MSB Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 We're building a 40 foot CCR 360 mega tree this year with two rows of 24 CCR's. Obviously, the leads are too short to pull this off so we did a test using one CAT 5 cable to provide the signals and power from two controllers to two CCR's. We purchased the CCR connectors from DigiKey and a Molex crimper. Granted making the cables are somewhat of a pain it works.Here is a video of the results: http://youtu.be/uk20FuSuKfY Now on to programming to ensure we can pull this off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOR Staff Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 You are probably NOT going to be happy. I'm glad that it appears to be working now, but you may find out in the real world things are MUCH different. We do not recommend extending the leads for Cosmic Color Bulbs, Pixels, or Ribbons. CCDs are digital devices - that means there is not just power running on the wires, but data as well. The timing signals sent across those wires have little room in tolerance and after about 6 feet this becomes a real issue. Best practice is to keep the controller as close to the Cosmic Color Device string as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixnight Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 I'm been using ribbons (ws2811) from 2 years ago and since then I'm using 25' cat5 for each ribbons with not problem at all.See pictures visiting http://thehousewithlights.website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcompanik Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Greg,What is the part number for the connectors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I'm been using ribbons (ws2811) from 2 years ago and since then I'm using 25' cat5 for each ribbons with not problem at all.See pictures visiting http://thehousewithlights.website WS2811s are a different chip type than CCRs. When they came out a few years ago, one of the advantage of the 2811s over the 2801s that they largely replaced (and I understand most other pixels) was that the cable lengths could be longer between controller and first pixel. Therefore just because 2811 based pixels will run 25 feet, don't assume than any pixel based strips will. MSB, I'm going to assume that your 40 foot tree is a commercial project (since most of us can't afford 48 CCRs!). With that assumption, I assume the standard for performance will be "perfection". Nothing less will be acceptable to the customer. with that in mind I would not want to head into the area of experimenter very much. How about having one of more boxes mounted to the center pole at the elevation of the split between the upper and lower strings and feed both CCRs on each string from that mid point. That way no extensions are needed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSB Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 It's a Not for Profit organization called Making Spirits Bright. Last year was our 3rd year and we raised 35 tons of food for the county food bank which is about 5 months worth...just an FYI about who we are. We also have an attitude that nothing cannot be accomplished if it isn't thought of first. You-tube search for Making Spirits Bright and you can find us. As far as the extensions go, we originally were going to use cat5 cable that that turned out to be way to brittle and unreliable when we started crimping the ends. So now we are using 18/4 OAS CMR/CL3R shielded cable. The ends are now perfect. We are using Digi-Key connectors.WM1127CT-ND Male TerminalWM1125CT-ND Female TerminalWM1847-ND 3MM 4POS Single Row ReceptacleWM1857-ND 3MM 4POS Single Row PlugMale Terminals go into the Plug and the Female Terminals go into the receptacle.Pin1-RedPin2-GreenPin3-BlackPin4-White We talked about putting some type of platform for the controllers in the middle of the tree but getting to it in case of emergency would very difficult. The outside ring at that point is about 12' in diameter and even with a bucket lift, getting between the CCR's wouldn't be feasible. Finally screwed around with the superstar and got the visualization to import correctly. Grids are very tiny so programming will be a challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.Y.R.G. Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) For a dual monitor setup, it would be nice if the grid had the option of being opened separately in another window to make it more viewable with large displays. Also it would free up more space for the other part and wouldn't have to shrink or enlarge. Edited September 3, 2015 by B.Y.R.G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I believe that is one of Brian's ToDo items. Don't know when however... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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