What are you changing for 2024? Elements you are building, modifying or installing
- Thread starter ryanschristmaslights
- Start date
A couple of changes that are being / have been built:
New 24V power distribution box. This has a PSU in it, feeding 5x 10A breakers (yes, DC rated) and 5x outputs. The 10A limit works nicely as I use the orange bunnings extension cable with Anderson PowerPole connectors for distribution; so keeps it within the cables' limits - and it equates to 2x 100W DC/DC converters on each run.
Megatree has been updated, previously 20 x 75 @ 2" spacing, 5V, running from 10 outputs + 150 node star on the 11th, for a total of 1500 + 150 nodes.
Now it's 30 x 150 @ 1" spacing, 12V, running from 30 outputs. The same star has been repushed with 12V as well, for a total of 4500 + 150 nodes
This necessitated a new controller build. HE123 with HE123-RJ breakout, and 4x HE123-EX expansion boards. These are passive boards using CAT5e to transport the signal (not RS422 diff receivers).
2x 700W HP Power Supplies, and some right-angle breakout boards.
Also today started working on a new mounting bracket to sit on the front of the roof for my 3x signing globes.
This is still unfinished, but basically it'll straddle the roof peak; the globes will go onto the 3 pairs of uprights there, and a diagonal brace from the top of the globe. The whole lot will be sandbagged down.
New 24V power distribution box. This has a PSU in it, feeding 5x 10A breakers (yes, DC rated) and 5x outputs. The 10A limit works nicely as I use the orange bunnings extension cable with Anderson PowerPole connectors for distribution; so keeps it within the cables' limits - and it equates to 2x 100W DC/DC converters on each run.
Megatree has been updated, previously 20 x 75 @ 2" spacing, 5V, running from 10 outputs + 150 node star on the 11th, for a total of 1500 + 150 nodes.
Now it's 30 x 150 @ 1" spacing, 12V, running from 30 outputs. The same star has been repushed with 12V as well, for a total of 4500 + 150 nodes
This necessitated a new controller build. HE123 with HE123-RJ breakout, and 4x HE123-EX expansion boards. These are passive boards using CAT5e to transport the signal (not RS422 diff receivers).
2x 700W HP Power Supplies, and some right-angle breakout boards.
Also today started working on a new mounting bracket to sit on the front of the roof for my 3x signing globes.
This is still unfinished, but basically it'll straddle the roof peak; the globes will go onto the 3 pairs of uprights there, and a diagonal brace from the top of the globe. The whole lot will be sandbagged down.
Now the reason why the globes are going on the roof is the addition of this P6.67 panel, which now lives where the globes used to be.
This is mounted using 6x angle brackets on the wall, and a ratchet strap. A few cable ties are in there which was to temporarily secure before the strap went on.
The panels are also bolted together.
Built a Pi control box with a little screen; this is set up as a virtual matrix and will mimic what the actual panel is doing.
There are two enclosures here, each with 3x3 panels, panels are 48x48 pixels. Total across the entire display is 288x144 resolution.
The original Novastar board in each enclosure was swapped out for a ColorLight 5A-75E 16 output board. These physically are almost identical to the Novastar boards, with the exception the connectors are angled. Same mounting holes made it really simple as a swap out.
Was a pain the the butt figuring out these panels in LEDVision though; their pixel order and a few other things are all over the shop. None of this "pixel 1 top left, go in order left-right, top-bottom!"
This is mounted using 6x angle brackets on the wall, and a ratchet strap. A few cable ties are in there which was to temporarily secure before the strap went on.
The panels are also bolted together.
Built a Pi control box with a little screen; this is set up as a virtual matrix and will mimic what the actual panel is doing.
There are two enclosures here, each with 3x3 panels, panels are 48x48 pixels. Total across the entire display is 288x144 resolution.
The original Novastar board in each enclosure was swapped out for a ColorLight 5A-75E 16 output board. These physically are almost identical to the Novastar boards, with the exception the connectors are angled. Same mounting holes made it really simple as a swap out.
Was a pain the the butt figuring out these panels in LEDVision though; their pixel order and a few other things are all over the shop. None of this "pixel 1 top left, go in order left-right, top-bottom!"
- Thread starter
- #34
Another weekend down, how is everyone's setup going?
Over here my mega tree is partially assembled now. I still have some pixel pushing to do before the remaining strings can be hung, due to increasing the number of strands compared to last year.
Over here my mega tree is partially assembled now. I still have some pixel pushing to do before the remaining strings can be hung, due to increasing the number of strands compared to last year.
And it was finished and up!
Slowly working through setup. Most ground floor props are up, with the exception of sprial trees (last to go up on the grass). Roof lines, solar panel matrix and now the above singing globes are mounted.
Megatree went up 2? weeks back due to needing the space in the worskhop.
No props cabled except the MT and the spinner, still getting all the backbone power and control lines in first.
TuneTo was hung during the week as well and cabled to power last night, so it's starting to advertise the show switch on date.
