I use this. This should convert dmx to led talk. And you will need a power supply.

For best results I power my strips from both aide. Other wise they will get darker as the strip gets longer.

You didn't specify how big you wanted, but may I suggest "Addressable LEDs"?
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide/the-magic-of-neopixels
.
You will need to be able to solder wires.
Here is a 1 meter length strip, 12mm wide is ~ 1/2 inch,
6.9mm is ~ 0.27 inch between centers
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61oiR3Lo5rL._SL1000_.jpg
.
Here's a closeup of all the details:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61Nxr4h0WHL._SL1000_.jpg
adhesive to mount the strip
when you want a short piece to fit, you cut to length and then rejoin with 3 wires.
See the 3 colored pads? See the Arrows?

Software? look at "Adafruit_NeoPixel" library, there are several examples
Here is an incomplete example of filling a whole string
// Fill the dots one after the other with a color
void colorWipe(uint32_t c, uint8_t wait) {
for(uint16_t i=0; i<strip.numPixels(); i++) {
strip.setPixelColor(i, c);
strip.show();
delay(wait);
}
}
.
$22 144 pixels, Not Waterproof Black flexible PCB
https://www.amazon.com/ALITOVE-Individually-Addressable-Programmable-Waterproof/dp/B019DYZNO6/
$21 for power to the strip
https://www.amazon.com/ALITOVE-Adapter-Converter-Charger-5-5x2-1mm/dp/B01M0KLECZ/

This should work for 5m for power, but do you have a controller?

Perfect, that's exactly what I was hoping. So if I were to use something like this to supply the power and split it inside the enclosure, that should work right?

Having some issues getting mine set up, anyone able to help a brotha out?

I noticed you used ws2812b led strip but I have Different wires and I cant get my led strip to light up. I feel like such a noob. I tried following the imgur guide but i guess I'm a little slow and cant figure it out.

Here's what I bought....

Lights

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B5ZPCTC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1

Power

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0KLECZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Arduino

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EWOE0UU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Interesting...

I'm using one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0KLECZ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Should I add a capacitor or something to help even out surges or etc? Bigger power supply?

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01M0KLECZ/

it’s that one, still 500 milliamps?

Thank you for the reply, I was looking at using ws2812 strips because they give me the option to change colors, so i could hook up a dip switch and have different modes for her use depending on what she wanted it to display. I did the math for this and it seems like it would require 5 amps to power all the LEDs in the strip that I want on. I am struggling to find a 5v 6amp power supply that i could use for both the lights and the arduino.

I was looking for a barrel plug to connect to the arduino for power then i would just strip that and add the lights in parallel to that, would that work or is there a better way to do it?

edit: I found This power supply. Would this work to provide power to the arduino and LEDs?

Do you want/need the ability to change the colors? I feel like adding color changing with mobile control is a bit overkill here. A simple backing board with LEDs hardwired, an on/off button or switch, and a small cord to plug it into the wall would be enough. Even if you want to use an Arduino I'd still suggest plugging in into a wall instead of batteries, especially if you include some form of mobile link.

​

Edit: if you are not good with circuits I would suggest starting with something like this, a power supply ( the 5V one they suggest will work) , and an Arduino with a library that works with the WS2811. Plug the lights into holes on a firm thin board behind the planets and light them up or flash them with the arduino. If you don't like the big bulbs and can solder you could also just glue these to the board.

If you get that going then add the mobile control, or don't, later.

i just followed the examples in the adafruit neopixel library for the python side. The PHP is pretty self explanatory if you piddle around with PHP any.

i used these LEDs https://www.amazon.com/ALITOVE-Addressable-Digital-Diffused-Waterproof/dp/B06XD72LYM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1509935755&sr=8-3&keywords=ws2812b+led+string

A Raspberry Pi

this power supply to power the Pi and the LEDs https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0KLECZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Heres the code https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LkXqiQbU6o7YZ9F1NESZTwvruubY4cTp

its just some PHP to scrape the metar and convert to flight condition and then some python to talk to the LEDs.

Schematics is plug the green wire from the LEDs to GPIO pin 18 on the R Pi.

I used a diode between power and the LED power as well. Cant remember why but I saw it one of the docs.

I run a cron every 15 minutes on the pi to run the PHP script and update the colors.

You cant power that off the arduino. You'll have to use a relay.

Those numbers sound about right.

The strips usually have the polarity printed on them, follow plus or minus to the wire. Or if you can see it, look at the led and a diagram. Identify cathode and anode.

You could also try a AA battery to find polarity. At 1.5 v it should immediately kill the led.

Here's a 5v 10a power supply.
https://www.amazon.com/ALITOVE-Adapter-Converter-Charger-5-5x2-1mm/dp/B01M0KLECZ