Help Making First Pixel Purchase

[jmsweatt]

Newbie here.  I'm thinking of setting up a xlights->FPP on RP3->Falcon F16v3->WS2811 pixels show.  I want to start small(er) with only a few props in my first year.  My first thought was to make a pixel tree with 600 pixels in it. 

I found the following 12v pixels for sale on Ray Wu's site here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32971240732.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2eee1cddDMVlLw&algo_pvid=c50f2f32-deb4-4330-93ad-0e7651093733&algo_expid=c50f2f32-deb4-4330-93ad-0e7651093733-1&btsid=0bb0623916026260056658176e4fd8&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

Could some experienced folks on this forum comment as to (1) are these pixels appropriate for my intended use?  (2) if not, please make a recommendation.  What would work better?  Please advise re my first pixel purchase.  thank you!

[scuba]

first that may not be Ray Wu's store.

Try this link:

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/701799?gclid=CjwKCAjw5p_8BRBUEiwAPpJO69QJYHBJQQSRyvodfq2vZrSKShtldCBSbKNldN5Zk-dvPUvoXWX42xoCM2sQAvD_BwE

Ray is very reliable and his prices are very good.  Email Ray for a quote to include delivery to a specific address.  I recommend PayPal for the transaction.

Second issue are the photos on the link you provided: If you look closely at the bullets you will see they are not back filled with Silicone, therefore they may not be for outdoor use.  I use both IP67 and IP68 rated LED's.  I get lots of rain and snow.

12 volt vs 5 volt.... I use mostly 5 volt LED's but I do worry a bit about voltage drop over long distances.  Everyone has an opinion.


If you're going to make a Mega Tree (Pixel Tree) you might consider using strips(encased in a silicone sheath) instead of bullets.  the bullets may not hang straight or twist.  It'll work.  I mount my strips (IP68) on 1/2" plastic/metal conduit with zip ties and hang them from a metal or wood bracket at the top of the center pole.  Easy to setup, take down and store

[superdave]

There are some regularly respected vendors of the hobby, and you may want to check them out (alphabetical order):
All Things Pixels - https://allthingspixels.com/
Crockett Fantasy of Lights (CFOL) - https://cfolights.com/
DIY LED Express - http://diyledexpress.com/
Mattos Designs - https://mattosdesigns.com/
Paul Zhang - http://www.aliexpress.com/store/221277
Ray Wu - https://www.aliexpress.com/store/701799
RGB Man - https://www.facebook.com/TheRGBMAN/
Scott LED - http://www.scottled.com/
Wally?s Lights - https://www.wallyslights.com/
Wired Watts - https://www.wiredwatts.com/
Wizard of Wire - https://www.wizardofwire.com/


Ray Wu is certainly part of that group, and Scuba's link looks to be correct as well.

You typically want to have 4" spacing, as many of the prop vendors expect that, and also to look for 18AWG wiring.  Many in the hobby have centered around x-connect to be the pigtail design of choice, which would allow for interoperability between different vendors.

12v tend to be preferred if they will be a long distance from the controller to the prop, or between props.  People tend to recommend 5v for things that will be very close together, but you'll have to do power injection more often.

Last, but not least... you may want to check out this great video that helps people wanting to get started quickly: https://youtu.be/jf7uLhUObAk

[Henry]

I agree with the prior two answers.  Here's some of what I've learned:

• Pay for 18AWG.
• Consider buying the pixels strands with the exact count you require, and with connectors pre-attached.  While this means you have to plan out your design ahead-of-time, it can save you hours of work, and you get something that you know will stay waterproof.
• Fuses save time, money, and frustration.
• Power injection can be tricky to fuse correctly.
• Using more than one power supply is hard to do correctly (e.g., diodes + fuses needed?).  Thus, design to single power supply.
• Try to design to <= 50 pixel strands for 5V, <= 100 pixel strands for 12V.  100 pixels is already ~6A, so ensure your controller can drive that much per port.
• Plan for different connectors for your 12V and 5V pixels ... just avoid the cross-voltage destruction by making it incompatible

In other words, design the props you want first, then buy.  I didn't do this, and have paid the price in many hours of ... learning.