North Pole for P10 Sign

[@camerongeerling7474]

I really like this idea. The idea of having it in standalone mode is awesome.

[@CanispaterChristmas]

👍

[@davidshepard2372]

Awesome idea. I used this idea, only with pixels. Looks incredible thank you

[@CanispaterChristmas]

Thanks, but I stole it from someone else. 😂

[@garyclark8940]

Hi Jeff, great design, I am attempting something similar. Is there a setting for sending the globe pixel data as well as the octoscroller data? My BB fires the panels fine, but is not sending out pixel data for the globe that I can tell. I have a e6804 card for the globe also.

[@CanispaterChristmas]

Globe pixel data comes out of the Ethernet connector, not the octoscroller.

[@garyclark8940]

@@CanispaterChristmas yep, that is connected, but the data does not appear to be sent from BBB

[@CanispaterChristmas]

OH. Check the FPP output page and make sure E1.31 is enabled.

[@garyclark8940]

@@CanispaterChristmas turns out it was the San devices e6804. After several hours of troubleshooting and going through their awefull process of updating the firmware, I got it working. (FPP proxy also does not work with this controller as the GUI gets truncated/garbled)

[@CanispaterChristmas]

@@garyclark8940 Yeah, I don't think I've ever had the proxy stuff work.

[@thehorrorlife7190]

So awesome! Love it

[@CanispaterChristmas]

Thanks!

[@Falcon408]

Hey great video, What did you use for the globe topper?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

I got it from Home Depot in the lighting section. I think it was about $5 at the time. Been a while tho. 😂

[@kathrynforester2676]

Hi Jeff. I am new to the hobby and have watched many of your KZbin vids which are very helpful. Your Tuneto sign is my first project. At the moment I have my P5 panels working perfectly using BBBW and Octoplus, which I learned how to set up from watching your videos (stand alone). Now I am trying to get the globe lights going, and am waiting on parts but have a couple of questions in advance so I can get busy when the Forkineye ESPixelstick arrives. First, can I power both the Pixelstick and BBBW using the same power supply (Wired Watts 5v Meanwell) and can I safely double up on the power supply's screw terminals since the panels and BBB have used all available terminals? Second question: I bought a string of 50 WS2811's and want to cut it to use 7 pixels. At each end of the string is a JST connector, which I assume powers the string and connects to another string. If I cut 7 pixels off, am I correct in concluding that the espixel stick will provide power to the string so I don't need the JST connector? Thanks for your help and all you do to help us newbies :)

[@CanispaterChristmas]

Thanks! Awesome! I'd say you're thinking is correct. 5V pixels include the JST connector for power injection - it isn't mandatory to use. A pixelstick should be able to safely power 7 pixels assuming they are standard pixels. Keep me posted!

[@Scottie_70]

Do you know the dimensions of the bulb that goes in top? Thinking of 3d printing it

[@CanispaterChristmas]

Not off the top of my head. It's just a globe I got from Home Depot. Maybe 10"?

[@Scottie_70]

Do you have a parts list for this post sign holder and where you got the parts?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

You can pick up most of it at Wired Watts. A BeagleBone Black with a cape for the matrix panel outputs, a 5V power supply & 4 matrix panels. I also used a 4-port SanDevices pixel controller for the globe pixels. The original kit I bought is no longer available, plus I upgraded the panels from 10mm to 5mm spacing (adding density). Give Ken a call (wiredwatts.com) and he can fix you up for the matrix part. The enclosure was totally DIY.

[@hohojoes1544]

So do you think I could use 3/4” pvc instead of plumbing pipe for the arm that holds the sign? Maybe put a short piece of cable from the end of the pvc to the top of the 3” pvc to hold the weight so it doesn’t bend down? I purchased a 40” P10 scrolling sign and it only weighs about 12 lbs.

[@CanispaterChristmas]

My enclosure + electronics is too heavy for PVC. It depends on the weight. I had to use a cast-iron pipe.

[@hohojoes1544]

Canispater Christmas aka Jeff yeah so am I lol. Tried the heavy duty pvc conduit but no dice.

[@NeilHendin]

Awesome videos. One question about this sign: is it part of your main show sequences or is this instance of FPP running separately from the show? If it's part of the main show do you have to copy the sign contents to each song, or is there a better way that lets you put effects on the sign when you wish and the "tune to" message when nothing else is playing on the panel. Thanks again!

[@CanispaterChristmas]

It's a separate instance of FPP running sign-only sequences. If you want it part of the show, you'd have to treat it as a model. There are ways to do some overlays (while there is no display), but I haven't gone down that path.

[@rpra7392]

How do you get the tune to sign not to go with the other sequences? I am having trouble with trying to keep my tune to sign flow without blinking and going with the music. Any suggestions?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

I run it on it's own sequence so it has nothing to do with the main display. You can do it either way.

[@rpra7392]

@@CanispaterChristmas thanks, I actually tried that but when I upload it to FPP it runs with sequence. Maybe I am not doing something right? It's all new to me so yeah

[@CanispaterChristmas]

@@rpra7392 Manually upload it to the BBB's FPP vs using xLights (it might try putting it on the wrong FPP).

