Reno the mega tree

[the grinch]

Ok so we just had the adelaide mini time to start work again . Decision has been made to pixelize our existing mega tree after many years of talking procrastination etc etc .here is some of my plans correct me please or advice is welcome . To begin will modify construction to the winch method rather than traditional 4 to 6 friends weightlifting and consuming lots of beers on erecting and dismantle although has been fun over last ten yrs or so can be messy lol. Also is near impossible to repair once erected as 7m high at top of star. Plan for a 270 degree tree but construction will allow 360 if needs later. Going to run 36 12v 2811 30pm strips instead of nodes in my brain it works lets see . So im looking at 9 zig zag strings . 4 5m lengths in each. Roughly calculated will need 99.72 amps 1198watt . So power supplies thinking 4 of 12v 33amp 400 w didn't really want so many supplies but seems most logic at this stage .running the f16v2 without expansion although have if needed but makes more sense not to use as can run longer strings with more pixels without. 2 power supplies will be connected directly to controller one on left bank and one on right bank and other 2 power supplies will be dedicated for power injection .will use one of our rasberry pi with fpp and vixen or xlights ? Leaning towards xlights at this stage but will see .the star I would like to create like a vortex effect by making 5 stars from little to big inside each other . nodes may be easier for this case I feel I haven't seen that done before but sure it has am curious as think could be great effects well thats roughly my plan other than lots of wire soldering time etc etc thx for any help or advice

 

[BundyRoy]

I might have this wrong but this is what I get.


ws2811 = 18.5 mA/colour = 55.5mA/pixel.


36 strings x 5m x 30 pixel/m = 5400 pixels.


5400 x 55.5mA = 299.7A


299.7A x 12V = 3596.4W


Like I said I could be wrong and am happy to be corrected but this is what I got.

 

[AussieDoug]

strips not strings, reduced the usage by lots & lots Roy. But don't get me wrong it's still 100amps & 1200watts.

 

[the grinch]

Yes using strip12v not strings and does seem lot of difference between string and strip and between 5v and 12v lets hope im right dont want any white smoke

 

[BundyRoy]

Oops you are right. Thanks. 30 led/m is 10 pixel/m.


So hopefully this is correct.


ws2811 = 18.5 mA/colour = 55.5mA/pixel.


36 strips x 5m x 10 pixel/m = 1800 pixels.


1800 x 55.5mA = 99.9A


99.9A x 12V = 1198.8W

Sorry to recalculate what both of you had already done, but I just wanted to get it clear in my head so I understood.


As you were. Carry on and ignore me. Thanks again. Am going through the same process at the moment with my mega tree, so was very keen to ensure I had a good grip on the numbers.

 

[BundyRoy]

Just out of interest, how do you plan to mount the strip on the mega tree. I gather you run some sort of strap or conduit between top and bottom rings and zippy tie the strip to it.

 

[Fing]

hi Grinch,


this is the old 5v vs 12v story.
if it is 5v then its only 500-600w.
some food for thought..
using strip each pixel will be 3 LED, 100mm long, so you will get rectangular pixel shapes, which may effect the quality of any text or picture you display. (YMMV)
a lot of the strip trees i have seen use a higher density strip to prevent this. or you can just use 5v nodes lol


cheers
Fing

 

[the grinch]

Just out of interest, how do you plan to mount the strip on the mega tree. I gather you run some sort of strap or conduit between top and bottom rings and zippy tie the strip to it.

yes still in the hunting gathering stage at moment but was thinking alike as some sort of strap or belt like product am open to ideas

 

[the grinch]

hi Grinch,


this is the old 5v vs 12v story.
if it is 5v then its only 500-600w.
some food for thought..
using strip each pixel will be 3 LED, 100mm long, so you will get rectangular pixel shapes, which may effect the quality of any text or picture you display. (YMMV)
a lot of the strip trees i have seen use a higher density strip to prevent this. or you can just use 5v nodes lol

Hi fing thx yes the 5 v vs 12v have tried to stick with 12v over the years as not to complicate myself and if all fails could possibly start my car lol and yes may be the case with strip but already had some and purchasing xtra thx mate
cheers
Fing

 

[the grinch]

Hi all things progressing here with the mega tree all going to plan so far . Here is some pictures of our controller box have managed to fit everything in neatly and should be enough room left for the raspberry pi. Jobs left to do on this is ventilation few earth straps earth door also and power injection plugs .maybe put alecs temp sensors in but may be scary to know the actual heat produced from this monster am planning to have box in shaded area with some sort of wooden ventilated box over the top to keep heat getting on to the metal box willsee.

 

[the grinch]

Here is picture of the new top ring I've made for tree has 48 hooks although at this stage is going to be 270 degree tree using only 36 gives us the option to go 360 degree if needed down the track . Materials used for this was basketball ring for ring obvious chain links for hooks and used old timing belt tensioners had lying around from old toyotas and mitsubishi to make it glide up and down the pole with ease hopefully have made them adjustable to fit pole snuggly .also a nice couple of coats of killrust gloss black to protect it from the weather .

 

[Heath-LightsOnTapley]

looking good Grinch. I must get off my butt and start mine...


picking up a trampoline today for the base.

 

[the grinch]

And heres the pics of the strips 36 5m lengths of 2811 smart pixels mounted on 19 mm × 1mm P E T strapping thanks to aussiephils forum decided on this product bought a 900m roll plenty left for other projects god help me lol. http://hipac.net.au/pet-strapping-seals

 

[the grinch]

Used triangle thingy s from trampoline on either end of strapping had to modify slightly cut approx 20mm from each and bent in vice and manipulated with hammer so fit strap more snuggly all 72 of them didn't take too long once got a system going. Bought a heap of 1/4" bolts nuts washers and spring washers tip buy nuts and bolts in box much cheaper than purchasing separately. Drilling P E T strap after experiments with offcuts had no problems with using woodworking bit in drillpress on piece of flat scrap timber gentle pressure letting the drill do the work was able too successfully drill 144 holes cleanly without splitting material . Placed triangle things on strip bolted together and is extremely strong joint . Have even used strap to mount my psu s on control box door as you will see in a previous post .

 

[the grinch]

Yes thanks heath I also scrounged and found a tramp but uncertain weather to use or not may use existing lower ring on tree . Now im onthe hunt for a winch and suitable plugs and sockets for power injection (maybe a visit to local wrecking yard and cut some water proof plugs from vehicles ) and also need to pixel the existing star on the tree . All going well have tested everything all fires up and runs in test modes on f16v2 controller and xlights amazingly haven't had to bother anyone for help yet but that may change lol