Hey there! Want something better than ordinary smart RGB LEDs? Try our Smart RGB+White LEDs! These NeoPixels pack 4 LEDs (red, green, blue, and white) for amazing lighting effects. Create your own smart RGBW LED setup using the same integrated LED driver as our NeoPixel LED strips. This version comes with cool white light and a black casing. You'll get 10 individual LEDs in a pack, which you can solder into any design you like. We've got a wide range of NeoPixel LEDs to choose from! The NeoPixel is unique. One half is the familiar RGB, and the other half is a white LED with a yellow phosphor. When off, it looks like a yellow starburst. When lit, it's super bright - it might even hurt your eyes! You can control each channel with 8 - bit PWM (8 x 4 channels = 32 - bit color overall). It's perfect for adding colorful and warm white dots to your project. These 5050 (5mm x 5mm) SMD LEDs are easy to solder and are the most compact way to add multiple bright LEDs to your design. If you're prototyping, we suggest our 5050 - size LED breakout PCBs. NeoPixel LEDs use an 800 KHz protocol, so specific timing is needed. The PWM rate is 400 Hz, which works well but you might notice it if the LED is moving. In contrast, DotStars have a 20 KHz PWM rate, with smooth blending even when the LED is moving. We recommend DotStars if you can use them. Each NeoPixel is a 5050 - sized LED with an embedded microcontroller inside. You can set the brightness of each R/G/B/W. They act like shift registers, passing data along. You can control as many LEDs as you want by sending a long data string. The PWM is built - in, so once you set the brightness, you can leave it alone. We have a tutorial on wiring, power usage, and example code for NeoPixel. Check it out! Note that you'll need a NeoPixel library with RGBW support, which isn't always available. Our Adafruit NeoPixel library supports RGBW, but if you're using something else, be prepared for some adjustments.
Using these NeoPixel RGBW LEDs is a breeze. First, if you're prototyping, solder them onto our 5050 - size LED breakout PCBs for a breadboard - friendly setup. Then, connect them according to the wiring guide in our tutorial. Remember, these LEDs use an 800 KHz protocol, so make sure your timing is right. When it comes to controlling the brightness, you can set each R/G/B/W color independently. Just send a long string of data to control multiple LEDs. But here's the catch: you need a NeoPixel library with RGBW support. Our Adafruit NeoPixel library works great, but if you use another one, you might have to do some tweaking. As for maintenance, these LEDs are pretty durable. Just keep them away from excessive heat and moisture. If you notice any issues with the lighting, double - check your connections and the data you're sending. And don't forget to refer to our tutorial for power usage calculations and example code to get the most out of your LEDs.
