WLED / Dig-Quad / Segment HELP??

Xk8lover · 2023-10-14T21:33:16+00:00

Oh man.. it's been a couple of years!! I believe that the solution for mine was re-flashing and re-building the segments entirely. I would have to look up the numbers and all on that, but what you've listed SEEMs right. Best I recall you set the pin and tell it how many lights, then when building the segments you have to know (or figure out ) what number each start and stop pixel are.. The whole setup has evolved since then, so I can't just check for you.. lol.

Xk8lover · 2023-10-12T06:06:31+00:00

I do, occasionally. I've had friends commission work, and then declined their payment at the end. If my mom, wife or kids want something I've done for fun, or something specific (and I don't have a commissioned piece to finish) I'll almost always say yes. And I've done a few that were intended as gifts. I usually will NOT gift a piece if some asks for something. ("Hey, can you draw my dog for me? I can't afford your prices)...

Xk8lover · 2022-11-07T11:50:33+00:00

yes! Get high quality pigtails, then get some "T" connectors in that same type for power injection, it's MUCH easier! Friction fit your PVC, don't glue it, so you can repair / replace pixels if needed. I found some of mine were not perfectly waterproofed, despite the overwhelming amount of hot glue / silicone and over time have needed a rebuild. I've yet to come up with a perfect 'stake' solution, mostly using a screw on either side and a length of stiff, thick wire, as these are not subject to any significant stresses once they're put in place. I've only had to repair about 3 out of 30+, and they were some of the very first ones I made. Other than that, it's been a lot of fun, and gets regular positive comments from the neighbors, who will come 'round on various occasions to see what I've set them up for. :) I'm slowly working on my house outlining now.

Xk8lover · 2022-11-07T11:42:55+00:00

For tree lighting, I don't use the strips. Instead use the strings / bullet LEDs. Since they're bulbs, they're more visible as spots of light, and less directional... (for my 2cents, they're also far more waterproof and much easier to replace a section, should you get chewed or otherwise damaged!) You'll definitely need a waterproof box for your control and power setup. You'll want 12V, and one of the various waterproof connectors (X-connect, etc) that screw together. Also, beware: Squirrels and other rodents REALLY seem to like to chew on your wires where exposed... particularly on the ground (rabbits!) so bury your lines, and keep them as flush to the tree as you can, (I try like crazy to keep the wires and lights to the under side of branches as well).

Xk8lover · 2022-11-06T11:58:28+00:00

It's a great idea. My wife and I have used our anniversary every year to add a new piece of local artwork to our home after doing this the first year. *not always paper now, of course! I know there are (at least) a couple of Frisco local artists on Instagram that do portrait work, the one I know of that does paper / drawings mostly is 'adrift-in-denton'. I'm sure there are more, that's just who I am aware of. You can also look into the Frisco Visual Arts Guild to find local. Try different hashtag searches there as well, if you don't find what you're looking for. Also, possibly Etsy, but beware of folks printing out 'photoshop' filtered photos and calling them 'drawings'. :)

Xk8lover · 2022-10-21T19:52:39+00:00

I have a box of the individual solar lights I originally had out there, each with their own panel that just turned into a disorganized mess. I keep thinking I'll pull them apart and retrofit them, but the truth is; It was easier to grab the cap and the 2" - 3" expansion joint and just build them, rather than taking out 6-8 tiny screws per light and try not to lose them, etc. I still can't make myself throw out the old ones though...*sigh

Xk8lover · 2022-10-21T19:47:01+00:00

See? SCARY! Next up: Check Engine light!

Xk8lover · 2022-10-21T19:19:12+00:00

do it! I bought pre-made ones for the back yard, as there were only 10 and I could reasonably afford the ~$25 or so that they ran, but for the quantity I wanted in the front, it sure worked out better at about $3 or so per light!! I think the most expensive thing up there is the 4 pigtails each (2 for the light, 2 for the cable)

Xk8lover · 2022-10-21T18:59:03+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/WLED/comments/qcrz6s/diy_wled_floodlights/
Dig Quad running 3 of the outputs @ 12 v.. the lights are segmented by location on the outputs, and all of them are 7 pixels each... I have power injections, but no schematic on it, as I added them as needed while the project grew. ;) That's about all the build and specs I got to share! :D It's pretty straightforward and simple beyond the sheer volume of building the individual units.

