Thanks! 😂

Cool, thanks! 👍

Haha. Show him what you're watching. He might want to do pixels too! 😂

Haha. Gotta do one every year. 😂

Haha. It's definitely not a walk-thru display! Very cool! Merry Christmas!

Thanks! I'll check them out.

It could be denser. 😂 I will have to get a new topper tho.

Glad it was helpful!

Thanks! Merry Christmas to you as well!

Thanks! Haha. Yeah, when you've been doing this a few years, you may have to let that one go. And I don't have people walking through the display so I don't worry about cable management too much. There is one, it just doesn't look like it. 😂

That's awesome! Any lookie-loos? People parking outside your house to watch? 😂

@@CanispaterChristmas oh yeah, just a handful, but it made me happy, and the kids absolutely LOVE them which is the best part.

😂

Thanks! Hey, we all start somewhere. 😂 I use MeanWell supplies (still have some cheapos tho). I think Ken (wiredwatts.com) carries them, but I bought 10 from TRC Electronics to get the discount and I knew I'd use them eventually. I like the LRS-350 variety.

Dang he's all out of the lrs-350-12s I'll have to try eBay for now just to give me something to start playing with. Now I have to figure out what I did with my spool of cat 5 and low voltage wire so I can start assembling things.

Thanks! LOL! We all have blisters. And no, it wasn't a day, I just call it that. The video spans a couple of months. 😂

Awesome & congratulations! Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks! Awesome! Merry Christmas!

Haha. I plan on at least doing one of them. Have another video to do first. Honestly, my sequencing skills are pretty low, but I can at least get them dancing. I do have videos of previous years. My medley video was totally custom.

Thanks! Keep me posted!

@@CanispaterChristmas Hey, Jeff! Here is a video of what I did this year. I kept the display simple, but I'm already planning for next year. You can probably tell which song I sequenced first versus last. LOL kzfaq.info/get/bejne/adGRjapkxtS3lo0.html

Thanks! I think he was from a dead tree nearby we eventually had removed.

You're welcome! 😂

Thanks! What's stopping you?

@@CanispaterChristmas Wouldn't I need to have some helpful information?? :-D I appreciate the vote of confidence - let's see what 2021 brings. ;-)

Friends don't let friends use strip. 😂

Thanks! LOL! And I can tear down before March! :)

Taking it down is so sad. It would be a video of my crying the whole time. 😂 It all goes in the garage or garage attic. I might film it.

Yeah, that sounds like too much work. 😂

Thanks! I'll check it out.

@@oneidalights That's fine and I have done that with the other boxes. I'm a bit annoyed with all the different connector options now which messes with my OCD since I standardized on one and they have changed. xConnect seems to be the new preferred standard if you are just starting out, but I've been going this a while so I'm trying pigtail-less connections this year in protest. Plus, I'm changing out those two boxes for next year anyway. 😂

We all start somewhere. Glad to hear you have it going. Merry Christmas!

Yeah, still thinking about it. Thanks!

Yeah, the tree box is completely changing for next year and I'm planning to use more CG-1500s. The ammo boxes work great too, but I'm trying to do fewer pigtails where possible.

Thanks! Oh yeah, I've seen those. That might work well!

What is that behind you on QRZ? Looks like a nice pixel power supply. 😂

@@CanispaterChristmas lol good to hear the Coyotes haven't got ya Jeff, Yes that's how I power my Falcons and my Pixels! lol. That panel is 4,160 volt. Other is 7200. I have a rather crappy video of one of our diesel startups if you get a chance. You a ham Jeff? Hope you and your family is surviving this crazy hot summer!

Oh man! I think I could use one of those! Yeah, we're trying to get some things lined up. 1.8" of rain this week has been very welcomed. Working on a Falcon video tonight.

@@CanispaterChristmas Awesome!

Thanks! Forgot to add, "there's a 4-port switch in there too." 😂

@@CanispaterChristmas Are you not using a color light card

@@chrispeterson6941 Not in this sign. It's a BBB & octoscroller. Had it since the video. :)

No. They all run off the F48 except for the big matrix on the right side. I used 8 this year.

