Original CCR replacement options.

[prevue12]

I have four original CCRs I use are arches, these are the only smart pixels in my display, that I have used for the last six or seven years, if not more. This year two failed and I have no replacements anymore, so I am looking to replace them with more durable pixel nodes rather than using pixel strips.  I like the density of the having 150 pixels, so looking to have something close to that for replacement. I have no plans to add more smart pixels other than replacing my arches.    My  questions are:

1.  What would you all recommend for a controller.  pixie, pixiecon, or one of the many other on the market.?

2.  Might be dumb question since I don't do much with the smart pixels, I don't want to have to reprogram the arches, is it just as simple redefining what the prop is now and it's properties?  

 

Video with arches, https://fb.watch/2Qn-4ciJ_T/

 

Edited January 5, 2021 by prevue12

[k6ccc]

Since this is the LOR forum, I would suggest going with a Pixie controller.  Same or similar networking.  Makes it simple.

If you go with something that is still 50 pixels, then the worst that you might have to do is change the channel assignments in your preview.  May not even have to do that.

 

[Mr. P]

I would recommend the same as Jim, the original CCR's had 50 pixels or 150 led's so if you purchased the Pixie ll with 50 pixels to replace them you shouldn't have to change anything if the original CCR's were set to dual normal. All you would have to do is give the new Pixie ll the same ID as the number of channels would be the same.

[k6ccc]

3 minutes ago, Mr. P said:

if the original CCR's were set to dual normal.

The original CCRs don't have a Dual Normal more.  They are one controller = one strip - therefore, one ID per CCR strip.  The CCP and CCB controllers were two strings and could be set to Dual Normal mode (how I set mine).

 

[KYHI]

I assume the Ribbon Failed and Not the Controller - the Ribbon is actually 50 Pixels with 3 LED's per Pixel

Mounting the Ribbon Inside a section of PEX will help durability

https://www.holiday-light-express.com/RGBlights.php

[Mr. P]

23 minutes ago, k6ccc said:

The original CCRs don't have a Dual Normal more.  They are one controller = one strip - therefore, one ID per CCR strip.  The CCP and CCB controllers were two strings and could be set to Dual Normal mode (how I set mine).

 

That's right, thanks for the reminder. 😁

[prevue12]

I guess I need to read more, but I know the CCRs had 150 pixels, grouped in threes. Trying to figure out best way to simulate that the best,  just 50 single nodes over the 16 or so feet will look "sparse", hence trying to figure out how to change it with out hours and hours of work redoing programing.   

KYHI
Yes ribbons failed, never had a problem with the controllers, I have three spares of those.  I don't care for the pixels in PEX look, but thanks for the suggestion. 

 

1 hour ago, Mr. P said:

I would recommend the same as Jim, the original CCR's had 50 pixels or 150 led's so if you purchased the Pixie ll with 50 pixels to replace them you shouldn't have to change anything if the original CCR's were set to dual normal. All you would have to do is give the new Pixie ll the same ID as the number of channels would be the same.

I don't see pixie II in the store, I see documentation for them, but not them.  It looks like I might be able to use a pixie 4, and bump up to about 100 Pixels and run all four arches off the one pixie 4.  ( if I read the controller documentation sheet correctly. I also now run pixels at 50% or less so that helps with power needs)

[k6ccc]

11 minutes ago, prevue12 said:

I guess I need to read more, but I know the CCRs had 150 pixels, grouped in threes. Trying to figure out best way to simulate that the best,  just 50 single nodes over the 16 or so feet will look "sparse", hence trying to figure out how to change it with out hours and hours of work redoing programing.   

Not exactly.  CCRs have 150 RGB LEDs, grouped as three RGB LEDs per controlled pixel - resulting in 50 pixels.   Take a look at this photo of one of my strips.  This is a WS2811 based strip, not a CCR, but it is the same concept.  You can see there are three RGB LEDs per pixel chip.  The left three RGB LEDs (the leftmost one is partially hidden under the blue heat shrink tubing) are controlled by the leftmost WS2811 chip.  Next is the cutting point, then the next three RGB LEDs and another WS2811 chip.  You are controlling the chip - the chip controls the LEDs.  So it is the number of chips that matter, not the number of LEDs.  If you go with a similar strip, no re-sequencing required.

