Pebbles & Roof/Window Outlines

M

munu

Member
Trying to get ready for Halloween, I was just thinking again how I could to my roof outline (and window outline). I don't have much space between the fascia and the soffit. In the picture below I measured about 3/4" (19mm). See image below. In some areas it's maybe half of that. I was going to use channels with pixels, or those flexible pipes with pixel strips (see image below). They might have looked nice because that plastic makes the light distribute more. But even those would stick out. And I am a bit particular about looks (they would stay on all year long). So I could paint them where there is no LED from the LED strip but then I don't get the glow, so I didn't gain anything.

But now I came across those pebble strings with individual addressable LEDs. You can even have them with 5cm/2" spacing. That's fairly dense compared to the usual 10cm/4" spacing of pixels. And I actually could mount them on the "under face" of the facia (see red line in the picture below). Then I can paint the wire with the same color as the fascia. And I can address each individual pixel. It seems too good to be true. What are the concerns doing something like that? Any better alternatives that are as invisible as possible when not in action/use?

I am almost ready to buy some from Ray except they are all 5V instead of 12V. Also not sure about the connectors. I have all x-connectors.


Pebbles.jpg PlasticChannel.jpg
 
I can't edit my post above, maybe because I already edited it once, adding that line saying there are only 5V pixels. There are actually 12V pixels with clear plastic. And they come with up to 3,000 LEDs. That's 5cm * 3000 = 150m. So I won't really need many connectors as I can cut it to length. And where I need to put two together, I might just solder them together and use shrink tubing. I really start to think that's the way to go. Need to find out the best way to mount them. Probably some really small u-shaped nails and use one between each LED, so every 5cm/2". These are WS2811, though. Are they individually addressable or only in sets of 3?

 
The seed pixels you have linked to are 'okay' for seasonal outdoor use.
If you want ready made mounting; a few people have made 3D prints to fit under soffits.

This is my own experience using seed pixels for two years (Christmas only). They have yellowed and got a weird smell to them.
Brand new on the left, weathered on the right.
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Or, more robust is actual pebble pixels (Ray Wu seems to get the names confused) and their mounting track or magnetic version:
minleonusa.com

Magnetic Pebbles - Minleon (USA) International

...
minleonusa.com minleonusa.com
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shop.illuminationscanada.com

Pebble Light Mounting Track and Covers (case 100)

Pebble Light Mounting Track (3ft sections) (100 per case) Custom Adhesive Sold Separately
shop.illuminationscanada.com


Pebble VS seed pixel: see my comment in this thread.
Most references on Youtube and Facebook groups are under 'Seed pixel' for the light you have linked.

munu said:
These are WS2811, though. Are they individually addressable or only in sets of 3?
Click to expand...
Your listing in question are individual control per pixel.
Keep in mind power injection is different. The wire gauge is smaller. Good write up on power measurements here: https://auschristmaslighting.com/threads/seed-pixels-comparison-5v-12v-ray-wu-gflai-lighting.15388/
Some vendors are selling the seed pixels in 24, 36v and 48v if you really want longer runs (nearly 1,000 pixels with power at both ends).
 
Ithink it comes down to reliability. These have not been around that long, so we do not know how they will perform in permanent mounts until people try it. I do have a set and dread the day I will need to replace a pixel. Those wires are tiny and short.

Electrical staples are a good solution for keeping thos tracks up. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
 
I am trying out seeds for my eaves and windows. I managed to put up the eaves and 2 windows for a smal July 4 show. I am just using decorator clips with 3M Command strips for the mounting. No issues so far. Here are some photos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/qi7nPYt2J7oGo6YR7 In the photos only the 3 left eaves, garage door outline and the two center windows are seed. Other lights include bullets, EVOs, and panels.
 
@jnealand that looks nice. Would you get the 5cm/2" pitch again? I can't decide if I should try the 5cm 20AWG ones or the 2.5cm ones that are only available with 24AWG wires. Your house seems like 40' away from the walkway so I suspect 5cm is ok. In my case the walkway is only about 25' away.
 
Do you have a picture of your setup? I wonder how you enclose those buck converters and then how you connect them to the actual pixels.
 
i have a 3d printed box that holds 5 bucks. it hungs behind the pvc pipe using velcro. i use 18 awg wire from the buck to the center of a 25 pixel string (13 to the left and 12 to the right). yes it is over engineerd. they will be coming out of storage next week and i will post a picture.
 
munu said:
Do you have a picture of your setup? I wonder how you enclose those buck converters and then how you connect them to the actual pixels.
Click to expand...
I remembered I had my snowflakes in the basement for reconditioning this season (I am behind), These have been up on the roof for 4 years (no takedowns. Permanently up and used for holidays) so they show a bit of dirt intrusion but still pretty clean for not having been touched for so long. The bucks are mounted on a hobby hook rug blastic grid using zip ties. The barrier strip is broken into two zones with one screw used for input 24v, one to drive the bucks, and one to daisy chain the 24v.

BuckPlate.jpg20240908_090829-min.jpg20240908_090820-min.jpg
 
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