Introduction: Make Your Own SIMPLE 5x5x5 RGB LED Cube
In this project I will show you how to build a simpler version of a 5x5x5 RGB LED Cube. The driver circuit only consists of an Arduino Nano and the programming is rather simple due to the FastLED library. Let's get started !
Step 1: Watch the Videos!
The videos give you the mandatory information you need to build this project. In the next steps though I will give you some additional helpful advice.
Step 2: Order Your Parts!
Here you can find a list of all the necessary electrical parts to build the cube (affiliate links):
Amazon.de:
1x Arduino Nano: http://amzn.to/1k2lfiB
150x PL9823 8mm LED: http://amzn.to/1k2lfiB
1x Veroboard: http://amzn.to/1k2lfiB
3x PCB terminal: http://amzn.to/1k2lfiB
2x Female header: http://amzn.to/1k2lfiB
1x Toggle Switch: http://amzn.to/1k2lfiB
1x 10k Potentiometer: http://amzn.to/1k2lfiB
1x DC Jack: http://amzn.to/1k2lfiB
Silvered Copper wire: http://amzn.to/1k2lfiB
1x 5V Power Supply: http://amzn.to/1k2lfiB
Ebay:
1x Arduino Nano: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
150x PL9823 8mm LED: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
1x Veroboard: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
3x PCB terminal: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
2x Female header: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
1x Toggle Switch: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
1x 10k Potentiometer: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
1x DC Jack: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
Silvered Copper wire: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
1x 5V Power Supply: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1...
Aliexpress:
1x Arduino Nano: http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/QBqzZvFEQ
150x PL9823 8mm LED: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dT3vj19
1x Veroboard: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dVyKGn9
3x PCB terminal: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYbstfZ
2x Female header: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dY3vVMF
1x Toggle Switch: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d9dxPD5
1x 10k Potentiometer: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX83GAF
1x DC Jack: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_d6cVZVl
Silvered Copper wire: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dUheUtp
1x 5V Power Supply: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dSTH2xH
Step 3: Create the Cube and the Wiring!
Here you can find a couple of pictures on how the wiring should look like and the .svg files for the cube.
Attachments
Step 4: Upload the Code!
Don't forget to include the FastLED library in your Arduino folder before trying to upload the code!
FastLED library: https://github.com/FastLED/FastLED
And here you can also find two example codes with a couple of animations.
Step 5: Success!
You did it. You successfully built your own simple 5x5x5 RGB LED Cube.
Feel free to check out my YouTube channel for more awesome projects:
http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab
You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for news about upcoming projects and behind the scenes information:
6 People Made This Project!
- wilson3682 made it!
- wornish made it!
- clausa3 made it!
- JohnJohnson17 made it!
See 2 More
75 Comments
Question 7 weeks ago
Is anyone using this project with WLED?
I made this several years ago, working fine all the time with the Arduino Nano and the PL9823 LEDs. Recently replaced the Arduino Nano with a WeMos D1 Mini and WLED and I‘m just getting corruped Signals on the Data Line.
The LEDs have a WS2812(?) Controller inside or are similar to those, so I configured them in WLED as WS281X.
Maybe someone made this work or knows what the problem may be. Thanks :)
4 years ago
Hi Nolb, I used 0.33 uF ceramic capacitor for each power input connected to 5 leds, the recommended capacitor to use for each capacitor is 0.1 uF. I used those because that's what I had at the moment and seems to work fine. The extra capacitor is for power also recommended.
Hope it helps!
Reply 3 years ago
Can you send me the program
Reply 2 years ago
For testing you can use one of the Adafruit neopixel or FastLed samples. I don't have any specific code for this cube yet.
Reply 4 years ago
This is GreatScott's wiring picture.
3 years ago
Gracias, GreatScott.. estoy armando mi cubo con ecualizador integrado....
Question 4 years ago
I've asked this on the Youtube video as well but hopefully this will help speed things up. I really like the simple design of this, less wire obscuring the LEDs, but I want to go bigger. I want to do an 8x8x8 cube, would this be possible by simple using this design? I assume I'd need a different resistor and a stronger power supply but are there any other issues that might occur? Or do I really need to look into another tutorial and dive into how shift registers etc. work?
4 years ago
can anyone explain why is it doesnt work with 5mm LED?
6 years ago
Can I use 5mm rgb led
Reply 4 years ago
hey, do you have any recommendation for the LEDs? its hard to fint those type in where i live.
Reply 6 years ago
you could use these ws2811, p9823 or apa106 LEDs, they all function about the same. Here's the eBay listing:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WS2811-APA106-P9823-F5-5mm-F8-8mm-Round-RGB-LED-chipset-Full-color-LED-Chip-5V-/262557174771?var=&hash=item3d21a08bf3:m:m8T47ldvZXsC047otS-x2Jw
Reply 6 years ago
No
Reply 6 years ago
pls tell me why
Reply 6 years ago
you could not controll it just by conecting it to the arduino. it would be to much for one arduino. he acually did a version where you can use rgb leds, but you would need couple more parts.
4 years ago
Great Job Scott! I made one and it works really nice. Waiting for a code with more effects. Thanks! Here is a short video of my working cube:
5 years ago
Can i use an arduino uno?
5 years ago
Where can I find the programing tutorial ?
Great project.
5 years ago
I need a program to glow LEDs like alphabet letters
5 years ago
would this scale up to a 8x8x8 cube or do i need to add something to the circuit?
6 years ago
Hi guys,
Can someone help me to figure out what I done wrong?
here to videos what I’m getting when I’m using colorPalette and Animation code:
colorPalette: https://vimeo.com/173495387
animation: https://vimeo.com/173495386