Asked by: Tim
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Kitronik ZIP Halo plus BBC micro:bit
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Description
Add some colour to your next coding project with our new Halo board for the BBC micro:bit. The Halo has 24 ZIP LEDs, which are individually addressable full-colour LEDs. This means that each LED can display a huge spectrum of colours, allowing amazing colourful effects to be achieved.
The Halo bolts directly onto the BBC micro:bit using five bolts which are secure and robust. The board also has extension connector pads (0.1” pitch) allowing more ZIP LEDs to be connected. The P1 and P2 micro:bit pins are also broken out to 0.1" pads along with power and GND. This allows for additional connections to low power components such as sensors and switches.
The Halo takes a supply voltage of 3.5V-5V and provides a regulated power supply to BBC micro:bit. Power can be connected using the JST input using a 3xAAA battery holder, LiPo battery, or JST lead. Alternatively, you can solder a power supply directly to the solder pads on the PCB.
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.
Note:
- This board does not come with a micro:bit, one can be obtained here.
Features:
- Halo has 24 individually addressable ZIP LEDs.
- Compatible with Adafruit NeoPixel and other WS2812B driver code.
- Supply voltage: 3.5V to 5V.
- Halo bolts directly onto the BBC micro:bit.
- The board also has extension connector pads.
Contents:
- 1 x Halo for the BBC micro:bit.
- 5 x Counter Sunk M3 x6mm Screws.
Dimensions:
- Diameter: 80mm.
- Height: 3.2mm
- Height With micro:bit: 10mm.
- PCB Thickness: 1.5mm.
Video:
Requires:
- 1 x microbit.
- 1 x USB Cable.
- 1 x 3AAA battery holder
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.
A wide range of BBC micro:bit resources, what it is, the editors and using the micro:bit
A wide range of BBC micro:bit resources, what it is, the editors and using the micro:bit
Since launching the ZIP Halo HD back in Autumn 2019, it's proven very popular! It's visually impressive, has some fantastic additional features in comparison to our previous ZIP Halo and...
Since launching the ZIP Halo HD back in Autumn 2019, it's proven very popular! It's visually impressive, has some fantastic additional features in comparison to...
This is a short guide to help you get started with ZIP Halo for the BBC microbit. The techniques we cover will help to form the basis of your own coding...
This is a short guide to help you get started with ZIP Halo for the BBC microbit. The techniques we cover will help to form the...
Find the North Pole with our Christmas themed BBC microbit ZIP Halo Compass for day three of our 12 Makes of Christmas. Although the case requires 3D printing and laser cutting,...
Find the North Pole with our Christmas themed BBC microbit ZIP Halo Compass for day three of our 12 Makes of Christmas. Although the case requires...
For day six of our 12 Makes of Christmas we made a cut-out winter cabin, which we lit with a ZIP Halo for BBC microbit. Follow our step by step guide and build your...
For day six of our 12 Makes of Christmas we made a cut-out winter cabin, which we lit with a ZIP Halo for BBC microbit. Follow our step by...
For day seven of our 12 Makes of Christmas we've turned a ZIP Halo for BBC microbit into a fetching Christmas Bauble that would make a great addition to your Christmas tree! As always we've included our DXF...
For day seven of our 12 Makes of Christmas we've turned a ZIP Halo for BBC microbit into a fetching Christmas Bauble that would make a great addition to your Christmas tree! As...
For day eleven of our 12 Makes of Christmas we made a ZIP Halo Christmas Tree. Follow our step by step guide and make your own. This is quite an involved build as there is...
For day eleven of our 12 Makes of Christmas we made a ZIP Halo Christmas Tree. Follow our step by step guide and make your own. This is quite an...
There has been a disturbance in the micro:bit community, have you felt it? Star Wars day is back and has probably led a lot of you to make something inspired...
There has been a disturbance in the micro:bit community, have you felt it? Star Wars day is back and has probably led a lot of...
Unlock your students potential with these 6 free Lesson Plans for ZIP Halo for the BBC microbit. These resources are classroom ready but they can also be used by anyone...
Unlock your students potential with these 6 free Lesson Plans for ZIP Halo for the BBC microbit. These resources are classroom ready but they can...
For part 3 of our microbit Kitronik:City build for Bett 2019 we take a look at Big Ben. Our Big Ben model is the largest on the Kitronik :CITY layout we...
For part 3 of our microbit Kitronik:City build for Bett 2019 we take a look at Big Ben. Our Big Ben model is the largest on...
For part 3 of our microbit Kitronik:City build for Bett 2019 we take a look at Big Ben. Our Big Ben model is the largest on the Kitronik :CITY layout we...
For part 3 of our microbit Kitronik:City build for Bett 2019 we take a look at Big Ben. Our Big Ben model is the largest on...
This is the second model from our Christmas fair, this time showing off our ZIP LEDs and how the Halo can be used to drive a whole RGB LED chain....
This is the second model from our Christmas fair, this time showing off our ZIP LEDs and how the Halo can be used to drive...
