Pixel Connectors
Pixel Connectors
Generally pixels come from vendors without connectors attached or they have proprietary non waterproof connectors connected to them. Most people utilize some form of water resistant connectors attached to their pixels and the mating connector to their pixel controllers. It is common to install the female connector (socket end) to the power source (controller) and the male connector( plug end) to the pixel string. Some people also use dielectric grease or protective spray like CorrosionX to further prevent corrsion and oxidation of the electrical contacts due to moisture. The number of conductors required for each pixel type depends on the number of wires that pixel requires. Some pixels only need 3 wires, Ground, V+ and Data while some require a fourth Clock wire.
Connectors from different vendors generally do not fit together due to different manufacturers sizes and keying.
| Pixel Connector Properties | ||
| Feature | ||
| Options | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Euro, Cap, Pigtail, Tee, Extension | |
| Color | White, Black, Clear | |
| Conductors | 2,3,4,5 wires or pins | |
| Length | Varies per vendor | |
| Diameter | 13.5mm, 15mm, other | |
Disclaimers
The standard disclaimers pertaining to the information contained on this wiki page are listed here.
THIS WIKI PAGE IS NOT COMPLETE YET AND HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED FOR ERRORS.
Types of Pixel Connectors
Euro Connector
These connectors are typically found on pixel controllers like the Sandevices E682 of the Renard PX1. They are polarized and the plug only fits in the socket one way.
Euro Female socket
The female socket is typically soldered to the controller PCB. They can be purchased from various vendors like Mouser
Because the plug and socket are polarized it is critical that you connect the wires correctly to the controller and the pixels. The wire order for the typical E682 pixel controller is:
| E682 Pixel Output Pin Assignments | ||
| Pin # | ||
| Signal | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GND (V-) | |
| 2 | Clock (C) | |
| 3 | Data (D) | |
| 4 | V+ | |
Euro Male Plug
The male plug is generally attached directly to the pixels or may be connected to a pigtail. They can also be purchased from Mouser in two versions, one with an inline wire entry like used on the Sandevices E682 and one with a rear wire entry as used on the Renard PX1
Pigtails
These are typically connected to the end of the pixel strings . They are generally sold as a pair of male and female ends. They usually have an o-ring seal that needs to be installed on the male end.
Male Pigtail
Male Pigtails are generally connected to the input end of a pixel string.
Female Pigtail
Female pigtails are generally connected to the device supplying the power. It is common to use a female pigtail connected to a Male Euro connector to a E682 style pixel controller. The Euro connector connects to the pixel controller and the female pigtail extends the cord outside of the enclosure that the controller is mounted in. It is also common to connect a female pigtail to the end of a pixel string to connect to the next pixel string in series.
Tee
Often used for power injection. Depending on the vendor, they may have all wires connected thru to all three jacks, or some may have only some wires connected.
Extension cable
These typically have a male connector on one end and a female connector on the other end to allow an easy plug and play connection of pixels to a controller.
Caps
These typically go on unused female pigtail ends to seal them from the weather.
Wire Sizing
It is desirable to use the largest wire diameter (smaller wire gauge) that you can when connecting your pixels to your controller. The smaller wire gauge results in a high voltage drop and can cause your pixels to have poor colors or to not function at all. This is a good thread that discusses voltage drop.
This is a Voltage Drop Calculator useful for calculating the effects of different wire sizes and lengths on pixel strings.
| Wire Sizing | ||
| Wire Gauge (AWG) # | ||
| Cross section Area (mm2) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 | 2.08 | |
| 16 | 1.31 | |
| 18 | 0.823 | |
| 20 | 0.518 | |
| 22 | 0.328 | |
Examples of Connectors available from different vendors
These are selected connectors from the various vendors with a mix of properties. Visit their sites for the latest information and to see their entire product catalog. Many of the vendors can provide custom length wires and custom quantity pricing on the pigtails and extension cables.
PLEASE CONFIRM ALL DETAILS WITH VENDOR BEFORE ORDERING!! ALL OF THIS DATA IS SUBJECT TO CONSTANT CHANGE AND MAY BE WRONG!!!
Pricing is in US $. Pricing is as of 6-24-13.
PRICING DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING, TAXES OR IMPORT DUTIES!
Shipping from overseas can be expensive, check with your vendor.
DIYLEDEXPRESS
(USA Based run by DIYC user tjetzer)
| Type | Color | Conductors | Length | Diameter | Link | Image | Quantity | Price | Price per Connector | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Conductor | ||||||||||
| Pigtail | White | 2 | link | 10 | $11.85 | $1.190 | 22 ga wire | |||
| 3 Conductor | ||||||||||
| Pigtail | Green | 3 | link | 10 | $12.50 | $1.25 | 18 ga wire, fits Pixabulbs | |||
| Extension | Green | 3 | 5feet | link | 1 | $2.25 | $2.25 | fits Pixabulbs | ||
| Extension | Green | 3 | 10feet | link | 1 | $3.50 | $3.50 | fits Pixabulbs | ||
| Tee | Green | 3 | link | 1 | $3.79 | $3.79 | fits Pixabulbs | |||
| 4 Conductor | ||||||||||
| Pigtail | White | 4 | link | 10 | $12.00 | $1.20 | 22ga wire | |||
| Extension | White | 4 | 5feet | link | 1 | $2.25 | $2.25 | |||
| Extension | White | 4 | 10feet | link | 1 | $3.75 | $3.75 | |||
| Tee | Green | 4 | link | 1 | $4.50 | $4.50 | fits Pixadot strings |
HolidayCoro
(USA Based run by DIYC user dmoore)
| Type | Color | Conductors | Length | Diameter | Link | Image | Quantity | Price | Price per Connector | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Conductor | ||||||||||
| Pigtail | White | 4 | 15" | link | 1 | $2.19 | $2.19 | 20ga wire | ||
| Pigtail | White | 4 | 34" | link | 1 | $2.49 | $2.49 | 20ga wire | ||
| Extension | White | 4 | 9'10" | link | 1 | $4.09 | $4.09 | 20ga wire | ||
| Tee | White | 4 | link | 1 | $3.99 | $3.99 | 20ga wire |
Ray Wu
(China Based) Contact Ray Wu directly for lower shipping costs if you are ordering multiple items.
