First, wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I'm Clay from Florida in the US. Found this forum searching the net for info on the confusing world of led strips, and this forum had a load of info, more info here than any other single sourse for led light strips and such. Also have to say, after seeing some of your guys displays, you guys are insane. Showed my girlfriend a few...think she got a little weak-kneed and exited, ha ha. Hope she don't get any crazy ideas have me out there building a landing strip that can be seen from space.
I've read the entire "bible", and have been through every sub-forum on here, and learned a lot of answers to the loads of questions I had.
Here is what I am looking to do.
I want to outline windows with 5050 strips. After research, it seems the fully addressable leds with the 2811 chips are the brightest, most eye catching effects for the money. I'm wanting to order from Ray Wu, since I see many have had great experience with him on here.
I have 4 windows, (2 right next to each other on one wall, and the other 2 right next to each other on another wall) and was going to run 2 windows to one power supply and one controller, parallel, so both windows effects are in sync, then repeat the set-up for the other 2 windows. So it seems 5 watt is definitely the way to go since I'm not running long stretches.
I was going to purchase these light strips,
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/5m-WS2811-LED-digital-strip-64leds-m-with-64pcs-WS2811-built-in-the-5050-smd-rgb/701799_700438964.html
And this power supply
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/350W-Dual-Output-Switching-Power-Supply-88-264VAC-input-5V-350W-output-CE-and-ROHS-approved/701799_289599937.html
Now, here is where the confusion for me comes. I see everyone is using dmx, software, etc. All I want is come neat effects that I found commonly referred to as "Dream Color" "Magic Effect" "Chasing", etc.
Here are some video links of the effects I would like to have.
DIGITAL LED STRIP
LED Light Strip Demo - Dream Color - 5050 - RGB - 150LED - 6803 Chip - 94 Programs
I don't need them to be in sync with any music or anything, just want some cool effects like those.
If I was willing to pay 3x the price, I could order off ebay and get what I assume, would be the proper controller.
SO, here's the question(s):
What controller do I need? I was looking at this one from Ray, made for the 2811 strips, and with 114 programs, (Even though the descriptions for all the light strips say "Over 80 effects." Will they even do 114 effects?), but...... it's 12 volt. And I searched his entire site, can't find it in a 5 volt.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/TH2010-series-LED-pixel-remote-controller-support-WS2811-LED-pixel-lights-Max-5A-output/701799_573403895.html
Am I worrying about nothing? Does the controller voltage not matter in regards to the light strip, and is the controller voltage strictly in regards to what input the controller needs? Will it work, and I just need to wire it properly to my 5 volt strips??? I saw this wiring diagram (1st one at bottom of the page) from gree-leds, which had me scratching my head.
http://www.gree-leds.com/productshow.asp?ArticleID=5V4010194S
Here is what looks very similar from Ray, and in 5 volt. However, it's only 83 programs as compared to the 114 of the original 12 volt one I linked from Ray. (Also concerned the picture shows it having a clock and data line out (which 2811 is 3 pin), and the wiring diagram is showing 2801 strips. Cut and paste ad error?) However, the wiring diagram is completely different from gree-leds wire diagram.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DC5V-RF-WS2811-LED-controller-used-for-DC5V-ws2811-led-strip-ws2811-pixel-module-etc/701799_715455175.html
And then, to make it a little more confusing for 12v controllers with 5v leds, there's this wiring diagram you guys have. Example 3 pertaining to 12v controller with 5v strip.
http://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/Controller_Setups_and_Settings
To simplify the one above (mainly for my own benefit) I drew this, which i think is the same concept?
[attachimg=1]
Now, I really don't like the idea though of having to use 2 ac wall plugs, and power supplies, one 12v for the controller, and one 5v for the lights. Would love a 5volt controller, so that all could be run off one 5v power supply plugged into one AC wall outlet, and it would simplify the wiring coming out. (For each set up. I am doing this set-up times 2, since I have 2 sets of windows on different sides of room.)
Maybe 83 programs is plenty, and if the picture and wiring diagram on Rays is just an error, and it works with 2811 chips, then I'm over thinking? (The controller in the 2nd video I posted has 94 modes). I just hate to settle for less due to voltage.
Next big question:
The ones that take SD cards, is there simple code that can produce those "Dream Color" chasing effects that can be downloaded, then I can just get an SD reader? I like that idea, if I was able to pick and choose the effects (out of the 133) that I like and only put the ones I like in and have them cycle through the different ones. But I don't want to make this a big complicated ordeal, or pay for a bunch of software when I can get the controller with the effects already in for $20. I've read DMX, Teensy, Adrino, all sorts of things being used. Sounds more complex then for what I want I'm guessing.
OK, I'm finished. Sorry for so long a post, but I see you guys are very precise about this, an know what your talking about, and that broad or vague questions can only get a broad or vague answer. So I tried to explain exactly what I needed, and what I already learned. (I've spent days on researching this, and feel like I am just barely figureing out entry level how to even plug a simple window outline in! haha.)
Thanx guys, I want to order these as soon as possible, just want to make sure I got it right!
I've read the entire "bible", and have been through every sub-forum on here, and learned a lot of answers to the loads of questions I had.
Here is what I am looking to do.
I want to outline windows with 5050 strips. After research, it seems the fully addressable leds with the 2811 chips are the brightest, most eye catching effects for the money. I'm wanting to order from Ray Wu, since I see many have had great experience with him on here.
I have 4 windows, (2 right next to each other on one wall, and the other 2 right next to each other on another wall) and was going to run 2 windows to one power supply and one controller, parallel, so both windows effects are in sync, then repeat the set-up for the other 2 windows. So it seems 5 watt is definitely the way to go since I'm not running long stretches.
I was going to purchase these light strips,
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/5m-WS2811-LED-digital-strip-64leds-m-with-64pcs-WS2811-built-in-the-5050-smd-rgb/701799_700438964.html
And this power supply
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/350W-Dual-Output-Switching-Power-Supply-88-264VAC-input-5V-350W-output-CE-and-ROHS-approved/701799_289599937.html
Now, here is where the confusion for me comes. I see everyone is using dmx, software, etc. All I want is come neat effects that I found commonly referred to as "Dream Color" "Magic Effect" "Chasing", etc.
Here are some video links of the effects I would like to have.
DIGITAL LED STRIP
LED Light Strip Demo - Dream Color - 5050 - RGB - 150LED - 6803 Chip - 94 Programs
I don't need them to be in sync with any music or anything, just want some cool effects like those.
If I was willing to pay 3x the price, I could order off ebay and get what I assume, would be the proper controller.
SO, here's the question(s):
What controller do I need? I was looking at this one from Ray, made for the 2811 strips, and with 114 programs, (Even though the descriptions for all the light strips say "Over 80 effects." Will they even do 114 effects?), but...... it's 12 volt. And I searched his entire site, can't find it in a 5 volt.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/TH2010-series-LED-pixel-remote-controller-support-WS2811-LED-pixel-lights-Max-5A-output/701799_573403895.html
Am I worrying about nothing? Does the controller voltage not matter in regards to the light strip, and is the controller voltage strictly in regards to what input the controller needs? Will it work, and I just need to wire it properly to my 5 volt strips??? I saw this wiring diagram (1st one at bottom of the page) from gree-leds, which had me scratching my head.
http://www.gree-leds.com/productshow.asp?ArticleID=5V4010194S
Here is what looks very similar from Ray, and in 5 volt. However, it's only 83 programs as compared to the 114 of the original 12 volt one I linked from Ray. (Also concerned the picture shows it having a clock and data line out (which 2811 is 3 pin), and the wiring diagram is showing 2801 strips. Cut and paste ad error?) However, the wiring diagram is completely different from gree-leds wire diagram.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DC5V-RF-WS2811-LED-controller-used-for-DC5V-ws2811-led-strip-ws2811-pixel-module-etc/701799_715455175.html
And then, to make it a little more confusing for 12v controllers with 5v leds, there's this wiring diagram you guys have. Example 3 pertaining to 12v controller with 5v strip.
http://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/Controller_Setups_and_Settings
To simplify the one above (mainly for my own benefit) I drew this, which i think is the same concept?
[attachimg=1]
Now, I really don't like the idea though of having to use 2 ac wall plugs, and power supplies, one 12v for the controller, and one 5v for the lights. Would love a 5volt controller, so that all could be run off one 5v power supply plugged into one AC wall outlet, and it would simplify the wiring coming out. (For each set up. I am doing this set-up times 2, since I have 2 sets of windows on different sides of room.)
Maybe 83 programs is plenty, and if the picture and wiring diagram on Rays is just an error, and it works with 2811 chips, then I'm over thinking? (The controller in the 2nd video I posted has 94 modes). I just hate to settle for less due to voltage.
Next big question:
The ones that take SD cards, is there simple code that can produce those "Dream Color" chasing effects that can be downloaded, then I can just get an SD reader? I like that idea, if I was able to pick and choose the effects (out of the 133) that I like and only put the ones I like in and have them cycle through the different ones. But I don't want to make this a big complicated ordeal, or pay for a bunch of software when I can get the controller with the effects already in for $20. I've read DMX, Teensy, Adrino, all sorts of things being used. Sounds more complex then for what I want I'm guessing.
OK, I'm finished. Sorry for so long a post, but I see you guys are very precise about this, an know what your talking about, and that broad or vague questions can only get a broad or vague answer. So I tried to explain exactly what I needed, and what I already learned. (I've spent days on researching this, and feel like I am just barely figureing out entry level how to even plug a simple window outline in! haha.)
Thanx guys, I want to order these as soon as possible, just want to make sure I got it right!