I wasted so much time on this topic, so you don’t have to.
This article about level shifters pointed to the solution: Logic Level Shifters for Driving LED Strips – Electric Fire Design
This one works like a champ, is a single chip and does not need any additional circuitry: 74HCT245 or 74AHCT125 (half the channels).
You’re welcome.
Yep, a good article covering the underlying electrical issues.
A small (tiny really) nit, one of the other easy options is the 74AHCT32.
Exact same pinout as the 74AHCT125 (as long as the ~OE pins are grounded), exact same performance,
but typically 1/2 the price.
Ah, good. Thanks for confirming my choice! 74AHCT125 is what I bought a month ago, but still waiting on it from Aliexpress.
As an experienced manufacturer, I must say that there are many defective level shifters （or dismantled refurbished parts）in the Chinese market. Those defective products will have one or two pins that do not work properly and this will result in you wasting a lot of time on debugging. If you can’t source directly from the chip factories, it is recommended that you source the level shifter from a dealer (e.g. mouser).