New smart string soon to come out.

[sittinguphigh]

Just received a email from Ray. New smart string using the TM1804IC chip soon to come out. Lower profile, brighter and less likely to come apart. The brightness of about 300 mcd per individual r/g/b LED. The normal smart string total 1600 mcd total for the whole string. At least this is what is said in the description.

It seems like this will give more options for the lights.

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Ray wu: Dear Mort
as many customers want the TM1804 type in this shape, i plan to make a new PCB, it should come out in about 10days, i will post it on my website then, i will inform you,please wait my news.
thanks and best regards
Ray
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[mitch09]

Awesome. Let us know when they are on the site.

[sjb]

This has also been discussed here with another post that our members sent Ray a email

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[Steve Gase]

The WS2811 product is rated IP66.  Ray has not said anything about this new offering, but I can guess it will be the same.
Based on our experience from the original smart string (rated IP66) we had quite a few issues with water.  The next generation, with IP68 rating did much better.
Before we all jump on this new offering, we should let a few people be guinea pigs and run them through their pages in wet conditions.

[sittinguphigh]

I was thinking on how to secure each node to the wire better with some kind of liquid rubber out of the tube that turns solid.
This would also help with the water problem to.

It may be good to do this with the new smart string coming out to.

Hanging these things up and down each year will create weakness in the wire connection to the nodes.

I don't think any one enjoys repairing smarts strings each year.

[sebjsan]

Can we ask Ray to make these in the IP68?

Sittingguphigh, my thoughts of use for these where to attach these to some pvc with electric tape/zip ties on either side of each node with some strain releif in the wire to prevent damaging the nodes.

[sittinguphigh]

Maybe Ray will make them in the IP68 if the new ones sell good. Ray it seems to move when enough people start emailing him asking for some thing. So I would start emailing him.

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I use my smart strings in the worst way on a horse that is moving and pulling all the time.
It would be nice if node had a little hole threw them on each side on the node to secure it.
But that would be asking to much.

I am thinking on a nylon tube. Strong. Never break it. Burn a hole threw the nylon (just one side) for the bulb then secure the node to the nylon tube. I would leave a little slack in the wire between nodes. Every thing would be inside except the bulb part. That way it hides the wire from site and keep the wire from catching on any thing. I would have clips on both ends easy to connect and put away. This way I could roll it up in a wheel storage with no damage.

Of coarse I only need a 90 degree visual site of the node on my horse.

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[tbone321]

These might work very well for my leaping arches.  Much easier to thread thru the tube and less money than the flex strips.  I guess that when the time comes, I will add a string of these to my sample order to see what works best.

[youngberg1950]

Has anyone received notice from Ray about these new nodes?

[plaberge]

I got this reply from Ray this morning.

"Dear Paul,
 
thanks for your kind inquiry, the below type is only IP66,because is made by injection machine, not by silicon filling.
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how about the below type,which is real IP 68 rated:
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of course, we can make it with TM1804 IC 12v.
 
looking forward to your reply!
thanks and best regards
 
------------------
Ray"

I ordered a few the 735789822 alternative with the 2811 IC a while back, They are definitely waterproof but do not provide the ease of mounting of the flat bottom design. I've told him that several DLA members are interested in using these for mega trees and we are looking for a simple and reliable way of mounting these on a strong, flexible and inexpensive and possibly translucent strapping. I've also enquired about the possibility of him manufacturing something with 12mm pre-punched holes with 4.25 in spacing. Will let you know when I hear back.

Paul.

[youngberg1950]

Thanks for the update Paul!

Please keep us informed as to what you find out. I thought he was already making them in the TM1804?

Doug

[plaberge]

He may well be, the link may simply have been for illustration.

Paul.

[sittinguphigh]

I just email Ray again.
He said they have TM1804 chip in these nodes.
I have a feeling Ray is not answering these emails.
Or least not answering all the emails.


Ray wu:

07:30 Jan 16,2013



Dear Mort
yes, we have the same type with 12v TM1804, could you let me know how many you need?
thanks and best regards
Ray
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[Jeffl]

It's a cloned Ray.  There are probably 50 different people behind the scenes.

[sittinguphigh]

Maybe Ray is there Smith. Everyone just keep emailing asking for that kind of nodes in a TM1804 chip.
Maybe some one will get the hint.