Help with my RGB shopping list

[Klayfish]

I've been terribly delinquent in getting my shopping list together for the RGB component of this years' display.  I've been working on Superstar since January to do the sequencing, so I'm well underway there.  Have 3 songs done, working on a 4th now.  I had looked into all the hardware many months ago, but never bought anything.  Just realized the calendar has turned to September...oh crap, I need to get on the stick!!  I'm keeping the RGB fairly simple for this year.  I will have one arch that will have about 40 nodess (I don't have my laptop in front of me for an exact count, but it's close).  I will also have two starbursts....I think that's what they're called.  They look like this * except that they have 8 arms, which are each about 20 nodes.

 

Right now, I have absolutely zero hardware for RGB, so if it's necessary, I need it.    Please give me some input to make sure my shopping list is complete.  Here are the basics I had written down some time ago. 

 

SanDevice 682
ws2811 pixel strip   http://www.aliexpress.com/item/5m-led-digital-strip-DC12V-input-WS2811IC-256-scale-10pcs-IC-and-30pcs-5050-SMD-RGB/568458133.html
12 vdc power supply   http://www.aliexpress.com/item/FreeShipping-350W-LED-Display-Power-Supply-Output-12V-29-2A-Switch-Power-Supply/590985012.html
 

Would you suggest using something different?  What else am I going to need to make what I need?  I do want to try soldering, but I'm also want to be sure whatever I buy is fairly user friendly.  Without any sob stories, my free time is very limited.  Most weekdays are non-stop from 4:30am until 8:30pm.  So I'm all for learning more DIY, but have to be realistic about how much I can do.

 

 

Ron,

I still have all the e-mails you sent me, along with diagrams, etc...I also have the sample piece you soldered for me.  They will all be heavily relied on as I start to build and put everything together!  I've just never gotten around to buying the actual hardware. 

Edited September 4, 2014 by Klayfish

[bisquit476]

User friendly and RGB? That's about a contradiction in terms. The RGB strips you are looking to buy are very labor intensive. If you want plug and play, the CCR's are the way to go. I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but you should have bought the hardware long ago, time is your main problem now.

[Klayfish]

I have no idea why the spacing in my post is the way it is...sorry.

 

You're not raining on my parade, bisquit.  Trust me, I realize I should have bought it quite a while ago.  Not to make excuses, but we moved 800 miles a few months ago.  So from March-August my prime focus was finding a new home, new job, packing, etc...and Christmas got put on the back burner.  I know RGB involves labor.  CCRs or CCBs aren't out of the realm of possibility, but are much more expensive.

[dougd]

Sounds like you really need to be at the Tenn. Mini.

[Ron Boyd]

Yeah, Dougs right. If you could somehow make the trip for 1 day, it would help you tremendously in getting everything up and running. There will be several who use the Sandevices boards and also the J1Sys boards. It could be advantageous to you. I know you have a race that weekend, but it's something to think about.

Edited September 4, 2014 by Ron Boyd

[Klayfish]

Believe me...if there was any way I could be there, I would be.   I've already got a $1000 investment into my race, plus my team is counting on me to be there, so I really need to go (plus it's a track I've never seen, so I need the extra track time).  My 2015 race schedule isn't out, but typically I don't have a race around the time you're planning the spring mini, so I'm planning to attend that one.

 

My concern with going the CCR/CCB route is how would I make them work into my design?  The arch would be easy, but the starburst pattern would be harder, wouldn't it?  Not to mention it would probably cost a fortune to buy everything I need.

 

So are the items on my list the right ones to get me going?

[arw01]

E682 get one on order now, or for what you are doing a couple of E6804 the smaller ones because your elements must be pretty close together and you don't at all need the E682 for the quantity of nodes you have.

 

The WS2811 are 3 leds' per pixel so to speak, so if you have 20 nodes allocated, you have a problem because you cannot divide by 3, make it 21 and you are good with actually 7 pixels with 21 leds lighting up.

 

I went ink1003 instead so I could have single node, but you may be better at TM1809 if I have the right one, a but more money than the WS2811.

 

you need a CG1500 case if you go E682 and diyledexpress.com has them and mounting kits fo rthe E682 and a power supply in the same box.  If you got E6804 because you are spread out more maybe a smaller box will work.

 

Alan

[Klayfish]

I ordered my 5V strips and a power supply and they just arrived.  I was about to order a Sandevice E682 from their website, but saw the Pixel System 1 they have advertised.  http://www.sandevices.com/PixelSystem1.html

 

Given my lack of time and very little (as in nearly none) soldering experience, might this be a good package to look into?  I'm sure I can either return the strips and power supply I just bought or keep them for future use.  Ron, I'd have e-mailed you directly, but my e-mail account is blocked by work firewall.

[khawes]

I ordered my 5V strips and a power supply and they just arrived.  I was about to order a Sandevice E682 from their website, but saw the Pixel System 1 they have advertised.  http://www.sandevices.com/PixelSystem1.html

 

Given my lack of time and very little (as in nearly none) soldering experience, might this be a good package to look into?  I'm sure I can either return the strips and power supply I just bought or keep them for future use.  Ron, I'd have e-mailed you directly, but my e-mail account is blocked by work firewall.

 

Love my Pixel 1.  I also went the E682 route for my second system, and will go back to the Pixel 1 for all subsequent controller purchases.   It's just so much easier to let SanDevices build it right.  

