Hi
Im trying to control two 24 x WS2812 neo pixel rings and about a 1m of neopixel RGB LED strip from a microbit .
Can anyone please advise an appropriate breakout board as 3v will not be sufficient . I would also like advise on an appropriate battery to power this system . It will be used to light up a bycicle jacket and provide indicator lights.
Im a bit overwhelmed by all the options and would appreciate a bit of simple direction . Thanks
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Hi @damian82482
Ws2812 leds often use a microcontroller to control the colour and brightness. Are you using a microcontroller for your lights?
If so, what is it? 
That way we can ensure any breakouts and batteries are compatible with the microchip too.
Pix 
You can choose to use either a single power supply for both the Microbit and the LEDs, or one for each, but you can’t run the LED power from the Microbit 3.3V. If the LEDs are located some distance from the Microbit then that makes two batteries a better option. The battery you need will depend on what size and weight is appropriate for the intended usage, and how long you expect to be able to run the lights on one charge. Depending on the battery or batteries you choose you will need a power control module to provide the correct voltage, and (if lithium) to ensure that batteries aren’t run flat.
im using a bbc microbit as its really simple to code - and I have one.
This looks like it will do the job of powering all the neopixels I want ( approx 50 ) .
What do you think , and c ould you advise how I could control the power and recharge the battery ( if it is able to be recharged ? ) .
thanks
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Sorry @damian82482 I must have misread that the first time.
Hi Damian, Thanks for posting this question.
By the look of it the different Neopixels you want to use all want 5v of input power. I would suggest using a battery source that outputs at 5v to power your lights and use a stepdown board to power your microbit. This way you can use the same power source for everything.
A battery source like this one with normal batteries or this rechargeable one should be sufficient to power your lights and the Microbit.
You could use something like this voltage shifter to power your Microbit from a larger 5v battery.
Hope this helps!
Sam
Hi Samuel
48 coloured LEDs plus 1M Led strip9 number of LEDs unknown).
I wonder how long AAA cells are going to last. Unless the LEDs are going to be very dim.
The modern AAA last quite some time with modest current requirements like in a small torch but I think they der-rate fairly rapidly when the current starts going up a bit.
I don’t know if the modern ones “polarise” with excess current like the earlier types used to. If this happens the cell is pretty much useless immediately.
Cheers Bob
