While soldering can be a focused and purposeful experience, sometimes makers just want something that offers plug-and-play functionality. The existing interconnect board for the Teensy requires soldering and a complicated grounding scheme for connecting LED strips.
Furthermore, some boards have individual breakout connectors that require special connectors to power. LED Octopus is a streamlined and compact expansion board for Teensy based WS28xx LED strip projects. It simplifies interconnects while also retaining expansion capabilities for other sensor inputs or outputs.
The LED Octopus is unique in that the Teensy connection does not require soldering, so it can be unplugged for other projects. The included screw type terminal blocks also provide data and power directly to 8x LED strips.
The simplicity of the terminal blocks also makes debugging much easier. 5V power, up to 5A, is supplied via the standardized barrel connector to all strips, along with the Teensy (assuming USB power is not connected).
High-power applications are also possible. A connector footprint rated up to 45A is available on the board. It’s important to remember that you should never plug more than one power supply into the board at once.
The LED Octopus board was designed by Tindie Seller Essence Engineering with 15+ years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. The board design is optimized with details for ease of use and simplified debugging.