 

PS.  Double check the output voltage of the power supply, better to take that time than fry some pixels.   The advice given to me for 12v pixels was to stat at 11v with the pixels full on white, and dial down the voltage until the last bulbs turn pink, the dial it back up a little.

[Klayfish]

Thanks Keith,  How many pixels do you have running with the Pixel 1 system?  How did you find the price to buy that and the needed strips to compare to buying an E682, a power supply, strips, etc...on your own?

[sax]

2 ways.

1. Go here from sans devices:

http://www.sandevices.com/aboutus.html

This is direct order from sans.

2. Order your sans from above but get your pixels here. These are the same ones that will come from sans. (Use this option in case sans order will be delayed due to shortage of pixels or if you want a little more options of lights):

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Pixels-for-Sandevices-s-E682-controllers/701799_210241239.html

You will find power supplies on this web page too. As well as other good stuff. I use the 400 watt ps for $23.

To order....place everything in a cart. Select Hong Kong post as shipping while placing in your cart. Then send a message to the store owner (Ray) requesting shipping prices. Do not pay Ali express shipping charge. Ray ships fedex the same or cheaper than shown Hong Kong post rate. I would also recommend DHL over fedex. FedEx Hong Kong is overwhelmed and add a few days to shipping time in my experience. Typical shipping is less than a week.

I don't know if a case is included from sans. If you use option 2 then you will need a case. I use these:

http://www.diyledexpress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16&products_id=107

Looks like they are back ordered due to arrive end of October. Another source:

http://www.holidaycoro.com/CableGuard-CG-1500-Mounting-Case-p/637.htm

Good luck,

Sax

[khawes]

Thanks Keith,  How many pixels do you have running with the Pixel 1 system?  How did you find the price to buy that and the needed strips to compare to buying an E682, a power supply, strips, etc...on your own?

Like Xas said: Pixel 1 a fully assembled is the board, power supply, case & pigtails, you have to order the pixels separately.  The pigtails are matched to the ones that Ray Wu uses.

 

I've got a pixel tree 50x12 = 600 pixels.   The second one that I put together my self will either control a 300 pixel spider web or a 275 pixel fan & arches (upper half of web and 4 25 pixel arches.

 

I emailed Ray with what I wanted and he put together a "product" that I could order 1 of that included shipping. (which brought the shipping costs down)

[Klayfish]

I very much want to build my system, but since it's already the end of September, I realize that the chances of actually getting it done are slim...my power supply and strips arrived a week ago and I haven't even opened the package yet.  If I'm reading right, the PS1 is truly a plug and play.  So I may just get that.  The E682 it comes with has a lot of capacity, doesn't it?  So if I'm right, I should be able to build on it next year buying just the strips from Ray??

[Klayfish]

Can someone help me with a question on 12V vs. 5V.  It's my understanding that many 12V strips light up 3 LEDs per pixel, where the 5V control 1 LED per pixel.  So does that mean if I go 12V, I'll have a group of 3 consective lights always the same color?  How long (in inches?) would that stretch of 3 lights be? 

 

Still trying to decide how to order my RGB...PS1 or build my own...12V or 5V

[jlowe]

Can someone help me with a question on 12V vs. 5V.  It's my understanding that many 12V strips light up 3 LEDs per pixel, where the 5V control 1 LED per pixel.  So does that mean if I go 12V, I'll have a group of 3 consective lights always the same color?  How long (in inches?) would that stretch of 3 lights be? 

 

Still trying to decide how to order my RGB...PS1 or build my own...12V or 5V

Correct, most 12v strips are controlled in groups of 3. Depending on the density of the strip will determine size. (30 led/meter with 10ic's would be about 4 inches.)

You will save a lot of money by building it yourself, but, you have to decide whether the cost savings is worth the time lost. It depends on your level of comfort with soldering and building boards. I consider myself a novice, but I have built a few controllers, including e682's. So, I had another kit to build and I did it in a few hours while watching football last weekend. Just depends on your comfort level.

You could also buy an assembled e682 and then figure out case, power supply, pixel connectors, etc. It's always a case of balancing cost and time. But, you should move quick if buying pixels from Ray, as time is running short and with protests in Hong Kong and other customs issues going on, packages may be delayed.

[Klayfish]

The bursts I'm making have 8 arms and I'm programming in Superstar with 15 LEDs per arm.  So if I went with the 12V, and it was 4" spacing, each arm would be 5' long.  That makes for a burst with a 10' diameter.  If that's accurate, I'd definitely want 5V.

 

I know time is running very short, so I"m trying to get this stuff together.  I haven't soldered anything since junior high shop class...in the mid-80's...and I've never built a board.  I'm not afraid to try something new.  If I don't buy the PS1, I'd buy a pre-assembled E682 and then use the 5V strips and power supply I bought a few weeks ago.  I don't have any case or connectors or anything else yet.

[jlowe]

Nothing wrong with going 5v or doing a mix. I have some of both in my display. Just have to make sure you don't connect 12v to 5v pixels.

You shouldn't need to worry about power injection if your "arms" are relatively short and the controller is close by.

But you will need to be comfortable doing some soldering for the connections on the strip.

[sax]

Just know that the 12v strips are groups of 3...just like a CCR. But the 12v bullet type pixels or anything other than the 12v strip is each individual bulb.