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AusChristmasLighting 101 Manual
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101 display basics
Is there a "Begginers Basic Light Kit"?
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[QUOTE="Old Salt, post: 114524, member: 33887"] Like you, I'm just starting out with addressable lights. What I bring to the table is over 50 years of working or playing with electronics, computers and software. OK, so computers and software 'only' dates back 46 years. What I've learned over the years is: [LIST] [*]Look to the future. Is there a chance you'll go full Monty? [*]Do your homework, and check out what's available. [*]Standardize, standardize, standardize... [*]Stay with one manufacturer, and one dealer for each class of hardware and software. [/LIST] If there's a chance you'll go full Monty, get products from a manufacturer that will take you there right from the start. There's a steep learning curve. It's almost vertical. Take the time to read manuals before buying. Check what others are using. I started by downloading xLights, and working with the program. It's probably the most versatile free light control software in existence. Whatever you choose, check what hardware it supports. When you standardize your hardware and software, the learning curve shortens dramatically. Use the same SBC ([B]S[/B]ingle [B]B[/B]oard [B]C[/B]omputer) and Controller families, so you'll only need to learn one. The same goes for light strings, power supplies, and other hardware. If your show ends up with multiple SBCs and controllers of the same type - buy a spare. There's nothing as disappointing as having something fail, blanking out part of your show for days while you wait for a replacement. Staying with one manufacturer, or dealer for each class of hardware and software gives you one-stop-shopping for support. They won't be able to blame your problem on anyone else. It also makes it easier on your vendor to support you. My first hardware project is a stand alone DIY 60 x 60 matrix display. I did the above, and decided on Kulp Controllers, and Beaglebone Black or Pocket Beagle SBCs. The matrix itself will be strips of 28xx RGB lights. Here's a list of the electrical/electronic components that I have in stock, or on order: [LIST] [*]switch - for mains [*]circuit breaker - 5A for mains (110VAC in North America) [*]power supply - 5VDC 70Amp (bigger than needed - just in case) [*]fuse block - six fuse capacity (four for lights, one for the SBC/Controller, one not used) [*]current sensor module - works with Arduino/Pi (100Amp capacity to check power supply output; not part of project) [*]Kulp K4-PB - with Pocket Beagle, OLED Display, 1200MBS nano WiFi, 32GB SD card (900 pixels per string planned) [*]light strips - 2812 5V RGB 60LED/m black PCB (13 x 5m rolls, including one spare) [/LIST] The strips will be cut and mounted on a sheet of aluminum to form the matrix. That and all other components will be encased in a wood frame. The cost for the above components including shipping was $518.25 CAD plus customs. The Kulp K4-PB has 4 local ports (fused with LED indicators) that can each drive over 800 pixels (with power injection) at 40FPS. I'll be driving it at 20 frames per second, as this is a stand alone display. I won't use power from the Kulp K4-PB controller to drive the strips. They'll be driven from the fuse block. My plan, should I choose to expand, is to stay with Kulp/Beagle. [/QUOTE]
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The title of our introductory lighting manual contains a three digit number. What is that number? Clue: Display basics forum
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Is there a "Begginers Basic Light Kit"?
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