Adafruit Pixel Shifter - For Addressable LEDs
The Adafruit Pixel Shifter is a simple inline level-shifting board for addressable LEDs like NeoPixels (WS2812, SK6812) and similar one-wire-control pixels. It solves the common problem of 3.3V microcontrollers not being able to reliably drive 5V LED strips — no more flickering or strange colour behaviour from voltage mismatch.
The board includes a 5V voltage generator, two level shifters, and one inverter output (for TM1814-style LEDs that expect inverted signals). All connections use 0.1" screw terminal blocks for solder-free wiring with 18–26 AWG solid or stranded wire. There's even a built-in NeoPixel on the data line that acts as a signal debugger — if it lights up, your data is getting through.
Key Features
- Dual Level Shifter – Shifts two signal lines from 3.3V to 5V logic using a 74HCT2G34
- Inverted Output – One channel also provides an inverted signal for TM1814 and similar LEDs
- On-Board 5V Generator – Only draws a few milliamps; accepts 3–5V input power
- Screw Terminal Connections – Solder-free wiring for 18–26 AWG wire
- Signal Debugger NeoPixel – Built-in single LED on the data line confirms valid signal; disable by cutting a trace on the back
- Fast Signal Handling – Supports up to 10 MHz (LED strips typically use ~800 KHz)
Compatible With
- NeoPixel (WS2812, WS2811, SK6812) strips, grids, rings, and matrices
- TM1814 inverted-signal LEDs (via inverter output)
- Any 3.3V logic microcontroller: RP2040, ESP32, ESP8266, STM32, SAMD, Raspberry Pi
- WLED firmware projects
Ideal For
- Fixing flickering NeoPixels driven by 3.3V boards
- Solder-free inline wiring for LED installations
- Quick signal verification with the on-board debug NeoPixel
- TM1814 LED setups that require inverted data signals
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit Pixel Shifter (assembled with screw terminals)
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
The Adafruit Pixel Shifter is a simple inline level-shifting board for addressable LEDs like NeoPixels (WS2812, SK6812) and similar one-wire-control pixels. It solves the common problem of 3.3V microcontrollers not being able to reliably drive 5V LED strips — no more flickering or strange colour behaviour from voltage mismatch.
The board includes a 5V voltage generator, two level shifters, and one inverter output (for TM1814-style LEDs that expect inverted signals). All connections use 0.1" screw terminal blocks for solder-free wiring with 18–26 AWG solid or stranded wire. There's even a built-in NeoPixel on the data line that acts as a signal debugger — if it lights up, your data is getting through.
Key Features
- Dual Level Shifter – Shifts two signal lines from 3.3V to 5V logic using a 74HCT2G34
- Inverted Output – One channel also provides an inverted signal for TM1814 and similar LEDs
- On-Board 5V Generator – Only draws a few milliamps; accepts 3–5V input power
- Screw Terminal Connections – Solder-free wiring for 18–26 AWG wire
- Signal Debugger NeoPixel – Built-in single LED on the data line confirms valid signal; disable by cutting a trace on the back
- Fast Signal Handling – Supports up to 10 MHz (LED strips typically use ~800 KHz)
Compatible With
- NeoPixel (WS2812, WS2811, SK6812) strips, grids, rings, and matrices
- TM1814 inverted-signal LEDs (via inverter output)
- Any 3.3V logic microcontroller: RP2040, ESP32, ESP8266, STM32, SAMD, Raspberry Pi
- WLED firmware projects
Ideal For
- Fixing flickering NeoPixels driven by 3.3V boards
- Solder-free inline wiring for LED installations
- Quick signal verification with the on-board debug NeoPixel
- TM1814 LED setups that require inverted data signals
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit Pixel Shifter (assembled with screw terminals)
