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Assembling Your Octolamp Kit

Your Octolamp kit includes all the components you need to assemble your very own Octolamp! Follow these step-by-step instructions to get your lamp up and running.

You can find a video version of this tutorial here: https://youtu.be/Ya8gMkDxdD4

Powered by an Adafruit Sparkle Motion Mini microcontroller, your Octolamp features an LED strip that is smarter than it may first appear.

What is Included

3D printed components of the Octolamp including white inner shell, black outer cover, black base, and white reflector arranged on a surface

Electronic components for the Octolamp including microcontroller board, USB cable, LED cable, and LED strip laid out ready for assembly

Step 1: Connect the LED Cable to the Microcontroller

  1. Use the screwdriver to loosen the first, third, and fourth terminals on the microcontroller.
  2. From left to right, insert the red, green, and white wires of the LED cable into the respective terminals.
  3. Tighten the terminals using the screwdriver.

Close-up view of microcontroller terminal blocks being loosened with a screwdriver, showing the screw terminals in their open position ready for wire insertion

Microcontroller terminal blocks with red, green, and white LED wires properly inserted and secured in the first, third, and fourth terminals from left to right

Step 2: Test the LED Connection

  1. Important: Uncoil the LED strip completely. Powering LEDs while tightly coiled will cause overheating.
  2. Connect the LED cable to the LED strip. The cable should connect to the end with arrows pointing away from the connector.
  3. Plug the USB cable into the microcontroller and connect to a power supply.
  4. The LED's should now light up, either orange or green.
  5. If your LEDs do not turn on, check your connections.
  6. If you are still having trouble, ask for help!

LED strip connected and powered on, displaying bright green lights across most of the strip with the last few LEDs remaining off as expected during testing

Step 3: Install the LED Strip Around the Outer Ring

  1. Peel off the beginning of the LED strip's adhesive backing.
  2. Press the start of the LED strip against the inside wall of the outer ring, at the base of Mona.
  3. Continue around the inside wall of the outer ring, peeling off backing as you go.
  4. Firmly press the strip against the ring frequently to ensure good adhesion.
  5. Trim the backing paper if it gets in your way.
  6. When you complete the outer ring, you should be back where you started at the base of Mona.

LED strip being attached to the inner wall of the white inner part, starting at the base near Mona with the adhesive backing being peeled away

LED strip continuing around the inside wall of the outer ring, with hands pressing the strip firmly against the white inner part to ensure proper adhesion

Step 4: Complete the LED Installation

  1. Continue the LED strip along the inner ring wall, staying inside the part.
  2. Follow the perimeter around the bottom of the ring and around Mona, finishing at her tentacle.
  3. Cut off the excess LED strip where the installation is complete.
  4. Connect the USB cable to the microcontroller and power supply.
  5. All LEDs should now be bright green.
  6. If LEDs do not turn on, check your connections.
  7. If you are still having trouble, ask for help!

LED strip completing its path around the inner ring and following the perimeter of Mona, showing the final positioning near her tentacle

LED strip being carefully cut with scissors where the two ends meet after completing the circuit around the white inner part

Completed LED strip installation glowing bright green throughout the entire circuit around the white inner part, confirming proper connection and functionality

Step 5: Final Assembly

  1. Thread the wires through the slot in the white reflector, aligning Mona's tentacle with the corresponding features.
  2. Flip the assembly over and insert the microcontroller into the center cavity of the black base.
  3. Feed the USB cable through the hole in the base and connect it to the microcontroller.
  4. Snap the black cover into place over the microcontroller.
  5. Align the white reflector and inner parts with the black base, gently pressing everything together until fully seated.

White reflector with LED-equipped inner part being aligned with the black base, showing the proper positioning before final assembly

Black outer cover being positioned over the white inner components, demonstrating the proper alignment during the assembly process

Final assembly step showing all components being pressed together, with the black cover, white reflector, and base properly aligned and seated

Completed Octolamp assembly with all components fully seated and secured, showing the finished lamp ready for use

Step 6: Final Test

  1. Plug the USB cable into a power supply.
  2. Your lamp should be fully illuminated with bright green light.
  3. If LEDs do not turn on, check your connections.
  4. If you are still having trouble, ask for help!

Fully assembled Octolamp illuminated with bright green LEDs throughout the entire lamp, demonstrating the successful completion of the assembly process

Step 7: Clean Up

  1. Tidy your workspace, returning tools and disposing of LED strip trimmings.
  2. Pack your completed lamp back into its bag.
  3. Go explore what the rest of Universe has to offer!

When you get home, connect to the WLED-AP WiFi access point the lamp is broadcasting (password: wled1234) to customize its colors & behavior. Learn more about what’s possible at https://kno.wled.ge/ - there's a Home Assistant integration & more!

Share what you build with us. You can post picture of your makes here or on social media! #MadeAtGitHubUniverse