This is a neon style sign (so not with actual neon gaz) that uses WS2812B LEDs with the wLED library so the neon sign can be controlled using wifi via the wLED app on your phone and you can use all the cool wled effects (for example here is one of the numerous effects you can use). It costed me about 50€ to make.
I used 0.2 layer height, you can print in any layer height you want, no supports are needed.
Also I recommend writing the number and the direction of the part like so:
Part Name | Amount |
1_Neon Arrow | 1 |
2_Neon Arrow | 1 |
3_Neon Arrow | 1 |
4_Neon Arrow | 1 |
5_Neon Arrow | 1 |
6_Neon Arrow | 1 |
7_Neon Arrow | 1 |
8_Neon Arrow | 1 |
9_Neon Arrow | 1 |
10_Neon Arrow | 1 |
11_Neon Arrow | 1 |
12_Neon Arrow | 1 |
13_Neon Arrow | 1 |
hook neon sign | 3 or 4 |
Just glue every Neon Arrow part together in the right order, the image shows the complete
arrow with the numbers next to where the part show be, just glue it like this and it should work.
Once you glued the whole sign together you can fit the tubing inside of these “rails”, no glue is needed you just need to clip the silicone tubing inside and it doesn't move. After seeing how much is needed cut the tubing with a cutter to the exact length and then remove the tubing from the 3d printed "rails".
I recommend soldering the wires to the first pads of the LEDs before the next step. Normally there is rope inside of the tubing. Use this rope to make a knot around one LED on the side with the wire soldered before the cables so you can pull as much LEDs as you need inside, Do NOT cut the LEDs before pulling them in.
After puling all those LEDs place the tubing starting with the side with the wires inside the rails with the 3 wire inside the hole where start is written (see image). The other hole has no purpose
Next plug your ESP8266 into your computer and download wLED, using their website didn't work for me, so I recommend following Chris Maher's video on how to download wLED if you don't know how.
To change you LED parameters go to Config>Led Preferences and then change maximum current to 5000mA, led voltage to “5V default (55mA)”, in "LED outputs" 1 to WS281x, color order to GRB, Start to 0, Length to 138 (for me at least, this is your number of LEDs so it may vary by 2 or 3 if you are using 60LED/m and if you are using another density than me you will have to find it by yourself, it is easiest to find it by trial and error, you see when not all of your LEDs are on and then you change etc.). and finally GPIO to 2.
Just solder using the following schematic:
I used hot glue to glue the barrel jack to the ESP8266 but you can do want.
Use the hooks to attach it to a wall you need at least three (look at the pictures to see where to attach them) do not screw them totally in, screw them almost totally in then place the sign on top then screw them totally in.
Now you have a neon arrow light!