These displays drive me nuts. They’re the most unreliable of all the possible options! After running fine for months, one day they’ll just up and start looking all fucked up. Like, the letters/numbers will have random missing pixels. Or an entire LED block will stop working right in the middle of the chain (a true WTF moment).
You’ll futz with the wiring/connectors and it’ll start working again. “I guess it just came loose.” Nope! I’ve proven this to be false, having screwed around with four different displays! It’s not the wires. It’s not their connections. It’s not a bad MAX chip. I don’t know WTF it is!
I’ve completely given up on these things. You’re much better off making displays out of apa102 or ws2812b. You get more freedom and brightness that way.
Tip from someone who has made stuff with loads of different LEDs: Don’t use WorldSemi-branded ws2812b LEDs! They’re crap in comparison to the “generic” competition. The originals are much too sensitive to moisture (in soldering). They expire! Like a package of cheese!
They’re also much, MUCH more likely to have one LED fail right in the middle of the chain for no fucking reason one day. They’re also more expensive!
My favorite cheap RGB LED so far: XINGLIGHT XL-5050RGBC-2812B. They’re the same size as ws2812bs but they’re significantly brighter for less watts. But more importantly they last forever!
For premium LEDs, you can’t go wrong with apa102. They’re :chefs_kiss:
Could be a fun project for learning but not going to sugar-coat it, the end product looks janky.
