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LEDs

StealthChanger supports various types of addressable RGB LEDs for both functional lighting and aesthetic effects. This guide covers how to configure and control color LEDs on your StealthChanger.

Multi-Toolhead LED Control

Since StealthChanger has multiple toolheads, controlling LEDs works differently than on a single-toolhead machine:

No Different Libraries Required

You don't need different libraries - StealthChanger uses the same Klipper [neopixel] support that works on any Klipper printer. The LED Effects plugin also works the same way across all your LEDs.

Key Differences

  1. Per-Tool Configuration: Each toolhead can have its own LED configuration defined in its tool config file (stealthchanger/tools/Tx.cfg). This means:
  2. T0 might have 3 nozzle LEDs
  3. T1 might have 5 LEDs (nozzle + additional lighting)

  4. Each tool's LEDs are independent

  5. CAN Bus Control: Toolhead LEDs are typically controlled via CAN bus using the toolhead:PB3 pin format, while frame/logo LEDs use direct GPIO pins on the main board.

  6. Active Tool LEDs: When a tool is active on the shuttle, you control that tool's LEDs. When you switch tools, you're now controlling a different set of LEDs.

  7. Multiple LED Sections: You'll have multiple [neopixel] sections:

  8. One (or more) for frame/logo LEDs in printer.cfg
  9. One for each toolhead's LEDs in their respective Tx.cfg files

Example Setup

# In printer.cfg - Frame/Logo LEDs
[neopixel rgb_logo]
pin: PB3
chain_count: 21
color_order: GRB

# In stealthchanger/tools/T0.cfg - T0 toolhead LEDs
[neopixel T0_nozzle_leds]
pin: toolhead:PB3
chain_count: 3
color_order: GRB

# In stealthchanger/tools/T1.cfg - T1 toolhead LEDs  
[neopixel T1_nozzle_leds]
pin: toolhead:PB3
chain_count: 3
color_order: GRB

LED Effects with Multiple Toolheads

The LED Effects plugin can control LEDs from multiple toolheads simultaneously. Simply reference all the LED sections you want in your effect:

[led_effect all_tools]
leds:
    neopixel:rgb_logo          # Frame/logo LEDs
    neopixel:T0_nozzle_leds     # T0 LEDs (when T0 is active)
    neopixel:T1_nozzle_leds     # T1 LEDs (when T1 is active)
layers:
    rainbow 5 1 top

Toolhead LEDs are only accessible when that tool is active on the shuttle. If you want effects that work regardless of which tool is active, focus on frame/logo LEDs or create separate effects for each tool.

Overview

StealthChanger can use addressable RGB LEDs in several locations:

  • Toolhead LEDs - Nozzle LEDs and part cooling fan LEDs on each toolhead
  • Logo LEDs - Custom logo PCBs with integrated LEDs (see Advanced LEDs)
  • Frame LEDs - Optional LED strips for frame lighting
  • Status Indicators - Functional LEDs for printer status

Supported LED Types

  • WS2812/WS2812B - Most common, 3-wire (5V, Data, GND)
  • SK6812 - Similar to WS2812, supports RGBW variants
  • SK6805-EC15 - Used in SC Barf PCBs (1.5mm RGB LEDs)
  • Neopixel - Generic term often referring to WS2812-compatible LEDs

Most addressable LEDs use the same protocol and can be controlled the same way in Klipper.

Basic LED Configuration

Neopixel Configuration

For basic LED control, configure a [neopixel] section in your printer.cfg:

[neopixel my_leds]
pin: ar6                    # GPIO pin connected to LED data line
chain_count: 16             # Number of LEDs in the chain
color_order: GRB            # Color order (GRB, RGB, RGBW, etc.)
initial_RED: 0.3            # Initial red brightness (0.0-1.0)
initial_GREEN: 0.3          # Initial green brightness
initial_BLUE: 0.0           # Initial blue brightness

Toolhead LEDs

Each toolhead can have its own LED configuration. In your tool config files (stealthchanger/tools/Tx.cfg), you can define LEDs specific to that tool:

[neopixel toolhead_leds]
pin: toolhead:PB3           # Pin on toolhead board (CAN bus)
chain_count: 3              # Number of LEDs (e.g., nozzle LEDs)
color_order: GRB
  • Toolhead LEDs are typically controlled via CAN bus
  • Each tool can have different LED configurations
  • RGB LEDs are recommended (not RGBW) for compatibility with some effects

Controlling LEDs

Basic LED control via G-code:

# Set all LEDs to a specific color
SET_LED LED=my_leds RED=1.0 GREEN=0.0 BLUE=0.0

# Set brightness
SET_LED LED=my_leds RED=0.5 GREEN=0.5 BLUE=0.5

# Turn off LEDs
SET_LED LED=my_leds RED=0 GREEN=0 BLUE=0

Advanced LED Options

For custom logo PCBs including Rainbow Barf (Voron/Micron logo) and SC Barf (StealthChanger logo) LEDs, see Advanced LEDs.

