HOW TO: Reject shop 100mm ball modifications

[lytnin]

I had loads of comments from visitors to my show about the 100mm RGB balls I had along my fence line.

Here's a quick HOW TO, on what I did to wire up these 100mm Balls from the Reject Shop (AUS)

Materials:
- Balls (Reject Shop)
- 2m 3 pin extension Cables (Ray Wu)
- WS2811 3leds 12V rgb pixel led module (Ray Wu)
- Heat Shrink

Tools:
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Tube Cutter / Hacksaw
- Drill
- Wire Cutters
- Soldering Iron

PREPARATIONS:
- Separate the riser tube from the base
- Remove white ball from the black base
- Remove the original solar panel/LED assembly from the base
- Cut the pixel string into single pixels (CUT equidistant between pixels so there is enough wire for both the in and out)

Instructions:
- Remove the spike from inside the riser tube
- (optional) Cut the riser tube to desired length
- Drill 2 holes (same diameter as your cables) through the tube approx 35 - 40mm from one end (So that the spike has clearance when inserted)
- Elongate both holes so that the cable passing through them will angle upwards. (see pic)

- Cut the extension cable (approximately 5cm longer than the riser tube) from the female end
- Remove 2-3cm of outer insulation from both cut ends
- Insert both cables ends into the riser tube and feed through to a workable distance (5cm or more)

- Strip wires on both the extension cable ends, as well as the pixel
- PLACE BASE over the extension cables and attach to the riser tube

- Install heatshrink prior to soldering
- Join pixel to the extension cable (TAKE NOTE: of the in and out as well as pos/neg/data)
- DOUBLE CHECK the wiring before soldering
- Solder all joins
- position and shrink the heatshrink

- Pull the cables back down the riser tube to bring the pixel closer to the base and to take up any slack

- Reattach the ball to the base
- Repeat for the rest

Hope it helps someone.
Dave

 

[videoman3857]

Cool.
I was looking at solar lights at Bunnings and they are $4.90 with a glass crackle pattern.
Was thinking of just a square base node from Ray in each.

 

[David_AVD]

I thought about the crackle ones, but didn't like that they were glass.

 

[videoman3857]

I thought about the crackle ones, but didn't like that they were glass.

I am still making up my mind. After seeing the ones from the Reject Shop I like diffused light they will give, but just wonder how long they will last in the sun.

 

[David_AVD]

I actually bought one as a sample the first time they appeared. That was early last year?

It's been outside for a lot of that time. Not in full sun for the whole day, but quite a bit.

The plastic on that one seems just fine, so I'd expect they'd last many Christmas seasons.

 

[Jay.S]

One thing to note, not all spikes/stakes fit properly in the riser tube (hey it's a 2 dollar thing, what do you expect?) if you find the stake doesn't fit in the tube nicely, don't try to jam it in you WILL BREAK THE TUBE. I destroyed a few that way...

As for how long they last... I had them out all December, in full sun... seems just fine.

 

[darylc]

I'm thinking using https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...50-SMD-LED-0-72W-38mm/701799_32761933808.html and soldering the pigtails on will be quicker than joining pigtails to existing leads coming out of them.

 

[David_AVD]

If you went that route, I'd be using some spray lacquer on them to seal against the inevitable moisture ingress / condensation.

 

[burnt]

I'm thinking using https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...50-SMD-LED-0-72W-38mm/701799_32761933808.html and soldering the pigtails on will be quicker than joining pigtails to existing leads coming out of them.

i used that same pixel pcb last year with my lights... I printed a 3d bracket and connected 4 pin pigtail. need to drill out the drain holes to bigger size and have dome tight.

 

[David_AVD]

I like that printed holder. How long does a 3D print like that take to make and what sort of material cost?

 

[burnt]

I like that printed holder. How long does a 3D print like that take to make and what sort of material cost?

about 10mins and cost would be 20c.. ill upload stl

 

[cdjazman]

Hello all.

I have used 42mm 2811 RGB modules from Ray.
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32640399824.html?spm=a2g0n.shopcart.0.0.1fade93c7RJxBR#autostay
I have left them out as an all year round item.

The nice thing was they screwed into the existing holes with existing screws.
I have then just wired them with pigtails so i can add / remove as desired.


View: https://vimeo.com/251888469

 

[burnt]

stl file for pixel pcb holder
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2762254

 

[lytnin]

@burnt That must be one fast printer ... mine is 86 mins

Also, if you only have the one pigtail in, how did you wire up for multiple lights. (I'm assuming you used more than one)

 

[burnt]

i use a 4 pin pigtail. with all the +ve and -ve wire connected together before the pigtails and data daisy chain from one lamp to the next.