Multiple instances of OctoWS2812

[paniclemur]

I've got a project coming up where I need to control a large number (2000) of WS2812 LEDs, and a smaller number (few hundred) WS2811s. What would be the best approach to this on the Teensy 4.1 - can I use multiple instances of OctoWS2812, or will that not work, and theres a better approach?

EDIT: Looked into it a bit further and looks like the protocol is exactly the same between WS2812 and WS2811 only difference is it controls group of 3 LEDs in 2811, so in that case I suppose I can just use them without two instances. However still interested if two instances of Octo is possible.

 

[PaulStoffregen]

What would be the best approach to this on the Teensy 4.1

Look at the Teensy4_PinList example. In Arduino, click File > Examples > OctoWS2811 > Teensy4_PinList.


And just to make sure I fully answer your original question

However still interested if two instances of Octo is possible.

No, it's not designed for multiple instances.

But with the PinList feature you can use just 1 instance to control any number of pins. People have used it successfully for 32 parallel outputs.

Whether you really need so many for only 2000 LEDs is another question entirely. 2000 works fine even on Teensy 3.2 with the original 8 pins.

 

[MichaelMeissner]

I tend to only use a few WS2812B's or neopixels so I've never needed the octows2811 board, but I recall seeing this board from Tindie if you need to drive 32 output ports from a Teensy 4.1:

• https://www.tindie.com/products/amoscomputing/teensy-41-pixel-pusher/