# Flickering random colors **URL:** \ **Category:** Issues\ **Created:** [July 9, 2024, 8:44am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210 "2024-07-09T08:44:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Benn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Benn](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Benn)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 1:39pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/21 "2024-07-13T13:39:25Z")
I’m making a hexagon light. And I made 6 total connectors on the pannel, one on each side of the hexagon so I can easily change the pattern. Like this (before using levelshifter on 40 brightness). [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/2/272b630a392883b6f5560d5fb54fbbe5c0ec7f3e.jpeg "13 July 2024") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXMJZw6Rv0E) ---
**Author:** ![Benn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Benn](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Benn)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/22 "2024-07-13T13:43:46Z")
![IMG_1100](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/4/46c647a623b0f9bbb1713568563b9683f193a5e9.jpeg) I’ve connected the data out from levelshifter directly to the led(without the thin wire) but the led is still flickering. I also tried with only 1 parallel strip and it was still flickering. I guess I’ll just try another levelshifter brand (still the same chip) another 100nf capacitor and the stepdown 5v. Still waiting for them to arrive. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/23 "2024-07-13T18:21:38Z")
You could try some different resistors in line on the data output to the first strip to see if the flickering goes away. I would maybe try something like 249Ω if it gets worse, maybe a smaller value. Most common are 249Ω or 33Ω, but generally with short wiring they tend to be unneeded. Is there flicker if you only have 1 strip connected and none parallel? ---
**Author:** ![dedehai](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/dedehai/32/7265_2.png) [@dedehai](https://wled.discourse.group/u/dedehai)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/24 "2024-07-13T18:57:09Z")
is that a 74HCT245? did you check the datasheet? wiring looks wrong to me ---
**Author:** ![Benn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Benn](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Benn)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2024, 1:01pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/25 "2024-07-14T13:01:40Z")
![IMG_1112](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/f/f5dce6a59b71670060a9285b53fd839d27e3edd0.jpeg) Thank you so much @divsys just added the 5v stepdown and the flickering is now gone. Maybe the power from microusb is not in the 4.5-5.5v range for the levelshifter to work properly. Thank you @Jinx I will add the resistor if the flickering comes back. @dedehai yes it is an SN74HCT245N I followed the wiring like the picture above this. Where is the mistake in my wiring? In case it will cause any problem in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/26 "2024-07-14T18:17:20Z")
Glad you got it working. Some of those cheap USB chargers can have a very noisy supply (as well as cheap chassis ones). I have a cctv setup that connects to a pc capture card vie a powered digital converter dongle and I can visually see a mess of wavy lines depending on what adapter I power it with. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoDave](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/tokyodave/32/7405_2.png) [@TokyoDave](https://wled.discourse.group/u/TokyoDave)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 2:04pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/27 "2024-07-15T14:04:59Z")
> [@Benn](#): > > I’m making a hexagon light. And I made 6 total connectors on the pannel, one on each side of the hexagon so I can easily change the pattern. Like this (before using levelshifter on 40 brightness). > [https://youtube.com/shorts/WXMJZw6Rv0E?si=ohUr6Xia\_rw7c4y8](https://youtube.com/shorts/WXMJZw6Rv0E?si=ohUr6Xia_rw7c4y8) Coincidentally, earlier this year I made up a bunch of what I call ‘Pixel Tiles’, hexagonal PCBs with a 5050 WS2812B on the front and 3 pin-headers (1-in and 5-out) on the back that just plug together, but they are languishing in my project backlog. May I ask, what did you do for the cases/diffusers? ---
**Author:** ![divsys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@divsys](https://wled.discourse.group/u/divsys)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/28 "2024-07-15T21:48:16Z")
Glad you’re up and running. The '245 wiring _ **looks** _ like it may be OK, but you’ll get better results in the long run if you solder the chip/capacitor to a piece of perfboard rather than “free air”. Easier to debug problems/measure voltages as well. ---
**Author:** ![Benn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Benn](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Benn)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 3:25am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/29 "2024-07-16T03:25:41Z")
Thanks all for the solutions. @TokyoDave ![case](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/b/b968443ba7fe13a2be0f6f3995bfe1b088e91129.jpeg) I’m using 2mm white acrylic for the diffuser. And for the case I used wood for the prototype. But I will be using HDPE (High Density Polyetlhyne) plastic. It is the safest and easiest plastic to work with (120º C softening point). The HDPE will be heated with an oven. I’m still working on the moulding case (with metal sheets). Here is the model with cardboard. the 2 seperate molding cast will be pressed with a hydrolic press. Chek this youtube for further information about molding HDPE [https://www.youtube.com/@BrothersMake](https://www.youtube.com/@BrothersMake). ---
**Author:** ![\_theelk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/da6949/32.png) [@\_theelk](https://wled.discourse.group/u/_theelk)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2024, 5:24am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/30 "2024-07-17T05:24:17Z")
Adding a resistor may help aswell. I never use lever shifter but maybe it because i use ws2812b. Each led turns it to 5v so you only need the first led to get the signal ok. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoDave](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/tokyodave/32/7405_2.png) [@TokyoDave](https://wled.discourse.group/u/TokyoDave)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 4:16am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/31 "2024-07-18T04:16:15Z")
@Benn You inspired me to assemble my pixel tiles. Do you mind if I post my pixel tile project in the Hardware forum? ---
**Author:** ![Benn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Benn](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Benn)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 4:53am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210/32 "2024-07-18T04:53:30Z")
Sure, you can! [Previous page](https://wled.discourse.group/t/flickering-random-colors/12210.md?page=1)