Nutcracker: The cost of a MegaTree

[smeighan]

A thread on doityourself.com

How I costed mine for about a 12ft to 13ft tree with a good covering of pixels (Electrical items only the tree stand / frame and wires are not included).

Pixels:
42 per strand * 32 strands = 1344 pixels / 50 (qty sold in) = 27 strands.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login = $26.32 / strand * 27 strands = $710.64 + shipping.

Power supply:
Pixels require 0.06A * 1344 pixels = 80A.
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login will do 40A so = $20.21 *2 = $40.42 + shipping.

Connectors:
32 pairs (can miss out if you want).
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login = $0.86 * 32 = $27.52 + shipping.

Hardware pixel controller (or protocol converter):
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login will run 680 pixels so 2 needed = $109 (in kit form) * 2 = $218.00 + shipping.

The ideas, software, and help and support of DIYC. = Priceless.

So $710.64 + $40.42 + $27.52 + $218.00 = $996.58 + estimate of about $200 for shipping = $1200
You can save on that – don’t use connectors – use the E680 – only have the front half of the tree (halves the price)– make the tree shorter – etc.

The 'Color Motions Tree' thread (in mega trees) has some good discussion on fixing methods for the pixels. Hope that gives you something to work with.

I plan on building my Tree using RJ's controlers. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

I believe i am going to get 16 strings with 128 pixels each. I will also only build the front half of the tree this year to save money and i will fold each string in a UP/DOWN next

RJ's smart string controllers last year were about $11 for each string

16x$11=$176


RJ has a DMX hub that is DMX in and his protocol out. One hub supports 16 strings.
1x$49=$49
Here is link to the coop they an last year for the smart string controller and hub. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login


I have ordered his Pixelnet EtherDongle , E1.31 DMX ethernet controller, Coop was here You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

1x$93

The RGB strings come from Ray Wu in China
25ct: $15  You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
50ct: $28 You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
75ct: $43 You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
100ct: $56 You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
128ct: $70 You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

16 strings x 1280 ct = $1120
Shipping for 16 strings
16 x $26 = $416. This is taking the single shipping price times the quantity. I have been told Ray reduces shippign when you order a lot, i am going to guess in half? so call
shipping $200.

You need one ATX PC Power supply to plug into the hub. In RJ's design he drives with 12V , so you dont need to inject power into this long string.
I think these are around $20

Also , everything connects with RJ11 connectors.
I need 20-30 RJ11 connectors, haven't looked them up

for cases
The smart string controllers are inserted into thin wall PVC pipe with end caps on them
E!.31 ethernet controller and 16 port hub needs a case, i havent looke dthem up

This tree , folded is going to be 15' high, 8' wide.
 It is roughly
$22+49+93+1120+$200+20 + 50(guess on cases and connectors) = $1708

I did mention i wanted to have a tree, that uses less hardware, but still cool effects
The above tree is 16x128 folded to give 32x64. And using those for only half a tree  means i will model a 64x64 dense tree and only activate the front half.

Now lets try only a 2x128 string tree.
Lets fold each string 8 times with 16 pixels in each fold (i call this the strand of the tree)

First the cost

$22+49+93+140+$50+20 + 40 (guess on cases and connectors) = $414

This would give me a half tree that is 16 strands x 16 pixels

How big would this two string be? 46"

So for about $400 = 4' tree
$1700 = 16' tree

Pick how much money you can afford and build that the first year.

So for our 4' tree






[img]http://meighan.net/nutcracker/effects/workspaces/2/AMINITREE+GARLAND0_MINI.gif[img]


Can someone verify my math? I have not put all this stuff together yet.

thanks

[Mike Hill]

Alright.....(fake coop)

I will take 4 of kit #1.

Not bad at all.  Thank you very much for the quick insight of cost here.

[smeighan]

Alright.....(fake coop)

I will take 4 of kit #1.

Not bad at all.  Thank you very much for the quick insight of cost here.

I saw the ssc coop seemed to go very fast last year, i have to believe the demand over the last year has probably doubled for RGB devices. I hope i get in when the gate goes up.

[Mike Hill]

Same here.

[vairmoose]

One note here.   Power.  You never ...  never  ...  never want to run the power supply at 100% ..       If I recall correctly,  the experts here have stated  to  limit the planned max at   60 -  75 percent of power supply capacity.     so   be sure to allow a little more in the planning. 

Larry.

[jnealand]

I do not think you will be able to do what you want with a $20 power supply.  Figure more like $50 - 60.  zlook got s good sale and that can come down, but I bet it will still be at least $40.  But if you think you might go bigger the following year just get a bigger PS now and you won't have to replace the PS when you do go bigger on the tree.

[Zeph]

Ray's listing for the 128 node string is no longer up.

Hopefully Ray can list it again; but it's VERY important that it be the right string.  Maybe RJ has to set it up to be sure.

Your estimate of $200 for shipping of 16 strings of 128 is about right; AliExpress gives a but under 200 for 16 strings of 128 (different product), and a bit more than $200 for 20 strings of 100 (the 100 node SS link still works).

[taybrynn]

The power supply estimate is very low as already mentioned.  Id figure $50 to $150 depending on quality you go for.  The really powerful supplies can jump from $100 to $200 to get the really high amp ratings.  Also the shipping from Ray kind of maxes out under $200 ... and at that point he can cram a lot into the box.

[remixsam]

I'll take it! 

[remixsam]

Is it possible to use the ribbon/flex strips with this program?

[smeighan]

Is it possible to use the ribbon/flex strips with this program?

If u mean the Nutcracker, yes. I have no limitations about the hardware being used.


All i need to know is the number of strings, the distance between pixels. I dont care what kind of controller  or what voltage. The physical attributes don't matter except,
1) How many strings
2) How many pixels per string (A pixel to me is an rgb object)
3) The spacing between the pixels.

I also don't care if it is a tree, a flat ray, a grid or eveb if it is strings wrapped around a sphere. I Do have to create the software to create the target models, but after that you basically create a physical representation of your rgb device and then connect effects to your target.