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First LED Cube

bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
I have always wanted to build an LED cube. They have always intrigued me. I found plans for a 3x3 in the dummies book and after reading it, decided to expand it to 4x4 (I only have 100 LEDs).

I went online and printed a grid of 1" squares and taped this to a styrofoam lid. I poked the centers and removed the template then finished the holes by inserting an LED into each one to expand them. I followed the instructions for the 3x3 but continued with a extra row and column, connecting the cathodes together. I made 4 layers. The last LED in each layer did not get its cathode bent as this lead will connect to the cathode of the LED in the layer above it.

I currently am in the process of calming my nerves so I can solder the anodes together on each layer. I am going to try the method given in the book which says to make a small bend in the lead and solder it together.

Here are photos of the build so far:

20140914_182403.jpg 20140914_182441.jpg 20140914_182940.jpg 20140914_184812.jpg 20140914_184953.jpg 20140914_185842.jpg 20140914_191826.jpg 20140914_200347.jpg 20140914_200357.jpg 20140914_205720.jpg 20140915_202804.jpg
 

GreenGiant

Feb 9, 2012
842
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Feb 9, 2012
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842
Very methodical and well planned, looks like it should be a good one, I personally havent ever built an LED cube but it has always looked fun and cool.

Keep up the good work I'm definitely interested in seeing the outcome.
 

bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
I was testing the cube again and noticed that there were 2 leds that were staying lit all the time. I do not know what is going on.

tmp_14783-20140917_205055-11758468211.jpg
 

bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
Found a code generator and decided to give this cube another go. And success! Need to make a pcb for it and get it all nice and pretty.

20160806_211607.jpg
20160806_211805.jpg
 

bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
Here are the files I found at Instructibles. The generator was written by someone named Marius Gulbrandsen.

I have my cube wired as such that the 'planes' are horizontal with vertical activation thus requiring the 'opposite' version.
 

Attachments

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  • LCCG.zip
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  • Patterns.zip
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bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
Been playing around with this. I can't figure out why I can't make just 4 leds light up at a time. Say 4 in a corner starting out and move them around in a cube like pattern around the cube. When I do, the whole cube goes all crazy lighting up all over the place.
 

bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
I need to figure out if this 7805 needs a heatsink to run this arduino. I checked the current draw on my UNO and it does not go above 40mA. So when I get my pcb version built should I include a heat sink just in case?
 

bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
Do I really need a 100nF cap to ground between the avcc/vcc pins on this setup?
 

bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
It's alive! Max current 163mA. Running at 12vdc. Max temp on regulator 110F, checked with Fluke 62.

When I first connected the cube, only 4 pins were coming on. I was like, WHAT THE #*@&??? Then I realized that I didn't connect the header pins to the chip...oh man...

I need now to put it in an enclosure. I'm thinking of going to hobby lobby and looking for a small clear box that I can modify to fit it.

20160815_204323.jpg
 
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bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
Checked the temps again and they are at 110F to 114F. I suppose this is normal.The datasheet says max operating temp is 125C (257F). I think I'm ok.
 

bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
So far this cube has been going for many days non stop.

I have a question: Do I need to put transistors on the plane pins? I have read that it decreases the load on the MCU.
 
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bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
Just an update on the cube. I let it run for several weeks non stop. I did replace the original heat sink with a beefier one and one LED stopped working. Other than that, I'm happy with it.
 

Audioguru

Sep 24, 2016
3,656
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Sep 24, 2016
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The max allowed temperature is 125 degrees C for the chip inside the voltage regulator that you cannot measure! You are measuring its case that is much cooler.
 

bigone5500

Apr 9, 2014
712
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Apr 9, 2014
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712
I'm sure that if I were to use a lower voltage source the temps would be lower. I have 12v wall packs laying around so the larger heat sink comes in handy.
 
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