If your browser does not display the photo, there is a link below to the photo.

http://www.newburghlights.org/photos/Planter_strip_backfeed.jpg

[Mr. P]

The original CCR's were 50 pixels/150 led's not 150 pixels as that would be 450 led's.

Here is the wording from the CCR manual:

Introduction The Light-O-Rama (LOR) Cosmic Color Ribbon is a flexible ribbon that includes a controller and low voltage power supply. It understands and automatically detects both LOR and DMX protocols. The ribbon has 150 super bright RGB LEDs spaced evenly along one side of a 197” flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board is made weatherproof by sealing it in a rectangular UV resistant silicone tube.

[Mr. P]

Honestly, you are not going to get the look of ribbon without replacing with another ribbon. Bullets won't get you that look unless they are placed very very close together but then you would need way more then 50 pixels to cover the same length of the ribbon which of course would mean a lot more programming. Some like the ribbon as it gives more of a line look while other like the bullets as they can be individually seen and look more traditional.

[prevue12]

Keep It Simple Stupid    So much for me trying to keep it simple, and not use ribbons...   I'm not worried about trying to replicate the look of a ribbon so much, just that using 1/3 the number of pixels will look like crap.  I really don't want to reprogram, I hate rework. I might have to suck it up and Look at the CCR IIs.  Thanks for the input. 

[k6ccc]

If you do it with pixel nodes (I am using CCP pixels for my arches), you can with MOST pixel  controllers set up group sizes.  What that does is make each logical pixel actually be some larger number of physical pixels.  For example, I have some smart pixels in front of my roses.  I want each rose to be treated as a single pixel as far as my sequencing is concerned.  I set my pixel controller to have a group size of 11 pixels.  So my 187 physical pixels appears to my sequencing as 17 pixels.  That means that for each rose there is about 2.5 feet to pixel strip that is treated as a single logical pixel.

 

[dibblejr]

I thought someone recently posted that the old pixels are still available. It was only last week if I recall.

JR

[Orville]

17 minutes ago, dibblejr said:

I thought someone recently posted that the old pixels are still available. It was only last week if I recall.

JR

NOPe, no longer available.  Thought they were, just checked again and made an OOPS.

OOPS, sorry, no they aren't. 

Just noticed the blurb at the bottom: No Longer Available - Replacement parts are available

Can probably ask LOR if the replacement parts are original CCR Ribbon pieces to splice in where bad ones are.  But apparently they don't have the full ribbon any longer.

Sorry I didn't catch that when I pulled up the page originally.

Had to adjust this message since it was posted with incorrect info originally.
 

 

Edited January 5, 2021 by Orville
Error on my part, missed perttinent info on the webpage saying no longer available.

[dibblejr]

1 minute ago, Orville said:

Yep, still available for $249.95¢.  You can locate them here in the LOR Store:

http://store.lightorama.com/cocori.html

 

At the bottom of the page it says "no longer available". I wonder if thats the controller or everything.

JR

[prevue12]

The replacement ribbons are "OUT OF STOCK .... This will no longer be available in 2020" .  Maybe I will get lucky and be available in 2021

 

Edited January 5, 2021 by prevue12

[Orville]

9 minutes ago, dibblejr said:

At the bottom of the page it says "no longer available". I wonder if thats the controller or everything.

JR

Saw that after I had submitted my original reply.  being legally blind has its drawbacks at times.  Miss things in small print all the time or things that are at the bottom of a webpage because one didn't scroll down further and see it.

 

[Mr. P]

33 minutes ago, dibblejr said:

I thought someone recently posted that the old pixels are still available. It was only last week if I recall.

JR

I did, they are in the store. But I guess they are gone. 😁

http://store.lightorama.com/orcocori.html

Edited January 5, 2021 by Mr. P

[KYHI]

Seems to be an easy choice - for a $20 Ribbon using existing single port controller

[Mr. P]

The original CCR's were LPD6803 so just find a place that sells them.

https://www.superlightingled.com/lpd6803-ic-programmable-led-strips-c-5_27.html