First time moving from static display to synchronised light show

HertzSwift

Apprentice elf
Joined
Sep 16, 2019
Messages
89
Location
Perth
Hello,

This is quote a long post, I'm just hoping to get some input from experienced installers to see how my project is develpping.

I've decided to bite the bullet and move forward from static display, which I've been growing and replacing over the last 8 years to a controlled setup. I've got an idea in plan I just wanted to run it by a third party to see if there is anything I'm missing or mistakes I'm likely to make.

I'll be starting my display a bit different it seems from alot of people, I won't be doing pixels or RGB (this year) I want to use as much of my static display items as I can, and over the years as it breaks down I'll replace it with pixel controllers and pixel lights. For now I want to use my current display because I have spent a bit on it over the years. It will consist of static rope light motifs, strings lights, net light, assorted other LED setups

I'm going to be using the silicone chip Christmas lights master controller available from Altronics and 3 x slave units. I've already successfully assembled and tested the master controller and I'll be building the slave units this weekend. I've chosen these controllers because I have a wholesale account with Altronics so it's cheap and it seemed like an easy place to start, the software looks very straight forward to use, it looks old and dated, but it looks inviting and not intimating for an entry level!

The 3 slave units will be powered by Mean Well power supplies, the HLG range, and they'll provide enough current and voltage to drive the slave units. Each slave controller will be a different output voltage, 12VDC, 24VDC and 31VDC.

I've had to setup the controllers with 3 different voltage because, wow, there is NO standardized output for Christmas lights, I've never thought to look before because I just whacked it into a power board. Now that I'm going the controller solution I've started to record all the output voltages from each transformer and corresponding light it goes with, 31VAC, 36VDC, 12VDC, 31VAC, 24VDC, 43VDC, it really is all over the place!

A big hurdle I've run into is the AC voltage lights, some I've been able to modify and get working with DC voltage, but others , like all my string lights and rope light, if you apply DC voltage straight to it, bypassing the controller, only half of the lights illuminate. If you then swap the DC voltage then only the other half will illuminate. I don't have a solution here yet, any suggestions?

One idea was to buy solar string lights cut off the solar panel and drive that on the 12VDC controller with a DC-DC buck converter in the circuit to lower the voltage to about 4VDC. Is this a likely solution?

Would anyone care to share their opinions of constructive criticism?
 

keithsw1111

Senior elf
Joined
Oct 11, 2012
Messages
933
Location
Kellyville, NSW
Wow ... they are not cheap for DC controllers ... you must be getting one heck of a discount. You can pick up 30 channel DMX controlled DC controllers for about AUD$50 ex china and they work with any of the software packages. @AAH here also has a bunch of options much cheaper and more flexible. They dont come in the nice box though.
 

AAH

I love blinky lights :)
Community project designer
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Messages
4,188
Location
Eaglehawk
The 2 wire 2 channel lights are a major pain compared to pretty well all other lights. I make 2 boards that will control them (DMX2-18 and 2811DC2-30) but neither of those options will suit the Altronics gear as it's all a non standard data format. Xlights is the sequencer of choice and the ease of use and power of it is amazing compared to the Silicon Chip software. I'm pretty sure that I have the software filed away somewhere and have at least some of the controllers as someone gave them to me ages ago. They weren't worth the hassle of connecting up to my own lights because of the non standard format and also because I make all my own controllers.
 

HertzSwift

Apprentice elf
Joined
Sep 16, 2019
Messages
89
Location
Perth
Hi, yes the wholesale price was pretty decent, they set me back $30 each. I get support for these as well through the kit manager at Altronics, I'm happy with the purchase. The Mean Well power supplies were much more expensive at $100 a pop through Mouser. If this project works out this year I'm not one to stick to it, but advance along as my knowledge on the subject increases.

I've looked pretty hard for solution to power rope light or string lights with a 31VDC to 31VAC,inverter/convertor, nothing like this seems to exist. Some options for 31VAC to 31VDC though.
 

HertzSwift

Apprentice elf
Joined
Sep 16, 2019
Messages
89
Location
Perth
Thanks for your input AAH, I'll keep your controllers in mind. Since I'm brand spanking new, and I've already purchased the controller, I'm gonna give them a crack. I'll book mark your details and perhaps in time I'll move to them, or perhaps sooner if I find these Altronics controllers to limiting. Yes 2 wire systems has its hurdles and limitations as I'm fining out!
 

HertzSwift

Apprentice elf
Joined
Sep 16, 2019
Messages
89
Location
Perth
Finished putting togther the controller box in early November then spent all of November programing the shows! Opening night isn't to far away.
 

Attachments

  • 74674389_2120830694891007_5078980504636620800_o.jpg
    74674389_2120830694891007_5078980504636620800_o.jpg
    86.5 KB · Views: 65

AAH

I love blinky lights :)
Community project designer
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Messages
4,188
Location
Eaglehawk
Finished putting togther the controller box in early November then spent all of November programing the shows! Opening night isn't to far away.
Gorgeous looking build. Sadly that may end up being problematic for you. Having tightly bundled cables has been a known source of problems in the past. I've seen a number of instances where a nice tidy loom has caused flickering in lights with no apparent source.
 

HertzSwift

Apprentice elf
Joined
Sep 16, 2019
Messages
89
Location
Perth
Gorgeous looking build. Sadly that may end up being problematic for you. Having tightly bundled cables has been a known source of problems in the past. I've seen a number of instances where a nice tidy loom has caused flickering in lights with no apparent source.

I'm certainly getting flickering, but that's due to the LEDs horrible ability to fade, apart from that testing has been pretty solid.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AAH
Top