I'm building a DIY NeoPixel lightsaber and planning to use a 21700 battery with a 3.6V output. However, the NeoPixel LED strip needs 5V to operate. What are the best ways to increase the voltage to make it work? Any suggestions would really help!
4 Answers
You might want to check out a ready-made boost converter module. They're pretty common and can usually be adjusted to output a range of voltages, including 5V for USB connections. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also try building your own boost converter, but it requires some experience!
Finding a compact boost module that can deliver 15A might be tough. Most NeoPixel strips work with an input voltage range of about 3.7V to 5V. Since the 21700 battery charges up to 4.2V, you might get enough brightness without a boost module until the battery drops below 3.7V. If you want longer runtimes, consider adding more cells in parallel; even two cells could be easy to fit.
You could also look into specific boost converter modules made for 3.7V lithium batteries. For example, there's a popular board available that outputs 5V but just keep in mind that it'll run hot if you're pushing it. Also, consider the current draw from your NeoPixel strips. Using a lower brightness setting and managing how many WS28xx NeoPixels you run can help. All in all, you might find that you don’t actually need to boost the voltage with good management!
I love the idea of using sound clips with an ESP32! The acceleration sensors could really amp up the experience too.
Another option is to use two 21350 batteries in series, which would be roughly the same size as the 21700. It could give you the necessary voltage without adding too much bulk.
I looked at some boost converters, but I can't find any that can handle 15 amps without taking up too much space in the hilt of my saber.