Battery Options

Post date: Jun 1, 2014 9:10:29 PM

The 2812B's seem to draw a small amount of current even when switched off. Looks to be ~1.5mA each. That's a lot for 48 lights (73mA). This is causing an issue with the LiPo charger, since it won't ever think the battery is done charging (they're in parallel). One option is to let the micro disable the 5V supply when not driving the LEDs, which is probably a good idea since the 5V supply is only driving the LED string (at the moment).

Another option/thought is to install a 9V battery box. That way if the battery runs low at an inopportune time, I can always slap a new battery in. Countering that would be simply adding an external charger via USB. I'm sort of liking that better.

As far as mounting is concerned, I'm thinking of installing a brass plate onto the bottom side of the Uke and attaching the electronics to that plate. That would leave a means to access the hardware, plus make a nice mounting surface.