[@allenh1791]

This is great, thanks for sharing.Quick question, what have you found to be best practices to manage power to your BBB and P10s? Is there a way to drop power safely overnight and throughout the day for both devices?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

I leave them powered 24/7. You’d have to safely shutdown the BBB prior to removing power. Could be done with a cron job, but no real need to shut it down.

[@davidgeall8623]

GREAT video ... Can I ask what you used to seal the edge of the clear plastic in the sign to prevent water from getting in ?! I am doing a very similar design.

[@CanispaterChristmas]

+David Geall I'm not sealing the acrylic. I put holes about every 4" in the bottom plate to allow for drainage and slightly elevated the internal electronics in case water gets in somehow. I haven't taken it to a car wash to test though I do need to water test it once I seal the top miter joints with silicone or bicycle inner-tube - still thinking about that one.

[@frostycarbon270]

Is there a way to control FPP directly from slights similar to other controllers or do you have to upload the sequences?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

FPP is technically a player, not a controller (though you can get hats that you can connect lights to). I'm not sure what you mean by "similar to other controllers."

[@frostycarbon270]

@@CanispaterChristmas I’d like to be able to control my sign directly from xLights like I do with my WLED controllers, is that possible?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

Ah, well, there is a pass-thru mode on FPP, but I didn't have good luck with it when I used it. Might have changed by now. But yes, the standard method is to load a sequence onto FPP and let it play the sequence.

[@vicentesalinas8259]

How did you keep the globe in place?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

It just sits down in the coupler. I tried running a bead of silicone around it, but it just sits in there now.

[@RPOsgood]

Do you remember the name of the material and dimensions you used to build the enclosure? Did you happen to create plans or like me just wing it? Thanks

[@CanispaterChristmas]

Mostly winged it. All I had was a picture somebody else did. :) I got the outer PVC plank from Home Depot. Model # 827000004. That is for a 6pk, I only got one single board. It's pretty easy to work with, but I used a PVC blade in my tablesaw. The panels are 320mm x 160mm each so 2 side-by-side are 640mm x 160mm. I just built the enclosure to be able to show the panels through the acrylic. The acrylic is slightly larger because I slotted the outer part by ~1/4" all the way around. It's a little loose in there, but won't come out without disassembling the enclosure. The entire enclosure measures 200mm H x 680mm W x 140mm D. I found it easier to use mm for my calculations and have a metric ruler.

[@nickd217]

Love your channel!!!!!

[@CanispaterChristmas]

Thanks! And Welcome!

[@bobby2107]

I like the video what brand of pixels light did you use for the globe, what type of connection for the pix lights, and finally how can I get a 6804 (or newer) controller?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

The pixels were standard 5V bullet pixels from Ray. He also has pigtails for the lights. The 6804 is a SanDevices controller or look at the Falcon F4V3 from pixelcontroller.com

[@bobby2107]

Hi I am currently building the North Pole P10 sign with all the materials that you have listed but i have one problem I have tried to upload the program onto my sd card but im having difficulty to load the program, could i send you a sd card to program onto it? Thanks for you videos they are verry informative .

[@CanispaterChristmas]

Which version are you trying to use? The video may be a little dated as I think Dan has made a bunch of updates since I did the video. Also, what is the problem you are having? What are you using to image the SD Card?

[@lmjhalloween]

Is your p10 panel xConnect plug?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

They didn't have xConnect when I made it so it's a Ray 3-prong, but xConnect would work. And it's a P5 panel now. 😂

[@lmjhalloween]

@@CanispaterChristmas oh, could I solder it to be xConnect?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

@@lmjhalloween You mean the actual panel connections? No. You need either an octoscroller or ColorLight card for the panels.

[@lmjhalloween]

@@CanispaterChristmas to plug it into the controller, if you mean that 😂

[@CanispaterChristmas]

@@lmjhalloween I'm confused. I have pixels in the globe of the sign. They can use xConnect. The panels themselves plug into an octoscroller or Colorlight card, not a pixel controller.

[@jgdovin1]

Looks great! Where do you get panels like that? I'd like to make something similar. Also love the information, this is my first year doing a light show!

[@CanispaterChristmas]

+Joshua Gdovin I'll warn you, its very addictive! LOL! I got a kit from DIYLEDExpress that had everything in the unboxing video. You can also buy panels from Ray (see "Let's Buy Some Pixels"). Welcome to the hobby. There's a few Facebook groups with knowledgeable folks to answer questions you may have covering xLights, Falcon Player and general RGB lighting.

[@jontribbe215]

Where did you buy you you sign from

[@CanispaterChristmas]

I built it from scratch. See: kzbin.info/aero/PLFyrAfJ-kKd73_nPCrfQAiAFBrOEUQT80 I got the panel parts from DIYLEDExpress, but they don't see that kit anymore.

[@goofy2be1]

Is this 6” or 8” globe?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

I believe it's 8, but I'll measure tomorrow if I can get to it. :)

[@Kev7274]

Are you using (2) P10 panels?

[@Kev7274]

for each side?

[@CanispaterChristmas]

Yes.

[@Kev7274]

Thanks. I love your videos.Educational and Entertaining.

[@Kev7274]

One more question,is the plumbing pipe 1/2 or 3/4? Thanks

[@CanispaterChristmas]

1", but you could probably go smaller.

[@lauramcdougal3952]

love your crocks!

[@CanispaterChristmas]

😂