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NeoPixels: Durability and Weatherproofing

TechnoChic
NeoPixels: Durability and Weatherproofing

Welcome back! Natasha here. :)  

This is the ninth of 10 blog posts featuring each video in my series on animating LEDs with micro:bit and Make Code. If you've just stumbled upon this post, start from the beginning here.

NeoPixels: Make them Durable!

NeoPixels with Velcro Cable Ties

In the last video I showed you all the many types of NeoPixel LEDs so that you can create your own custom LED project. In this video, I'll share how to plan ahead for durability and weatherproofing so your project can withstand the elements!

Watch it now:

NeoPixel connections are fragile, so I go over a few ways to reinforce them, including adding heat shrink - a small plastic tube that shrinks around your connections when you heat it up for durability and water resistance. 

{gallery}Heat Shrinking NeoPixels

image

Broken NeoPixel Strip

NeoPixel Strip with Heat Shrink

Just like all electronics, the micro:bit, battery, and LED connections should be kept dry to prevent a short circuit. I offer tips on weatherproofing the LEDs and project components. 

water on micro:bit

More helpful tips in the video!

image

How did it go?

What have you done to make your project more durable or weatherproof? 

Comment below or join the Discord channel to share your questions and ideas. 

See you there! Slight smile

  • in reply to beacon_dave

    Yup. All good advice. I’ve used the glue-lined stuff. It’s stronger but does completely ruin the pixel if it gets torn vs regular heat shrink that you can cut away and sometimes save the pixel. I’ve also just squirted some hot glue in the heat shrink before melting. This has similar problems - it’s stronger to start but is more likely to lose a pixel. I’m glad you mentioned these here, I cut these suggestions from the video because I would rather beginners have the ability to “undo” their work, but they are great methods for more robust projects. :)

  • Looking good.

    There is glue-lined heatshrink which could give you waterproofing and strain relief in one. If you press it as it is cooling you can usually get good adhesion and sealing onto different shaped surfaces. It's a bit thicker as a result so may need to factor that in.

    (Might not be so good if you want to put it over NeoPixels as well, but for the connections it might work well.)

    If you are willing to sacrifice the end NeoPixel on your strip you end up with a large tab to act as a strain relief to secure your wires to. Hot glue might work well for this. If you don't want to sacrifice that optical goodness, then perhaps glue a 2" / 50mm tab onto the back of the NeoPixel strip with half of it on the strip and half of it beyond the pixel strip to glue your wires onto, before heatshrinking over to seal the deal. The tab spreads the strain over a much  larger area than just relying on the pads alone. If you don't want to glue the cable ends you can also cut holes or notches in the tab to take small cable ties similar to the Phoenix style terminal connectors. (Some of the tie-on cable markers might be a good match for this - just cut them in half and you have one end prepped for a cable tie and the other for gluing onto the back of the pixel strip).

    If you are making the micro:bit removable, might want to consider using markers on the cables to indicate which strip on the bicycle they should be connected with. If you are in a club then perhaps it could invest in an assortment box of numbers and letters as individuals will only require a small number of them and the often come in 100's.