Installing C9 RGB Christmas Lights with WLED
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- In this video, Chris shows how he installed 400 LED pixels on his house with a WLED controller.
LINKS TO PRODUCTS SHOWN:
RGB C9 light string - handydad.tv/c9s
RGB pixel string - handydad.tv/pixels
Gutter tab light clips - handydad.tv/gtab
Shingle tab light clips - handydad.tv/shtb
Ground stake light clips - handydad.tv/gstk
X-connect pigtails, extensions - handydad.tv/xcon
12V 15A power supply - handydad.tv/12ps
DIG-UNO LED controller - handydad.tv/uno (US)
DIG-UNO LED controller - quinled.info (global)
Signal Booster - handydad.tv/dboo
Large enclosure - handydad.tv/lenc
Small enclosure - handydad.tv/senc
PG9 cable glands - handydad.tv/cblg
RELATED VIDEOS:
Introducing C9 LEDs - • NEW!! C9 RGB Christmas...
Planning and Setup - • LED Christmas Lights -...
Signal Booster Battle - • Falcon vs. DrZzs/Quind...
WLED in a Car - • Christmas Lights in a ...
WLED Patterns and Colors - • WLED Custom Patterns a...
Dealing with Bad Pixels - • RGB Pixel Troubleshooting
Song by TELL YOUR STORY music by ikson™Link: ikson.com/tell...
☕️☕️☕️ If you liked this video, say thanks with a cup of coffee 👉🏻 ko-fi.com/hand... ☕️☕️☕️
✔︎Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @HandyDadTV
Great video, "WLED is addictive and a gateway drug" lol :)
How true is that?
@@handydadtv so very true. I'm on my 3rd year of WLED and addressable pixels with DigUnos and DigQuads everywhere.
Not to be dramatic, but I’m prepared to start a fan club. 😂The outcome is exceptional & your walk-through explanations are better than some college professors.
Thanks for sharing this with us, & Happy Holidays to do you & your lovely family! 🎄 🎊
Thanks so much 😊
Very well done. I agree with what your son said and I appreciate it. I think you placed the lights facing the right way. Everyday I pass a house that has them pointed up and when the lights are off I think they look like thorns. I shouldn't knock it though, it blows my setup away.
Thanks so much 😊
Wow, that is completely fantastic. I love everything about what you've done, and I can't believe how reasonable is the total cost. I know it would sound expensive to some, but to have addressable lights usually means spending a small fortune. I can picture myself doing a project, thanks to inspiration from you. Great job!!!
I thought it was pretty reasonable. And fun to do. It’s definitely addictive though. Dropping another WLED video on Saturday. 🤷🏻♂️
Hi Chris, nice presentation and outcome. The lights look very nice and tasteful (and I can appreciate the OCD ensuring the lights were not only evenly spaced, but all facing the right way--lol). I have permeant lights and although they are not WLED driven, I love not having to deal with ladders or storing lights. Take the plunge!
What kind do you have?
@@handydadtv Mine are from a company called Gemstone Lights based out of Canada (Calgary if I remember correctly) and were installed by a local authorized reseller. I found them before I discovered WLED and for the cost, I could have installed them cheaper using WLED but overall I am pretty happy with the functionality. They are super low key during the day and the metal channel they are mounted in matches the trim on the house. I'm interested in retrofitting low-voltage landscape lights into a WLED project (still in the research phase).
@jimflood1590 Gemstone lights look awesome, and I’m sure it was nice to watch someone else install them for you!
@@handydadtv Yes sir, it was. We have very tall peaks on the front of our house and installing my own lights each year was a circus show for sure (think clowns on a ladder). They're a very solid product but the application is not as robust compared to WLED, but overall I'm very happy with them.
This is so satisfying for my OCD!! I'm the same way with uniformity...
Very pleasing
Looks great, next step..Xlights!! It can do some amazing sequencing. Great job.
In due time. 😉
What an incredibly neat display. Not sure what color pattern you will choose but keep in mind that rapid flashing does tend to cheapen things a bit……it can make your home look like a Las Vegas casino sign instead of warm and inviting.
