Trouble shooting

Something is not working?

  • The command:

    sudo pip install pytz astral feedparser pillow svgwrite freetype-py

    fails to install properly? If so, try to install further dependencies (thanks to SEBatHome):

    sudo apt-get build-dep python-imaging libjpeg8 libjpeg62-dev libfreetype6 libfreetype6-dev

  • The leds do not light up as expected?

    • It is important to have common ground for LEDs and RPi. Assure, ground is same for all of them (Thanks to euchkatzl).

    • Assure to connect the LED strip in the right direction. Little arrows indicate that along the strip (Thanks to euchkatzl).

    • Assure correct functionality of leds:

      cd ~/rpi_ws281x/python/examples vim strandtest.py # Set number of leds, pin, etc. sudo python strandtest.py

      The leds should light up now…

    • Disable the RPis soundcard (since it might interfere with the PMW-channel, sending data to the LEDs. Thanks to ELViTO12 for reporting):

      sudo sh -c "echo blacklist snd_bcm2835 >> /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-blacklist.conf";
sudo reboot;

    • In case the LEDs are flickering as shown in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHxVS8SkXOU (Thanks to oxivanisher), consider the usage of a level-shifter to connect the GPIO-pin of the raspberry to the LED-strip. Further reading: https://github.com/jgarff/rpi_ws281x/issues/127 https://github.com/bk1285/rpi_wordclock/issues/38

    Wiring of the a 74HCT125 level-shifter

  • When starting the wordclock-script, “Pin 17 pressed” is logged all the time?

    To get rid of this message, you first need to finish the wordclock setup by attaching all 3 buttons to it.

    If you aim to run the wordclock without buttons, change the config-file settings as follows:

    [wordclock_interface]
type = gpio_high

Note

The provided information might be completely unsatifying, leaving you here frustrated and annoyed without a working wordclock… :/

However, if you have any issues during the setup, consider: