Paraglidable Paragliding Dashboard with Homeassistant (Neopixel, WLED)

This Project assumes that you already have a HomeAssistant server running!

Hardware:

• Neopixel strip (WS2812B; 60 LED/m; 5V)
• small wires
• Wemos D1 mini board (or any other small board that can run WLED)
• Power supply
• 2 x M3x5 screw

(Re)connecting the LED strips:

1. Cut a Neopixel LED strip into 5 stripes containing 5 LEDs each
2. Align the segments as shown in the picture, then solder the segments together with three wires; pay attention to the data flow (Do → Din) and the length of the GND and 5V wires (alternating)
3. Connect the first sigment with jumper cables to the board (soldering also works fine)

Flashing and Configuration of the WLED Firmware:

Flash the WLED Firmware on the Wemos Board (https://install.wled.me/) and connect to your WiFi. Then add the WLED device in HomeAssistant. 

Configure the Settings in the WLED webinterface (if not opened automatically check your router for the IP adress):

• Under Config/LED Preferences makes sure to set the length of the strip to 25 as shown below, then click the “Save” button:

• In the main windowd add we then have to add 15 segments (5 mountains x 3 days), 

• To accomodate for the wiring of the LED strips, I configured the LED on the top left (No. 21) as the first segment:

• The next one would be LED 23, then LED 25 (LED 22 and 24 are left dark and act as a spacer) Now it is recommended to test if the correct LEDs are configured.
• When the first row is finished continue with the second row (LED 20; 18; 16)
• Third row: LED 11; 13; 15
• Fourth row: LED 10; 8; 6
• Fifth row: LED 1; 3; 5
• Before unplugging the power of the board, make sure to save the preset (by clicking “+ Preset” and then “Save”)otherwise you might have to configure everything again:

• Connect the LEDs to the board (Data GPIO2 = D4) and validate the everything is working:
   

Assembly of the Dashboard:

Parts Needed:

In order to mount the board, align the board with the opening and secure it via the usb plug or use some hot glue…

• Configure the frontplate in PrusaSlicer by adding text to the respective placeholder bracket before printing

Importing the Paraglidable values into HomeAssistant:

• Create an API on the paraglidable website; you will have to select the places to monitor:
• Create the Rest sensors in HomeAssistant according to this article (my code will be available here on printables): https://community.home-assistant.io/t/paragliding-weather-api-into-sensor-sharing-for-others-to-use-and-improvement/683458

Create the automation in HomeAssistant 

• When everything worked well with the configuration of WLED, there should be 15 segments visible in HomeAssistant; There is also another entity (named “Paragliding Dashboard” in my case) that resembles the unassigned LEDs between the segments; deactiviate this entity in HomeAssistant:

• Initially I had to create an Automation for every day and location (15 in total + 2 to Turn the Dashboard off at night and on in the morning)
• However I was able to combine the automation for all LEDs into one Dashboard_automation.yaml (available for download)
• Mapping of Fly value to LED color (can be easily adjusted in the .yaml):
  • <60 → red LED
  • 60-85 → yellow LED
  • >85 → green LED
• It takes some time until every LED displays the right value (most of the time, paraglidable updates the values every 6h)

The Dashboard should be working now :) If something is still unclear, feel free to text me or write a comment…

Fly safe!