[Hardware] How to Build an RGB Flaming Tree Topper with Raspberry Pi

[HiTLeR]

This RGB flaming tree topper is totally LIT.

 

 

This year I decided to tech-out my Christmas tree with an Alexa controlled light strip and a one-of-a-kind RGB tree topper. 2020 is the year of unexpected tech, right? In this article, I’ll build a flaming tree topper using a Raspberry Pi and an 32x8 flexible RGB LED matrix. No real fire was lit in the creation of this tutorial.

 

How does the Raspberry Pi RGB Flaming Tree topper work?

The idea is to gently bend your 32x8 flex NeoPixel matrix around the top of your tree while looping simulated flame images. I designed this 3D printed frame to hold my RGB matrix in place on top of my tree with a cut-out for the top of the tree and wire pass-through. The Raspberry Pi (via Python code), translates 10 JPG images of flames (you can substitute with your own images) into color coordinates displayed on the RGB matrix. With this project, you can loop your own images and control pause time between each image as it is displayed on your 32x8 RGB matrix.  

 

What You’ll Need

Raspberry Pi 3, Raspberry Pi 4, or Raspberry Pi Zero W with pre-soldered GPIO headers or you can solder them yourself.

 

Power supply/Keyboard/Mouse/Monitor/HDMI Cable (for your Raspberry Pi)

32x8 Flexible NeoPixel RGB LED Matrix

Set of jumper wires (M-to-F, M-to-M, and F-to-F)

5V Power Supply with wall-plug and barrel to screw terminal adapter.

 

1000 µF capacitor

Optional: Scrap cloth to diffuse RGB Matrix

3D Printed frame for RGB Matrix

Part 1: Setup Your RGB Matrix 

 

In this step, we will perform a basic wiring and run the sample code provided by Adafruit’s NeoPixel Uberguide. This project requires 2 power sources, one for the Raspberry Pi and a 2nd power source for the RGB Matrix. Fortunately powering the RGB matrix can be as simple as purchasing a 5V Power Supply with wall-plug, or repurposing an old USB connector. We will use 2 sets of connections from your RGB matrix: 1) Power 2) Data. 

 

I am repurposing the flexible 32x8 RGB Matrix from my Scrolling Text Face Shield tutorial with soldered connections. I attached (with hot glue) a scrap piece of fabric over the matrix to help diffuse the RGB LEDs.