One of them is. I removed all the pixels and rebuilt it wrong. It's staying that way. 😂

It comes from Boscoyo. The picture is of the black version, but you want the clear version. boscoyostudio.com/product/chromamesh-3-clear/

Thank you!

Yeah, I probably didn't need them on the trees, but I didn't know how far apart I was going with them. I can't get the 2nd arch to work without it so it stays. Could be the pixels. :)

Thanks! Be sure to go through my beginner RGB playlist (kzfaq.info/sun/PLFyrAfJ-kKd4ZfPdXWIt8v_bav61mW_KW) if you haven't already. This might be of help: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/j9t1oLekxNOblmg.html

Thanks! I'm not sure I understand your question. This one covers just about everything I can think of. 😂I have a show computer in my office connected to an FM transmitter. Ethernet out of that goes to the garage switch which feeds the F16 & F48 but I could technically get away without having the switch. I originally used it as a convenient way to plug a computer into the show net, but have actually worked around that now so it's not really necessary. The Falcons have 2-port switches built in so you can just daisy-chain them as needed.

@@CanispaterChristmas Hi Jeff, sorry for the confusion. I was looking to see how your network is planned out, in a schematic way not a physical way.

I don't have a schematic for the network. It's basically a single line. As for how props are hung off the F48, again no schematic. I just connect one receiver up at a time.

Thanks 👍

What would you like to know?

I’m trying to follow what you did to make the transmitter more powerful, more of a step by step... maybe slowing down the process in the video.

It's called a dipole antenna. You can get numbers for your frequency at www.everythingrf.com/rf-calculators/dipole-antenna-length-calculator

Thanks!

Haha. There's your queue! Go nuts! 😂

Thanks! I use bootlace ferrules on the ends of the wires and standard euro-connectors for plugging into the controller.

Thanks I’ve seen you talk about them before but couldn’t remember what they were called

Do you mean showing how my controllers are configured for different receivers? It's basically a receiver near the props and I use xLights to configure everything.

@@CanispaterChristmas yes sir I would love to see how everything is ran like from your garage out to the different props cuz I’m not getting how all of your setup is started. I guess that’s what I’m trying to see

Thanks! I like the Falcon controllers from pixelcontroller.com F16 if the display is centrally located (props are within about 20-30 feet). F48 if you need distance.

@@CanispaterChristmas Thank you!

Well, if you need it. 😂Just another tool in the box if you have problems.

You bet!

Awesome! Yes. I'll post some music videos soon.

@@CanispaterChristmas wahoooooo!!

Thanks! Convention is to run power supplies under 85% capacity.

@@CanispaterChristmas next question then, how do you arrive at this number :)?

Thanks!

@@CanispaterChristmas lol I had to buddy 🎅👍

@@badandyg Probably not to code. 😂

Thanks! Strip pixels are fine. Just be prepared to deal with the extra care needed. It's a little less of a problem inside a tube, but they are generally more finicky than sealed nodes and probably a different color order (not a problem, just something to keep in mind). Honestly, I've only had to repair the arches once and they do look great!

@@CanispaterChristmas Can you recommend any? I have a 100ft roll of 2 inch PEX and am getting ready to start building some. Thanks for everything you do for this obsession I mean hobby

@@johnrusch8137 Strip pixels? Only vendors. I got mine from Ray or try wiredwatts.com

I bought this kit (amzn.to/3gBDTwR) in 2018 and use it for everything. I've actually had to replenish my supply of ferrules. You can order bags of individual sizes when you get close to running out.

Oh BTW looks awesome forgot to mention it lol keep it up jeffie

Thanks! All ya gotta do is film it with your phone and upload. Haha.

@@CanispaterChristmas i may do it one day am total amateur but would like you to see what you've helped me make over the years

Thanks! That's awesome! Controller to first pixel is no problem since the signal out of the controller is strong. It's end-of-prop to next pixel that generally needs an F-Amp. Pixel-to-pixel data distance is generally only a few inches/feet depending on the pixels/wiring, etc. If you have props close together, you can get away with it, but the arches didn't work without an F-amp.

