RGB Questions

[ShaunTenn]

First, just want to say you guys are very talented! I'm diving head first into this hobby so I've been reading a lot of these post. The technical aspect is pretty remarkable and I appreciate reading all of your advice and contributions.  

My question is a fairly simple one (I believe). I purchased quite a few C9 RGB lights last year. They are dimmable and are controlled on an app / phone and plug in a regular outlet. I'm not going to attempt to use LOR this year but I was leaning towards purchasing the residential 16 channel computer show package. I'll use a lot of traditional dumb lights but I can plug my RGBs into this as well? I was confused because I see the pixie controllers with the dangles and mine clearly don't have that. I searched and just see info on the different connectors. The description for the residential package says you can add rgb lights later, i just didn't know if there was a functional difference using the xconnect dangles controllers or if it's just a preference on what you've purchased.

Thank you guys!!! Love all the videos and pics of your setups!

[TheDucks]

Dangle choice basically place you in bed with a RGB light supplier. x-connect seems to be a connection supported by more than 1 source. (there are converter-adapters being  sold, but that is just another connection. (FWIW I am up to 5 styles: LOR Floods, EZplug4 for dumb strings, EZpluge/x-connect for Smart RGB and I have some 2 pin for single color)

Avoid random styles (OTOH you DO for different voltages to keep the Oh S!!!! events down). You will need mating extensions. It is just a lot easier if there is only 1 style.

Your wall plug RGB is probably not convertible. Depends on the chip in the string.  You will cut off their controller and set up LOR. Note: Pixies support 1 chip type setting per board.  (This is a case where 1 big Pixie might be a poor plan)

OTOH If you want LOR support all the way. Yep. LOR strings and dangles.

The Residential (CTB16PC) is good for dumb AC devices. (consider: Power modules do not like being jerked around. On/Off, and not quickly. You can set the dimming curve on a G3 to On/Off)

[dgrant]

Terminology: AC Controller is for standard AC strings and so on. Do NOT use "Martha Lights" as they can catch fire. Most AC strings can be on/off and the better ones can fade or dim and so on.

RGB: These come in various types. DC Dumb strings/strips/nodes AND Intelligent strings/strips/nodes. Both of those different types use different kinds of controllers and possibly different kinds of communications. You MUST know what you have or purchase before connecting them to anything.

DC Dumb RGB: Most use a CMB24D DC Controller. It supplies a constant +12vdc and three variable -12vdc outputs. The varying outputs create the desired color and this is important, across the entire string as a whole!

DC Intelligent RGB: These intelligent strips/strings/nodes use a special controller to allow individual commands to each LED or group depending on the type of strip/string/node you have. Many of these controllers are ethernet controlled and some have the capability to use RS485.

What's important to understand is that RS485 and Ethernet controls are not compatible. In the case of LOR, they allow us to use the same Cat5/6 cables for both types but you MUST insure you do not connect to wrong LED type to the wrong controller. You WILL fry something.

Referring to the many different rgb strips that are out and have their own little remotes, I have no clue what kind of leds are within. Altering them to work with LOR might or might not be worth the trouble but do your homework first. Do Not connect anything to your system till you know what you have and how to use it.

[dgrant]

I need to add to that: Do Not connect your controller to the wrong type of port or adapter going to your computer, director or whatever you use. Connecting the wrong type of controller to the wrong type of port, even though they use the same type of Cat5/6 cables, will fry something. A very costly error. Do your homework first!

[k6ccc]

One of my standard recommendations if you have both Ethernet and RS-485 serial networks.  Use a different color cable.  In my case, LOR networking (RS-485) uses purple cable, and Ethernet (E1.31) uses green cable.  Just for good measure, my standard home LAN uses blue cable.

 

[ShaunTenn]

 It appears the RGB lights I purchased will not work with the direction I'm going and I sort of figured that. Thank you guys for all of your input and information! It's much appreciated!