB strip, but I want to make at least 10. I would also like to replace their transistors with MOSFETs.
In my eBay shopping I’ve ordered
10 ws2801 chips and some SOP-14 breakout boards
IRF540 MOSFETs
5 meters of 60 LED/M “dumb” RGB strip
Some through-hole plated prototyping boards
Has anyone seen a similar project using a printed circuit board, MOSFETs, and WS2801 (or another FastLed compatible controller chip)? I’d like to get my hands on the design for a board so I can order a stack of them instead of trying to mass produce this project on proto-boards.
Thank you!
http://www.re-innovation.co.uk/web12/index.php/en/products-2/rgb-led-shield-product
Another idea would be to hack open a bunch of those 12v RGB strip controllers, adding a WS2801.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151957502705
The datasheet for WS2801 has an example of how to use an NPN to drive a string of LEDs (24V). That can easily be modified to what you’re thinking of doing. Designing a PCB isn’t that hard.
Thanks Norym. Yes, I’m confident the schematic on the datasheet labeled “constant voltage driving mode with external switches” would work for my hexagons. I took a second look at the Longhorn Engineer’s website, and was pleased to find that he has drawn a bare-bones schematic and linked to his github page with the eagle layout!
I’ve never used any software tools to design a PCB. Can I just send this file to a PCB fab shop like dirt cheap dirty boards? Should order only one first to see if it will work, then order some more?
I’m using four of these myself together with FastLED to drive 5m 60/m rgb led strips each
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Full-Color-RGB-LED-Strip-Driver-LED-Strip-Driver-module-v1-0-for-Arduino-STM32-AVR/32368612097.html
Using the P9813 chipset in the FastLED sketch. So far I haven’t experienced any problems, just be sure to provide enough power to the 12v line
@Christoffer_Terp
I downloaded the datasheet for the Fairchild FDD8447L MOSFET and checked voltage and current ratings. Up to 40V and 10 amps, I think that will cover it 
I just ordered the 5-pack of these drivers. This project just got a lot easier to build, thanks a bunch!
You can’t send that file, you need to send gerber files to a fab house. And you get those from a PCB CAD software.
I like the board that @Christoffer_Terp mentioned. I have a few of them myself.
If you want to fade in and out your MosFETs don’t work without additional transistors. You have to build a Darlington Circuit as shown in your picture.
Look here: https://github.com/GyroGearloose/FASTLED-using-a-push-button-to-switch-entire-installations-ON-and-Off/wiki
In section 3 you can find a suitable MosFET for 1$, and in section 5 you see a picture of a quick and dirty high power driver.
Only one resistor is needed, not even a PCB required. Just don’t screw them on Ground.
Note that you have to switch them in reverse logic (0= on, 1 = off)
Saw this on “LEDS are awsome” Facebook group. I believe they take WS2812 timings to work… someone more in the know could confirm. But they said they were using FASTled with it.
@Justin_Eastman want to be Facebook friends so I can join the LEDs are awesome group?
That’s the same one that @Christoffer_Terp posted above.
@Garrett_Durland message me your email address and I can invite you that way