Asked by: Sam Campbell
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Description
Each of our new ZIP Circles has 12 individually addressable RGB LED’s. Each LED can be controlled independently and all LEDs are connected using the same three wire bus.
Each LED can produce a full spectrum of colours independent to all of the other LEDs on the bus. Each ZIP LED has a Red, Green and Blue element within the LED, and each of these can achieve 256 levels of brightness. This results in 16,777,216 possible output colours. Multiple ZIP LEDs can be connected to produce longer strings/strips.
The LEDs used are based on the WS2812B part which is compatible with any WS2812B driver code. They can also be coded in the MakeCode Block/Javascript editor.
Features:
- Simple 3 wire connection for all LEDs.
- Compatible with any WS2812B driver code.
- They can be coded with the Microsoft MakeCode Editor for the BBC microbit.
- Integrated reset circuit.
Contents:
- 1 x Kitronik ZIP Circle.
Dimensions:
- Width: 7.5mm.
- Height: 3mm.
- PCB Height: 1.5mm.
- Inner Diameter: 29.2mm.
- Outer Diameter: 44.2mm.
Third-Party Resources:
Insight Resources Mr Bit is an online educational coding platform that also features sections devoted to some of our key micro:bit accessories, including this kit. This content has been developed by Insight Resources and any questions relating to them should be directed at their contact information. To access these resources, please visit;
Buy British:
This product is designed and manufactured in the UK by Kitronik.
Same Day Dispatch
- Orders placed online before 3:00pm Monday - Friday (excluding public holidays and our Christmas shutdown period) are always dispatched the same day provided the goods are in stock. If the goods are not in stock we will endeavour to contact you as soon as possible to discuss a dispatch date.
UK Deliveries
- If you live on the UK mainland and don't have any large materials or lithium batteries in your order it will cost £3.95 (£4.74 including VAT) if you spend less than £40 (£48 including VAT).
- If you spend between £40 and £200 (£48 - £240.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) delivery is free to most locations, £12 (£14.40 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) to Northern Ireland and £15 (£18.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) to UK remote locations. For a list of postcodes that will be charged the remote location rate: remote area list.
- If you spend over £200 (£240.00 including VAT, excluding large materials or lithium batteries) delivery is free within the UK.
Rest of the world
- These orders are sent via UPS, and the cost is dependant on the service you choose at checkout. Alternatively you can choose the free collection option and have your own courier collect it from us. International orders can only be shipped to the registered card address. Please note: International orders may be charged import duty dependant on local import laws and duty rates. These charges are usually billed to you directly from UPS.
- Delivery times vary for international orders depending on the service selected and the destination. You can see the delivery time and cost at the shipping stage, or by using the shipping estimator from within the shipping basket.
Collection
- If you would like to collect your order, or use your own courier then there is an option you can select during checkout. We do not charge a packaging or handling fee for this service, and you will receive an email when your order has been processed, you can collect half an hour after receipt of this email.
Further Information
- For information about all of the delivery options we offer see full delivery details.
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Q:
Are you able to use an Arduino with this?
A:
HI Sam,
In theory yes the ZIP LEDs should be able to respond to most micro controllers provided they are the correct voltage. We have not get any guides and have not tried it specifically though I am afraid.
Best Regards
Cullen
In theory yes the ZIP LEDs should be able to respond to most micro controllers provided they are the correct voltage. We have not get any guides and have not tried it specifically though I am afraid.
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
12-Mar-20
Q:
Do these have to be wired up to a mains supply or will they work using a 12v battery? Also are they able to produce a warm white colour?
Asked by: Jack
A:
Hi Jack,
Thank you for your question, you should definitely not connect it to a 12V supply. These are run from 3.5V to 5V and draw 50mA so would not really be suitable on mains supply.
They don't produce a warm white colour unfortunately.
Best Regards
Cullen
Thank you for your question, you should definitely not connect it to a 12V supply. These are run from 3.5V to 5V and draw 50mA so would not really be suitable on mains supply.
They don't produce a warm white colour unfortunately.
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
04-Mar-20
Q:
How can I connect the ZIP Circle using breadboard jumper wires like you have in the third picture (it only shows the front)?
Asked by: Baptiste Guittet-Carriere
A:
Hi, On the back of the board there are 4 solder pads, to enable you to place this into a breadboard you can solder pin headers onto the back of this, this is what we did to create this photo and also how they are supplied in the ZIP Add-on for the inventor's kit . In this kit we used these , and snapped these into 5's.
Answered by: Michael Lockhart
19-Oct-18
Q:
Can I connect a 4.5V battery arrangement to this directly just to light them all up at once?
Thanks
Thanks
Asked by: Richard
A:
Thank you for your question, I am afraid not addressable LEDs will not function without a micro controller like a micro:bit to control them.
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
08-Jun-18
Q:
Micropython equivalent code please.
Asked by: Olivier
A:
Hi Olivier, We don't have any generate Micropython code for the ZIP LEDs yet. However we have some Micropython code which can be used with the :GAME ZIP 64, which has ZIP LEDs on. Any library that uses Neopixels, (Adafruits branded version of LED) would work also.
Answered by: Michael Lockhart
19-Feb-18
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