Adafruit NeoPixel Driver BFF Add-On for QT Py and Xiao

SKU: ADA5645 Brand: Adafruit

Our QT Py boards are a great way to make very small microcontroller projects that pack a ton of power - and now we have a way for you to quickly add a...

$8.50 AUD, inc GST

$7.73 AUD, exc GST

In stock, ships same business day if ordered before 2PM
Delivered by Tue, 30th of Apr

Quantity Discounts:

10-25 $7.42 (exc GST)
25+ $7.18 (exc GST)

Adafruit's QT Py boards are a great way to make very small microcontroller projects that pack a ton of power - and now Adafruit have a way for you to quickly add a strand of NeoPixels with a 5V level shifter and a detachable JST PH connector. It's an excellent way to make tiny wearable, cosplay or IoT projects with dazzling LEDs.

Adafruit call this the Adafruit NeoPixel Driver BFF - a "Best Friend Forever". When you were a kid you may have learned about the "buddy" system, well this product is kinda like that! A board that will watch your QT Py's back and give it the power and support to drive NeoPixel strips, rings, and panels.

This PCB is designed to fit onto the back of any QT Py or Xiao board, it can be soldered into place or use pin and socket headers to make it removable. Onboard is a 74AHCT125 single-gate level shifter that will take pin A3's output, and shift it up to 5V using the USB power as a reference. The USB power, ground and shifted data is then piped out to a JST PH 2mm 3-pin connector.

If using one of Adafruit's NeoPixel strips with a JST-PH connector on them already, you can just plug it right in for instant lights. If you're using a common JST SH (black in-line) connector on the strips, you can use a JST-PH-to-female-header cable and use that to plug into the pins on the input of the SH port and/or can jam the wires into the header sockets.

Note that Adafruit connect the USB 5V power directly out to the NeoPixel power pin on the JST PH connector and PH connectors are only rated for about 2 Amps, so it's not for powering directly more than maybe 30-60 NeoPixels (less if they're on full white brightness).

Adafruit include some header that you can solder to your QT Py. You can also pick up an Itsy Bitsy short female header kit to make it removable but compact, you'll just need to trim down the headers to 7 pins long.

Comes as an assembled and tested PCB
For any QT Py or Xiao boards
Uses the 5V input via USB Type-C connector on QT Py to Power 30ish NeoPixels
Level-shifted data from pin A3 default, can solder-jumper select SCL, TX, RX, SCK or MOSI
For driving any WS2812/WS2811/NeoPixel LEDs

NeoPixels and QT Py are not included.

Technical Details

Product Dimensions: 20.9mm x 17.9mm x 7.2mm / 0.8" x 0.7" x 0.3"

Product Weight: 1.6g / 0.1oz

This product is listed in:

Breakouts & Modules>LED Drivers
Wearables>Lights and LEDs

Product Comments

Start the conversation

Exact shipping can be calculated on the view cart page (no login required).

Products that weigh more than 0.5 KG may cost more than what's shown (for example, test equipment, machines, >500mL liquids, etc).

We deliver Australia-wide with these options (depends on the final destination - you can get a quote on the view cart page):

$3+ for Stamped Mail (typically 10+ business days, not tracked, only available on selected small items)
$6+ for Standard Post (typically 6+ business days, tracked)
$10+ for Express Post (typically 2+ business days, tracked)
Pickup - Free! Only available to customers who live in the Newcastle region (must order online and only pickup after we email to notify you the order is ready). Orders placed after 2PM may not be ready until the following business day.

Non-metro addresses in WA, NT, SA & TAS can take 2+ days in addition to the above information.

Some batteries (such as LiPo) can't be shipped by Air. During checkout, Express Post and International Methods will not be an option if you have that type of battery in your shopping cart.

International Orders - the following rates are for New Zealand and will vary for other countries:

$11+ for Pack and Track (3+ days, tracked)
$16+ for Express International (2-5 days, tracked)

If you order lots of gear, the postage amount will increase based on the weight of your order.

Our physical address (here's a PDF which includes other key business details):

Unit 18, 132 Garden Grove Parade
Adamstown
NSW, 2289
Australia

Take a look at our customer service page if you have other questions such as "do we do purchase orders" (yes!) or "are prices GST inclusive" (yes they are!). We're here to help - get in touch with us to talk shop.

Have a product question? We're here to help!