Multi Colored LED Dumb Strips

[toddm1919]

When we started with LOR, my dad spent hours and hours mounting each individual light on three sets of mini incandescent lights (red, green, and multi) and tieing up the wires to PVC boards that we hang from the gutters and around our windows. This year we have had a pretty major fallout on our multi-colored strings. We have had to replace a large amount of the bulbs. Luckily, we were able to keep things up and running for this year.

However, with the possibility of having to replace the aging strings, we have been trying to see if there was a better way of getting the same effect. I'm pretty sure we could replace the red and green strings with one "dumb" strip, but I'm wondering if there is a strip out there that could replace the multi-colored strings. A CCR needs to have three pixels the same color and would cost us way too much. I was wondering if there was a "very dumb" strip out there that was essentially just like a set of multi-colored wired lights, but was in a strip form. It would be a heck of a lot easier to mount.

Has anyone seen a strip like that?

Thanks,

Todd

http://www.christmasontiffany.com

[Ron Boyd]

The best way to accomplish this would be a smart strip, CCR and the likes. You can use the CCPs or CCBs and get 100 pixels for about the same price as 1 CCR. If you look at the fitst 2 videos on my Vimeo page (link is in my signature) to see how CCPs look.

 

The dumb strip will light the entire strip the same color at the same time. you can use the smart pixels and every pixel is a different color at the same time if you care to sequence it that way.

[dgrant]

Lowes carries a multi-strip but its got its own controller. I'm thinking it can be hacked. Check tomorrow morning early for the after-Christmas sales.

[Ken Benedict]

...

Has anyone seen a strip like that?

Thanks,

Todd

http://www.christmasontiffany.com

 

Here's one of many: http://www.holidaycoro.com/RGB-LED-Strip-12v-30-LEDs-per-Meter-Waterproof-p/59.htm

 

There's also people on this forum that have tried several mounting techniques, some that can get mounted on their house  in a few hours.

[toddm1919]

 Thanks for the replies.  After re-reading my post, I realized I used the term pixel instead of LED.  I am including a picture of my current setup to help clarify:

 

 

I figure the left side can be replaced by a dumb strip and I can program that to be red or green.  I was wondering if there is a strip that already had four or five colored LEDs that would replace the right side so all I would have to do very the power to it.  Essentially it would be a set of multi-colored LED lights in strip form.  I know I could possibly use a CCR, but that would give me a set of 3 LEDs the same color, be very expensive, and would seem like it would be a hassle to program.

 

Thanks again,

Todd

[toddm1919]

 Thanks for the replies.  After re-reading my post, I realized I used the term pixel instead of LED.  I am including a picture of my current setup to help clarify:

 

 

 

I figure the left side can be replaced by a dumb strip and I can program that to be red or green.  I was wondering if there is a strip that already had four or five colored LEDs that would replace the right side so all I would have to do very the power to it.  Essentially it would be a set of multi-colored LED lights in strip form.  I know I could possibly use a CCR, but that would give me a set of 3 LEDs the same color, be very expensive, and would seem like it would be a hassle to program.

 

Thanks again,

Todd

 

Apparently, I didn't get the link for the image correct.  It is attached below:

[k6ccc]

I don't know of any dumb strip that could do that unless you took various colors of dumb strip and spliced them with the color sires crossed.  That would be a LOT of work however.  Personally I think I would do it with smart strips.  The biggest disadvantage of that is cost and more programming effort.  The cost can be mitigated if you can go the DIY route.  As for programming, you could create a separate track that just has the colors in the order you want.  Then group that track so it's just a single line in SE.  You could do the same thing with another pattern as well.  So to turn on pattern #1, just turn on that group.  If you're not getting what I mean, for example, pixel #1, copy the Red only to the new track, for pixel #2, the Red and Green; for pixel #3, copy the Blue only.  Then when you turn on the group, the first three pixels will be Red, Yellow, and Blue.  Of course add as many as you want.  Makes it a little more effort to set up the track, but as long as you export the configuration, you only have to do it once.

[tjflory]

Todd.

 

I've run into the same situation. I still like the good old multi color strings.

 

I have a set of multi color lights AND dumb RGB strips together around my house. They look great.

I have multi color strings on nearly every fixture as well. They just look neat.

 

My wife made me put up multi color "C9s" (LED) as well. They're along the roof line using shingle clips.

 

tj