Smart String 2011 COOP - assembly tips, gotchas

[hbomb341]

One thing I noted - In the wiki it recommends connecting female end of the connectors to the controller (I agree) - on my ridged strips the female end if the input male on the output.  So just FYI for anyone.  I want to do all my controllers the same so I can switch thing out if needed - flexibility.

Harrison

[hbomb341]

One thing I noted - In the wiki it recommends connecting female end of the connectors to the controller (I agree) - on my ridged strips the female end if the input male on the output.  So just FYI for anyone.  I want to do all my controllers the same so I can switch thing out if needed - flexibility.

Harrison

Just chatted with Ray - if you plan on using the ridged strips they are all this way.  Looks like I will be going against the recommendation.

Harrison

[trekster]

The last step in the manual of the SS controller is clearly noted on how to connect the wires to the nodes.  It says:

"Once completed you can connect your lights feeder cable (make sure it is the input end of the lights) or your pigtail from Ray on to the SSC as shown. Make sure the wires are connected to the correct pad. They are marked as Data, - , + to show power and signal. "

In my case with rectangle nodes and not using pig-tails, the picture colors are wrong.  I went by looking at the picture and not reading.  This was wrong of me.

Be sure to not make my mistake.

Ron

[ponddude]

Good find Ron.

Is there an easy way to figure out what wires do what on the lights?  Are they marked on the first pixel or node?

Greg

[trekster]

Good find Ron.

Is there an easy way to figure out what wires do what on the lights?  Are they marked on the first pixel or node?

Greg

On the rectangle and the square they are clearly marked on the PCB's (+) (Data) and (-).  The nodes may be, but I can't see through the plastic.

Ron

[RJ]

The strings have the Green as Ground. Blue as data. I tried to get them made all the same and was told they would be changed but they were not.

The others modules have the blue and green the other way so Blue is ground and Green is data, 

RJ

[tng5737]

See this post: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

[taybrynn]

On Step 8 and Step 9 of the SSC manual, the 3 pin regulator referred to as 1117 is the same as a LD33CV.

The LD33CV is what is printed on the chip, not 1117.

The other regulator 7805, is also shown as 7805 on the chip.

[Mickpat]

I am connecting flex strips to all of my controllers.  Today I build a few more controllers and started to test them.  My second string of LEDs wouldn't light.

On the flex string, there is an IN and an OUT.  I had connected the controller to the OUT.  The flex stips come in a roll and I guess sometimes they come rolled starting from the IN or starting from the OUT.  Once I corrected this issue, the next flex worked perfectly.  Two down, 11 more to go.

[Rainlover]

From experience.
If you are using the 3 wire connectors from Ray, Make sure you put the nut on the unthreaded end before you solder the connectors to the  SS controller and Smart Strings.
OOPS.

John

[RJ]

From experience.
If you are using the 3 wire connectors from Ray, Make sure you put the nut on the unthreaded end before you solder the connectors to the  SS controller and Smart Strings.
OOPS.

John

   done it!   

RJ

[taybrynn]

Make sure your using Vixen 2.1.1.0 if you want to use the pixelnet plugin.  eff. 06/23/2011

[frankr]

When putting the pipe caps on make sure that they are the right size for 

[chrisatpsu]

1inch sch40 caps work on 1inch thin wall pvc  : )

[cBell]

When putting the pipe caps on make sure that they are the right size for 

Also, make sure to put the cap on BEFORE soldering the wire on.