Before I purchase....I think I need a reality check.

[vallidyn]

So here's my dilemma. I've been known to put something together in my head but sometimes when I get all the pieces they don't always fit. So before I order parts I'd like some thoughts on my plan.

 

We have an office Christmas decoration contest every year, and I wanted to include some lighting, not just any lighting, but set to music. I turned to LOR of course and I drooled over every page. Here's my problem, how to contain it to an office environment. Well my idea is LED RGB strips. Dumb ones. Strips that I can cut to size and place inside some glass partitions and use a CMB24 RGB Controller to control it all. 

 

My thoughts were to buy some LED's like these  .I would cut them into about 2 foot strips and use connectors and wire to bring them back to the controller. My first unknown is the power supply. Will the power supply that comes with these lights work if I connect it to the board? If not does anyone have recommendations? I'll need to have some longer runs, maybe 10 feet to a few of the light strands will power loss be a concern?

 

Sequences,,,,I've downloaded the software and a few shared sequences to get an idea of what I am getting myself into but what I've not found are some with RGB in them, are people not really doing RGB in their sequences? I'd love to see this one.

 

Thanks for your time and patience.

 

Val (Rich)

[Santas Helper]

Val (Rich),

They have cheaper ones on ebay for about $18 with free shipping without the controller. If your hooking up to LOR, you can't use that controller that comes with the lights anyway. You can hard wire the strip to the LOR controller.

As for sequences, look for sequences that have red channels, green channels and blue channels on the same prop, like the edge of a roof line, mega tree, arches or what ever. Treat each color of the dumb strip as a separate color strand of lights. If you want white, then all three colors will need to be on.

Majority of sequences out there are created with several colors for the same item. That's what your looking for.

Dang it, no EDIT button again:

 

And one more thing. Welcome to this crazy forum with crazy members doing crazy light shows.

[Mr. P]

If you are going to use a CMB24 and dumb lights then just get these for half the price:

 

 http://www.amazon.com/LEMONBEST-SMD-Water-resistant-Strip-Controller/dp/B00AJJDLHQ/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1383952288&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=rgb+led+strip

 

As Santas Helper stated, you don't need the controller.

[vallidyn]

I saw those also, but they don't have a power supply it appears, although I still don't know if the one I suggested will power what I need? Will it?

 

Thanks for the help.

[Mr. P]

I don't use the CMB24 as of yet but from what I understand you need a 12v power supply to power the CMB24 which in turn powers the strips. The CMB24 uses 24 channels which breaks down to 8 strips. Each strip will use 3 channels, one channel for each Red, Blue, and Green. The 12v power supply will power the CMB24 which will send power to each channel on the strip which the program identifies.

So bottom line is each strip does not need its own power supply, they all have a common power supply from the CMB24.

 

Can the experts in here correct me if I am wrong?

[vdipaola73]

I don't use the CMB24 as of yet but from what I understand you need a 12v power supply to power the CMB24 which in turn powers the strips. The CMB24 uses 24 channels which breaks down to 8 strips. Each strip will use 3 channels, one channel for each Red, Blue, and Green. The 12v power supply will power the CMB24 which will send power to each channel on the strip which the program identifies.

So bottom line is each strip does not need its own power supply, they all have a common power supply from the CMB24.

Can the experts in here correct me if I am wrong?

That is correct. And if you don't need it this year......wanna sell it? LOL

[scubado]

You'll want a power supply such as this: http://www.amazon.com/SUPERNIGHT-Universal-Regulated-Switching-Computer/dp/B009EIANT2/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1384015172&sr=8-8&keywords=12v+power+supply

 

Since your using your strips in the office, you can get non-weather proof ones even cheaper on Ebay.

[Papa6058]

I am no expert, but I have it on good authority, you can use an old power supply from an old computer 

 

Papa

[vdipaola73]

I am no expert, but I have it on good authority, you can use an old power supply from an old computer

Papa

This is true, but always check output voltage and amperage.

[scubado]

Most computer power supplies are enabled when you short the green wire on the main motherboard connector to any black wire.  Some power supplies require a different method that you'll need to google how to.  There is only one green wire on the output of any supply, easy to do and test.

[vallidyn]

Power supplies from old computers I have . Thanks for the tip. I will be sure to test carefully!!!

[sax]

I would ask what are your future plans. If you want to use this setup in the future outside the office I would build it to withstand that. I hate to double spend my hard earned cash.

If it were me I would plan on using this equipment as outside. Because once you start playing with it the next thing you know you'll have 2000 channels of pixels. I know that isn't just me.

BTW. Rgb is easily sequenced using the color fade tool in S3. Other than my faces I am all rgb. Yes, you can play with each red green or blue channel but the color fade is point and click....errr drag. You drag that color fade tool.

You can get that controller, a case and power supply all made up from creative lighting here. http://store.creativelightingdisplays.com/CMB24D-RGB-DC-Controller-ReadyToGO-No-Assembly-CMB24D-RGB-RTG.htm

Well they actually look sold out. But you can see how he packages it. Easy to get those parts from other vendors listed in these forums too. I have a post listing where I got my parts in the DMX section if you want to see some of the vendors you could use.

Good luck,

Sax

[vallidyn]

I agree with you Sax, I'll probably end up bringing home the controller and using it elsewhere later. I like the looks of creatives unit. I was just going over my hardware list and I am now rethinking it. 

[AKpops]

Is the preset starter pack a good way to Jump in even if cc pic & bulb my plan

I really like the options with the smart lights I see the USA vet and Christmas being my interests