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

[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

[MartinR190]

I also have the same problem. Did you find a solution?

[AestumB]

Yes, problem was that some of led was soldered badly. So check each led to be soldered well.

[masterofcode]

all I can say is make sure all LEDs work, the voltage is about 5.5 volts and that the data wire isn't corrupted anywhere. Any of these can cause the LEDs to freak out like that.

[FlorianB30]

Hi
I have the same problem did you find a solution?

[BernardN13]

Hi i was wondering if you had a wiring diagram that could help