How to make a CheerLights controller with Arduino and ioBridge

You have many options for building a CheerLights controller. The idea behind the project is to have something synchronized with the rest of the world. You could simply have 3 LEDs of different colors sitting on your desk and knowing that the color being shown is the same color being displayed across the world. This tutorial is for only one option. If you come up with something new, please share it as others may want to use your version to join the CheerLights project.

Make your own CheerLights with Arduino, ioBridge and GE Color Effects

Parts:

  • GE G-35 Color Effects Lights
  • Arduino base board
  • ioBridge IO-204 [ioBridge Store]
  • Female DC Power adapter - 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block [Adafruit]
  • 2.1mm DC Power Plug with cable
  • Hookup wire

Video Tutorial:

Arduino Source Code:

ioBridge Setup:

  • Create “Serial Out” widget for the channel that has the Arduino connected to

ThingSpeak Setup:

  • Create a ThingHTTP request:
URL: http://www.iobridge.com/widgets/static/post
Method: POST
Body: key=<Serial Out Widget ID>&value=%%trigger%%
  • Create TweetControl for each color that you want to support:
Check “Anonymous TweetControl”
Enter “blue” in “Trigger” field
Select the ThingHTTP request linked to ioBridge
Click Update TweetControl
Repeat for each color that you want to support
Additional Resources: