Dumb LED's - How to control them

cslampman

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Dec 18, 2021
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As discussed in another thread, I had mentioned I was new and tossed around which controller to get. I recently got a Falcon 16v3, and have begun playing with the lights that I have, getting a feel for xlights, the Falcon web interface. The small 192 WS2811 pixel trees that I have, also have a 5V single channel white LED's (maybe 20 LED's) on a star at the top. I thought about replacing them with colored pixels, but finding the same ones that fit in the holes may be an issue. So, I may just use them to flash on/off at different points in the sequence. My question is, what hardware is available that would work this way. I don't know the exact type of LED they are and I'm not well versed on the different types that can be configured on a regular port. Thanks for any suggestions or recommendations.
 

merryoncherry

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Colored pixels could be the cheaper option, honestly.
There are a variety of pixel to DC, or DMX to DC boards out there, but that's a relatively complex / expensive solution to get 20 lights to light up, and they won't be as versatile as individually controlled color ones.

The minimal unit might be something like this:

It would take the DMX signal from the F16, and be able to control 3 channels worth of LEDs... so 3 stars addressed individually. There are more expensive devices that support a lot more DC channels. Other vendors have similar things, but you have to look at ones that have been around a while, as it's not the hot area these days so few new designs out there for controlling dumb LEDs.
 

TerryK

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A photo might help. From your description it sounds as if they are 'dumb' LEDs. If that is the situation then perhaps a low cost relay board controlled by a single channel on the controller configured as On/Off.
 

Skymaster

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You could look at something like the Hanson 2811DC15 board which converts 5x Pixels worth of data into 15 dimmable DC outputs.
Or any of the Pixel2Things DC boards as well I think might do the trick.

Alternatively, WLED has the ability to output PWM - you could set up some PWM White channels, a simple mosfet circuit, and you're good to go. I have a similar setup controlling an RGBCCT dumb strip mounted behind my monitors.
 

cslampman

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Dec 18, 2021
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I’ve attached pics of the leds on the stars. The stars are actually two sided, but I only want the one side to illuminate. Does anyone have an idea on the type of pixels these are? I would replace with RGB’s if I could find a replacement. The pic of the one attached on the string is the RGB light from the bottom section of the trees. They’re GRB leds with no markings that I can see. I’ll take a look at the suggestions you guys mentioned. Thanks

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HertzSwift

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Perth
If you can't find pixels to replace the star white LEDS, I'd consider removing the star and replacing it with a coro prop. That or, once you've removed the white LEDs from the star perhaps a rubber grommet to accommodate a pixel or 3D print a grommet.

The tree LEDs are 3-wired addressable pixels by the looks of it, you just need to figure out the protocal. I'd setup a tree model in xlights, plug the tree into your contoller and just go through the list of protocols and one of them should work!
 

cslampman

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Dec 18, 2021
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If you can't find pixels to replace the star white LEDS, I'd consider removing the star and replacing it with a coro prop. That or, once you've removed the white LEDs from the star perhaps a rubber grommet to accommodate a pixel or 3D print a grommet.

The tree LEDs are 3-wired addressable pixels by the looks of it, you just need to figure out the protocal. I'd setup a tree model in xlights, plug the tree into your contoller and just go through the list of protocols and one of them should work!
Thanks for the tip. I didn’t even think about getting rid of the star and just building a new one or 3D print an adapter for bullet pixels to fit in the holes. I may go that route on the star. The trees have some type of WS2811 GRB led’s and I have two of them configured and working on a genius receiver with xLights.
 

thewanderingpine

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Mar 13, 2021
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If that’s the Walmart tree I saw posted on FB… if you have access to a 3D printer - I think someone designed some plugs to fit normal pixels in
 

thewanderingpine

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From the 3D Printing for Holiday lighting group: (here:
View: https://www.facebook.com/groups/233383237101011/permalink/1621512921621362/
)



Here are the two options I came up with for converting/replacing the white LEDs that come in the star with the Walmart tree
Option 1: Adapters for the star down to 12mm bullets, and the option to add 5 additional in the center.
STL Files: https://www.printables.com/.../360153-walmart-5ft-rgb...
Printed Option: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1373412570
Option 2: Full replacment to 50 pixel two layer star.
STL File: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1373586524/
Printed Option: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1387578859
 

cslampman

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Dec 18, 2021
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From the 3D Printing for Holiday lighting group: (here:
View: https://www.facebook.com/groups/233383237101011/permalink/1621512921621362/
)



Here are the two options I came up with for converting/replacing the white LEDs that come in the star with the Walmart tree
Option 1: Adapters for the star down to 12mm bullets, and the option to add 5 additional in the center.
STL Files: https://www.printables.com/.../360153-walmart-5ft-rgb...
Printed Option: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1373412570
Option 2: Full replacment to 50 pixel two layer star.
STL File: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1373586524/
Printed Option: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1387578859

I do have a 3D printer. This is actually a big help. Thanks!
 
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