DMX2-24 - Where to get the fairy lights as Bunnings no longer stocks them

Has anyone else noticed that Bunnings have drastically reduced the number of lights they stock in the 2 wire fairy lights? My lights are exclusively run on the DMX2-24.

They no longer stock the 250 light runs, and the 500 run options are no longer in the Christmas area, just floating around the store. They do have a more expensive option with what appears to be some more 'smarts' however I haven't looked at them in any greater detail.

With Bunnings no longer having stock, where do you guys get your fairy lights to match with the DMX2-24?

Cheers
Simon

I believe the BigW ones are compatible.

Keep in mind, though, the DMX2-24 was built to fill a gap from original DC dimmers - only because the lights changed format. If they are changing again, it's likely that the board will become obsolete.

I wouldnt buy more lights for my DMX2-24; I'd be looking into something more mainstream these days; such as pixels etc, rather than investing in the two-wire lighting technology.

Do you mean the lightworx leds packs?

If so, plenty still available around my way (Springfield QLD)

Yep! Last year was my first time playing with the lights. The DMX2-24 was so I could bring my current lights into sync.

I know I will likely setup some pixels in the future however I purchased a second DMX2-24 for this year so I could expand slightly without breaking the budget! Uh well ... I will likely have to change over next year!

Thanks for the tip on BigW!

@unnefer at our local Bunnings (Capoalaba / Vic Point) they only have the solar ones in the shorter runs. I assumed they run at a different voltage so can't be wired up to the same controller. Is that correct?

Solar should be ok. If I recall (and @Notenoughlights can chime in here) they are still the 31V strings, albiet with a boost converter from the 4.5V battery to about 25V, which is why they are dimmer.

Skymaster said:

Solar should be ok. If I recall (and @Notenoughlights can chime in here) they are still the 31V strings, albiet with a boost converter from the 4.5V battery to about 25V, which is why they are dimmer.

Click to expand...

Always check the voltage coming from the output on the solar lights, i'd expect around 26V with the leds still attached, and about 60v with them disconnected, they will run great on 31v.

I've not seen any new styles of lighting (other than the 40v rope lights, still 2 wire, just higher voltage) and the "twinkly" ripoff/lookalike things that claim to do different colours but really just look like they've failed and are broken.

Seed pixels are probably the way to go, far cheaper, and actually (most of the time) sealed against water getting in, unlike the heatshrinked leds in Bunnings strings etc that hold water.

Definitely not as many low voltage "fairy lights" as last year but there are still a few however I don't think all stores are stocking them. I picked up 3 boxes of the 500 lights on cup day for $19 each, but seems like that must of been a special as the price is now $29. They also have a box of 1200 lights for $45.

As mentioned, you'd be better off getting some seed pixel strings. They are addressable and they are pretty cheap.

If you are on a budget, start with a string or two of the seeds. And since you already use Hanson products, maybe take a look at the Hanson rpi-28d hat.

That hat supports 4000 ws281x pixels max (ppl recommend 3000 though) in the latest Falcon player, so a couple strings of seeds would be no worries.

You'll need to install it on a rpi, and depending on how many seeds you decide to buy you might also need a psu for power injection, . Also, I believe there is a smallish licence fee ($10?) when using non-Falcon pixel controllers with FPP.

The Baldric controller (also sold by Hanson) is probably a better starting place for pixels than the rpi28d. (Might be an extra $10 vs a 28d/pi/license) — but will do many more pixels.

Thanks heaps for the input all! I will likely upgrade next year.

I have a few solar fairy lights in the garage. I will put them on the multi-meter, and see what they are doing.

Cheers
Simon