Newbie starting from scratch!

[Ben G]

I'm looking to start my Christmas lighting journey from scratch! I bought a square block house with a rendered concrete brick facade and I need advice on how to start with an outline of addressable LEDs (in future years I will add more props).

I need 33 meters of horizontal lines (10 + 10 + 5 + 4 + 4), 8m of vertical lines (4 + 4), and everything must be attached to rendered concrete bricks (there is nothing to hang things from).

Would LOVE advice from anyone who knows how they would do this from scratch, including:
1. recommended pixel density (per linear meter)
2. string or strip?
3. pixel type (ws2811? ws2812b?)
4. temporary mounting method for horizontal & vertical lines (Boscoyo strips? Chromatrim? PVC pipe? Removable mounting clips that can attach to a screw?)
5. Controller (Will the Falcon F16V3 work in Australia where we have 220-240V power?)
6. power injection (whether I need it and what to buy?)
7. best places to buy all the above?
8. anything else I should know?

Thanks!
Ben

 

[Katekate]

1. recommended pixel density (per linear meter)

2" spacing is common

2. string or strip?

friends dont let friends use strip

3. pixel type (ws2811? ws2812b?)

ws281x is all the same protocol.

ws2811 is an IC commonly used in bullet pixels. ws2812b is a led with integrated IC common in strip.

4. temporary mounting method for horizontal & vertical lines (Boscoyo strips? Chromatrim? PVC pipe? Removable mounting clips that can attach to a screw?)

I use chromatrim for horizontals and strip for verticals.

5. Controller (Will the Falcon F16V3 work in Australia where we have 220-240V power?)

Falcon F16V3 has no mains power inputs. If you are shopping for a new controller F16v5 just came out, only think about a v3 if you are shopping second hand.

6. power injection (whether I need it and what to buy?)

Best answer I can give you is "It depends"

7. best places to buy all the above?

Here is a few stores to get you started.

Pixelcontroller

Home of Falcon Controllers

aus.pixelcontroller.com

Light It Up LEDs | Light it Up LEDs Xmas

WS2811 PIXELS And accessories to bring your Pixel Lighting Displays alive!

www.lightitupleds-xmas.com.au

Extreme Lighting Displays – Christmas Light Accessories

www.extremelightingdisplays.com.au

Shop - Ink Creations | Digital Printing | Christmas Light Props

www.inkcreations.com.au

Hanson Electronics

Hanson Electronics Christmas Light Controllers Custom electronics

www.hansonelectronics.com.au

8. anything else I should know?

Thanks!
Ben

Read everything. Don't try to do too much your first year (especially starting this late) Don't stress if it doesn't work out.

 

[Skymaster]

Hi Ben,

Welcome to ACL.
Grab a copy of the 101 Manual if you already havent already, it'll give you pointers on the right way to go.
To address your questions:

1. recommended pixel density (per linear meter)
Depends on the look you're going for. My house outlines are either 30/m strip, 50mm spaced drilled conduit, or 75mm spaced drilled conduit

2. string or strip?
Bullets easier to work with when it comes to repairs and more reliable, however strip in a location that isn't physically moved is pretty good

3. pixel type (ws2811? ws2812b?)
2812b is a ws2811 chip and LED in a single package. They all use the same protocol. WS281x series are relatively equivalent, voltage and RGB/RGBW aside.

4. temporary mounting method for horizontal & vertical lines (Boscoyo strips? Chromatrim? PVC pipe? Removable mounting clips that can attach to a screw?)
Good question.

5. Controller (Will the Falcon F16V3 work in Australia where we have 220-240V power?)
Yep. The F16v3/4/5's all run off either 5V or 7-13V DC. Your power supply will determine the mains voltage. Many people use and recommend Falcon controllers.

6. power injection (whether I need it and what to buy?)
Depends on the voltage, what brightness you intend to run at and pixel counts. Topology will drive this.

7. best places to buy all the above?
There are many Chinese vendors that are the direct manufacturers or representatives thereof that can do it, and there are places like https://www.lightitupleds-xmas.com.au/ in Australia who handle all the international stuff if you prefer to buy locally.

8. anything else I should know?
Plenty, and nothing I am sure someone else will chime in here.


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