How To: Make LED-based “Neon” Signs

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How To: Make LED-based “Neon” Signs

It’s always great to discover another John Edgar Park tutorial on the Adafruit Learning System. In his latest tute, John shows how he used Adafruit’s Flexible Silicone Neon-Like LED Strips and a Circuit Python-powered microcontroller (the Metro MO Express) to create very convincing-looking LED “neon” signs.

Here’s a brief video of the signage in action:

YouTube player

Conventional high-voltage, glass-tube neon offers a wonderful result, but it is a skill set and art form that few have access to. These neon-like LED strips offer similar-looking results for far less investment of time, money, and learning curve. And they’re programmable!

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Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

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