Adafruit RGB Full Color Backlight Display - 23mm x 75mm

These plastic diffused backlights offer vibrant RGB illumination encapsulated in a 3.3mm acrylic strip that ensures even light distribution. Typically used in LCD displays, this variant can function independently, providing dramatic lighting effects.

The unique acrylic material diffuses the light efficiently, achieving uniform brightness with just a single LED. To enhance light output, a reflector on the flat side focuses the illumination upwards, maximizing efficiency.

Connecting is straightforward: the longest pin serves as the anode and requires 3-5VDC, while the shorter red, green, and blue pins connect through resistors to ground, drawing no more than 20mA each. A resistor is crucial in series to control the current.

These strips are perfect for creative applications like wearables, offering higher brightness and lower power consumption compared to EL strips without the need for inverters. However, note that they lack flexibility.

The lit area measures 0.8 by 2.8 inches (22.5mm x 72.5mm), making it ideal for projects where space is a premium and bright, focused illumination is desired.