Don’t have a clue what you just said, but I’m enjoying it nonetheless (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif).
Dan Hilyer said:
Don’t have a clue what you just said, but I’m enjoying it nonetheless (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif).
Don’t feel bad, but it is interesting…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Ken - You know that it’s all double talk designed to confuse you (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-yell.gif)
I thought it was technobabble.
Jon Radder said:
Ken - You know that it’s all double talk designed to confuse you (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-yell.gif)
It’s workin…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)
I had a chance to work with RGB LEDs yesterday at work wiring up a color changing sign. They were the kind where all change together, driven as one continuous group by an RGB LED Controller with a remote control. The controller offers 18 different modes of solid and blinking colors, with the solid colors being adjustable in brightness and the blinking patterns adjustable for rate. The control also has a color wheel to allow selection of stepped colors across the spectrum these LEDs can output. This is very close to what I want with two exceptions: Color is only adjustable in predetermined steps and individual LEDs are not addressable - everything is the same.
This stuff is readily available and driven with a common power wire and a PWM signal wire for each color. Looking at some of the strips that are out there it is really difficult to tell which ones are good and which are bad. I was using sign modules from Principal LED, but they are very pricey as they are made for harsh environments. If I could find good quality strips at reasonable prices hey could be driven in groups with a single board computer if I wanted more control then offered by the cheap controller units.
Meanwhile as I ponder yet another option I have laid in materials to continue the valence for another 12 feet or so.
This quick Google Photos animation is very large; so I reduced it to a link: http://lsc.cvsry.com/Post2018/AnconnasSignANIMATION.gif
While I still want to experiment with the Neopixels and some type of Micro controller, I have decided that in the interest of having a working system some time this year I will go with a ready to run system. I found several WiFi controllers on Amazon for under $20 that will allow any possible color combination and the 5050 RGB LED strips that they power are pretty cheap too. After further review I went with the more expensive double row (vs alternating) for more brightness and a controller with better reviews and simple screw terminals. Power will be supplied by a heavy duty 12V supply left over from Ham Radio and later used for track power.
EDIT to update the photos to what I actually bought… 14 Ft. of double row RGB + WW LED strip and a WiFi only RGBW controller…
Here’s one example of Direct Access RGB Lighting control I put together 4 years ago:
Targeted Lighting - Aspect Control from Victor Spear on Vimeo.
Thank you Victor. That is very cool. Now that I have the PWM controlled strips in place I think that I will certainly move to the individually addressable LEDS at some point. I think the individual addressing may actually bring a better color mix to the table.
To bring this thread current; I finished installing the RGB + WW strip this weekend. I added a row of CW LEDs that are recycled sign components. Overall I am happy with the result, but there is still room for improvement. I only bought one 14.6 ft strip which is not long enough for the entire expansion area. As a temporary measure I moved those blue under-car tubes I started with and added a line of red salvage LEDs and CW salvage LEDs. These were wired to the control buss of the strip so they follow the controller. I must say that the dedicated color LEDs have much nicer (and brighter) colors than the 5050 format RGB LEDs.
This is mow I mounted them; the backer is scrap .040 aluminum. The bend at top is a rest for future ceiling panels…
The Magic Home Pro app that works with them leaves a bit to be desired. Not enough pre-sets and for the life of me I can not figure out scenes (maybe because I only have 1 controller?)
Here is the RGB control screen…
And the WHITE control screen…
1 Like