ws2811 versus 2812 and/or 2812b

Bill Ellick

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Curious as to what data there is out there on the various differences between using ws2811 chip with 5050 leds and using the ws2812(B)?
The ws2812 is pretty much the combination of the 2811 ic and 5050 leds into a single unit (basic although I'm pretty sure that there are other factors in it as well)!

Has anyone tested ws2812 or know of any fairly reliable strings using them that a person can pick up and play with? I would think that this would be a more stable and fairly robust way to package the integrated circuit and led into a single form as well as making both pixel strips and strings a bit more compact.
Also the improvements in the 2812B for better structure for better heat dissipation and reverse protection on power all help.

Is this something that we see as overtaking the ws2811 strips we use now and should one wait to use the ws2812B in a display rather than buy the 2811 stuff now?

I included a .pdf on the 2812 vs. the 2812B for your pleasure!

I think that personally I would rather use the ws2812B for my start into pixels in my display if I can so that is why I am asking those of you who are more up to date on this stuff than I am.
 

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Kaden

Pixels! I need more pixels!
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hold on to your hat, have you seen the INK1003 yet?


WS2811 compatible chip integrated into a 5050 led.
5v 1pixel/led
12v power line with built-in step down regulator to 5v meaning less voltage drop to worry about.
 

Bill Ellick

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Holy crap batman! Be still my beating heart - LOL.

This is why I ask about stuff! Now these look interesting on a couple of different levels (especially the 60 LEDs per meter strips) as they look to be able to cut at a better interval.

The 30 led per meter strip:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/5m-DC12V-INK1003-led-pixel-srip-IP68-30pcs-1002led-5050-RGB-with-bulit-in-INK1003-IC/701799_1546255452.html

and the 60 Led per meter strip:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/4m-DC12V-INK1003-led-pixel-srip-IP68-60pcs-1002led-5050-RGB-with-bulit-in-INK1003-IC/701799_1495997689.html

are nice looking. I will have to see if I can find out more about them.

Any chance that someone has seen the 2812B chip used in a pixel string configuration like this?
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/12mm-WS2811pixel-module-string-IP68-DC12V-input-full-color-100pcs-a-string-Square-Shape/221277_1597675383.html

Now that would make a wicked pixel tree or matrix setup I would think?
 

Bill Ellick

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While I think that the INK1003 does look quite nice with a lot of possiblity, I really wanted to find out how people who have looked at the 2812B leds feel compared to using the 2811 style?

Any problems in going with 2812B as far as compatibility with current controllers like the Sans Device or J1Sys units?

Also how does the brightness compare?

I would think that these would hold up a little better than the 2811 chip with a 5050 Led together as it is a single unit?

I have not jumped full till into RGB yet due to things that have happened but hope to maybe this year. I have been looking at using these:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/BLACK-PCB-5m-DC5V-WS2812B-led-pixel-srip-IP68-30pcs-WS2812B-M-with-30pixels-reverse-protection/701799_926778326.html
for around the windows and doors and possibly the roof line as well. Seems like these will be the best average to be able to cut for lengths for projects like windows and doors and get the silicone tubing to protect them.

Does anyone have a favorite method for making the square turn at corners that they have found works well with the strip? I was considering using the connectors but can't see why just using some 16 or 14 awg solid wire bent to form the corner wouldn't work just as well and I would be able to power inject with it fairly easily and then just coat the area with clear neutral silicone. Although I am possibly going to make my window sets with the strip mounted on some plastic C channel that is used for edging on lattice and may make the corners as connections so that things can be taken down and stored easily which will make the corners maybe using the 4 core weatherproof connectors such as :
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/10pcs-lot-4-Core-BLACK-Waterproof-pigtail-20cm-long-each-male-and-female-male-connector-s/701799_1019853477.html.
Or make the connections at the corners using a short piece of 4 conductor wire (say just 3 or 4 inches) so that the area can be folded for storage considerations.

Just fishing for ideas and knowledge right now while sitting here running through the forums and thinking about display ideas!
Thanks
Thanks
Not so sure about a pixel tree yet though and will probably wait till I am ready to purchase whatever I will use before I decide on that type or style.
 

Kaden

Pixels! I need more pixels!
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The connectors are a good option for fixing failures, however I have just soldering a small bit of wire between the strips whenever I have to cut them.


As far as reliability, there is no real way to know how good they are as 2812B and INK1003 are moderately new products in the market.
 

mellowcouple

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I used 6 2812b strips for my mega tree last year and found them to be great. They are very bright and I had no failures with them. I ran them on a J1sys P12S and used 2 Ray Wu PSU's to power them.
 

dariansdad

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Raymond07

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I've been told the WS2811 means a chip and WS2812 means the LED with the chip mounted inside the LED housing. So what I've normally been calling WS2811 LED strips are really WS2812.At first, from reading those descriptions, it seemed the WS2812 and WS2812B are exactly the same electronics, just a different LED package optimized for LED strip layout.
 

fasteddy

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Raymond07 said:
I've been told the WS2811 means a chip and WS2812 means the LED with the chip mounted inside the LED housing. So what I've normally been calling WS2811 LED strips are really WS2812.At first, from reading those descriptions, it seemed the WS2812 and WS2812B are exactly the same electronics, just a different LED package optimized for LED strip layout.

Regardless of the name they all work using the 2811 code, the 2812 and 2812b are just different designated names for the 5050 LED with the inbuilt chip.
There are some electronic differences inside the chips but as far as the communications is concerned its the same
 

Bill Ellick

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I am currently looking at getting some strings made using the new APA106 8mm Led. I just received a couple of rolls of strip that uses the APA104 chip and have to set it up for testing. I am looking to get into selling these soon I hope. Just waiting for my supplier to get back from Autumn Festival and get a few of the 106 strings built and shipped to me to test. Hope to have the strings in green wire with a square body for mounting and a threaded top section that will take either the C7or the C9 caps over the LEDs and with 3 pin weatherproof connectors on each end of the string.
 
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