Pixel or Strip

[ShayneT]

I cannot decide whether to outline my windows with pixels or strips (both dumb).

I am planning on making some simple PVC window frames and am wondering if pixels which are usually spaced 4" apart will give good results. I am going to outline with 30/m strips but thought maybe those for the window might be too much. Plus I am considering wrapping the frame with garland to give it a more traditional daytime look so the pixel would poke out. My house is about 25' from the street.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. i need to place my order with Ray but want too make sure I get enough pixels, if that is the directions.

Shayne

[SoCalJimH]

I tried to use the RGB ribbons and then the 3 LED modules with garland and the lights just didn't punch through the garland enough for me. I settled on using single pixels that stick up through the garland and the garland does a good job of covering the multi-colored wires. When you place your order be sure that you specify the pixel spacing but be prepared to work with variations of up to 10mm or so.

Good Luck!

[spomalley]

I would go strip but thats just personal preference.

[edvas69]

The effect you want will determine what may be best to use

Strip will give very defined lines with very little wash back

Strings will be more spaced out between LEDs and will give much more wash back onto the house and window area

I personally use all strip for outlines as it is more defined with more LEDs per metre than the strings. I also use it because i use flood lights back onto the house so i now gain control of my colour wash back onto the house. I can have effects like the house outline being one colour while the flood wash being another colour, or just using one or the other.

So by minimising your wash back onto your house and using floods you gain a lot more control of the effects that you can use.

So if you have an element that is in your window then you may not want it washed out with the colour from the window frame

Using strip will require more work than the strings as you need to cut each section to size and then rejoin, but i think its worth the effort for the added light control.

So they would be the main reasons you would choose one over the other

Edited August 7, 2012 by edvas69

[ShayneT]

What about this one from Ray: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DC12V-5m-one-roll-5050-SMD-30LEDs-m-led-strip-waterproof-by-silicon-tube-IP66/701799_587735379.html

[TJ Hvasta]

maybe something to consider, rather than mounting the strips onto surface of the pvc, then fitting that around the windows, find very thin-walled pvc, (called.. e-tex.. e-lex, e-something like that..) slip the RGB strips into the thin pvc, so it changes the color of the whole pipe. You still cant change color of the pixel seperately, but the effect of the whole frame changing colors looks very good. And if each pipe is wired seperately, you can change colors of individual pipes (make a pipe chase itself).. ex: a box, Top, R side, bottom, L side..

Top - Red; w/R, Bottom, L sides - Green, then

R Side - Red, Top, Bottom, L Side - Green then

Bottom - Red, L, Top, R Side - Green, then

L Side - Red.. you get the idea..

multiple windows/doors, cycle colors back/forth. true, you cant pixel-chase, but you can frame or side-chase w/the entire strip.

[edvas69]

If you decide to do a Garland then i would agree with SoCalJimH that the actual pixel strings may be a better look than using the strip

But that strip you linked to will do nicely if thats what you have chosen. It is silicone tube type

There is the solid silicone coating which has better light dispersion qualaties, but is slightly more expensive and a bit harder to work with. http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/5m-one-roll-5050-SMD-30LEDs-m-led-strip-waterproof-by-silicon-tubing-and-coating-RGB/701799_329544925.html

[ShayneT]

Something like this: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202033022/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=pex+pipe&storeId=10051

I wonder if the writing is isolated to one side. If so no issue to align it to the back.

Does it give an effect like a small scale version of a coro column?

Shayne

[ShayneT]

If I do go the pixel route, does anyone know how much Ray charges for special orders like closer spacing?

Shayne

[edvas69]

If I do go the pixel route, does anyone know how much Ray charges for special orders like closer spacing?

Shayne

Normally its not much more and at most it may be only a few cents per pixel more. The difference is that you will have to wait a bit longer for shipping as these are a custom order and will need to be made by the factory.

[scubado]

Something like this: http://www.homedepot...e&storeId=10051

I wonder if the writing is isolated to one side. If so no issue to align it to the back.

Does it give an effect like a small scale version of a coro column?

Shayne

Yes, that's the product that's been reccomended before on the forum.

[ShayneT]

If you decide to do a Garland then i would agree with SoCalJimH that the actual pixel strings may be a better look than using the strip

But that strip you linked to will do nicely if thats what you have chosen. It is silicone tube type

There is the solid silicone coating which has better light dispersion qualaties, but is slightly more expensive and a bit harder to work with. http://www.aliexpres..._329544925.html

Is the silicone fairly flexible or is it more rigid?

[Ken Benedict]

I use the RGB ribbons with the flexible epoxy coating; buy the 16 foot (5M) versions (about $30 each) and cut them up as needed and solder a short 4 conductor wire between them to go around corners easily. I think there's a youtube video on how to do it. Takes me about five minutes per joint and you can only cut where there's copper solder pads.

I'm using this technique to build some RGB snowflakes for this season.

[digdeepfundraising]

they are more rigid and like edvas said its harder to work with so i cut the strips and solder rgb cable for going around corners

[ShayneT]

Has anyone tried to remove the print on Shark Pite PEX tubing? Acetone would probably work and if I do not go overboard should not impact the tube too much. May leave it looking a little frosted but that may not be a bad thing. Or would alcohol or mineral sprits be better?

Shayne

[-klb-]

Has anyone tried to remove the print on Shark Pite PEX tubing? Acetone would probably work and if I do not go overboard should not impact the tube too much. May leave it looking a little frosted but that may not be a bad thing. Or would alcohol or mineral sprits be better?

Shayne

On the PEX I've worked with, mineral spirits was a slow, painful way to remove the printing. Acetone was a couple of quick wipes. By the end of the first pass there was enough ink in the towel that some tint was starting to deposit back on the PEX, but a second wipe with fresh acetone took that right off. The pipe I was using was a very matte finish to start with, but I noticed no difference in appearance after using the acetone. I dont think I would expect much with the long chain, cross linked nature of PEX.

[ShayneT]

I've made several orders for special lengths. There is absolutely no price increase when you ask for a specific length within reason. In one order I requested just the circuit board and LED with 12" spacing. Due to the fact that they didn't have to seal them in a shell with Acrylic Resin, he gave me a break on the price.

My opinion of pixels for a building outline? I like nodes better than ribbon. It comes from the pixels outlining Boathouse Row on the Schuylkill river in Philadelphia. I'm doing both this year though. I'll be using ribbon on the roof as it's easier to make. It might change next year.

Jeff

Jeff you are spot on!!! I emailed Ray and he gave me the same $0.25 pricing if I changed the spacing to 3 inches and if I wanted to add a longer lead to make my hanging mega tree it added $0.67 for a two meter lead.

I was thinking if I put garland on the frame I kinda restrict the use to Christmas unlesss I make it removable so I can use them for Halloween, etc.

Now I just have to decide pixel vesus strip. Both have pros and cons. My thought with pixels it would not compete with the outline as I want to outline to be pronounced. If I thought the C9 or C7 covers would not cut down the intensity I might consider them for the outline but the pics and visoes I have seen with strip is it REALLY pops.

I appreciate everyones input and now I just have to decide which will work better.

Shayne