AstroPixels R2-D2 Dome Lights - Great Bang For The Buck!
3,173
Published 2024-03-08
We have Darren Poulson to thank for this all inclusive R2D2 dome light kit, which in my opinion is currently the best ready made, pre-programmed R2D2 dome lighting kit you can get for the dollar. At around $100 USD (+shipping), Darren's light kit is less than half the cost of the more popular Teeces or RSeries R2-D2 dome light kits; and emulates the fluid analog look of a color wheel that many R2 builders are after without the build complications or tedious fiber optic installs.
AstroPixels R2 light kits use red/green/blue addressable LEDs (just like the RSeries) controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller running the Reeltwo Astromech RSeries library. Basic 3-conductor (power/ground/signal) RC servo wiring/connectors are used to connect the light panels to the control board making it a very simple lighting kit to connect and set up. The control board also has extra headers incase you want to add other lights such as a magic panel.
The ESP32 micro controller board is powered by 5 VDC, and recommended power connectivity is through the green screw terminal block on the board (OBSERVE POLARITY)! As shown in the video, nominal current load running the included lights ONLY is around 500mA and peaks around 700mA. A stable, 1 Amp power source (buck converter or regulator) is recommended.
Darren has pre-soldered all the headers on the light boards and control board, installed the R2 ReelTwo dome light script and tested each light set before shipping, making this R2 dome light kit a true plug and play install as demonstrated in the video.
Video Time Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:56 RSeries Dome Lights
1:30 AstroPixels Overview
2:54 Unboxing
3:59 Addressable LED's
5:29 Connectivity
6:54 AstroPixels Working Demo
Purchase Darren's AstroPixels At We Make Things UK:
we-make-things.co.uk/product/astropixels/
NOTE: AstroPixels are purely for Droid Builders and members of the R2 Builders Club, following the rules set out there of non profit. These are not to be used in droids being built for profit.
UK Droid Builders Club:
droidbuilders.uk/
Learn All About Darren's AstroPixels:
r2djp.co.uk/category/electronics/astropixels/
Customizing AstroPixels (including colors & brightness):
r2djp.co.uk/2022/06/05/customising-the-astropixels…
Reeltwo RSeries Astromech Firmware Main Page:
reeltwo.github.io/Reeltwo/html/index.html
My Teeces's R2-D2 Dome Light Overview:
• R2-D2 Dome Lights - Teeces Kit, Diffu...
My Full R2-D2 YouTube Build Series:
• DIY R2-D2 Build Series - Make your ow...
Adam Savage's R2-D2 Fiber Optic Color Wheel Build:
• Adam Savage Upgrades His R2-D2 Astrom...
Thank you for supporting RC Helicopter Fun.com & my channel which helps me keep creating content & fun projects like this. Please consider giving a thumbs up & subscribe - thank you & thanks for watching :)
All Comments (17)
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Part 2 - AstroPixels Installation: https://youtu.be/VMXZgwI3n34?si=fnCju-ZRwQG9O1Fh Making R2-D2 Video Series: - Introduction to a DIY R2-D2 Build: https://youtu.be/hkkSagTsLXY - Part 1 Making the dome: https://youtu.be/HaZ7ABkhwn8 - Part 2 Painting the dome: https://youtu.be/inoqE19ODUQ - Part 3 Dome lights & holoprojectors: https://youtu.be/hDR9z1PAJSA - Part 4 Dome Completion: https://youtu.be/PnjCrLlJtig - Part 5 Mark 3 Body Assembly: https://youtu.be/m6VXt6VGZ3c - Part 6 R2 Sound System Basics: https://youtu.be/cZ3sVYs7T9I - Part 7 R2 Electronic Basics: https://youtu.be/AmUuZH3UHXg - Part 8 R2 Legs & Foot Drives: https://youtu.be/PLyOKD5oAyM - Part 9 Painting R2-D2: https://youtu.be/E8h0l4rHvC4 - Part 10 Installing Electronics: https://youtu.be/bg_tN6HCYN4 - Conclusion to a DIY R2-D2 Build: https://youtu.be/sIpBA6UigTQ
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Hah, was wondering why so many orders were coming in today! :P Thanks for the kind words!
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My #1 concern with the other lights is how lightning fast the blue and white lights were chasing. I clearly remembered a much slower/softer chasing in the movies ( i realize it was color wheels action). But the other led setups are just too fast. These are supremely better in every way! THANK YOU DARREN! And THANK YOU JOHN for showing us!
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Great overview! I just ordered a set of these based on your excellent comparison. Thanks for sharing. Here's hoping I can get them installed properly!
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Another great video John, cant wait for for part 2. living in the UK is great for this, thats another time still building R2 and as I once mentioned to you, I know nothing about elecronics but with youtube i'll figure it out hopefully
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I LOVE that shirt :)
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Great video John very informative!
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Always interesting content from helis to electronics John, kudos for the t shirt! 😅
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I just got my Astropixels from Darren earlier this week. They are awesome!
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A new John Salt R2 Video? Awesome! Looking forward to part 2! I just started clear coating my dome last night, but already have my Teeces so I think I'll stick with them for at least a little while.
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LOL - I just got my Teeces light kit yesterday! That's ok - I'm happy to have them. Can't wait for Part 2 !
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Hooraaaaaay!
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That's a nice set of lights! Where did you get the drilled faceplates though?
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Definitely cool but I'd be curious to see exactly how much the bom cost is on that. Figuring an assembly time I get the feeling he's losing money on those.
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hello good Sir. thank you for the review on the light set. will order it soon. I am just getting to the point where I need to get the Radio. and I have a question. I will get the same radio you are using on your R2 and the question is what receiver do you recommend to use thank you? very again. Thank you very much. PS watching your videos got me interested in building an R2..
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I just read the description and have to ask: what is the R2 Builders Club and how do I become a member? I’ve been working on a Baddeley build for about 3 years now. Side note: I only just discovered your build series about a year ago and am absorbing as much as possible. The electronics scare the bejeebuz out of me. I can wield a soldering iron, but I fear it’s all really beyond my skills.
