I just said to my husband yesterday… “I wonder where Jeff from Canispater Christmas is… we haven’t seen any of his videos in quite a while. Bamm, now your back! 👍👍
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! It's been a busy first half of the year! 😂
@TheSoundmanPete3 жыл бұрын
You brought up an interesting point with the 5v vs 12v pixels. It is more effective to use 12v pixels as the current per string is reduced and smaller wiring can be used but the individual voltage drop required per pixel makes the 12v system more lossy. More wasted power per pixel as heat. I had always thought that going with 12v pixels was a no brainer but seeing the amount of heat dissipated (power wasted) shows me that using larger wiring and more power injection... 5v is really the way to go.
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Each voltage has it's place. A long roof outline in 5V could be infuriating to try to maintain voltage. A matrix or tree, easy to do 5V.
@robertspann41853 жыл бұрын
So glad to see a new video from you! Working on getting my additions to my show incorporated for this year. Can't thank you enough for all your content over the past few years helping me and others get started in the hobby!
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@jameswaits88703 жыл бұрын
Great to see you back. I have one question was that your freshly minted or the pups?
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
LOL! Hmm. Now you have me curious to try something... 😂
@user321863 жыл бұрын
Hi I’m happy to see you back. I really enjoy watching your videos and learn a lot
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@jspiker773 жыл бұрын
Great video Jeff, really appreciated how you pointed out it was just a bad batch and that 99.999 percent of the pixels in the wild are perfectly fine. People should not take a gauge of what transpired last year with this year (2021).
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Thank! There was a bit of panic in the comments that prompted that. 😂
@williamwilson78013 жыл бұрын
Yeah, unfortunately I made a "big" purchase early 2020 ($1Kish), and I guess I got a batch with epoxy problems. I didn't actually do anything with them until this (2021) holiday season. I did some minor burn in testing, and all was good on the 60+ strings. However, once they went outside, in 3-4 weeks I've had 90%+ of the strings fail. In looking closely, I can see the cracked epoxy on them all. Sent an email to the supplier and heard nothing back. But, to be fair, I didn't really expect them to warranty pixels that were about 18 months old, but it would have been nice to at least get a response. This happened to be the year where I was switching the main part of my display from LOR + AC lights to to pixels. Having 2-3 strings going belly up every 2-4 days after putting the entire display out has been VERY frustrating. Get a couple of good hours of rain, and I was seeing 10+ strings lose their minds. Ended up having to make an emergency purchase from an onshore supplier, and so far (knock on wood), the replacements strings seem to doing well. The bad ones were purchased direct from China, and while I understand that it was hopefully a one time issue, I'm now a bit gun shy of making any more purchases that way. And, to be honest, with China shipping costs, it wasn't really significantly more expensive buying them onshore. Strings were more expensive apiece($15 vs. $13), but shipping was drastically less. Still licking the wounds on my wallet and trying to decide which direction I'll go with future purchases.
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
@@williamwilson7801 Sorry to hear that. I had a lot of square pixels that suffered water issues (flashing after rains). None of the bullet pixels went bad as far as I recall. Yes the onshore/offshore landscape seems to change frequently. Also, you'll usually get better support buying local. Depends on what is important to you.
@williamwilson78013 жыл бұрын
@@CanispaterChristmas Just an update... I did finally hear back from my vendor in China, and he has actually replaced the 50/60 strings that went bad, with no charge to me. I was pretty disheartened after not hearing back from him, but he did explain that he was incredibly busy this time of year, which delayed his response. When he replied, I let him know how many of the strings failed, and offered to replace them, no questions asked. I have to say I pleasantly shocked when I heard back from him, and the pixels arrived within 14 days.
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
@@williamwilson7801 Glad to hear it!
@therandomerest3 жыл бұрын
Interesting video Jeff! I bought my first batch of modulated pixels end of last year and definitely noticed they run hotter than my resistor ones. Was actually bit shocked upon first touching wire they were that warm. Definitely be keeping an eye on them ;)
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Warm is one thing, too hot to touch, might ask for a replacement. Not sure who all made them so check the xEssentials video.
@everythingfeline73673 жыл бұрын
Been doing lots of prep for my first show with pixels, this is exciting
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Cool! Let me know how it works out!
