PhilMassey Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Essentially, yes. Don't forget a power supply to match the pixel voltage and a case for it and the card. That's basically how I started with pixels in 2011 with a four port controller and a string of 100 pixels strung around the den. I use a PC though, which in my opinion has more control options. I did already have 32 AC channels when I started to add pixels Remember though that a 16 channel AC controller will cover more territory than a couple of pixel strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblack Posted December 28, 2022 Author Share Posted December 28, 2022 4 minutes ago, PhilMassey said: Essentially, yes. Don't forget a power supply to match the pixel voltage and a case for it and the card. That's basically how I started with pixels in 2011 with a four port controller and a string of 100 pixels strung around the den. I use a PC though, which in my opinion has more control options. I did already have 32 AC channels when I started to add pixels Remember though that a 16 channel AC controller will cover more territory than a couple of pixel strings. I could try a PC first I guess and save the director cost. In terms of covering territory, what is better for rooflines and windows? Am I going to be significantly more expensive with pixels and multiple smaller controllers vs. 1 AC controller and LEDs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 35 minutes ago, PhilMassey said: Essentially, yes. Don't forget a power supply to match the pixel voltage and a case for it and the card. That's basically how I started with pixels in 2011 with a four port controller and a string of 100 pixels strung around the den. I use a PC though, which in my opinion has more control options. I did already have 32 AC channels when I started to add pixels Remember though that a 16 channel AC controller will cover more territory than a couple of pixel strings. Pixie2 is internal powered and RTG. Note: its output is 5A @12V with no upgrade. (nothing wrong with this, just a bit different from the other RTG pixel packages Best to use LOR nodes (they sell a Pixie2 with 100/200 nodes packages) with it. Consider the look if you are to use regular powered (~3A / 50) nodes on a Pixie 4-16 elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 38 minutes ago, dblack said: I could try a PC first I guess and save the director cost. In terms of covering territory, what is better for rooflines and windows? Am I going to be significantly more expensive with pixels and multiple smaller controllers vs. 1 AC controller and LEDs. Where do you want to go. AC uses (>16 sets of them) one color choice for a string. With the low power of LED (look at the 'you can connect xx together' on the box. That is well within 1 port capacity. You could probably get away with 2 of those plugged into the AC dangle at the controller. That is a LOT of bulbs.). FWIW I built my own Pixie4 package for $130 which included 400W PSU, CG1500, dangles for network and outputs. (400W is overkill for a Pixie4, but it is my standard for others) My most complex is 2@ CMB24 and a Pixie4 with 2@ 400W and dangles for $550. All board connections are done with ferrels. IMHO learn to DIY whenever possible. There are lots of folk here with skills they are willing to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblack Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 1 hour ago, TheDucks said: Pixie2 is internal powered and RTG. Note: its output is 5A @12V with no upgrade. (nothing wrong with this, just a bit different from the other RTG pixel packages Best to use LOR nodes (they sell a Pixie2 with 100/200 nodes packages) with it. Consider the look if you are to use regular powered (~3A / 50) nodes on a Pixie 4-16 elsewhere. So I could get this: https://store.lightorama.com/collections/rgb-packages/products/pixie-2-bundle If I go with bulbs, are these strands meant to be cut? For example, if you look at my picture, to get the white line lights, would I cut this strand down to 12 ft. and put a connector on the end and just plug it into the Pixie2? And for the red line I'd pretty much use the whole 2nd strand? Can you explain the 5A @ 12V comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 39 minutes ago, dblack said: So I could get this: https://store.lightorama.com/collections/rgb-packages/products/pixie-2-bundle If I go with bulbs, are these strands meant to be cut? For example, if you look at my picture, to get the white line lights, would I cut this strand down to 12 ft. and put a connector on the end and just plug it into the Pixie2? And for the red line I'd pretty much use the whole 2nd strand? Can you explain the 5A @ 12V comment. You can cut, but it voids the warranty on the string. Where are you going to get those plugs? Cut down an Extension? BTW where did you see the actual (lighted) length of the supplied strands? 5A 12V is what I thought I read on the Label of the internal module (in a picture) as the size of the internal supply. The manual say 10A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblack Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 7 minutes ago, TheDucks said: You can cut, but it voids the warranty on the string. Where are you going to get those plugs? Cut down an Extension? BTW where did you see the actual (lighted) length of the supplied strands? 