LED Backlight for mirror - PIR to control them

Mirrorolentia

So finally have been able to integrate the led lights :) Got the code working just now. However, will need sometime to make a proper module out of it. Tried out with johnnyfive and node-pixel with some luck…but it was hyperion/boblight that did the magic for me.
Of course, the trigger comes from Alexa/Echo rather than a PIR sensor.

orayoflighto

I did this.

alt text

I used the MMM-PIR-Sensor module and changed the following in node_helper.js:

From:

        if (data.indexOf("0x120002") !== -1)
          exec("/opt/vc/bin/tvservice --preferred && chvt 6 && chvt 7", null);

To:

        if (data.indexOf("0x120002") !== -1){
          exec("/opt/vc/bin/tvservice --preferred && chvt 6 && chvt 7", null);
          exec("python /home/pi/py-spidev/RPi-LPD8806/LED.py");
       }

and

From:

      exec("/opt/vc/bin/tvservice -o", null);

To:

      exec("/opt/vc/bin/tvservice -o", null);
      exec("python /home/pi/py-spidev/RPi-LPD8806/off.py");
       }

Note that in the first from - to there is a “)” missing in the original code that you will need to fix. Also note that as soon as the module gets updated if you hack the code like I did above it will be wiped out when you update.

cowboysdude

@orayoflighto NICE!!! What light strips did you use?

orayoflighto

@cowboysdude

I used these only because they were incredibly cheap and I originally started out looking at MMM-PiLights which uses the same LPD8806 type:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01COEJST8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used this python code:
https://github.com/longjos/RPi-LPD8806

cowboysdude

@orayoflighto VERY nice, Thank you!!!

You outta do a write up with instructions! MANY people would love this!

Snille

Just to add some depth to this… If you really want to go “crazy” with animations, I’m recommending Bibliopixel and PixelWeb. Then you can “animate” lot’s and trigger them with a curl “command”. Plus you get a nice Web-interface to test the animations in. :)

Kimzer

Oh lawd! This looks insanely good. Thanks alot for the guide. Out to go buy some strips today! :D

Kimzer

@Kimzer said in LED Backlight for mirror - PIR to control them:

Oh lawd! This looks insanely good. Thanks alot for the guide. Out to go buy some strips today! :D

To quote myself…

Can i use any sorts of led strips? Im looking to buy something from a store and not order online if possible.
Im in norway so if anyone knows something i could buy please let me know!

orayoflighto

Different strips have different ways they need to be programmed. Some have faster refresh rates than others.

Most people will suggest ADA102 for beginners. The strips I linked to are LPD8806. As I mentioned previously the only reason I bought those ones is that MMM-PiLights was programmed to use them.

Mirrorolentia

Any stats etc on comparison between LPD, APA102, WS2812 and SK series. I find that WS2812B isn’t always able to render all colors properly.