# LED strips for dummies

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/led-strips-for-dummies/32230>\
**Category:** Hardware\
**Created:** [30 August 2020 19:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/led-strips-for-dummies/32230 "2020-08-30T19:22:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 25

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**Author:** ![dynamicdave](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dynamicdave/32/96_2.png) [@dynamicdave](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dynamicdave)\
**Post date:** [31 August 2020 07:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/led-strips-for-dummies/32230/25 "2020-08-31T07:57:50Z")

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I posted a tutorial about controlling NeoPixels, in _Share Your Projects_, a couple of years ago.

> [@Controlling NeoPixels](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/controlling-neopixels/4560):
>
> [Controlling NeoPixels](http://resources-area.co.uk/node-red-flows/controlling_neopixels.pdf) I've just finished writing an instruction sheet, for my IoT students, on how to control NeoPixel strips. Note: This exercise uses a WeMos D1 Mini, Node-RED and MQTT (mosquitto) and of course a NeoPixel strip. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Regards from David. PS: The document, in the above link, has been updated to implement the comments from various people.

I used a Wemos D1 Mini, flashed with ESP Easy, as ESP Easy has device drivers for Neopixels built-in, so it's very easy to implement and control the lights using MQTT.

Three things to note about the tutorial.

1. The leading slash ( / ) sould be removed in the MQTT references.
2. The Wemos works off of 3.3v so for reliable operation you might need a level shifter to drive the 5v strips. You may find the logic-1 level (from the Wemos) is high enough to trigger the Din of the Neopixels so you may get away without a level shifter. More details are in the tutorial.
3. **Neopixels consume a lot of current and need to be powered from an external power supply.**

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