2D Pixel Tree examples

[KenKol]

Last year, I had usec the pixel strips to make a 12 strand 2D Pixel Tree. I had used the strips that are in the silicon sleeve and it just seems that whatever I try, I cannot get them 100% sealed and some water seeps in and causes havoc and I end up replacing it with another strip. I was looking for examples of either ways to seal these or a complete rebuild using pixels and boscoyo straps with 1 inch spacing. I have had zero issues with pixels in my yard all winter long but my concern is that these pixels, being "bigger" then the strip pixels, it may look odd/wierd when displaying pictures and words. Does someone have an example of a 2D tree done using the 1" spacing straps.

I plan on using about 85 pixels on each strap which comes out to just over 7 feet tall. The strips would be around 75 pixels (half of a standard roll) and be closer to eight feet tall. I could go the full 96 pixels and come out at 8 feet and that would be good as well. but before I fully commit, I want to see what it would look like first.

[babybear]

Wow its nice to see someone with the same issues that I have had. Ok don't take that wrong . I used a lot of strips last few years in my display. once the rainy weather turned into snow and freezing weather all was well. but before just as you I could not keep the water out. This year I gave away all my strips and replaced with bullets, just over 10,000 of them. My large tree is 150 nodes tall by 24 strands wide. Yes 1 inch on center. with in the next few weeks I will be setting it up and will be getting pix and videos. I will be sharing them with all. the worst case is the latest setup time will be X-mas in July. last weekend in July that is. 

[keithsw1111]

   I went with the silicone filled version of the strip. I had only one failure due to a solder joint on my 16 strand tree ... and we get summer rain and thunder storms.

[KenKol]

Keith,
 Where did you buy the silicon filled strips?


Maybe someone has a picture/video of the bullet strap setup running so I can see the differences

[jnealand]

I would be very weary of 1" spacing with a mega tree, because

1. That density would be way too bright even with brightness turned down in the controller, just because of the density.
2. You will not have anything close to 1" spacing horizontally.  I believe it is better to have the horizontal and vertical spacing close to the same.  A mega tree has variable spacing so it would be best to match something around the middle height of the tree.  If you end up with 6" horizontal spacing at the bottom then you have roughly 3" spacing in the middle of the tree.  I don't use much in the way of images or text on my 3 pixel trees, but with 3" spacing I think they look fine.  YMMV.
3. 1" spacing is more costly, more time consuming to build, requires more power, more controller committment, etc, etc.  But it is your commitment and your tree.

I would try 2" spacing first.  Just my 2 cents.

[Ebuechner]

I use silicone tube strips with two modifications. The first is I get rid of the cap that it comes with and I use a plastic forceps about 4 or 5 pixels down to clamp the end so the tube doesn't move, then I pump some clear silicone into the end just covering the solder joints on the strip and let it dry. Then on what's going to be the bottom side of the strip I do roughly the same but I do leave an opening in case any moisture gets in so it has an exit point. I've only had one problem and it was because I accidentally poked a hole in a strip while putting it up and didn't notice ( the exit hole did its job) a dab of silicone fixed where the water came in.

[KenKol]

jnealand,
In the strip light form the pixels are @ 1.250" apart. Granted they are smaller pixels and, therefore, the brightness isn't as much it still looked good. Bullet nodes at a 2 inch spacing would only be 50 pixels high at the same height. Controller and power are somewhat irrelevant at the point when adding 25 more pixels to "equal" what was there. That is why I was looking for some pictures or video to help justify the spacing and count. This particular element will be against my house approx. 35 feet from the curb so the next question is will 2 inch spacing be too "coarse" and not be readable?

[Boof63]

Hi, MAKE sure its Neutral cure silicon (acid based will corrode),
Pigtail joins onto strip, Heatshrink is placed over pigtail before soldering to strip
Fill middle to 2/3rds of heatshrink will silicone and thenm heat and shrink,
Air bubbles are forced out each end and shrink seals against pigtails and strip.
Works well, we have summer thunderstorms,. but more heat than rain in southern Australia
Cheers and good luck
Boof63

[Gilrock]

I think 2" spacing would be small as you want to go.  I have a bullet tree that has 4" spacing and it looks pretty good.  In my show there is a 12x50 ribbon strip tree on the right and a 32x42 bullet pixel tree on the left that's in a 360.  Some of my sequences play the same thing on both trees so it gives a good comparison of the look between strips and bullets.  Some graphics I like better on the strips because it tends to have a fuller look.

[KenKol]

Thanks Gil, Seeing it puts me at ease. At the 4 inch spacing, that makes it around 16.5 FEET tall? That looks good though. I am most likely gong to go 2" spacing and 75 Pixels which will still make it 12.5 feet tall. Much bigger then previous. What brightness are you set at to avoid the washout?

[Gilrock]

The right tree is 16.5' tall.  The left is 14 feet of lights but starting a foot off the ground.  I forget what my brightness setting is at now.  At one point I was at 80% but can't remember if I lowered it.  My son did those videos with a drone and he did a good job figuring out the settings to keep the trees from looking blown out.

[jnealand]

I keep my trees at 30% brightness and all other props at 50%.  The trees are at 30% because they look as good there as they do at 50%.  Because they are less dense in terms of pixels I have found the other props, like arches, snowflakes, etc look great at 50%.  With a falcon you can change the brightness while a sequence is playing and see what you like.  I turned down the brightness on only one output until there was a noticeable difference then came back up one notch and used that.  You should play with it once you set it up and see for yourself.

I had my wife watch and did not tell her which strands were dimming.  That way it wasn't just me picking the brightness.

[logandc99]

KemKol,
That's really unfortunate that you've had so much trouble with the strip. Would be very frustrating.
My 2D tree (12 x50) has strip in silicon sleeve but not silicon filled and it has gone 4 years so far without needing to replace any strips (ok well if I was being honest one strip has a pixel (set of three leds) doing funny colours).
But no other significant failures. Was the strip fro Ray Wu?

[Gilrock]

I've had the same success as logan.  My strips are 4 years old and are not silicon filled.  I've accidentally cut the sleeve in a few spots when removing zip ties.  Sometimes when it rains a couple pixels will turn on usually green and then they return to normal in a day or so when they dry.