5A 12V is what I thought I read on the Label of the internal module (in a picture) as the size of the internal supply. The manual say 10A I only have a total of four outside plugs (technically 6 but one outlet is in the back of the house on the deck), so I'd have to run splitters if I used a bunch of smaller Pixies. I didn't see an actual length, I just guessed that 50 lights, 6" apart would be about 25 ft. per strand if my math is correct. The more I think about it the more it seems like a better idea to start simple with 1 16 channel AC controller. For those that went that route, how did you line your roof with multiple sections and your windows. Did you use incandescent cut to length or did you use LED? If LED how did you deal with it not being the exact length you needed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 19 minutes ago, dblack said: I only have a total of four outside plugs (technically 6 but one outlet is in the back of the house on the deck), so I'd have to run splitters if I used a bunch of smaller Pixies. I didn't see an actual length, I just guessed that 50 lights, 6" apart would be about 25 ft. per strand if my math is correct. The more I think about it the more it seems like a better idea to start simple with 1 16 channel AC controller. For those that went that route, how did you line your roof with multiple sections and your windows. Did you use incandescent cut to length or did you use LED? If LED how did you deal with it not being the exact length you needed? Simple. I didn't do it with 1 AC controller. And NO, I don't cut AC strings. They (mini lights) don't split except at exact points or need Resistors Calculated to replace missing bulbs. Real C7 or C9 can eat power (but the can be any length) and you need to manage port load carefully (LOR has a 'how many chart' on one of the stoes pages) My first MTree was 9 strands, with the others to different bushes in the yard. The next season I added a used (Gen 2) and a few ran cords to the ridge line (note: 1 story house), the channel breaks were where things ended. After that, I went +DUMB (CMB24), which does the same as the AC with 24 channels of DC (or 8 RGB. I do use some individually with 12V lights like you find in Autos. I converted a yard flood to light my US Flag, I vary the intensity ). The Ridge became RGB (I mounted the controller on the Chimney (Extra Antenna Mount) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNbvb6PCypJm5oxizE3Ff1iLBckuno9m/view?usp=share_link . Let your imagination roam: Can I put a Light THERE (safely). Start simple for 2023. (and do the easy places. 2nd story edges are NOT easy unless you have a bucket truck) You might find a chance for used. Watch out for e-bay stuff. It may be really old (Gen 2 AC is limited to slow speeds and needs to be on a non-enhance network) or it may have dead channels (not disclosed). OTOH it could be fine. Shipping is a pain (could you put you state in your profile), local LOR members may have stuff available on a will call basis.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblack Posted December 30, 2022 Author Share Posted December 30, 2022 On 12/28/2022 at 8:59 PM, TheDucks said: Simple. I didn't do it with 1 AC controller. And NO, I don't cut AC strings. They (mini lights) don't split except at exact points or need Resistors Calculated to replace missing bulbs. Real C7 or C9 can eat power (but the can be any length) and you need to manage port load carefully (LOR has a 'how many chart' on one of the stoes pages) My first MTree was 9 strands, with the others to different bushes in the yard. The next season I added a used (Gen 2) and a few ran cords to the ridge line (note: 1 story house), the channel breaks were where things ended. After that, I went +DUMB (CMB24), which does the same as the AC with 24 channels of DC (or 8 RGB. I do use some individually with 12V lights like you find in Autos. I converted a yard flood to light my US Flag, I vary the intensity ). The Ridge became RGB (I mounted the controller on the Chimney (Extra Antenna Mount) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNbvb6PCypJm5oxizE3Ff1iLBckuno9m/view?usp=share_link . Let your imagination roam: Can I put a Light THERE (safely). Start simple for 2023. (and do the easy places. 2nd story edges are NOT easy unless you have a bucket truck) You might find a chance for used. Watch out for e-bay stuff. It may be really old (Gen 2 AC is limited to slow speeds and needs to be on a non-enhance network) or it may have dead channels (not disclosed). OTOH it could be fine. Shipping is a pain (could you put you state in your profile), local LOR members may have stuff available on a will call basis.) Can you elaborate on not cutting AC strings? I was looking at rolls or strings of C9s that I could put LED bulbs into, so I could cut the strands to the lengths I need. Is that a bad idea? I am under the impression those strands are meant to be cut and capped with vampire plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 34 minutes ago, dblack said: Can you elaborate on not cutting AC strings? I was looking at rolls or strings of C9s that I could put LED bulbs into, so I could cut the strands to the lengths I need. Is that a bad idea? I am under the impression those strands are meant to be cut and capped with vampire plugs. C7 / C9 strings can be cut without issue because each bulb is getting the full 120 volts. Mini-light strings are series circuits with for example 25 bulbs in series along with a current limiting resistor. Each bulb is only seeing about 4 volts. If you change the number of bulbs, you have to re-calculate the proper resistor size. Really what that means is that you can only cut them at certain spots. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblack Posted December 30, 2022 Author Share Posted December 30, 2022 20 minutes ago, k6ccc said: C7 / C9 strings can be cut without issue because each bulb is getting the full 120 volts. Mini-light strings are series circuits with for example 25 bulbs in series along with a current limiting resistor. Each bulb is only seeing about 4 volts. If you change the number of bulbs, you have to re-calculate the proper resistor size. Really what that means is that you can only cut them at certain spots. Perfect, thanks. My plan would be to use C9 on the roof with LED bulbs and cut to length, and C7 around windows and garage doors with LED and cut to length, and then use mini lights for some mini trees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 7 hours ago, dblack said: Perfect, thanks. My plan would be to use C9 on the roof with LED bulbs and cut to length, and C7 around windows and garage doors with LED and cut to length, and then use mini lights for some mini trees. 