24-Bit WS2812B RGB LED Ring - 86mm Addressable Circular Board

Specifications

• LED Type: WS2812B (5050 SMD with integrated IC)

• LED Count: 24 Pixels

• Color Depth: 24-Bit (16.7 Million Colors)

• Operating Voltage: 5V DC

• Maximum Current Draw: ~1.44 Amps (If all 24 LEDs are set to 100% White)

• Communication Protocol: Single-Wire Digital (NRZ)

• Data Speed: 800 Kbps

• Outer Diameter (OD): 86mm

• Inner Diameter (ID): 72mm

• PCB Color: Black

• Terminals: 5V, GND, DI (Data In), DO (Data Out)

Key Applications and Projects

• Expressive Robotics: Mounting the ring behind a smoked acrylic dome to act as an animated, color-shifting "eye" for an animatronic robot.

• Custom LED Clocks: Utilizing the 24 LEDs to represent hours or minutes in a unique, futuristic wall clock driven by a DS3231 RTC module.

• Wearable Cosplay: Stitching the ring into a prop arc-reactor or futuristic goggles, powered by a hidden 5V USB battery bank and a tiny Arduino Nano.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution) The Infinity Mirror Portal: A flat ring of LEDs is cool, but depth is better. Evolve your project! Mount this 86mm ring between a standard piece of mirror glass (in the back) and a piece of two-way "see-through" mirror acrylic (in the front). When you turn the WS2812B LEDs on and run a slow color-chasing animation, the light bounces back and forth between the two mirrors, creating a mind-bending optical illusion of a bottomless, glowing tunnel of light stretching into infinity!

PACKAGE INCLUDED

• 1 x 24-Bit WS2812B Circular LED Board (86mm OD)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What is a WS2812B LED? It is a "smart" RGB LED. Unlike standard LEDs, it has a tiny microchip built right into the bulb that handles the complex PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) needed to mix colors, allowing you to control it with a single digital data line.

2. Are these the same as "NeoPixels"? Yes. "NeoPixel" is simply Adafruit's trademarked brand name for WS2812B (and similar) addressable LEDs. This generic ring is 100% compatible with all NeoPixel tutorials and code.

3. What voltage does this ring require? It strictly requires 5V DC. Applying 12V or higher will instantly burn out the microchips inside all 24 LEDs.

4. How much current does this ring draw? Each LED draws roughly 60mA when set to full-brightness white. 24 LEDs x 60mA = 1,440mA (1.44 Amps). You should use a power supply capable of delivering at least 2 Amps if you plan to run them at maximum brightness.

5. Can I power this directly from the Arduino's 5V pin? No. The Arduino's onboard voltage regulator can only supply a few hundred milliamps. If you turn on all 24 LEDs, the Arduino will overheat and shut down. You must power the ring directly from a dedicated 5V power supply, sharing only the Ground connection with the Arduino.

6. What do the labels DI, DO, 5V, and GND mean? 5V is your positive power input. GND is your ground. DI (Data In) receives the signal from your microcontroller. DO (Data Out) is used to pass the signal to the next ring if you are chaining them together.

7. What Arduino library should I use? The FastLED library is highly recommended for its advanced math and animation capabilities. The Adafruit_NeoPixel library is also excellent and very beginner-friendly.

8. Do I need a resistor on the data line? Yes. It is highly recommended to place a 330Ω to 470Ω resistor in series on the data line between your microcontroller and the DI pin. This prevents voltage spikes from damaging the first LED in the ring.

9. Do I need a capacitor across the power lines? Yes. You should place a large capacitor (1000µF, 6.3V or higher) across the 5V and GND terminals where power enters the ring. This smooths out sudden current demands and prevents the LEDs from blowing out.

10. What are the exact dimensions of this ring? The Outer Diameter (OD) is 86mm, and the Inner Diameter (ID) is 72mm.

11. Can I use this with a 3.3V microcontroller like an ESP32 or Raspberry Pi? The WS2812B expects a 5V data signal. While a 3.3V signal sometimes works if the wires are very short, it is unreliable and causes flickering. You should use a Logic Level Converter (like the TXS0108E) to step your 3.3V data signal up to 5V.

12. Can I cut this ring to make a half-circle? No. Unlike flexible LED strips, this is a solid fiberglass PCB. Attempting to cut it will sever the internal copper traces and ruin the board.

13. Are the LEDs waterproof? No. The LEDs and the PCB are entirely bare and exposed. If you use it outdoors, you must mount it inside a sealed, waterproof enclosure.

14. Why are my LEDs flickering or displaying random, glitched colors? This is almost always caused by a missing common Ground. Ensure the Ground of your external 5V power supply is securely wired to the Ground pin of your microcontroller.

15. Can I control the brightness of the LEDs? Yes, brightness is controlled entirely via software. Using FastLED.setBrightness(value); in your code allows you to easily dim the entire ring.

16. Does this ring retain its color when power is removed? No. The WS2812B does not have non-volatile memory. When power is removed, it forgets its state. Your microcontroller must re-send the color data every time it boots up.

17. What color is the printed circuit board? This specific model features a sleek, matte black PCB, which helps it blend seamlessly into dark enclosures and hides the circuitry when the LEDs are off.

18. How fast can I update the colors? The WS2812B protocol runs at 800 Kbps. For a single ring of 24 LEDs, you can achieve refresh rates well over 1000 frames per second, allowing for impossibly smooth, persistence-of-vision (POV) animations.

19. How do I mount the ring? The PCB features four small, unplated mounting holes around the perimeter, allowing you to secure it to your project using small M2 machine screws or nylon standoffs.

20. Will the ring get hot during operation? If you run all 24 LEDs at 100% white for an extended period, the board will become noticeably warm. However, under normal mixed-color and animated operating conditions, heat generation is minimal.