DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: galgon on January 07, 2013,
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What is the difference between the metal backed square 50/50s and the plastic rectangular 50/50s? Is it simply the form factor an materials? Are there certain tasks where one is better than the other? The rectangular nodes are considerably cheaper than the square ones so I am just trying to see what the extra money buys you.
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according to the wiki, the plastic rectangles consume more power per node. aside from that, they both have three rgbleds that are controlled together.
the metal squares have them in a triangle shape
the plastic rectangles are in a straight line.
the plastic rectangles are about twice as thick as the metal squares, bu they are skinnier.
both are commonly used behind something to illuminate it.
for me, i used metal squares inside an acrylic globe to light up the globe.
And i used plastic rectangles to illuminate coroplast
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Functionally they are the same. It's mainly a visual difference. A line of plastic rectangles can do well for a roofline.
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Due to the current difference, I would suspect that the rectangular nodes are also using slightly higher powered LED's which would make them slightly brighter.
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they use the same leds
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How do you know? Do you have the specific component list for each node? What is causing a larger current draw? It may be that they are using smaller current limiting resistors and if so, then again, the rectangular nodes will probably be a little brighter.
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Could the wiki be off?
Ray Wu's site shows the same power consumption:Power Consumption Per Piece: 0.24Rectangle: TM1804 IC led pixel module, DC12V input;20pcs a stringSquare: TM1804 IC led pixel module, DC12V input;20pcs a string
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Grab some dumb ones at holidaycoro.com and a dmx controller (power supply if you don't have 12VDC) to fool with and see if you like them. Although dumb they are very similar. I was immediately hooked. You have been warned! ;D
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Grab some dumb ones at holidaycoro.com and a dmx controller (power supply if you don't have 12VDC) to fool with and see if you like them. Although dumb they are very similar. I was immediately hooked. You have been warned! ;D
I did see that the dumb squares have 4 leds, and not 3 like the smart.
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Could the wiki be off?
Ray Wu's site shows the same power consumption:Power Consumption Per Piece: 0.24Rectangle: TM1804 IC led pixel module, DC12V input;20pcs a stringSquare: TM1804 IC led pixel module, DC12V input;20pcs a string
Well, if the WIKI is off and that sometimes happens, then they probably are using the same components and that is that.
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B/c i get a lot of my materials from Ray...
(http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t438/chrisatpsu/IMAG0364_zps7e96774f.jpg)
(http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t438/chrisatpsu/IMAG0365_zps71733ad0.jpg)
(http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t438/chrisatpsu/IMAG0366_zps1bea0a73.jpg)
btw, the squares, and rectangles use the same resistors, led, diode, and cap...
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And draw the same current so as said above, this part of th discussion is a wash.
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The biggest difference I have found between the two is, one sticks to magnets and the other doesn't.
Hope this helps...
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The biggest difference I have found between the two is, one sticks to magnets and the other doesn't.
Hope this helps...
hot glue seems to work ok with plastic nodes.
double-backed tape does well with the metal nodes.
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as in my picture, nuts and bolts work well with the metal squares also...
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Grab some dumb ones at holidaycoro.com and a dmx controller (power supply if you don't have 12VDC) to fool with and see if you like them. Although dumb they are very similar. I was immediately hooked. You have been warned! ;D
I did see that the dumb squares have 4 leds, and not 3 like the smart.
Although not in the wiki all my squares are the 4 led variety. http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/20pcs-string-TM1804IC-waterproof-led-pixel-module-4pcs-SMD-RGB-5050/701799_441785531.html (http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/20pcs-string-TM1804IC-waterproof-led-pixel-module-4pcs-SMD-RGB-5050/701799_441785531.html)
Works flawlessly with v3.1 ssc firmware. Last time I chatted with Ray he said he was not going to stock the 3 led squares since no one is buying them. More output and cheaper :o
Truthfully it's all a shape issue to me. I prefer the symmetry of the 4 led squares (pic in thread) but the rectangles have their place too (pic attached). http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=9410.msg130792#msg130792 (http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=9410.msg130792#msg130792)