@@CanispaterChristmas There must be a difference between 5v and 12v there. I run about 100 along the roof edge, then a 20 ft extension to the peak, then run just over 70 more pixels along my garage peak. I also run 10 feet between props at least 6 different times without any F-amps or null pixels.

@@matthewwelch350 Yeah, YMMV. Different pixels are ... different. Plus, these are a few years old.

@@CanispaterChristmas Hey, I mentioned that this is my first year running pixels and that you were a big inspiration for me. I've posted a video of my display for xLights Around The World now. I'm not sure if it's okay to post a link in your comments? If not, it's the only video I've ever uploaded, so you can probably find it.

@@matthewwelch350 I think you can post links. Man! That's impressive! The aerial shot was a nice touch. :)

I've never had problems since I went to ferrules for everything. I did have problems with soldered wires. The high current can work them loose over time. As long as the ferrules are the right size for the wire, no problemo.

Hi John. When pixel-to-pixel distance is more than about a foot. I use one to chain from one arch to another and they're about 10-feet apart so I put an F-amp at the end of the first arch.

I can't measure right now. I believe around 7-10 inches. Looking at the ones from Mattos Designs for next year. The cables go from the FE48 to the receivers. I made some of the cables myself. Sounds great!

@@CanispaterChristmas Thanks Jeff for the feedback. Keep up the great work.

I did. Shipping was more than the HDPE. 😂

Inflatables are on/off kinds of things. They don't respond to data as far as I know unless you put pixels inside them.

Should I just use an AC controller and use the included power supply?

@@alexandercooke1186 That or just a timer you get from the hardware store. Depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

Bootlaced ferrules. I LOVE them! amzn.to/2Lk2vi5

@@CanispaterChristmas Thanks Jeff!

Yes. I plan to sometime in DEC.

@@CanispaterChristmas love the intro btw its so funny

Yeah, water can get into strange places. It's a learning process. :)

@@CanispaterChristmas I use to be in the Mobile Communications industry. The way tower technicians use to weatherproof coax connections was to place electrical tape backwards over the connection first. Then wrap it in "tar tape". (www.amazon.com/dp/B0010XFTQ6/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyVVNRRkM5NkgwVE9PJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDY4OTI5M1FPU1dZNFpVSkRLUCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDM5MzMxMU1GWjE5OVNGRTRVWCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2hxcF9zaGFyZWQmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl). Then electrical tape again. This creates the weatherproof football or carrot stick around your connector. There are however other means to weatherproof connections. The question to ask yourself is "how easy do you want to access that connector later on?" The idea behind weatherproofing a connection is how many times that connection will be tampered with. Once it is weatherproofed it should not be moved and can cause leakage if not handled properly. Getting back to other means of weatherproofing. Solder it, hot glue it, then shrink wrap it, then tape it. Lastly, there are what is called coffin weatherproofing. Where at the connector, a waterproof device, designed to fit over the connectors and on each end of the wire protects the connection with a casing. There are numerous other ways to weatherproof your connectors but very few to make them watertight. It all comes down to how far are you willing to go. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ecl4nKt03JbQo40.html www.amazon.com/CordSafe-Extension-Safety-Water-Resistant-Management/dp/B078HFXCRK/ref=asc_df_B078HFXCRK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242027088707&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14606680007812244470&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9052976&hvtargid=pla-410073718036&psc=1 Don't forget to ground rod your outdoor boxes. Safety First.

That 's one of those strange problems that are difficult to fix. I had that problem with my wreath and it helped adding power, but I replaced the pixels and all those problems went away.

Ok thanks! We have tried to inject power and the lights still are different colors. It really is fine though, it doesn't look like an eyesore.

Send me email from my about page.

All I can say is different pixels are different. 😃5V vs 12V doesn't matter, but the chips inside will vary from mfg to mfg.

It extends the distance between controller and the prop/pixels.