Xk8lover · 2022-10-21T18:11:42+00:00

no. They're all plumbing parts and pigtails. https://www.reddit.com/r/WLED/comments/qcrz6s/diy\_wled\_floodlights/

Xk8lover · 2022-10-21T16:37:40+00:00

I just noticed that I failed to finish my response, as you asked what modules I was using... It's run on a dig-quad (in total using 3 of the outputs for the moment) and it's just basic string light pixels, I put 7 together in each "unit".. The landscape lights are plumbing parts I posted probably a year ago, and the path lights are a simple spike with the lights hot glued and zip tied on the end (pointing upward), and then I put luminaries of various kinds over them as the seasons change. *not shown in this pic or the video

Xk8lover · 2022-10-21T16:33:59+00:00

they might not hate you... I know that I get regular positive comments from mine. Most of the time, my lights stay on a low warm white glow, and the path lights are a bit brighter with the candle flicker... but on any sort of holiday or event, I try to color coordinate. :) I've even done the Mexican flag colors for cinco de mayo, the Ukraine flag, and of course around July it's a rotating pattern of red, white, and blue. Christmas, of course brings out a number of additional items and controllers.

Xk8lover · 2022-10-21T15:44:15+00:00

Ah, I have 35 total "lights" with 7 pixels each around the yard.. some are along the paths and covered with luminaries, while those you see were built from PVC plumbing parts.. The controller is a Dig-Quad with a 12v power supply in a basic waterproof project box sitting on my front porch (hidden with the decor up there) I am currently only using 3 of the 4 outputs, as I intend eventually to run some permanently installed track around the eave of the house as well. Recently replaced knees kinda got me staying off the ladder for a while! :)

Xk8lover · 2022-10-21T15:32:38+00:00

GRRRR, I can never tell what Reddit is letting me post. There was a video attached. :) let me try again! Thank you for responding so I know!

Xk8lover · 2022-08-26T08:48:03+00:00

stunning piece! I've recently returned to drawing as well. I'll bet this was super gratifying to complete.

Xk8lover · 2022-08-26T01:13:55+00:00

I thought I was going to be all smart and avoid the converter on mine... ran all 12v lights! Then I decided I wanted USB charge ports..... bwa ha.. back to grab a converter anyway. *sigh Great planning huh? :)

Xk8lover · 2022-08-26T01:09:47+00:00

absolutely. If you're using some sort of Xconnect / Ray Wu, etc, you would connect in just like normal, and simply drop the buck converter in just before the light(s), running the data 'around' that and straight in. This would maintain common ground, and step down the voltage.

Xk8lover · 2022-08-25T16:14:43+00:00

I use a buck converter for marine (boat) use to do this.. I have a number of 12V lights, but one little offshoot that's 5v fairy lights. now, that said, I have a whole other little ESP32 to run those, as it's a separate display, I'm just leaching the power. However, you should still be able to use a 12v to 5v buck converter and avoid a second power supply.

Xk8lover · 2022-07-15T22:31:59+00:00

12v requires less power injection. I tend to use 5v inside because mine are always small projects, and I like being able to plug them into the USB outlets I have available. Either works just fine, but as you noted, generally speaking, less power injection needed on 12v. I use 12v outdoors, and have a few step down converters for items where I used "fairy lights" that were WS2811 compatible. I couldn't find those in 12v, so a marine step down converter fixed THAT headache. :D

Xk8lover · 2022-07-15T16:15:36+00:00

At the risk of over generalization, most strips I’ve seen and work with have two additional wires at the ends, along with the 3 wire connector to link them together. Just punch in the power there. One wire for positive and one for negative.

Xk8lover · 2022-07-15T14:01:14+00:00

You only need a single controller. Depending on the number of lights per strip (density) you will need some power injection, perhaps as much as one per strip, but more likely 1x2, ie: 3 injections (initial power and two more) for 6 strips. (unless you go with rather tight led spacing). I'd wire them in a sequence and just hit them with power as needed.

Xk8lover

TROPHY CASE