Calculating LED Power Needs for Your RGB Display
Working on a video series to get new people started on their own display. This video shows how to calculate total watts and amps of electric so you will know the needs of your display. After you have made some calculations, you can begin planning your display. The idea is that you never run more […]
Convert a Light O Rama Sequence into XLights Step-by-Step
For 2015 I decided to switch to the newest and most powerful RGB pixel sequencer to date, Xlights V4. For the past 2 years I’ve struggled to sequence my lights and music using the Light O Rama S3 software. This spring, LOR upgraded it’s sequencer to S4 and included the new Pixel Editor. I paid […]
Setting up DMX dip switches for use in Light O Rama software
I had a great question this morning from Jonathan on how to setup the DMX dip switches for my dumb DMX RGB controllers. I thought that since most everyone who is having an RGB display is in build and setup mode, this might be helpful for some of the newer folks.
Pixel Spinner How-to
This is what I used to make my pixel spinners for my 2013 display. Still some assembly work to do after the video was shot. Items used Pixel strip (in silicon sleeve) with 30 RGB’s per meter, 5 meter roll 12V WS2811… Used 1 roll per spinner., I cut a the strips into sections of […]
Pixel Spiral Tree 2013
Very easy project completed today. Pixel spiral tree. I used 2 rolls of 5 meter 50 pixel WS2811 strips purchased from Ray Wu. Strips were $30 each, but I didn’t use every pixel, maybe 43-45. The star is made up of 5 bullet-node type pixels (WS3811s) that were hot-glued into the star. Used some GE […]
Mega Tree Build 2013
Here is my video of how I assembled (tore down) my first Mega Tree. Plenty of detailed descriptions and pics added to help understand how to make your own mega tree.
Soldering RGB to a pigtail 4 connector
Beginner series on soldering RGB dumb nodes to a 4-core waterproof connector. I’ve made many connections using this method. Hoping that anyone new to RGB who needs help getting started will find this simple video helpful for a visual reference while learning about this new lighting craze.
Custom Built RGB Star Line
New for 2014 is an RGB pixel star line. Using some stars purchased from Ray Wu on Aliexpres. There will be 20 stars to hang from the peak of the house to the corners of the lower roof. Items needed for construction were the stars, male and female 3-core connectors, 20 count of 3-rgb pixel […]
Tiny RGB Spot Lights for Halloween
Here is a simple project good for Halloween or even holiday lighting. These spots can be made using 4-node or 3-node RGB modules (or with pixels). I found another video on YouTube and decided to give it my own try.
RGB Upgrade for Radio Station Sign
This video gives instructions on how to build an illuminated sign. This project began in 2010 with the initial build of the sign using pllexiglas and a 2×3 frame, along with some scrap plywood and 1×2’s. This video touches on the original build but shows how I converted the signs from 110v to 20 RGB […]
RBG Coro Star 2015
Just finished the Prototype coro star. I Plan on making 19 more for the 2015 display.
Twig Tree How-To Build 2013
In 2013 I added 7 twig trees to the Leechburg Lights display. The trees came from Home Depot and were around $15 each on clearance. I ordered dumb RGB nodes with white wire to install on the tree. I removed the factory LEDs and assembled a wire-harness for the new RGB’s. This was a very […]
Pixel Candy Canes 2015
Found these pathway candy canes at Big Lots after 2013. I had plans to use dumb RGB nodes in them, but realized it would take a lot more work and use up many more dumb channels than necessary. They were $2 or $3 per set of 6 on clearance and I plan on building around […]
Pixel Spinner with 96 Pixels
Rebuilding and replacing my original pixel strip spinners for 2015. These spinners will have 12 pixels per leg. The old spinners had 5 pixels on each leg. This should provide a much more dense look to the spinner while giving me more control over the element. Total assembly time was around 3 hours from start-to-finish, […]
Testing RGB Connector using Multimeter
Building a few new dumb RGB controllers in the shop this week and though I’d show how to test for continuity between 2 different connectors. Wire colors have changed since last year, and I wanted to verify that I was going to have a good connection to the controller.
Converting a computer power supply for RGB and low voltage lighting use
This video shows how I converted some free computer power supplies that were salvaged from St Sebastian Catholic School in Belle Vernon, PA In 2013, I converted my light display over to RGB low voltage LED lighting. There is a lot more do-it-yourself work involved but I’ve been able to keep the costs lower and […]
GE Color Effects (GECE) Pixel Spinner How-To Build
Building a GE Color Effects Pixel spinner using PVC pipe. Total of 64 pixels make up this spinner. So far I’m pretty happy with the results. At the end of the video is a demo with music to show how it looks in action.
Building a 27 channel RGB Controller
I have assembeled 7 of these controllers already. This controller is different due to the use of a converted computer power supply. The form factor is much larger than a commercially specific power supply that sits much more flat. In order to utilize the free PC power supplies, I needed to be creative.
Setting Up E1.31 on Windows 7 (Part 4 DMX Controller Setup)
This final video is dedicated to setting up the “EASY DMX” controller boards used in RGB displays. The video demonstrates how all the components connect together. Following the instructional section is a demonstration of the entire setup running a sample sequence.
Setting Up E1.31 on Windows 7 (Part 3B E682 to DMX)
This is the 3rd video in the series. The video is broken down into 2 parts (due to length). This video gets you connected to the E682 web setup page. From this page you can setup the E682 to output DMX to your RGB devices. See the first part of this video for more information.
Setting Up E1.31 on Windows 7 (Part 3A E682 to DMX)
This is the 3rd video in the series. The video is broken down into 2 parts (due to length). This video gets you connected to the E682 web setup page. From this page you can setup the board to output DMX to your RGB devices. See the second part of this video for the continuation
Setting Up E1.31 on Windows 7 (Part 2 LOR and E1.31 Output)
Part 2 of this series shows how to configure LOR . We go through network settings in the S3 software as well as configuring the universes . We also discuss a bit of Multicast vs Unicast. Finally there is a demo of creating a new sequence, adding DMX channels, and converting those channels to RGB. […]
Setting Up E1.31 on Windows 7 (Part 1 Network Settings)
This is a 4 part video series on how to setup your Light O Rama computer to output E1.31 protocol. E1.31 allows data to be sent from the sequence to the controllers.
Intro to RGB: Basic Connection of RGB to DMX Controller
This video is a basic setup of and operation of 3 channel RGB controller to a DC power supply.
Installing RJ45 connector to the 27 channel RGB Controller
Part 2 of this controller build. Here you will see the specific steps to install an RJ45 connector to the 27 channel DMX controller.
Building a 27 Channel EASY DMX controller for RGB display part 1
This is Part 1 of the video. Here, I show you how to assemble an easy DMX 27 channel controller into a plastic box. I have been using these for year with my Light o Rama setup.
Building a 27 Channel EASY DMX controller for RGB display part 2
This is Part 2 of the video. Here, I show you how to assemble an easy DMX 27 channel controller into a platic box. I have been using these for year with my Light o Rama setup.
Pixel Candy Canes :)
Came home after work around 10pm last night and went into the shop. Lots of stuff to organize, the display is coming down now that it’s nice weather out. Just organizing a bit then uncovered this storage box with some candy canes I purchased in 2013. These were meant to be made for 2014 but […]