LED Effects Plugin

LED Effects is a powerful Klipper plugin that enables dynamic lighting effects and animations for addressable LEDs.

Installation

Method 1: Manual Installation

  1. Clone the repository: bash cd ~ git clone https://github.com/julianschill/klipper-led_effect.git

  2. Stop Klipper: bash sudo systemctl stop klipper

  3. Create symbolic link: bash ln -s ~/klipper-led_effect/src/led_effect.py ~/klipper/klippy/extras/led_effect.py

  4. Start Klipper: bash sudo systemctl start klipper

  5. Add to Moonraker for updates:

Add this to your moonraker.conf: ini [update_manager led_effect] type: git_repo path: ~/klipper-led_effect origin: https://github.com/julianschill/klipper-led_effect.git is_system_service: False

Method 2: KIAUH Installation

If you use KIAUH, LED Effects can be installed through the KIAUH interface:

  1. Run KIAUH: ./kiauh/kiauh.sh
  2. Select "Advanced" → "Install KlipperLED"
  3. Follow the prompts

Configuration

After installation, configure LED effects in your printer.cfg:

Basic Effect Example

[led_effect my_effect]
autostart: true                    # Start effect automatically
frame_rate: 24                     # Frames per second
leds:
    neopixel:rgb_logo              # Reference your neopixel section
layers:
    breathing 10 1 top (0.5, 0.5, 1)  # Breathing effect, blue color

Common Effects

Breathing:

layers:
    breathing 10 1 top (1.0, 0.0, 0.0)  # Red breathing, 10s cycle

Rainbow:

layers:
    rainbow 5 1 top                 # Rainbow effect, 5s cycle

Static Color:

layers:
    static 1 top (0.0, 1.0, 0.0)    # Static green

Chase:

layers:
    chase 2 1 top (1.0, 1.0, 0.0)   # Yellow chase effect

Knight Rider:

layers:
    knight_rider 3 1 top (1.0, 0.0, 0.0)  # Red knight rider

Multiple Layers

You can combine multiple effects:

[led_effect complex_effect]
autostart: false
frame_rate: 30
leds:
    neopixel:rgb_logo
layers:
    rainbow 10 0.5 top              # Rainbow base layer
    chase 2 1 top (1.0, 1.0, 1.0)  # White chase overlay

Controlling Effects via G-code

Start an effect:

SET_LED_EFFECT EFFECT=my_effect

Stop an effect:

SET_LED_EFFECT EFFECT=my_effect STOP=1

Fade in effect:

SET_LED_EFFECT EFFECT=my_effect FADETIME=1.0

List available effects:

HELP SET_LED_EFFECT

Status-Based Effects

LED Effects can respond to printer status:

[led_effect print_status]
autostart: true
frame_rate: 24
leds:
    neopixel:rgb_logo
layers:
    static 1 top (0.0, 1.0, 0.0)    # Green when idle
    static 1 printing (0.0, 0.0, 1.0)  # Blue when printing
    static 1 error (1.0, 0.0, 0.0)  # Red on error

Advanced Configuration

For more complex effects and full documentation, see the LED Effects GitHub repository.

Troubleshooting

LEDs Not Working

  1. Check wiring:
  2. Verify 5V power supply is adequate (each LED can draw ~60mA at full brightness)
  3. Check data line connection

  4. Ensure proper ground connection

  5. Check configuration:

  6. Verify chain_count matches actual LED count
  7. Check color_order (GRB vs RGB)

  8. Confirm GPIO pin is correct

  9. Check Klipper:

  10. Restart Klipper after configuration changes
  11. Check Klipper logs for LED-related errors

LED Effects Not Working

  1. Verify installation:
  2. Check that led_effect.py is linked in ~/klipper/klippy/extras/

  3. Restart Klipper after installation

  4. Check configuration:

  5. Ensure leds: section references correct neopixel name

  6. Verify effect syntax is correct

  7. Check Moonraker:

  8. If using Moonraker updates, ensure the update manager section is correct

Color Issues

  • Wrong colors: Try different color_order values (GRB, RGB, RGBW)
  • Dim LEDs: Increase brightness values or check power supply
  • Flickering: May indicate insufficient power or poor wiring

Additional Resources