Sean Meighan

Hardware => General hardware => Topic started by: Greg.Ca on January 24, 2015, 05:24:22 PM

Title: What do you use to test your pixels?
Post by: Greg.Ca on January 24, 2015, 05:24:22 PM

I use exclusively 5V WS2811 & WS2812b pixels because I like the fact that I have individual control of each & every pixel. I have used this little $20.00 tester in the past and it has worked great for me. I simply plug it into the wall, connect three wires and I know if my pixel strip is working. It has push button switch on it which allows me go through quite a few of the built in programs & patterns. I don't believe it can test 12V pixels. Not sure.


Not sure how many pixels it can drive as it only has a cheap 1 amp 5 volt wall wart type power supply that came with it. I'm in the process of replacing the small power supply with a larger current capacity power supply. Anybody else comment on how you test your pixels? --Greg---

Title: Re: What do you use to test your pixels?
Post by: Steve Gase on January 24, 2015, 06:04:02 PM

I use the uSC connected to either 12v or 5v power.  connect 3wires to the pixels and you are good.  a magnetic switch is used to enter test mode, or you can solder a wire across the switch and always have test mode enabled.

these babies are about $8 and can do 5v or 12v, can run test mode in isolation, run DMX or Pixelnet.

I should explain:  the uSC is the micro string controller, available on the FalconChristmas.com forum.

Title: Re: What do you use to test your pixels?
Post by: jnealand on January 24, 2015, 07:15:34 PM

I use an SSC or uSC as well, but I also have a device from Ray, the TH2010-x that works well once I got it figured out.  I am all 12v

Title: Re: What do you use to test your pixels?
Post by: flyinverted on January 24, 2015, 11:33:21 PM

I saw one of these in use at a lighting meetup last weekend in Sacramento.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-RGB-3key-Controller-for-5050-WS2811-Dream-Color-LED-light-Strip-Module-12V-/281503921747?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418af0f653 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-RGB-3key-Controller-for-5050-WS2811-Dream-Color-LED-light-Strip-Module-12V-/281503921747?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418af0f653)

Ray sells these too for under 3.00 each. I've been told you can get them for about 1.00 in qty's of 20 or more.

I will be ordering a few for quick string tests.

Title: Re: What do you use to test your pixels?
Post by: Lights On Fifth on January 25, 2015, 07:40:41 AM

I am way behind still use xlights to test the strings  :'(