I figure a lot of people will be using SS for a mega tree. So, I figure a nice Excell spreadsheet will help. Modify the stuff in green and the stuff that will hurt your bank account is in yellow. A simple example:
128 pixels per string, run each string back and forth from tip to edge 3x, spacing each string 3.5" at the bottom wth a height/width ratio of 2.75:1 will result in needing 16 strings @ and approximate cost of $1600 that is ~12 feet high.
Note: As a counter point, a RGBW of seperate strings would total about $1300 ($900 for LED strings and $400 for 4 LE's enclosed with cables). Therefore, it is pretty easy to determine if the ~$300 cost increase is woth the nearly infinite color/pattern pallet and much simplier wiring/layout.
This spreadsheet is provided as is...no warranty....and don't count on the $/item values.
Looks very nice.
Could you make a simpler one also? Maybe on another sheet?
Just prompt for number of strings ,number of pixels, price per string.
(You also forgot the cost of the ether dongle.)
Here is my tree.
20 strings
120 pixels per string
$42 per string
I also need
20 SSC's ($10 last year)
1 etherdongle ($94 last year)
2 hubs ($62 last year)
20 10' cat5 cables ($1.50 ea. You are not allowed to view links.
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2 power supplies
1 50' cat5 cable to reach my computer
1 cat5 to connect between two hubs
You can also simplify the dimensions, i do this in nutcracker.
If flex strips the spacing is 1.3:, regular strings i use 3".
Calculate the hypotenuse
Assume diameter is half the height
Now you can calculate all the dimensions.
You will be very close for most peoples tree. Also you might ask if it is a half megatree (Just if you want the spacing correct for between vertical strands. my 20x120 is a half megatree.
You might extend this configurator concept and include the cost to build the same tree with Sandevices E682 and also j1sys ecg-p12r.
Both of these are $180 assembled, $110 as a kit. They have a built in ethernet connector that is e1.31. If you need more than one card, you need an ethernet switch (about $50).
They do not come with cases or power supplies.
e682 drives 16 strings and 8 universes
p12r drives 12 strings and 12 universes. If you do put 170 pixels on each (one universe), you will need power injection.
they both can drive 180x, 2801 and 2811.
They do not need the concept of a SSC if the distance is under 20'. Just connect the strings to the boards using cat5 cables
you can use the 12v ws2811 flex strips that are $0.21 per pixel for cost estimates. Our 1809 flex strip is $0.35 per pixel.
Now some one answers 3 questions and you estimate the cost for the three main controllers.
again, good job.
sean