Controller and Computer Location Setup

[juricta]

I started this in an earlier thread that has closed but I have a "new" question on the same idea.

I have attached a photo of my house and the 6 sets of props and a close guess as to where the props will be located.  Here is the question:

Can anyone suggest where to locate the 6xControllers and computer (to play sequence)? I have plenty of CAT5 cable so I can make any length up to 300 feet. The computer will currently be located inside the garage on the left by the door. (If necessary for better centrality I can place the computer in the house behind the MATRIX.  I am especially concerned with where to place the controller for the rooflines and the windows.

ALL suggestions are appreciated.

[PhilMassey]

No pictures. If you are trying to use the forums image storage, don't.

The storage is pitifully small. use a web service of some kind like Google drive or Dropbox or One drive and insert a link.

[k6ccc]

I generally try to locate controllers as close as practical to the props that they control.  This is far more of a requirement for pixels than AC props.

The LOR RS-485 network can be up to 4,000 feet, so really hard to exceed that at a normal house.

I have a somewhat abnormal situation in that almost all of my LOR networking is used year round for landscape lighting.  All of that Cat-5 is in permanently installed conduit.  For LOR networking for Christmas, I add exactly two 16 channel AC controllers that are right next to each other and only about 15 cable feet from where I insert them into the existing network.  Most of my show is on E1.31 networking (DMX over Ethernet).  Again, the year round stuff is in permanent conduit.  For Christmas I add five E1.31 controllers that are all fairly close to existing network switches.  My show computer and the file server that runs the landscaping show off season are in a data cabinet in my garage.

 

[dgrant]

We each have our own arrangements based on house, yard, shrubbery and so on. At my house, I have most controllers in one place, under a support structure for my pixel tree. I cover that structure with a green outdoor rug and hang a large red bow on it, so it sort of looks like a present. I do have a couple of controllers that are close or very close to their associated props such as my singing trees. Also, for some spiral trees that have ws2811's on them, I'm using a P12S from JoshuaSystems but its liability is that it must be very close to the pixels. I think I get away with 15 feet from the controller to the pixel but that's it.

So, depends on your controllers, communication path to them, type of communication and finally, the max output distance to the props.

Edited November 8 by dgrant

[TheDucks]

I did this layout for my previous location. Remember, with a ground mounted controller, you burn 8' of your smart cable length just going to the eves. 

A even more previous location, I added an extra antenna mount to the chimney for the rooftop. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNbvb6PCypJm5oxizE3Ff1iLBckuno9m/view?usp=drive_link

Only Power and Cat5 needed . Having unused ports is not a Sin 😁 

[juricta]

May have to ask a new question but........

When you attach the LOR Rooflines to the eaves of the house do you use PVC pipe to secure the lights then secure PVC to the house?