GordonLights

Thanks! But that's a 2010 video. I would recommend checking out this last season's stuff: http://gordonlights.com/Videos/2011.asp Fabian

Wow, how do simple questions escape simply being answered? Phil was the only one close to actually answering the original question. Stickybombs: Yes, you can drive RGB pixel strings using LOR controllers. Quite well, in fact, as the LOR DC controller makes a very reasonable, well supported 16 channel PWM controller that works with both LOR and DMX protocols. However, as Phil pointed out there are some load considerations to keep in mind. Related to the LOR DC controller: Each channel maxes out at 4A. So, theoretically you could run the RED pixels on string 1 out to about 200 nodes before maxing out the channel (assumes 20mA draw per each pixel component, 60mA total per LED when WHITE). Since you'd use channel 2 for Green and channel 3 for Blue, that means that the same 200 node string would draw three times that amount, or 12A. Your second string would use channels 4, 5, and 6 (R, G, B ), and for 200 nodes would consume another 12A. Now you have a problem. Each bank on a LOR DC controller is rated at 20A max (Bank A is channels 1-8, bank B is channels 9-16). So if you turned on both 200 node strings to white, you'd be drawing 24A on channel bank A and would overload the controller. The only way to ensure that you don't overload the channel bank is to reduce the number of nodes used per channel. Mapping the channels to the pixel strings as follows: Bank Channel String Color ---- ------- ------ ----- A 1 1 R A 2 1 G A 3 1 B A 4 2 R A 5 2 G A 6 2 B A 7 3 R A 8 3 G B 9 3 B B 10 4 R B 11 4 G B 12 4 B B 13 5 R B 14 5 G B 15 5 B B 16 NOT USED In order to avoid overloading the channel banks (20A max each) in an "ALL NODES WHITE" condition you would have to have no more than 2.5A per channel. Bank A will carry more of a load than bank B (because you're only using 7 of 8 channels on bank B so bank A sets the pixel limit at 125 pixels per string (125 pixels * .02A/pixel color * 8 channels = 20A) That would mean that one LOR DC controller can handle 625 pixels (5 strings of 125 pixels each) AT MAX RATED LOAD. You would also need some pretty beefy power supplies - at 12VDC, 40A is a 480 Watt OUTPUT. Input would obviously be higher, somewhere around 600 Watts. So, for your 9000 pixel example you would need 15 controllers. At $100 per controller, that's about $6.67 per channel, or $20 per string, which isn't too shabby for that kind of capacity and concentration. I hope this helps. Fabian

What sequencing software are you using?

Gordon Lights is a Stellascapes reseller. You can contact me at [email protected] or via telephone at 210-48-LIGHT (210-485-4448) and I will gladly provide you with the answers to your questions. Regards, Fabian Gordon

LED Retro bulbs have come a long way. I have spent thousands over the years looking for a bulb that would pass the abuse test. Manufacturers from all over the world kept sending me bulbs to test out and the results were never posititive. Oh, some came close, but not close enough. In 2008 a vendor sent me a new C9 retro to run through my "LED KILLER" testing, and I was very impressed. The manufacturer of those bulbs was Minleon. In fact, I was the one that created this video 3 years ago: The examples in the video used Cool White C9 bulbs and Light-O-Rama hardware and software. Additional testing was performed by others with D-Light and Animated Lighting hardware, and some of the still photos are of those testers. The Minleon product is generally a good product, and I do recommend it. Fabian

During any given season we'll have at least a dozen or so rabbit/wire related incidents. This year in particular I think they sent out Spec-Ops rabbits, because they knew enough to chew through at the base of the bulb instead of between them so I could fix them. This year, about 2 weeks into the setup we tried something new that my neighbor recommended. It's called Rabbit-Scram. That stuff is awesome, but not cheap. While putting the stuff down three rabbits, that weren't even near me, popped out and took off. I didn't even know they were there. We're now stocked up on the stuff. Your mileage may vary. Fabian

Gordon Lights is a Stellascapes partner/reseller. The StellaSpark product is not shipping just yet. If you want to be contacted when a ship date has been announced, or for all other product related information, please contact me at [email protected] If you include a phone number I will gladly return the call and we can discuss your needs. I will always confirm receipt of your message. Fabian

Gordon Lights presents over 125,000 Christmas lights synchronized to "Welcome Christmas" by the cast of the hit show Glee. Gordon Lights uses hardware and software from multiple partners, including Light-O-Rama, Stellascapes, and Madrix, as well as custom hardware and lights designed by Fabian Gordon.

Gordon Lights presents over 125,000 Christmas lights synchronized to "Joy to the World" by the Go Fish. Gordon Lights uses hardware and software from multiple partners, including Light-O-Rama, Stellascapes, and Madrix, as well as custom hardware and lights designed by Fabian Gordon.

Gordon Lights presents over 125,000 Christmas lights synchronized to "The Army Song" by the U.S. Military Academy Band. Gordon Lights actively raises funds in support of Operation Homefront. For more information about Operation Homefront, please visit http://wwww.OperationHomefront.NET/Texas. Gordon Lights uses hardware and software from multiple partners, including Light-O-Rama, Stellascapes, and Madrix, as well as custom hardware and lights designed by Fabian Gordon.

Though we've never really done any kind of "display" for Easter in the past, this year we decided to use our permanently-installed, GordonLights-designed RGB floods to create a 3 minute loop that rotates through "Easter-themed" colors. The sequence was downloaded into a LOR DC controller, which runs the lights every night with a more "standard" sequence. Believe it or not there were cars stopping across the street to watch the colors change! We didn't expect that! The photo quality isn't that great, sorry, but I think you get the idea. Fabian

Would you happen to have any photos of them while in use?

Confirmed.

I use them for all kinds of things that need to be enclosed. Budget $18 at this point - actual pricing varies with certain market conditions as they exist at the time the order is locked in. Last year came in at about $17.50. Fabian

Actually I do an annual large (group) purchase of Primex P-136 enclosures (http://primex.ca/large_products/telecom/enclosures/P136.htm). The ones I get are the same form factor as the ones LOR and D-Light sells, but they are not made with the fire-retardent material, just straight-up PVC. I'm not interested in a debate over the differences - I'm buying what I'm buying 'cause that's what I use. I've never advertised this before outside my local (Texas) area because I didn't think the reshipping costs would make the deal worthwhile, but if there's enough need in geographically concentrated areas I might consider including others. I will be running the group buy in March, for late April delivery. Fabian