#makerprojects

The first test for our WLED board codename "Sparkle Motion" 🌈💖💡 … 🐇⏳🌌

We got our WLED-friend PCBs today, and we only made one mistake: the wrong resistor on the 3.3V feedback line. Now that it's fixed, the board seems to work great with the latest version of WLED

We are checking all 4 signal outputs with this handy 256-LED grid that sits on our desk. Next, we will test the onboard IR receiver, USB PD, I2S microphone, extra I/O pins, and I2C. We'll also do an Arduino IDE board definition in case folks want to use it as a generic ESP32-to-LED-driver board. We're calling the board "Sparkle Motion" for now, but if you have other naming ideas, let us know - if we pick your name, you get a free board

Wooo, this one is for all of our fans of fans.

Testing PIO support for RP1 chips on Pi 5 Computers

PCM5102 and PCM5100 I2S DAC breakouts 🔊🎶

We're starting to stock a lot of chips that can do digital I2S out, which makes for great-quality audio playback. That's great when you have enough processing power to decode WAVs or MP3s in real-time. However, we could really use some better DACs in the shop. We like the UDA1334A (https://www.adafruit.com/product/3678), but that's technically discontinued - it's great because it doesn't require an MCLK that some boards like the Raspberry Pi don't have and doesn't need I2C configuration either.

Festival of lights - night #5 0.85" 128x128 TFT breakout 🎆🌈

We're doing 8 days of light-filled designs to wrap up this year. We started with the Sparkle Motion Mini

which can drive thousands of shimmering RGB LEDs. Then, we did the Sparkle Motion stick, a USB-pluggable version

On the third night, a 1.28" round TFT display

, and on the fourth a 1.8" round TFT with captouch overlay

Desk of Ladyada – Claude WebApps, Solar MPPT, and More Sensor Breakouts 💡🌞 https://youtu.be/bBXVQPXjBB4

The Jameson Works bursary is now closed. We're currently busy reading all your applications and will announce the winner in mid-April. Watch this space.