| Type | Color | Conductors | Length | Diameter | Link | Image | Quantity | Price | Price per Connector | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cap | White | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $0.50 | $0.05 | End cap to go on unused male plugs | |||
| Cap | Black | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $0.50 | $0.05 | End cap to go on unused male plugs | |||
| 2 Conductor | ||||||||||
| Pigtail | White | 2 | 20cm | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $3.00 | $0.30 | 2x0.5mm²wire | |
| Pigtail | Black | 2 | 15cm | link | 50 | $23.16 | $0.46 | |||
| Pigtail | Clear | 2 | 10cm | link | 100 | $57.89 | $0.58 | Coaxial 5.5/2.1mm 22gauge wire | ||
| Extension | White | 2 | 1.5m(5feet) | link | 10 | $10.00 | $1.00 | 2x0.5mm² wire | ||
| Extension | White | 2 | 3m(10feet) | link | 10 | $16.00 | $1.60 | 2x0.5mm² wire | ||
| Tee | White | 2 | 40cm | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $17.00 | $1.70 | 2x0.5mm² wire | |
| Tee | Black | 2 | 40cm | 15mm | link | 1 | $2.20 | $2.20 | 2x0.75mm² wire | |
| 3 Conductor | ||||||||||
| Pigtail | White | 3 | 20cm | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $5.00 | $0.50 | 3x0.5mm²wire | |
| Pigtail | Black | 3 | 20cm | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $5.00 | $0.50 | 3x0.75mm² wire | |
| Pigtail | White | 3 | 30cm | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $6.00 | $0.60 | 3x0.5mm² wire | |
| Extension | White | 3 | 1.5m(5feet) | link | 10 | $12.00 | $1.20 | 3x0.5mm² wire | ||
| Extension | White | 3 | 3m(10feet) | link | 10 | $18.00 | $1.60 | |||
| Extension | White | 3 | 7.6m(25feet) | link | 10 | $37.00 | $3.70 | |||
| Extension | Black | 3 | 1.5m(5feet) | 15mm | link | 10 | $12.00 | $1.20 | 3x0.5mm² wire | |
| Extension | Black | 3 | 3m(10feet) | 15mm | link | 10 | $22.00 | $2.20 | ||
| Tee | Black | 3 | 40cm | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $19.00 | $1.90 | 3x0.75mm² wire | |
| Tee | White | 3 | 40cm | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $18.00 | $1.80 | 3x0.5mm² wire | |
| 4 Conductor | ||||||||||
| Pigtail | White | 4 | 30cm | link | 10 | $8.00 | $0.80 | |||
| Pigtail | Black | 4 | 20cm | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $7.00 | $0.70 | 4x0.75mm² wire | |
| Pigtail | White | 4 | 150cm(5ft) | link | 10 | $19.00 | $1.90 | |||
| Pigtail | Black | 4 | 20cm | 15mm | link | 10 | $7.00 | $0.70 | 4x0.5mm² wire | |
| Extension | White | 4 | 1.5m(5feet) | link | 10 | $12.00 | $1.20 | |||
| Extension | White | 4 | 3m(10feet) | link | 10 | $19.00 | $1.90 | |||
| Extension | White | 4 | 7.6m(25feet) | link | 10 | $39.00 | $3.90 | |||
| Extension | Black | 4 | 2.5m | 15mm | link | 10 | $22.00 | $2.20 | 4x0.75mm² wire | |
| Extension | Black | 4 | 7.6m(25feet) | 15mm | link | 10 | $44.00 | $4.40 | 4x0.75mm² wire | |
| Tee | Black | 4 | 40cm | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $22.00 | $2.20 | 4x0.75mm² wire | |
| Tee | White | 4 | 40cm | 13.5mm | link | 10 | $22.00 | $2.20 | 4x0.5mm² wire | |
| Tee | Black | 4 | 40cm | 15mm | link | 10 | $24.00 | $2.40 | 4x0.5mm² wire | |
| 5 Conductor | ||||||||||
| Pigtail | White | 5 | 15cm | link | 100 | $96.84 | $0.97 | |||
| Pigtail | Black | 5 | 20cm | 15mm | link | 10 | $8.50 | $0.85 | 4x0.5mm² wire |
Seasonal Entertainment
(USA Based run by DIYC user Ponddude)
| Type | Color | Conductors | Length | Diameter | Link | Image | Quantity | Price | Price per Connector | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Conductor | ||||||||||
| Pigtail | White/Black | 4 | 6.5" | link | 1 | $4.00 | $4.00 | |||
| Extension | White/Black | 4 | 1m | link | 1 | $7.15 | $7.15 | |||
| Extension | White/Black | 4 | 3m | link | 1 | $10.30 | $10.30 |