Yet Another Newbie Hoping To Get Advice on Starting Out

[niteshift38]

VERY green here. This site is "priceless" as far as information goes! I have been doing SO much reading and research. I think I have a handle on where to start (famous last words ... lol). I ordered an ECG-P2 controller (which is do in today). I will be ordering a WS2811 Smart Strip from HolidayCoro (12v)(to begin experimenting).

Where I need my 1st help (but CERTAINLY not my last) is the BEST way to order pigtails and power supplies from Ray Wu? ... My ultimate starting out goal is to outline my house in pixels. I can solder to make my own injection points down the road. I just want the minimum to get my feet wet in this WONDERFUL hobby to feel out what I TRUELY want to accomplish to start out. (i.e. pixels/m for my liking; wiring/power requirements.

I would like to start standardizing my show from the onset of my experimenting by utilizing 2, 3, & 4 core pigtails.

From what I have read and viewed on ACL, the possibilities are only limited by my imagination !!!

In advance, THANK YOU ALL for your contributions, assistance, knowledge, and future assistance !!!

Paul

PS ... Does this sound like the right way to ease into the RGB world???

 

[mararunr]

Yes, getting something small working hands on helps immensely, planning also is a huge help but be prepared to change your plans as your dreams change or as testing something uncovers the unexpected. But most of all have fun and ask questions - don't let anything frustrate you - we've all been there and there's plenty of people willing to help/offer advice. Best of luck!

 

[niteshift38]

mararunr:

Thanks ... From reading TONS of posts,I HAVE learned it's VERY easy to make expensive oops's (trying to avoid that as best I can). Does my proposed "getting my feet wet sound ok ? (I'm figuring what I want and what would work for what I want could be VERY different)

 

[bluzervic]

Welcome to ACL


You came to the right place to get all the answers you need


I myself use 4 wire Pigtails, and if I do not need the 4th wire I cut it off. Then I have 2811's and 2801's covered.
Nice seeing you in chat already


BTW, I make my own pigtails, I usually just buy a extension and then cut it in half. Then I do not have to worry about the pigtail being too short.


-Blu

 

[gerry]

Hello Paul,

Welcome to ACL !

I tend to order my strip / strings from Ray with the pigtails attached as it saves me having to do that , plus I (hopefully) get a consistent set up. At the same time , I also order a batch of extra male and female pigtails (I use/used the white 3 wire for everything), end caps and the white 3 wire T splitters for power injection.

Send a link of exactly which ones you want .

 

[firebug]

Welcome to ACL Paul... 8)

 

[fasteddy]

Welcome to ACL, feel free to also pop into the chat room for some freindly advice

If you are going to use 2811 then you will only need 2 and 3 core plugs, 2 core for power injection and 3 core for the lights and controller


3 core black http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/3core-waterproof-connector-with-20cm-long-cable-male-and-female-black-color-the-male-connect-s/701799_601833823.html

2 core black http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/2core-waterproof-connector-with-20cm-long-cable-male-and-female-black-color-the-male-connect-s/701799_601827908.html

and a range of black cable accessories http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/15mm-series-black-waterproof-pigtails/701799_250415853.html

 

[niteshift38]

Thanks to ALL. This was what I was thinking of buying (I wish to go white because my house is white vinyl siding):

Qty of 2 --- "2 Core Pigtails 13.5mm (10pair pkg)"

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-Core-White-Waterproof-pigtail-50cm-long-each-male-and-female-13-5mm-diameter/2047630611.html

**************************************************************

Qty of 10 --- "13.5mm WHITE plastic end cap for pigtails"

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/plastic-end-cap-for-the-13-5mm-white-waterproof-pigtail/813548245.html

**************************************************************

Qty of 1 --- "4 Core Pigtails 13.5mm (50pair pkg)"

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/50-pairs-4-Core-White-Waterproof-Line-15cm-long-each-male-and-female/323485474.html

**************************************************************

Qty of 2 --- "12V/350W Switch mode power supply"

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/1948832565.html

**************************************************************

Qty of 1 --- "3 Core Pigtails 13.5mm (100pair pkg)"

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/100-pairs-3-Core-White-Waterproof-Line-15cm-long-each-male-and-female-3core/331631241.html

**************************************************************
Do these sound practical and do Ray's 2811 strips com with 15mm or 13.5mm pigtails on them ?

Thanks Again,

Paul

 

[gerry]

Hi,

You can ask for as many as you need and Ray will cost it.

My strips came with the 13.5 white ones and so I ordered another 50 pairs. I used the 3 core only as it then became easy to interchange between the data ones and the ones for PI (only 2 core is needed for PI as Eddy said).

The PSU is the one I got. I bought 50 % as many as spares . ie if u think u need 4 , then get 6 at least. If just for testing out now to feel your way, then get 2 ie one as backup and one to use.

Also I did not see the T junction pig tails in your links . You will need for Power injection.

 

[niteshift38]

Gerry-

I WILL get spare PSU !!! ... As for the power injection T's, I am fairly ok at soldering, so I was planning on making my own to rule out any wiring differences in pre-made T's and to also create my own "standard" for my display. Does that sound like a good approach?

 

[gerry]

Hello Paul,

Yes you could. I suck at soldering and last year was my first year. Forum advice is to use 4 core cable and double two wires together for the PI.

I did not have any problem with the T junctions items , though as per forum advise, I did test 'most of them' first.

My tests are not very scientific . I simply have a one metre strip connected to a PSU and a PI point which I then test each strip and connector against (ie add to it and use the inbuilt P2 or Pixlite test capability ) before removing and adding to the main ckt if it works.

 

[niteshift38]

This is the cable I am leaning towards purchasing for PI

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151052912680?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26ghostText%3D%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D151052912680%26_rdc%3D1

(to try and avoid any power handling issues)

 

[gerry]

Hi,

This was the one folks recommended and which I bought

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Security%20Cable%204%20Core%2014%20020%20100m%20Roll%20White%20Alarm%20System%20Cable&_itemId=251149064811

 

[niteshift38]

What is the best way to ask Ray to cost an order for me ?

Paul

 

[AussieDoug]

Best thing is to do up a list of items that you want and email it to him & request a quote. He usually get's this done within a couple of days.