BUCKY GLOW MANUAL
designed by: One Bit Kit
Thank you for purchasing Bucky Glow! This manual will go over the basic hardware and operation of the Bucky
Glow.
Overview
The Bucky Glow is an interactive LED dodecahedron controlled with an Arduino Nano. Using the Arduino
programming environment, you can create endless light-up patterns. The Bucky Glow also includes break-out
header pins, so you have access to eleven digitial I/O pins, a TX (transmit) pin, a RX (receive) pin, reset pin,
and ground pin. These pins enable you to connect the Bucky Glow to sensors (e.g. capacitive touch, infrared,
ultrasonic), motors, MIDI jacks, and any other electronics you can think of. You can also light up the Bucky
Glow using our app, which provides an interface for creating and displaying patterns in real-time with only a
few mouse clicks.
The data pin and clock pin of a WS2801 LED strip are connected to pin A0 and A1 of the Arduino, respectively.
The LEDs are connected together in the orientation shown below, with the LEDs moving up to the top of the
Bucky Glow. To visualize how all the LEDs are connected, we display them using a top view of a flatten
dodecahedron. Data is shifted from LED 0 to LED 1, then from LED 1 to LED 2, and so on.
NOTE:
If your electronics project requires more power than what can be supplied by the Arduino USB supply,
you will need to use an additional power supply. The ground of this power supply must be connected to the
ground pin of the Bucky Glow.
CAUTION
:
Bucky Glow is built with small parts that can be removed. Do not put small
parts in mouth and swallow them. Keep small parts away from children.
Bucky Glow can be programmed to display fast moving and colorful patterns
that may potentially trigger
seizures
for people with photosensitive
epilepsy
.
User discretion is advised.
