Advice on my shopping list

Lishfish

Lishfish

Full time elf
Joined
Dec 26, 2016
Messages
160
Location
Adelaide
Hi everyone,
I am new to the computer controlled area of christmas lights and want to do a relatively simple design (maybe ;) )
Just want some feedback if I could from everyone with my shopping list so far. I want to run some dumb RGB's, some pixels and intelligent lights.

Controllers:
1. Dumb controller
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/30CHANNEL-27CH-EASY-DMX-LED-controller-DMX-decoder-driver-RGB-led-controller/32387978299.html?spm=2114.13010308.0.0.hcD9wo
2. Pixel Controller (Updated)
http://www.advateklights.com/shop/pixlite-pixel-mapping/16-pixlite-16-controller.html


Lights
1. Intelligent (Updated)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/promotion-5m-DC12V-WS2811-150LEDs-10pixes-m-led-digital-strip-waterproof-in-silicon-tube-IP66-WHITE/32493161338.html?spm=2114.13010308.0.0.jnJWMA
2. Dumb
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Waterproof-LED-Strip-5050-fiexible-light-60Led-m-5m-lot-DC12V-White-Warm-white-Red-Green/32254781077.html?spm=2114.13010308.0.0.Knrwsv
3. Pixel
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DC5V-12mm-WS2811-led-pixel-module-IP68-waterproof-full-color-RGB-string-christmas-LED-light-Addressable/32691569167.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.131.8PuRm7&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_6_10065_10068_10000009_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10060_10061_10062_10056_10055_10037_10054_10033_10059_10032_10099_10078_10079_10077_427_426_10103_10073_10102_10096_10052_10050_10106_10051-10050,searchweb201603_3,afswitch_5_afChannel&btsid=26fd461e-b421-4dfb-8a70-4f48d08c6db0



I should mention that I will be using Vixen as the sequencing program as it's free and the AusChristmas PDF recommended it.


I am trying to keep everything cheap for my first year and then upgrading as the years go along.
I am yet to find a waterproofing box for all the stuff, so any advice there would be awesome!


Thanks in advance for any help! :D
 
Welcome to ACL, your choices don't look too bad but just wondering if you want to run both 5vdc and 12vdc intelligent lights as you have chosen a 12vdc strip (1) and a 5vdc string (3). This is not an issue as the advatek controller can be divided to use 2 different voltages but will require different rated power supplies thus adding costs
 
Fasteddy said:
Welcome to ACL, your choices don't look too bad but just wondering if you want to run both 5vdc and 12vdc intelligent lights as you have chosen a 12vdc strip (1) and a 5vdc string (3). This is not an issue as the advatek controller can be divided to use 2 different voltages but will require different rated power supplies thus adding costs
Click to expand...
I have realized this and since decided that I'd want to use the pixels(5vdc) as the mega tree so that'd run off of one controller mostly anyway. But thanks for your reply! :)
 
pennymoor said:
don't know if you realize that the ws2811 strip lights that you have on your list are 3 led's to one chip

mic
Click to expand...
Hey there yes I am aware of this and it would run perfectly for what I want to do. Thanks for the reply! :)
 
heathwithnoteeth said:
get your enclosure from cookson controls. good quality and close to the CBD near port adelaide.


they have 20% off list prices for account holders, ask to set one up.
Click to expand...


WHAT!! they never told me that and I have bought 6 enclosures from them for my display, I better have words with them next time I go in. Although the new range that they have are a pretty good price anyway and cable glands from bunnings are cheap enough so all good.
 
