In over my head...

[apmora1]

To start, ill say I did a little research but its apparent I didnt do enough. I ordered a controller and lights online during a presale and now I have my order. I was hoping to do a house or roof outline, a mega tree and some arches without music. Now once I recieved my order, i downloaded xlight and tried to follow some youtube setup instructions but i have no idea what im doing and get confused mixed-up and frustrated. I see that there are some meets/gatherings in the Colorado area but Im hoping to find something or someone closer to the Kansas City area. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated... I would also consider paying someone if fee is reasonable. Thanks

[keithsw1111]

First off I suggest you join the official xLights Facebook group.

I also suggest you join the Wednesday night calls.

Watch the videos at videos.xlights.org

Or just ask your specific questions here


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jnealand]

Also change your signature / profile setup so that your location shows up on every post you make.  And watch for others locations as you read the forums.

[QldKing]

IMO - concentrate on building your elements and getting your setup right. There are plenty of free, quality sequences already available on the google share drive (link is available on the xlights.org resources page) that you can import. It will save you from adding sequencing to your plate (without props there is nothing to play sequences on). As you get on top of your setup you can do your own sequences.

[babybear]

lets start with the mega tree more bang for buck one could say. Now your thoughts as
  How tall
  how wide
  deg? 180/360?
  how many lights
  number of strands

 do you know how you are going to build it?
  once we have that we'll decide on outputs and power injection.
  for that we need to know controller and volts you are using 

here are my stats on my bigger tree
   24 feet tall with star
   base just over 8 feet
   180 deg
   3600 LEDs
   24 strands w/ 150 LEDs per  (that's 6 600 LED strings)
   6 outputs 600 each
   power at the bottom of each strand
         power is pushed in every 300 LED at 12 volts Plus start and finish of each string
         Data zig zags up and down the 6 strands.
     That is all defined in xlights not in the controller.

My first year I had 2 mega trees a 26 foot and a 13 foot no music. 20 minutes of sequencing
I'm glad I started small with just that I learned so much. Last x-mas my 3ed year:
 music, 9 sequences, and 18,000 LEDs 

First pix was my first year (ok pix was taken Thanksgiving Day)
Second was last year

[KAS]

Hello all, I'm a newbie to both X-lights and posting so I hope I'm posting in the correct place.  I just purchased my first Falcon F4V3 and I have a roll of 5V RGB pixel tape light and a few strings of 12v bullets and Domes. 
If I power the board with 12V, will the board auto regulate  5V tape light or damage the roll?  Or do I power the board with 5V and inject the 12V at the beginning of their run?  What is the best way to power the board and these different voltages? 
Thanks!
KAS

[babybear]

Im sure on the F4v3 you can not run different voltages  But the F16v3 you can. If you go back to the Falcon store and bring up the spot where you buy the F4v3 that's where you down load the manual. Section 2 talks about powering them and the lights.

[Ebuechner]

Hello all, I'm a newbie to both X-lights and posting so I hope I'm posting in the correct place.  I just purchased my first Falcon F4V3 and I have a roll of 5V RGB pixel tape light and a few strings of 12v bullets and Domes. 
If I power the board with 12V, will the board auto regulate  5V tape light or damage the roll?  Or do I power the board with 5V and inject the 12V at the beginning of their run?  What is the best way to power the board and these different voltages? 
Thanks!
KAS

The way I handle this scenario is use 12 volts for everything and use a buck converter to drop the voltage down for the 5-volt strips where needed.
This scenario works for me because most of my show is 12 volts.
The other thing I do is use a slightly different waterproof plug for the 5-volt stuff that's not compatible with the 12 volt to make sure that I never plug something into the wrong place and burn stuff up.
I have a few bucks converters made up with a 12 volt plug on one side and a 5-volt on the other to make the gap.

[KAS]

Thank you!!  I think I'll stick to the 12V to start.  I have another question.  The Pixel lights I have are 4 wire Black -  Red+  But Green and yellow are D0+  and D0-.  Can someone tell me which one is the clock and which is Data?
Thanks again
KAS

[Anthony.Bigda]

Thank you!!  I think I'll stick to the 12V to start.  I have another question.  The Pixel lights I have are 4 wire Black -  Red+  But Green and yellow are D0+  and D0-.  Can someone tell me which one is the clock and which is Data?
Thanks again
KAS

You need to look at the chip on the pixel, if it’s not clear a drop of water will clear it up. Don’t assume the red wire is positive. All pixel lights are different. They will be labeled on the chip


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KAS]

Thanks Anthony!!  I like the water drop idea!
KAS