How to make a thunder and lightning storm using a WS2812B Pixel LED strip that is programmed to randomly flash some blue color among the white.

Discover how to make a realistic thunder and lightning storm with a WS2812B Pixel LED strip using this Arduino project. The project features a random number of flashing LED pixels in blue, light blue, and white. The circuit board, provided in a kit, eliminates the need for wiring, and it includes a lightning controller and thunder sound player. Watch the video demonstration, learn about the kit, and follow the step-by-step assembly guide. Control the storm manually with labeled switches or integrate it with another microcontroller. Share your feedback or questions to help improve this information.

Features

• A random number of LED pixels flash
• Pixels randomly show blue, light blue and white
• Flashing pixels show in random places on the LED strip
• Other Flashing Programs provided
• Uses 62 pixel ws2812b LED strip
• The project utilizes a circuit board with a lightning controller and thunder sound player.
• Flashes controlled by thunder sounds housed on SD card inserted in mini MP3 player.
• Circuit board based so no wiring is necessary
• Circuit board comes in a kit with all parts necessary for system
• Arduino Mini Pro comes with program installed.

 

The Circuit Board

The circuit board is extensively labeled with part locations. All that you have to do is insert the designated parts and solder them in place.  No wiring is necessary

 

 

 

Video Demonstration

Video in editing

The Kit

You can learn more about the kit by clicking here.

Assembly

All connections between parts are made via traces on the circuit board.

The circuit board shows exactly where the elements are placed on the board,

So it is a simple matter of inserting the parts, soldering them in place with a fine point soldering tip on which there is

The screw terminals come to you in 2 pin segments. They are designed to be joined together.  Join them using the slots on each side. So join them as necessary to fit the lengths needed by the circuit board.

The Arduino board comes without pins.  Cut pin headers to proper lengths and solder them in place.

The pins on the DFPlayer and Arduino board (now with pins you just soldered on) connect to the circuit board via Dupont pin sockets. Cut the pin sockets to length and insert the pins into the sockets.

The sockets will be soldered to the circuit board.  With the pins or the DFPlayer and and Arduino board inserted, you can be sure that the pin sockets will be vertical when soldered to the board.

Now add all the elements to the board and solder in place.

The SD card is loaded with the recommended sounds for this project.

The Arduino mini pro is fully programmed.

Operation

This storm is controlled by a manual switch.  The connections are labeled  SW1 and SW2 . To control it via another micro controller just connect the trigger from that controller to SW1 . That switch is usually located on a control panel which is likely to be some distance from the circuit board.

Connect the pixel strip as shown by the labels on the board.

Attach the speaker to S+ and S-.  The  + and – match those on the speaker.  Speakers have an upper limit of 3 watts.

If you wish more volume, add a 5v amplifier.  How to do that is here.

TX and RX are connections for a bluetooth module.  By using such a module you can play sound on a Bluetooth speaker that you place at a removed location.  How to do that is here.

Connect to a 5 volt power supply via the labeled terminals.

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