The Kitronik ZIP Halo for the BBC microbit incorporates 24 colourful ZIP LEDs. It also has an ‘extension’ connection point that allows extra ZIP LEDs to be connected and controlled...
The Kitronik ZIP Halo for the BBC microbit incorporates 24 colourful ZIP LEDs. It also has an ‘extension’ connection point that allows extra ZIP LEDs...
Halloween offers the perfect opportunity for some fancy dress fun. In this tutorial, we will show you how this can easily be done using the Kitronik ZIP Halo for the BBC microbit....
Halloween offers the perfect opportunity for some fancy dress fun. In this tutorial, we will show you how this can easily be done using the Kitronik...
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to get your costume ready! Become a superhero and create your own pulsing reactor to complete your Iron Man costume or wear...
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to get your costume ready! Become a superhero and create your own pulsing reactor to complete your...
Q:
Is it possible to program this to work with an Arduino Uno R3 or Nano? If so, what driver libraries need to be installed?
A:
Thank you for your question, the LEDs on this board are WS12812B Addressable LEDs from Adafruit so are Arduino compatible it would just need you to wire it up. In terms of libraries you can use the Adafruit Neopixel Library to control those LEDs which is on the link below.
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_NeoPixel
https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_NeoPixel
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
09-Jul-20
Q:
Would it be safe to leave the Halo powered and connecting the micro:bit to USB at the same time for code upload? Is there a fuse or MPPT on the Halo?
Asked by: Bill
A:
Thank you for your question, it would be safe to do so as the micro:bit includes circuitry to make sure it only draws power from one source at a time, generally defaulting to the USB port.
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
18-Jun-20
Q:
Hey, would a power supply rated at 5.5V be harmful?
Asked by: Sats
A:
Hi Sats,
We wouldn't recommend going over 5V. The maximum that the data sheet suggests for the LEDs we use is 5.3V so you might get away with it but you could also very easily burn out your LEDs.
Best Regards
Cullen
We wouldn't recommend going over 5V. The maximum that the data sheet suggests for the LEDs we use is 5.3V so you might get away with it but you could also very easily burn out your LEDs.
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
12-Aug-19
Q:
where can i get the enclosure?
Asked by: tom jenquin
A:
Hi,
We don't actually sell any of the enclosures. my apologies.
Many thanks
We don't actually sell any of the enclosures. my apologies.
Many thanks
Answered by: Rebecca Diamond
07-Jan-19
Q:
Can I use an old USB power supply to power the ZIP Halo with?
Asked by: Claus Heisterberg
A:
Hi Claus,
Thank you for your question, in theory yes. The USB would supply 5V to the board you would need to cut an end off of the USB strip the wire back and then solder onto the power points on the ZIP halo and this should run without a problem.
Best Regards
Cullen
Thank you for your question, in theory yes. The USB would supply 5V to the board you would need to cut an end off of the USB strip the wire back and then solder onto the power points on the ZIP halo and this should run without a problem.
Best Regards
Cullen
Answered by: Cullen Lewis
29-Oct-18
Q:
Can the zip halo draw power from the microbit itself, via the micro USB?
Or does it need to have its own independent power supply?
Or does it need to have its own independent power supply?
Asked by: Satish Patel
A:
Hi Satish, The ZIP Halo needs a voltage supply between 3.5-5V so it wouldn't be possible for the micro:bit to power the board. Instead the ZIP Halo board has been designed so that you power this via the power connections on the board and it then supplies a regulated voltage into the micro:bit directly.
Answered by: Michael Lockhart
26-Jul-18
Q:
How bright is the light, if all are on white, full brightness?
Would it be bright enough for my children to make a reading light?
(They wanted to make a dimmable reading / mood / pattern light to put on wall by their bed)
Would it be bright enough for my children to make a reading light?
(They wanted to make a dimmable reading / mood / pattern light to put on wall by their bed)
Asked by: Mark
A:
Hi Mark, When all the LEDs are on full brightness on white you would achieve around 44,400 mCd. So it would be very bright, we would suggest having the brightness turned down to create the mood light you are looking for. As an indication of how bright they are the photo on this page shows 5 of the same LEDs turn up full brightness on white, https://www.kitronik.co.uk/blog/automatic-headlights-for-move-mini The ZIP halo has 24 LEDs in total.
Answered by: Michael Lockhart
27-Mar-18
Q:
If I power the microbit through the Halo it doesn't startup unless I give the microbit power from some other source first, which I can then remove. I read that there is protection in the power supply from the Halo to the BBC:microbit - hwo is this supposed to work?
Asked by: Chris
A:
Hi Chris, There could be a couple of issues that spring to mind but without further details it would be difficult to confirm for sure the problem. As such if you drop an email through to support@kitronik.co.uk with details on what the Halo board is being powered with and where it is connected, what the micro:bit is being powered from to get it to started and that the screws are secure.
Answered by: Michael Lockhart
29-Jan-18
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