"Dumb" Pixel Strings

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magish01

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Sep 6, 2011
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Just starting to get into RGB. Have an LOR DC Controller and am interested in "dumb" RGB. I know most people use 5050 dumb strips, but my wife likes the more "traditional" look of light strings. I I see or hear about are the "intelligent" pixel strings. Are there any 3 channel "dumb" pixel strings out there? If so can someone direct me to where I can get them, item numbers, etc. Saw the info on "dumb" pixels in the AusChristmas for Dummies.
Thanks for any help you can give
Dave
 
There are 2 choices here, 12VDC and 5VDC

These are IP68 so should be solid resin and do well outside. they are 12vdc so they will generate some heat and be somewhat inneficient but will suffer less from voltage drop
http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-522236867/IP68-DC12V-input-12mm-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-RGB-color-100pcs-a-string.html


Or you have the 5vdc model that is IP68 rated and should also be solid resin filled, these will run much more efficient with little heat
http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-522237021/IP68-DC5V-input-12mm-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-RGB-color-50pcs-a-string.html

So the choice is yours 5V or 12V
 
Eddy
Are these, as a general rule, a 100mm spacing between the nodes?
Also do you have any good controllers in mind to handle these type of strings for 12V or 5V?
 
You can get these to run from any DC controller, they will run from a LOR DC controller, Rays 27 channel DMX controller, Ect. they will use 3 standard channels, one for each colour (RGB)
The only thing to be aware is that the 5VDC strings may need to be connected differently if the controller used can only accept above 7VDC to run the electronics but from what ive heard even these controllers will still happily run on 5vdc, and if they dont then wiring them up isnt too hard.

Refer to the wiki for how you set up mixed voltages on a DC controller

http://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/Controller_Setups_and_Settings

refer to example 3
 
Thanks so much for the information. These are exactly what I am looking for. Fast Eddy and AusChristmas are the best.
 
Bill Ellick said:
Eddy
Are these, as a general rule, a 100mm spacing between the nodes?
Click to expand...

Just realized i only answered one of the questions. The spacing can be random between strings. but usually if ordered at the same time they will be the same length but if ordered at different times may differ in spacing. I dont have many strings so i cnat really comment too much on spacing, maybe others can
I do know you can also specify the spacing if making any decent order with ray.
So always be clear with the vendor about spacing if its an important factor.
 
ShayneT said:
First thanks to all who have created tutorials and shared their experience, I have enjoyed watching, reading, and hopefully learning.
With that thought in mind, are these to low priced to consider - http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-314091359/12mm-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-DC5V-input-waterproof-0-1W-120degree-beam-angle-50pcs-a.html
Click to expand...

These are not the solid resin construction type and these can have issues with water ingress. I would be looking at these ones as they are IP68 and solid resin construction http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-522237021/IP68-DC5V-input-12mm-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-RGB-color-50pcs-a-string.html

Remember that these are dumb strings only and just run from a standard DC controller
 
ShayneT said:
First thanks to all who have created tutorials and shared their experience, I have enjoyed watching, reading, and hopefully learning.
With that thought in mind, are these to low priced to consider - http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-314091359/12mm-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-DC5V-input-waterproof-0-1W-120degree-beam-angle-50pcs-a.html
Click to expand...

Hi Shayne, welcome to the Forum. The first thing I noticed with these were in the description it says “Light colors: White,Warm white, red, yellow,blue, Green “. But the photo would lead you to believe they are RGB.
It looks like this could be another case of a generic photo being used..
However if you are after these as a single color they will most probably have 2 wires coming out of them.
The only issue with this design is that water can get into the cable entry point if they are not the solid resin ones.
Quiet often the cheaper ones are cheaper for a reason.
The link you have given is to Ray’s store, he is very good at answering questions.
If you are unsure about what to ask pop into Chat and discuss what your plans are for them and we can go from there.
 
ɟɐsʇǝppʎ said:
ShayneT said:
First thanks to all who have created tutorials and shared their experience, I have enjoyed watching, reading, and hopefully learning.
With that thought in mind, are these to low priced to consider - http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-314091359/12mm-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-DC5V-input-waterproof-0-1W-120degree-beam-angle-50pcs-a.html
Click to expand...

These are not the solid resin construction type and these can have issues with water ingress. I would be looking at these ones as they are IP68 and solid resin construction http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-522237021/IP68-DC5V-input-12mm-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-RGB-color-50pcs-a-string.html

Remember that these are dumb strings only and just run from a standard DC controller
Click to expand...
how do you tell from the limited description given on Rays board smart strings from dumb strings? Additionally can you cut dumb strings anywhere along the line without issues? (100 srings into 4 25sting sets)
I want to get some 12 volt dumb strings to run off 3 channel controllers and cut to customer lengths.
 
jerrymac said:
ɟɐsʇǝppʎ said:
ShayneT said:
First thanks to all who have created tutorials and shared their experience, I have enjoyed watching, reading, and hopefully learning.
With that thought in mind, are these to low priced to consider - http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-314091359/12mm-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-DC5V-input-waterproof-0-1W-120degree-beam-angle-50pcs-a.html
Click to expand...

These are not the solid resin construction type and these can have issues with water ingress. I would be looking at these ones as they are IP68 and solid resin construction http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/701799/209889132-522237021/IP68-DC5V-input-12mm-through-hole-LED-channel-letter-RGB-color-50pcs-a-string.html

Remember that these are dumb strings only and just run from a standard DC controller
Click to expand...
how do you tell from the limited description given on Rays board smart strings from dumb strings? Additionally can you cut dumb strings anywhere along the line without issues? (100 srings into 4 25sting sets)
I want to get some 12 volt dumb strings to run off 3 channel controllers and cut to customer lengths.
Click to expand...

Generally there are 2 ways to tell the difference.
1: The picture will show a strip or string without the black IC
2: The product description will have mention of an IC chip type like 6803, 2801, 3001 ect (with the RJ pixel net smart strings there is no IC description, but the picture will show them with the black IC and in the description will be smart strings or pixelnet strings)

Yes these can be cut at their sections so you can make a strip/string any length you desire. The 60 LED/M is cuttable to every 50mm where as the 30LED/m is cuttable to every 100mm

Most of my lighting on my roof is dumb RGB strib cut down into sections. A little warning about the 60LED/m strip though, it is extremely bright and may be an overkill, the 30LED/m will do a great job for outlining, the 60LED/m will do a great job at wall washing.
 
I've got the led stips working (15, 30 and 60 per meter). I'm now looking for pixel stings (for some small trees). I ordered a sample string and it appears I got smart strings, I am looking for a positive way to ID dumb strings (pixel type not strips). Since stings are connected with wire between pixels, can't you cut and any point between pixels unlike strips?
 
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