Lishfish said:
Controllers:
1. Dumb controller
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/30CHANNEL-27CH-EASY-DMX-LED-controller-DMX-decoder-driver-RGB-led-controller/32387978299.html?spm=2114.13010308.0.0.hcD9wo
Click to expand...
These are hit-and-miss. Some people use them but some people can't get them to work including AAH from Hanson Electronics who designs and sells controllers. See his post here https://auschristmaslighting.com/forums/index.php/topic,8580.0.html

A rock-solid option is the 27 channel controller here https://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/HD712
Just be careful with its Cat5 sockets. I've had no problems with them but lithgowlights tells me their contacts are fragile. They can be replaced with a $5 part from Jaycar if this happens. The dip switches for setting the start address can misbehave too but that can also be repaired and it's easy to work around without repairing. There's plenty of forum documentation on this controller including a way to increase the maximum current that it can handle. Despite what the listing says, these can handle up to 35V. Mine have been running at 31V for the last 4 seasons and haven't missed a beat.

You have some 2 wire light sets and ordinary DC controllers like the 27 and 30 channel ones can only turn on every 2nd light on these. The only controller that'll give you full control of them is this one http://www.hansonelectronics.com.au/product/dmx2-18/
Another option for ON or OFF control is to use them with relays on the 27 channel controller.


Lishfish said:
2. Pixel Controller (Updated)
http://www.advateklights.com/shop/pixlite-pixel-mapping/16-pixlite-16-controller.html
Click to expand...
This will work but IMO it is well worth spending the extra US $30 for the MKII version which supports much larger numbers of pixels per output http://www.advateklights.com/shop/pixlite-pixel-mapping/50-pixlite-16-mkii-control-board.html

The PixLites also output DMX so they can provide signal for the dumb controllers.


Lishfish said:
Lights
1. Intelligent (Updated)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/promotion-5m-DC12V-WS2811-150LEDs-10pixes-m-led-digital-strip-waterproof-in-silicon-tube-IP66-WHITE/32493161338.html?spm=2114.13010308.0.0.jnJWMA
Click to expand...
These are a good choice.


Lishfish said:
2. Dumb
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Waterproof-LED-Strip-5050-fiexible-light-60Led-m-5m-lot-DC12V-White-Warm-white-Red-Green/32254781077.html?spm=2114.13010308.0.0.Knrwsv
Click to expand...
These will work and they're a bit sturdier than the ones in silicone tubing. The ones in silicone tubing are better in the sun so I'd only suggest the dumb strip you've linked to if it's going in a sheltered location. This is the one in silicone tubing that lasts better in the sun https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/LED-strip-5050-SMD-12V-flexible-light-30LED-m-5m-150LED-White-White-warm-Blue-Green/701799_2047639598.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.vGDbgH
Remember to specify RGB because single colour strips are sold through the same listing.

Another thing to note is the number of LEDs per metre. There's no need to get anything with more than 30 LEDs per metre; 30 is still insanely bright. Higher LED counts will increase the price and voltage drop. The one you've linked to seems too cheap so it might be worth checking whether that's the price per metre.

For the price difference (or lack of it), you may as well stick with pixel strips. They offer the control in 10cm increments and it is easier to power inject pixels.

Lishfish said:
3. Pixel
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DC5V-12mm-WS2811-led-pixel-module-IP68-waterproof-full-color-RGB-string-christmas-LED-light-Addressable/32691569167.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.131.8PuRm7&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_6_10065_10068_10000009_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10060_10061_10062_10056_10055_10037_10054_10033_10059_10032_10099_10078_10079_10077_427_426_10103_10073_10102_10096_10052_10050_10106_10051-10050,searchweb201603_3,afswitch_5_afChannel&btsid=26fd461e-b421-4dfb-8a70-4f48d08c6db0
Click to expand...
These look ok. I haven't heard of anyone ordering them from this supplier though.

The outer casing will gradually deteriorate in the sun but it doesn't affect the light output. I have benbrown's black ones which seem better in the sun but I don't know if that's solving or just masking this minor problem. It is also very difficult to tell which wire is which on the black ones.


Lishfish said:
I should mention that I will be using Vixen as the sequencing program as it's free and the AusChristmas PDF recommended it.
Click to expand...
Excellent choice. The free software options are overtaking the ones that we have to pay for.


Have you thought about power supplies?
 
This thread is very old. An answer might not be needed anymore.
Back
Top