Hi,
I got this LED strip (5m version)
At the moment I got this config:
it works ok, but during the color transition the strip is flashing like crazy
Also I was wondering how to you know the correct amount of LED to set for this strip?
is it one per WS2811 IC Chip?
Thanks!
Video of the flashing:
You likely need a level shifter
Hoo interesting, didn’t know about that.
Which one should I use for this application?
@Phantom Hi
the stripe itself got only 60IC so only 60 adrassable segments with 36 LED/Node eatch
WHAT controller are you using with a simople WEMOS D1 ESP8266 you are well up to the thing without a levelshifter but use a RESISTOR for the Firt led to avoid backpower
I would advise using the SN74AHCT125N
hummm, if I set 60 LED in the configurations the strip doesn’t light up all the way. It lights up completely only when I set it to 100.
The controller I’m testing with is a ESP 8266 indeed. I have some ESP32 S3 I could also test with.
I tried using a 150Ω resistor on the data line, but it actually made things worse.
This is how “solid color” displays now.
@Phantom with the 8266 you dont need the Levelshifter as it outputs the 5V
TRY configure 10LED see how many Nodes/Led are displayd on Segment 0 LED 0-10
Try to add a segment LED 5-6 give it a other color or even a Effect like fade or chase
See howmany led got the effect
if you dont like unwinding the spule increse the number LED in the new Segment 8-9 so it showes the end only
Power is a big issue on your setup you can kill the first IC_s without a resistor likewise 1k at your test wire length
Problem is you shoudt injekt power after at least 300Node/LED you only can incect at start and end
Please give the V+ also at the END of the stripe
DO not use white only RED and green for testing IC behavior
That’s not correct.
Yep. Esp8266 is 3.5v output from the GPIO’s. Level Shifter highly suggested.
So I finally received the level shifter!
My wiring looks like this:
At first it wasn’t helping much, but then I started probing and realized there is about 0.5v drop somewhere. Even though I supply 5v to the 5v rail I ended up with 4.5v at the IC.
So I pumped up the voltage input voltage to get around 5v at the chip and now it seemed to be much better for a while, but now it’s back to random flickering and color changes :\
Did you add the .1uF (100nF) Ceramic bypass capacitor close to the chip, connect the unused inputs to ground and the unused OE’s to + as the pic in the KB suggests? 
I would also lower your voltage back to 5v, over that and you are risking damage to the Esp.
-You can’t really measure the data signal output. You would need an oscilloscope for that.
Hey!
I thought since the OE’s pins are to disable the outputs it wouldn’t make a difference other than maybe saving some power, but I will try to disable them to see if it helps.
I also have a resistor for the data (but maybe too strong? 1k) and had a 1000nF Electrolytic capacitor + a .1uF ceramic capacitor on the 5v rail. (i simplified the PCB screenshot)
The 4.50v I was measuring was not for the Data, but for the Vcc on the chip.
Nonetheless, I will try a setup similar to the example you provided to see if that does it. It’s starting to be quite messy on a breadboard though 
maybe I will order some prototype PCB instead.
I appreciate the help!
4.50V for Vcc is OK but barely, I’d look for voltage drop on your power lines or perhaps try a dedicated/separate supply for the ESP board.
As well as the 100nF (0.1uF) ceramic cap (as close to the '125 Vcc as possible), definitely make sure you handle all the floating/unused inputs on the 74AHCT125 as shown in the wiring diagram. That’s essential to prevent unwanted switching noise from adding flicker to your setup.
As far as a data resistor 1K is very large, start without one and solve the other mentioned items first. Proper power for the LEDs and the ESP will be much more important.
Take a look to my PCB
https://wled.discourse.group/t/once-more-esp8266-based-wled-controller/11130
You solder ony, what you will need. No pain, work’s well “out of the box” 
haha great PCB however where would be the fun in having no pain?
