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Step 7Making the LED Matrix -- Anode Rings
This step is the longest and most frustrating. Space out you work over several days, or as long as you can take over the dining room table.
The LED matrix is completed by soldering the anodes of the LEDs on the cathode chains to the circular rows/rings of red wires. The measuring at this stage is somewhat more complicated than for the cathode chains because each ring is a different radius and the LED spacing is different for each ring.
Calculate the correct length by locating where each ring falls on the umbrella and measure the distance between ribs of the umbrella. You will also use this measurement to determine the spacing on the ring. Multiply this distance by the number of ribs and then calculate the length of the return. Each ring needs to have a return to the Arduino. The outermost ring has the longest return, and the returns get progressively shorter as the rings get smaller. Cut eight (8) pieces of red wire of appropriate length.
As in the previous step, mark the wires at the correct spacings, crush and remove the insulation, and put a bit of solder in each opening. The cathode chains sit on top of the red wires (which is why the bend in the LED lead is a little bit lower). Solder as before and put heat shrink tubing over each joint before moving on to the next chain.
Hot glue the wires at these junctions to secure the LED leads from stress and breakage. This is extremely important since working the matrix into the umbrella puts a considerably amount of stress on the joints.
At the end of this step you should have a circular array of LEDs with two sets of wires (one black, one red) coming back to the middle of the circle. In the next step, you will make pin headers to attach these wires to the Arduino and driver.
The LED matrix is completed by soldering the anodes of the LEDs on the cathode chains to the circular rows/rings of red wires. The measuring at this stage is somewhat more complicated than for the cathode chains because each ring is a different radius and the LED spacing is different for each ring.
Calculate the correct length by locating where each ring falls on the umbrella and measure the distance between ribs of the umbrella. You will also use this measurement to determine the spacing on the ring. Multiply this distance by the number of ribs and then calculate the length of the return. Each ring needs to have a return to the Arduino. The outermost ring has the longest return, and the returns get progressively shorter as the rings get smaller. Cut eight (8) pieces of red wire of appropriate length.
As in the previous step, mark the wires at the correct spacings, crush and remove the insulation, and put a bit of solder in each opening. The cathode chains sit on top of the red wires (which is why the bend in the LED lead is a little bit lower). Solder as before and put heat shrink tubing over each joint before moving on to the next chain.
Hot glue the wires at these junctions to secure the LED leads from stress and breakage. This is extremely important since working the matrix into the umbrella puts a considerably amount of stress on the joints.
At the end of this step you should have a circular array of LEDs with two sets of wires (one black, one red) coming back to the middle of the circle. In the next step, you will make pin headers to attach these wires to the Arduino and driver.
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