💡 Cutable (actual C7/C9)will only have 2 wires the entire length of the string AND an Outlet at the other end. If there is no outlet, a closer inspection is needed. The same 2 wires go to every bulb socket (this is usually standard SPT lamp cord, but that is not a requirement, BTW If you are cutting 120V strings: The wire with a RIB (or stripe) gets connected to the Wide pin on the plug (it is the one that connects to the shell in the socket. SAFETY item. (mini lights run the 3rd wire for the outlet (or second bank on longer strings) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraysonLights09 Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 With your four extra channels you could buy some plastic Candy Canes and line your driveway or put lights on bushes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblack Posted December 30, 2022 Author Share Posted December 30, 2022 4 hours ago, TheDucks said: 💡 Cutable (actual C7/C9)will only have 2 wires the entire length of the string AND an Outlet at the other end. If there is no outlet, a closer inspection is needed. The same 2 wires go to every bulb socket (this is usually standard SPT lamp cord, but that is not a requirement, BTW If you are cutting 120V strings: The wire with a RIB (or stripe) gets connected to the Wide pin on the plug (it is the one that connects to the shell in the socket. SAFETY item. (mini lights run the 3rd wire for the outlet (or second bank on longer strings) What do you mean a closer inspection is needed? I see what you mean now where some have plugs on both ends and some only have plugs on one end. Should I avoid those that only have one plug? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblack Posted December 30, 2022 Author Share Posted December 30, 2022 1 hour ago, GraysonLights09 said: With your four extra channels you could buy some plastic Candy Canes and line your driveway or put lights on bushes. Probably going to build some mini trees and put 3 on the left side of the house and 1 on the other. If I end up with a second controller I think I’ll build a 16 channel mega tree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 2 minutes ago, dblack said: What do you mean a closer inspection is needed? I see what you mean now where some have plugs on both ends and some only have plugs on one end. Should I avoid those that only have one plug? dblack this is not intended to be a put down. The fact you have to ask shows you are not a trained electo-mechanical tech. There is no singular way to detect, which is why I do a hard look. The Diode or resistor can be any place in the Series string and do its job. I have over 50Y of electronics experience and not all are obvious, it can take me a bit of time to find the cut point (if it exists). Some thing like Full wave (the pro's love these), needs test equipment to prove. And Yes!, sometimes, I let the magic smoke escape, which is why I nag about cheating on safe practices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblack Posted December 30, 2022 Author Share Posted December 30, 2022 27 minutes ago, TheDucks said: dblack this is not intended to be a put down. The fact you have to ask shows you are not a trained electo-mechanical tech. There is no singular way to detect, which is why I do a hard look. The Diode or resistor can be any place in the Series string and do its job. I have over 50Y of electronics experience and not all are obvious, it can take me a bit of time to find the cut point (if it exists). Some thing like Full wave (the pro's love these), needs test equipment to prove. And Yes!, sometimes, I let the magic smoke escape, which is why I nag about cheating on safe practices. I’m definitely not, which is why I’m asking questions. I’m not asking about the mini lights, strictly the C7/C9 that have a single plug vs. plugs on both ends. Just trying to understand the difference there and if I should avoid the single plug strands if I’m planning to make my own cut to length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 5 hours ago, TheDucks said: 💡 Cutable (actual C7/C9)will only have 2 wires the entire length of the string AND an Outlet at the other end. If there is no outlet, a closer inspection is needed. There are companies that sell spools of SPT wire with C7/C9 sockets on them that are designed to be cut ... anywhere. At least according to the instructions, and my own 'more than a few years' of experience. Are you saying this is wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 1 hour ago, Don said: There are companies that sell spools of SPT wire with C7/C9 sockets on them that are designed to be cut ... anywhere. At least according to the instructions, and my own 'more than a few years' of experience. Are you saying this is wrong? Yes, those can be cut to any length you that you want and you CAN put a female outlet on the far end to be able to plug something else in. Note, you are current limited with SPT, so don't think you can plug in your 1500 watt heater into it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 1 hour ago, Don said: There are companies that sell spools of SPT wire with C7/C9 sockets on them that are designed to be cut ... anywhere. At least according to the instructions, and my own 'more than a few years' of experience. Are you saying this is wrong? No. All I was saying was don't jump to conclusions because it 'looks' like a C7 or C9. (AFAIK the look-like do not use SPT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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