Pixels with clear leds

Notenoughlights

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Has anyone come across 12v ws2811 bullet nodes with a waterclear 10mm led instead of the standard diffused led. Had a look around AliExpress and eBay, I may be using the wrong terms for searching though.


Edited to say, the folks over at ETOP-Lighting on Aliexpress have been very helpful in getting these made, i've ordered a sample and i'll share my findings here.
 
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Mark_M

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why do you want that?
Why do you want pixels on your house wasting power?

Anyway;
Ask the usual Chinese vendors, Ray had made me some 12v icicles with regulators. I only saw resistor version on his aliexpress store so I presume he had them made up.
Swapping out an LED for you case is easy in manufacturing.
 

Notenoughlights

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Why do you want pixels on your house wasting power?

Anyway;
Ask the usual Chinese vendors, Ray had made me some 12v icicles with regulators. I only saw resistor version on his aliexpress store so I presume he had them made up.
Swapping out an LED for you case is easy in manufacturing.
I have sent him a request, here's hoping he can do it. The effect they produce should be very cool
 

i13

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It's possible that pixel suppliers might be able to make this if they happen to have the right LEDs. I've asked Ray for custom things from him like these black pixels but in 5V with 18 AWG coloured wire and he made them. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32822044734.html?storeId=701799

On Mark_M's point about the pixel icicles with regulators, I have some pixel icicles (the only 12V nodes in my display) and they're the regulated type despite me not specifying this. I'm pretty sure drakky had the same thing happen.

Katekate's idea about other types of pixels is a good one. Another clear pixel is discussed in this thread but it is 5V only and some of the posters question the waterproofing. https://auschristmaslighting.com/threads/13341/

Another option is 12V modules. These are always clear. They typically use three RGB LEDs per module connected in series so that they use the 12 volts more efficiently than nodes. This is an example: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1921795013.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.10.59643647JG1gvP

I'm interested to see whether you're able to find clear nodes.
 

Mark_M

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On Mark_M's point about the pixel icicles with regulators, I have some pixel icicles (the only 12V nodes in my display) and they're the regulated type despite me not specifying this. I'm pretty sure drakky had the same thing happen.
Oh, Ray didn't charge anything extra for me. I must be blind not to see 'regulator' mentioned in listings.


Another option is 12V modules. These are always clear. They typically use three RGB LEDs per module connected in series so that they use the 12 volts more efficiently than nodes. This is an example: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1921795013.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.10.59643647JG1gvP
These don't have much 'conical' shape of light output. I used dumb versions in 2017/2018 for garden lighting, they work as a small wash but not a 'patterned' wash.
modules.PNG
 
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i13

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That's a good point about the shape of the light output. I wasn't assuming that waterclear nodes would have a decent conical output either. It will be interesting to find out.
 

TerryK

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They throw more light than diffused LEDs, patterns on the ground or wall washing. They won't be as bright as floodlights but that's the whole point
If I understand you are after a focused RGB LED but not as bright as a flood. Diffuser efficiency technology is I think in the 80/90% range and it keeps improving. The human eye is not linear in its response to illumination levels. So, I am uncertain if one will notice much difference in intensity. The majority of any notice will be more from beam divergence probably.
Note too that beam divergence can and will vary from one model of LED to another, specifications bear this out so leaving the LED choice to Ray will end up somewhat of a pot-luck.

If you are after patterns why not 3D print a small focusing cone to slip over the pixel? Aerosol paint the inside with a mirror finish and press fit or glue on; designing interior bumps and cone shapes for pattern variation.
 

Notenoughlights

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If I understand you are after a focused RGB LED but not as bright as a flood. Diffuser efficiency technology is I think in the 80/90% range and it keeps improving. The human eye is not linear in its response to illumination levels. So, I am uncertain if one will notice much difference in intensity. The majority of any notice will be more from beam divergence probably.
Note too that beam divergence can and will vary from one model of LED to another, specifications bear this out so leaving the LED choice to Ray will end up somewhat of a pot-luck.

If you are after patterns why not 3D print a small focusing cone to slip over the pixel? Aerosol paint the inside with a mirror finish and press fit or glue on; designing interior bumps and cone shapes for pattern variation.
I'm more after a blob of light i.e something that'll throw light onto a flat surface and be a little more obvious to anyone looking, I know they won't be perfect in any way, and I don't want them to be perfect, i'm just after a throw of light, hence why I don't want a diffused pixel, and yes I know they're designed like that so they can be looked at, however I thought having an addressable RGB string of superbright waterclear RGB leds could add a cool effect into one of the new effects I'm planning this year. These are in no way being added as a practical light source etc so the output quality is not an issue.

As for the 3D printer idea, that was on the cards, but first I need to get a 3D printer and learn how to use one.

I've managed to contact Ray and he's not able to do a custom run of these types of pixels as he doesn't have waterclear leds
I'm having a little more luck with another vendor so all is hopeful still.
 
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