@lightsofescenaatwestwing58893 жыл бұрын
Welcome back!!!
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@timcrittenden79193 жыл бұрын
Glad to see you back. Thanks for the info on the pixels... Now to the New Elephant in the room... F16V4/F48V4....:)
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Haha. Working on it. 😂
@darknes78003 жыл бұрын
V4....curses batman !
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
@@darknes7800 Why curses? It's pretty cool! :)
@darknes78003 жыл бұрын
@@CanispaterChristmas Because I bought my gear in January and its all V3 !!!!!!!!!!!! I am sure the V4 is awesome gear !
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
@@darknes7800 Just add more pixels so you can justify a V4. 😂
@bleudj3 жыл бұрын
Question can I use hot glue to weatherproof the power pigtails when I join multiple pixels together, whenever I am not using them for power injection?
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure. I haven't tried it. I might suggest a test on one this year. :)
@landonnelson81713 жыл бұрын
Good to see you Jeff, Great video.
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
@mewrongwayKOCXF3 жыл бұрын
Good to see you again Jeff! Man im slippin in my old age, Never thought about checkin the temp of my dogs poo. lol I really learn alot from you Jeff! :o)
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Just another tool in the box. 😂
@therenaissancelawnguy24253 жыл бұрын
could use some help i went to power up my first pixels and a pixel caught on fire then popped a fuse what did i do wrong
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
What was on the end of your pixels? Were they 5V or 12V? Bullet or square? Where from and when did you get them?
@therenaissancelawnguy24253 жыл бұрын
@@CanispaterChristmas wired watt k8 and a begalbone 12 volt pixels and 12 volt power supply
@therenaissancelawnguy24253 жыл бұрын
@@CanispaterChristmas i kone the data line on the pig tail is yellow but unsure what is power and what is ground i assume red is voltage
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Give Ken a call and let him know. He should be able to help.
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Examine the pixels with a magnifier. They are usually marked. "+", "12V", "GND", "-", "DO", "DI" Wait, these aren't dumb pixels are they? 4-wires? Reg, Green, Blue, Black? I don't think they will work with that controller. Make sure they have "DO" and "DI" on them, otherwise they may be analog pixels.
@markbelicove48533 жыл бұрын
I’m expanding my lights this year and I am stumped on how to do a roof line with out drilling screws into my roof. My main need is the roof peak. How do people in this community achieve this?
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Haha. I don't do my roofs (2-story) so I can't say. I know some have 3D-printed clips of some sort tho. Might check on the FB group or forums. Someone may sell something.
@knowyourjoe88263 жыл бұрын
Hey Jeff, I am wanting to install c9’s or c7’s or some larger/semi larger individually addressable RGB pixels across the roof line of our home and don’t know which ones would be a good choice or where to get them. Looked briefly at LOR and looking at other options to compare. Better to piece it together or buy a from single source? I have no experience with pixels. In the past my wife has preferred traditional light displays compared to the music sequenced variety. I figure if I start with the roof lines they could be set up to perform like “regular” lights or chasers and then we can see where it goes from there. Worst case would be that the roof lights cost more than the usual roof lights would have. May be too late in the season now to get them. Any suggestions or recommendations? Any idea of basic cost or cost per foot? Need controller, pixels, power supplies etc. The mounting is whole new challenge. Lol Thanks.
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Well, that's a lot to unpack. Supply issues may prevent you from getting anything other than bullet or square pixels so set expectations accordingly for now. You may want to go with your existing display (if you have one) and add some pixels. That way, if it all fails, you still have lights going. If not, you have a display with some cool pixels added. There is a lot to learn. I'd say run through my beginner playlist to get an idea what you'll need to get started if you haven't already and plan to work on it over the holidays so you don't feel pressured to get something going.
@markdickson99213 жыл бұрын
It's November and I haven't seen any new pixel related videos Jeff, what gives?
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Land search is sucking the life out of me, but have a short video in the hopper. 😂
@markdickson99213 жыл бұрын
@@CanispaterChristmas I believe it, land anywhere near or along the i35 corridor is getting expensive and hard to find.
@robdaugherty20103 жыл бұрын
Great to see your face again! Thanks for the video!
