LED Strip Thermometer

Use the ‘Parts List’ image along with the component cards in your box to correctly plug in the electronic hardware to your Maker Board. The colorful dots next to the legs of the components match up to the ports where that leg should go on Maker Board’s ports.

Code

The code in the editor below is ready to run! Plug in the electronic components just like the Parts List card above, connect Maker Board to your computer's USB port with the cable, and hit 'Upload Your Code!'. Tinker with the code and change something! If you get stuck, you can hit the 'Restore' button to make the code go back to the working example.

/*LED strip thermometer*/ #include "LEDStrip.h" //The LEDStrip.h library gives your code access to special functions exclusive to the LED Strip LEDStrip strip = LEDStrip(15, 13, 12); //Set up the strip by defining how many pixels (15) and where the wires are connected (green = 13, blue = 12) void setup() { pinMode(A1,INPUT); //temperature sensor in the smaller block of ports with the + and - ports } void loop() { int tempF = analogRead(A1)*0.46; //create a variable named tempF that converts the analogRead from A1 into a temperature tempF = map(tempF,60,80,0,14); //'map' the temperature variable range from 65-80 onto the pixels 0-14 of the LED strip //Now a tempF value of 60 = 0 on the LED strip. A tempF value of 80 = 14 on the LED strip. strip.clear(); //clear the strip before you start showing the pixels on it /* Create a variable i that has a starting value of 0 and, as long as i is less than pixelCount, run the code between the curly braces, then increase the value of the 'i' variable by 1*/ for(int i = 0; i < tempF; i++){ strip.setPixel(i,200,10); //Use the variable 'i' to set which LED pixel is being lit up. 10 here is the brightness value } strip.draw(); //send the setPixel data to the LED strip delay(1000); //Wait 1000 milliseconds (1 second) between temperature readings } // (c) 2019 Let's Start Coding. License: www.letsstartcoding.com/bsdlicense

Walkthrough Video

Watch the video for a line-by-line explanation of how the example program works. Then you'll be ready to make some changes of your own!

Use this spectrum to estimate the color values you'll need for your 'setPixel' arguments to achieve your favorite color!

This graphic represents how some values from the turn knob will be 'mapped' onto the pixel colors of the LED strip.

Challenges

Can you complete the challenges? Change the code in your code editor above. Upload your code to see the effect when you're finished. Complete a challenge? Check it off the list!

Change the range of temperatures that your thermometer will show by changing the second and third arguments in the map function.

Change the color that the LED strip pixels light up as the code runs.

Switch the values of the fourth and fifth arguments in the map function so that now a higher temperature shows fewer LEDs lit up on the strip and a lower temperature shows more pixels lit up on the strip.

Concepts

These are the new code concepts covered in this example program. To become a great coder, read through these concepts to learn new vocabulary.

Quiz

If you're having trouble, try to run an experimental program or look at the example code to help you find the answer.

1. Which syntax ends the entire 'void loop' function?

semicolon ;
parentheses )
closing curly brace }

2. Which syntax ends a single code command?

semicolon ;
closing curly brace }
period .

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