The orange feet came from Lowes. The rest is PVC and 2x4s.

Neat stuff from Boscoyo. boscoyostudio.com/product/chromatrim-v4/

No. I turn them off during the day and it's generally cool enough at night. They do get warm, but too hot to touch is probably too hot. 😂

@@CanispaterChristmas Thx for the reply. I have seen where people fully enclose them and some have holes in the case, which requires different placement of course, and was wondering what your experience was.

@@spearsmt Definitely something you need to experiment with.

@@spearsmt I use these: (One on each side of the box to be able to pull air through) www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DH8EKS4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Boscoyo.com

I got some 4-cond 16AWG, Outdoor/Direct Burial Speaker Cable from cablewholesale this year, but I also have a bunch of pigtails and extensions I bought from Ray a few years ago. Really, kinda whatever I have on hand at the time. If you are in the US, you might check wiredwatts.com for pigtails and extensions.

@@CanispaterChristmas I normally use Ken/wiredwatts.com but was in a crunch. I bought 16/4 wire uv cable from cable direct on Amazon. Fingers crossed. USPS is super slow right now.

😂Neighborhood kids playing outside. They only come out when I try to film.

You can email him directly (ray@rita-light.com). I have found that China prices aren't the greatest right now so do some research before placing an order. If you are in the US, I recommend checking out wiredwatts.com.

@@CanispaterChristmas Thanks for the help I’ll check their inventory 👍

You can do a lot with 4,000, but you don't need to start with that many. It really depends on what you want to do. Just try not to get too crazy as there is a lot to learn your first year and you can add to it over time. Plan what you want to do then figure out how many pixels you'll need and get a few extra strings just in case you miscalculated or need spares. Typical spacing is 3".

@@CanispaterChristmas roof triangle outline, garage door outline, 4 arches, 4 large trees like u had in ur other video and 2, 3 candy canes, and a mega tree.....will 2250 pixels work with that

@@CanispaterChristmas and also picked u the Falcon f48 with 12 smart receivers

@@constantinghilici907 I can't say since I don't know sizing, but you should be able to do most if not all of that. I'd say start building early so you have time to order more pixels if needed.

Haha. Yeah, but that wouldn't have been near as funny. 😂

But if you like inflatables, that's cool too. We have a couple of houses near us with loads of them. Plus, I'm lazy. I just like having the lights do their thing without me having to mess with them every night. I haven't figured out how to do the same with the inflatables.

@@CanispaterChristmas it is a constant struggle they never stay up right

@@CanispaterChristmas would have for sure ruined your opener 🤣 Mine don't wander, too much. My 10 foot frosty has guy wires to help keep him still though....

Didn't I see Kieth Westley from Xlights has some inflatables in his display? I'm not sure if he has pixels in them but I thought he was controlling them in his show.

If you swap prop positions does the problem follow or remain the same?

Well I hooked the last one directly into the controller and I worked so I know my cables all have good splices, they are running off a San deivices controller,

What is the distance between props and do you have any F-amp in line? It might be the data signal isn't making the hop.

Here is the run: controller -22ft- 50 pixels- 15 feet- 50 pixels - 7ft- power inject tee- 7ft- 50 pixels(not working when in making all sorts of random flashes and colors and what not) Now I know it is not power because on that last 50 pixel wreath I used my multi meter and it read 12 volts at the end of the run

I am not using any F-Amps

I turn therm off after the show. I have a home automation system, but a timer also works.

@@CanispaterChristmas another question. i am starting the process for my first display next year. starting small with the thought of adding a bit each year. would you start with the falcon f16 v3 or just go ahead and get the f 48

i thank you for your videos. i have been watching many to get the approach to starting all of this. You must spend alot of time with you editing. You seem to enjoy video making as much as christmas lights. i also like many of your camera angles in your shots. what video editor do you use.

@@NUSSIE123 Thanks! Adobe Premiere. Expensive, but has a lot of features.

@@NUSSIE123 I got an F16 then added an F48. I run them both now.

Exactly. 😂

Looks great!