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@RFAdventures3 жыл бұрын
I had a set catch fire on me as well last year. I don't think the pixels were at fault. I think it was the 12v powerfully providing power to my 5v pixels
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
I could see where that might cause some heating. 😂
@masonkubecka91633 жыл бұрын
Ok I just set up my mega tree. So far the only way I have been able to control it is with a dedicated router plugged into my f48. Then I have my laptop connected with WiFi to the router. I’m noticing that the sequences are very sluggish sometimes and freeze up. I’m running straight from Xlights at 20fps. Will this be fixed once I figure out the magic pixies of the raspberry pie?… or is it a hardware issue with some of my connections? Side note for my plan with the raspberry pie. I watched your falcon setup video. Would there be anything wrong with keeping the show eth0 and wlan(somthing) the same and just logging into the show router to upload sequences? I just have a mega tree and 4 chroma canes not going to have any crazy sequences. Just some simple patterns. I just want a simple way to control them.
@masonkubecka91633 жыл бұрын
I’m also having a weird problem where the last 169 lights won’t turn on on my tree. I’m running 3 strings of 800 8 strands a string. Everything works fine but those last hundred or so pixels.
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
I'll try both questions at once. 😂 Lighting data over WiFi is probably the problem. Once the Pi is running the show, the stuttering should stop. Yeah, you can put them on the same network or just not setup the WiFi side of the Pi since you'll be hitting your router anyway. As for 169 lights not lighting up, it's a config problem somewhere. Use xLights to program your controller. It's much quicker and easier.
@masonkubecka91633 жыл бұрын
@@CanispaterChristmas thanks for the reply. I tried setting up through xlights but could never figure it out. I couldn’t get the controller connected and have the green light to export the setup. I’ll have to try again next weekend.
@jtaylorinla3 жыл бұрын
Wish JEFF would come back.... I have a question????? If you make a change to your layout in any way....... does that mean you have to reload each of your sequences over again and serenader them for the changes???? Anyone with the answer?
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Yes, but you can re-render them as a batch.
@jtaylorinla3 жыл бұрын
@@CanispaterChristmas Thank you for the info Jeff, really a great help in the right direction. I have 16 sequences for my show and I was think that if I changed anything I would have to re-render each sequence. Didn't want any foul ups this late in the game as it's close to time to run the show. I start Thanksgiving evening. Thanks again. Hope you get back to making videos.
@Alan_Hans__3 жыл бұрын
5V FTW. Just out of curiosity Jeff how many pixels were you running on a string and without power injection. There are a lot of people running with 100's of 12V pixels on a string and the done thing seems to be keep adding pixels and when you run out of volts you drop the brightness 10% at a time. A string of 50 will only be about 2.5A which is towards the upper limit of what the pixel wire is capable of but it's fairly typical for people to have strings of 150+.
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
For this, 100. If it has a slight chance of going over 5-amps, I'll inject power if I plan on going 100% which was the objective. I don't typically run 100%, but may if I move out of the city.
@therenaissancelawnguy24253 жыл бұрын
Hi Jeff just ordered my first pixel stuff wish me luck hope I got all I need to give this a shot
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Cool! Check into the help areas listed in my video descriptions if you haven't already. Tons of smart folks happy to help.
@therenaissancelawnguy24253 жыл бұрын
@@CanispaterChristmas i have watched all your videos more then once ... so it all your fault lol
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
@@therenaissancelawnguy2425 I get that a lot. lol!
@ronm65853 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jeff. Nice camera. 😉
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@darknes78003 жыл бұрын
I have over 10,000 12V regulated pixels from Ray, zero failure in testing mode over a 60 day period.
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Awesome! I think it was a single batch problem last year.
@cswatson48233 жыл бұрын
Are you ok Jeff?
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
Healthy, not as wealthy as I'd like to be, but wise.
@carmineinserra3 жыл бұрын
Would like to see the FLIR of 12V (or even 110 AC) applied to 5V pixels. Channel your inner-mythbuster 👍😉😁😎
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
😂
@angelorusso32193 жыл бұрын
"PURCHASE JUSTIFIED".... damn right! 5V FTW!
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
😂
@jtowning8313 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
👍
@nathprojects68423 жыл бұрын
Good to know
@CanispaterChristmas3 жыл бұрын
👍
@melvinguzman53392 жыл бұрын
You r funny bro and thanks for the differential boar video.