My design uses an Arduino micro-controller, motion sensors, which serve as the brains of the build, WS2812B LED strips to light up the stairs and a 5V 60A switching power supply to provide the juice for the system.
There are different types of micro-controllers that can be used, Raspberry Pi or Arduino to name the two most common. I decided to go with Arduino since it already has the Neopixel library, which makes coding significantly easier. Coding level/experience should be considered in this step. Arduino is very easy to pick up since it is just a modified version of C and there is a huge community available to assist you with any coding questions or issues you may run into. There is a lot of support from the Adafruit community as well. Throughout this instructable I will post links to websites that may be helpful during this build. There are many different lighting options that can be used, for example, an LED light strip, LED lights, Neopixels (which is just fancy for WS2812B LEDS) and many others. I decided to go with WS2812B LED strips because I wanted the flexibility of controlling each individual pixel. This makes the design more versatile in the long run. I planned on making various sequences for different holidays and using WS2812B I can make any LED any color I want, which I thought is pretty cool! So the first step is to decide which type of lighting solution to use and exactly what you want your stair lights to do!
The power supply was sized according to a few simple calculations required by the load of the LED pixels. It is always a good idea to slightly oversize your components and use the worst case scenario in your calculations, to ensure that you don't starve or over stress components - which could lead to failures and premature wear of your electronic components. In addition, incorrect component sizing can lead to excessive heat, which can melt wires and cause a fire. Don't be afraid to ask questions before implementation if you are unsure of anything at all. Improper design can result in injury and/or waste of resources. In the end, a DIY solution is ultimately a way to have cool and unique things without having to pay a fortune for it, but it's got to be done right and safely.
*CAUTION: There is always a risk of personal injury and equipment damage when handling and dealing with electronics. You are expected to follow all usage instructions for tools and equipment required for this build. I am not responsible or liable for any injury or damage as a result of following this instructable. Please proceed at your own risk. Never work with live wires. Always remember to disconnect power from the source when connecting/soldering wires. (Remember: just because a power supply is turned off that it can still malfunction and run current through the wires, which can kill you!) Good Luck!
This sums up the overall idea of the project and covers some of the major components used in this build. I will try my best to outline the design and build process step by step and with as much detail possible.
My design uses an Arduino micro-controller, motion sensors, which serve as the brains of the build, WS2812B LED strips to light up the stairs and a 5V 60A switching power supply to provide the juice for the system.
There are different types of micro-controllers that can be used, Raspberry Pi or Arduino to name the two most common. I decided to go with Arduino since it already has the Neopixel library, which makes coding significantly easier. Coding level/experience should be considered in this step. Arduino is very easy to pick up since it is just a modified version of C and there is a huge community available to assist you with any coding questions or issues you may run into. There is a lot of support from the Adafruit community as well. Throughout this instructable I will post links to websites that may be helpful during this build. There are many different lighting options that can be used, for example, an LED light strip, LED lights, Neopixels (which is just fancy for WS2812B LEDS) and many others. I decided to go with WS2812B LED strips because I wanted the flexibility of controlling each individual pixel. This makes the design more versatile in the long run. I planned on making various sequences for different holidays and using WS2812B I can make any LED any color I want, which I thought is pretty cool! So the first step is to decide which type of lighting solution to use and exactly what you want your stair lights to do!
The power supply was sized according to a few simple calculations required by the load of the LED pixels. It is always a good idea to slightly oversize your components and use the worst case scenario in your calculations, to ensure that you don't starve or over stress components - which could lead to failures and premature wear of your electronic components. In addition, incorrect component sizing can lead to excessive heat, which can melt wires and cause a fire. Don't be afraid to ask questions before implementation if you are unsure of anything at all. Improper design can result in injury and/or waste of resources. In the end, a DIY solution is ultimately a way to have cool and unique things without having to pay a fortune for it, but it's got to be done right and safely.
*CAUTION: There is always a risk of personal injury and equipment damage when handling and dealing with electronics. You are expected to follow all usage instructions for tools and equipment required for this build. I am not responsible or liable for any injury or damage as a result of following this instructable. Please proceed at your own risk. Never work with live wires. Always remember to disconnect power from the source when connecting/soldering wires. (Remember: just because a power supply is turned off that it can still malfunction and run current through the wires, which can kill you!) Good Luck!
This sums up the overall idea of the project and covers some of the major components used in this build. I will try my best to outline the design and build process step by step and with as much detail possible.
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