pixel flicker from short extension wire

[mrgimmeone]

This wire was just some scrap garage door sensor wire I had laying around so I figured why not try a test with it. Seems like this may be a way to get data out to the small tree that will be about 35-40ft away from the controller box.

[babybear]

thermostat wire... solid core  good size for data. With mine only going 37 feet I think the wire gauge is too big for Data. but good for power. 14-3. 

[mrgimmeone]

So solid core wire can be used for power and data? I thought it had to be stranded which is why I was using it.

[babybear]

Ill get yelled at for this one. You can use solid wire all day long. The reason we don't it hard to run in the yards keep flat to look good. I don't like running a wire too thick for data. yep some will say for data it does not matter. so will you say today you learned a lot?

[mrgimmeone]

Well at least for me I learned that 3ft of 18awg stranded wire won't carry the data signal but solid core wire will carry for at least 18 ft with no problem at least for me.

[Phrog30]

The main reason why some say don't use solid is that it's more brittle and in cold climates can be an issue, but that's mainly on smaller stuff. I think you have some other problem going on. It shouldn't be this difficult. Heck, go grab some cat5 and try that. Data is best on twisted pair. You will have to watch out for current draw though.

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[mrgimmeone]

found the post on changing the 8 pin resistor networks to 33k ohm. found some on ebay pretty dang cheap for 50. i may try that as well.

[babybear]

If you would let me know how it worked out if you change out the resistors. That way I could let the person know who I gave the controller to.

[mrgimmeone]

sure thing. i'm about to get some cat5 cable and try that as well. it's solid core wire so i hope that will work as stranded isn't easy to find.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/111151057654?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT  this is for the resistor networks for your friend.

[MrChristmas2000]

Monoprice is a good source for stranded Cat5.

[Phrog30]

I wouldn't worry about stranded, solid will work just fine. Even in cold weather, as long as you take care of it.

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[mrgimmeone]

doesn't really get to cold here in New Orleans area. i did buy some pure copper cat5 cable about 100' to test data signal and it wont go 100' on 1 wire for sure. i only really need it to go 40' or so then i gotta find a way to split the signal between 6 trees and ill put a power supply close to them for powering the pixels.

[babybear]

With 1 piece of cat 5 you can then run 4 trees. Take each twisted pair run ground and data from the controller. Also ground the controller to the power supply feeding the nodes. Just don't inter mix the positives of different power supplies. One supply running the controller and one for the nodes.  I also don't have to worry about the cold here in Rochester unless you feel just below 0 is cold. I fight the cold over the rain any time. Water gets me every time. and its not my connections.  Dropping my strips and going to bullets just for that reason.

[Kensington]

I had a similar problem on a couple strands on my tree.  Feel your extension wire and see if it is warm.  If so, you have a minor short.  After I swapped out cables, the problem was solved.

[mrgimmeone]

could i run 1 cable for 4 trees and just supply power to those trees with a separate PS at the trees?