Author Topic: Smart String Project 2013-2016  (Read 22794 times)

Offline ThaiWay

  • Patron Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1228
  • 1500 C9's are not [i]green[/i]!
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #30 on: January 24, 2013, »
I was thinking too much about how to make at least semi-smart icicles and getting nowhere except tangled up in lots of wire and splices.  Then I saw this You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login and the light turned on.
Chok Dee! (Thai "good luck" greeting)
John

Unofficial 220V 50Hz Beta Tester

Offline travailen

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 332
  • 77459
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #31 on: January 24, 2013, »
Regarding the icicles, I have been very happy with my two smart strings in one clear PVC for this years arches. So, I have decided to build some 3ft icicles. I have the PVC cut and the smart strings cut. I will be assembling them in about 2 weeks. Then I will do some pictures.

Rick S

Offline chrisatpsu

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3729
  • ahhh, yes... my new blink-i-nator 3000!!!
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #32 on: January 24, 2013, »
my idea for the icicles is to have the control chips in the top of the tube, with wires running down to the actual leds in the tubes.

using the 1" pvc to hold the chips and resistors, then a reducer to a clear plastic tube to hold the leds.

some people do the up/down method, but then are limited to how long they can run their icicles.
To rule the entire tri-state area!  What's that? Perry the Platypus!!!

Offline plaberge

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 105
  • Every good project requires a new tool
    • Laberge Christmas Lights
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #33 on: January 24, 2013, »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Any chance we get a C7 or C9 smart string??

Ray Wu carries these snap on faceted C9 covers $11.58/100. You slip over the standard 12mm pixels and Voila, instant C9 smart string. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login I've tried them out and they look fine but can fill with water, so be sure you are using IP68 strings.
- Paul
  North Vancouver, BC
  You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

Offline loveroflife96

  • Coop Manager
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 439
  • Brandon Christmas 2010
    • My Christmas Display Website
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #34 on: January 24, 2013, »
Was thinking of this idea last week and was trying to think of a way to get a good "icicle" look during the day.  Had some in the past that I used hot glue on with incan and they turned out well, but weathered and turned yellow over the years.  Thinking about maybe using acrylic and melting it and allowing it to drip on tubing to create look.  Not sure, will have to test once I get to this project to figure it out.

Offline ThaiWay

  • Patron Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1228
  • 1500 C9's are not [i]green[/i]!
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #35 on: January 25, 2013, »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
my idea for the icicles is to have the control chips in the top of the tube, with wires running down to the actual leds in the tubes.

using the 1" pvc to hold the chips and resistors, then a reducer to a clear plastic tube to hold the leds.

some people do the up/down method, but then are limited to how long they can run their icicles.

If I get you Chris, by "how long" you're saying that the "limit" is the number of LED's that the chip can handle?  In the case of your arches the limit was nine 5050's per chip, right?

I have an idea about icicles/meteors but little practical know-how.  I don't wanna hijack yours so I'll start a new thread.
Chok Dee! (Thai "good luck" greeting)
John

Unofficial 220V 50Hz Beta Tester

Offline chrisatpsu

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3729
  • ahhh, yes... my new blink-i-nator 3000!!!
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #36 on: January 25, 2013, »
someone had this idea...
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

which involved the nodes dropping to a certain length, then regular wire running back up...
the issue is the length of the return wire is limited as you can only have so many feet between nodes.


my idea is to have the ssc wire come into the top into my circuit board, then exit, and move onto the next icicle.
inside the icicle, the circuit board connects to the rgb leds in the tube to make the icicle...
now the length limitation is only between icicles.

Red,Green,Blue wire is the wire coming from the SSC.
Orange is the circuit board(s)
Purple are the leds in the tube
Maroon (thin) are the wires running to each led.

To rule the entire tri-state area!  What's that? Perry the Platypus!!!

Offline chrisatpsu

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3729
  • ahhh, yes... my new blink-i-nator 3000!!!
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #37 on: January 25, 2013, »
i just wish, smeighen can allow a matrix to be programmed from the top right and run vertically.
To rule the entire tri-state area!  What's that? Perry the Platypus!!!

Offline smeighan

  • Patron Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2285
    • Nutcracker RGB Sequence Builder
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #38 on: January 25, 2013, »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
i just wish, smeighen can allow a matrix to be programmed from the top right and run vertically.

Horiz targets this year will allow you to start in any corner
Sean
Littleton, CO
Latest releases You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
xLights/Nutcracker Forum You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Fbook You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

Offline chrisatpsu

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3729
  • ahhh, yes... my new blink-i-nator 3000!!!
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #39 on: January 25, 2013, »
hanging icicles woud be verticle. So, i'm still hoping !
To rule the entire tri-state area!  What's that? Perry the Platypus!!!

Offline rrowan

  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5899
  • 08096
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #40 on: January 25, 2013, »
Seems like a good idea but $$$$, I would think it would be easier and cheaper to just put a node (skip that node in sequencing ) in the wire if the run is over 6'. Just saying the cost of one node is a lot cheaper that the cost of a SSC.

just my 2 cents

Rick R.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
someone had this idea...
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

which involved the nodes dropping to a certain length, then regular wire running back up...
the issue is the length of the return wire is limited as you can only have so many feet between nodes.


my idea is to have the ssc wire come into the top into my circuit board, then exit, and move onto the next icicle.
inside the icicle, the circuit board connects to the rgb leds in the tube to make the icicle...
now the length limitation is only between icicles.

Red,Green,Blue wire is the wire coming from the SSC.
Orange is the circuit board(s)
Purple are the leds in the tube
Maroon (thin) are the wires running to each led.

Light Animation Hobby - Having fun and Learning at the same time. (21st member of DLA)
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Warning SOME assembly required

Offline chrisatpsu

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3729
  • ahhh, yes... my new blink-i-nator 3000!!!
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #41 on: January 25, 2013, »
after some new developments, i think i can put this together for much less work than the smart arches, and still cost less than getting smart string nodes.
To rule the entire tri-state area!  What's that? Perry the Platypus!!!

Offline rdebolt

  • Patron Member
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1605
    • Christmas in Boise
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #42 on: January 25, 2013, »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
after some new developments, i think i can put this together for much less work than the smart arches, and still cost less than getting smart string nodes.

I'm all in. Do you want the measurements for my house now?  >:D

Offline chrisatpsu

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3729
  • ahhh, yes... my new blink-i-nator 3000!!!
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #43 on: January 25, 2013, »
the last items of my first prototype (strobes)  have shipped, so we'll see how this turns out.
To rule the entire tri-state area!  What's that? Perry the Platypus!!!

Offline youngberg1950

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 51
Re: Smart String Project 2013
« Reply #44 on: January 25, 2013, »
I found this website about a month ago: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

He is really what gave me the bug to look into pixels and rgb stuff. I like how he has one "keycicle" that a couple "pixicles" mirror from.  I'm not sure if this would work with a SSC but it might give you an idea??