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.

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:

https://twitter.com/GreatScottLab

https://www.facebook.com/greatscottlab

Comments

[Crumbelino]

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 :)

[wilson3682]

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!

[subhankarghosh.950]

Can you send me the program

[wilson3682]

For testing you can use one of the Adafruit neopixel or FastLed samples. I don't have any specific code for this cube yet.

[wilson3682]

This is GreatScott's wiring picture.

[subirdos2]

Gracias, GreatScott.. estoy armando mi cubo con ecualizador integrado....

[Vashiru]

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?

[edo23syahputra]

can anyone explain why is it doesnt work with 5mm LED?

[Guransh Singh]

Can I use 5mm rgb led

[edo23syahputra]

hey, do you have any recommendation for the LEDs? its hard to fint those type in where i live.

[masterofcode]

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

[GreatScottLab]

No

[HùngT14]

pls tell me why

[andreas.grain]

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.

[wilson3682]

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:

[AndrewH345]

Can i use an arduino uno?

[LokiG1]

Where can I find the programing tutorial ?

Great project.

[im_yoganandhan]

I need a program to glow LEDs like alphabet letters

[RhysH14]

would this scale up to a 8x8x8 cube or do i need to add something to the circuit?

[AestumB]

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