Summary of Rainbowduino Sign using Arduino
This article details a DIY outdoor entrance sign project using Rainbowduino boards to drive 8x8 RGB LED matrices. The creator utilized a CarveWright CNC machine for wood carving and applied multiple lacquer layers for weather protection. Programming involved the Arduino IDE with a UartSBee interface, opting for an existing lighting pattern rather than custom coding or graphical editors due to ease of use.
Parts used in the Rainbowduino Sign:
- 2 Rainbowduinos
- 2 8 x 8 Matrix LEDs
- 6V Power Supply
- UartSBee
- DC Jack to JST Pin Converter
- Piece of Wood for the Sign
The Rainbowduino is a variant of the Arduino and among other things is capable of driving an 8×8 RGB LED matrix. I had just finished a backyard re-model and was in need of an entrance sign.
Step 1: Carving and Painting the Sign
I had recently acquired a CarveWright CNC wood carving machine. It’s a pretty nice piece of equipment and comes with some pretty easy to use design software. Then you just print out the design to your piece of wood.
Painting the sign was the most tedious part of the project, nothing fancy there, just a lot of time and blue masking tape. As its an outdoor sign, I also added several layers of lacquer.
Here’s a video of the Carvewright in action
Step 2: Uploading a Lighing Pattern to the Rainbowduino
As the Rainbowduino does not have a USB port, you’ll need the additional UartSBee to program it. Since it’s Arduino compatible, you use the same Arduino IDE software to program and upload sketches.
There are a few ways you can go to program the Rainbowduino:
1. Use a graphical editor called mtXcontrol written by Toby Tobes
2. Custom code from scratch
3. Find an existing lighting pattern someone else did and just upload it
I was lazy and went for number 3. I think the pattern though is very nice which is the one in the video. If I ever change my mind, I can always remove the Rainbowduinos, re-program them, and then re-mount them.
It turns out that getting mtXcontrol to work on Windows is not so easy and involves copying lots of files and ensuring they all go in the right place. So to make things easier, I wrote an install package which automates all this which you can download here (sorry, Windows PCs only, it’s a large 450+ MB download). Also if you use the mtXcontrol, you must set your UartSBee manually in your Windows device manager to COM1. It will only work if it’s on COM1. The Rainbowduino also needs external power when you are programming it so be sure and also have the +6V power supply plugged in.
2 8 x 8 Matrix LEDs – $18.50 each
6V Power Supply – $4.90
UartSBee – $19.50
DC Jack to JST Pin Converter – $.80
Piece of Wood for the Sign
For more detail: Rainbowduino Sign using Arduino
- How do you program the Rainbowduino without a USB port?
You must use the additional UartSBee to program it. - Can you use standard Arduino IDE software for this project?
Yes, since it is Arduino compatible, you use the same Arduino IDE software. - What are the three ways to program the Rainbowduino?
You can use mtXcontrol, write custom code from scratch, or upload an existing lighting pattern. - Does the mtXcontrol graphical editor work easily on Windows?
No, getting it to work on Windows involves copying lots of files and ensuring they go in the right place. - Which COM port must be set for the UartSBee in Windows Device Manager?
You must manually set the UartSBee to COM1 for it to work. - Is external power required when programming the Rainbowduino?
Yes, the Rainbowduino needs external power so be sure to have the +6V power supply plugged in. - What tool was used to carve the wooden sign?
A CarveWright CNC wood carving machine was used. - What finish was added to protect the outdoor sign?
Several layers of lacquer were added because it is an outdoor sign.