Good point. We keep it subtle.
Great video! Love your lights🥰!!!! Good job on them. I would love those on my house. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas 🎁
Thanks 😊 and Merry Christmas!
Great video! This looks really good and clean! Cost breakdown is very reasonable! Thanks!
My pleasure
Wow, all your hard work certainly paid off. Your home looks amazing!!! I hope mine will 1/2 that good next year!!! Thank you for another very informative video. This really helped me a great deal!!
Glad it was helpful
C9s are definitely the way to go - I just need to figure out a permanent installation solution as I have super high gables on my two-story. Looking forward to your future videos after you’ve figured that part out!!
C9 would be tacky to leave up permanently. They need to be invisible.
@@handydadtv don’t disagree but maybe there’s a semi-permanent option to make hanging each year much more manageable
I’ve seen people attach lights to 3/4” PVC and attach sections of lights with clips, which is much faster, but still requires a ladder.
The lights look great, I'll have to check into getting something like that going for my house.
Thanks 😊
Nice lights. My favorites are flow and candy cane. Haven't seen that done before. Happy holidays
Thanks 😊
Wow it looks so simple and clean. I think I’m going to give this a try. Thank you
Thanks. Unfortunately everything is out of stock by now. Shop in September to get them for next year.
So clean and well thoguht out!
Thanks so much 😊
Nice job, and thanks for sharing. I'm going to try something like this next year.
I love them
Very nice! We bought our first home this year and it's too late to dive in but looking forward to referencing this next year! Great job and thanks for sharing!
Set a reminder to shop in September. 👍🏻
Thanks for the video. I'm interested in setting up something similar for next year. I'll be curious to hear how these lights hold up for you. Great work and really appreciate the video.
I will definitely post something to show how they held up.
Great setup, thanks for sharing.
I didn't know about these bulbs, need to get those for next year.
Have a great 🎄 Christmas ⛄
Thanks! Be sure to shop early next year!
That’s really good work
Thanks 😊
Looks killer!
Thanks 😊
Thank you Sir for your video. This is by far the nicest. Very pleasing and relaxing to the eye, unlike some that are “ seizure “ material. Well done!
Thanks. My wife would never go for seizure material!
Came out great. Permanent LED is in your future. I can see it.
We’ll see.
This is an excellent how to video. Thank you !!!! The lights look great.
Thanks so much 😊
Great video! really like the candy cane white and red effect! you'll have the best christmas show on your street for sure! :D
Thanks 😊
thanks so much from watching this and dome of your other videos I am about to start adding dome RGB flood lights I am still trying to decide what I want for lights around the house. Use a strings like you have or use RGB LED ribbons in a channel around the house for a more permanent set up.
Tough decision!
Use ws2815 strip leds instead, they are 12v adressable too but have a backup line so one pixel going duff doesnt matter, the whole strip continues as before.
Thanks for the tip.
Both of your video have been great, very instructive. What would be very helpful to see is RBGW assignable lights. I have searched and searched for them, but to date I have not been able to find them.
I’ve only seen RGBW LED strips.
Very good job!!!!!
Thanks 😊
OMG, how clean is your gutter? I can only dream of that.
No big trees in front.
You've done a great job, it looks really nice. 🤗
Thanks 😊
This looks so fun and rewarding when youre done putting it up.. 🙂 want to try something like this myself, but
But what?
@@handydadtv the lack of knowledge and the worries about what it will cost to replace what I currently have 😅
The cool thing is you can start slowly and grow over time.
@@handydadtv i like what you're saying 🙂 but how is it to combine with music ? 🙂
Research X-Lights. It’s a whole different league.
Wow can't wait to do mine, Looks AWESOME 😍 🙌 👏 🎄Merry Xmas
Merry Christmas to you!
Terrific Job and great video!!
Thanks so much 😊
Really enjoy this video. Would you be able to update the links to the products. Not having luck with them. Maybe some part #'s? Thanks! Merry Christmas
Come back in 6 months when they restock. Everything is sold out now.
Great video. Can you explain the conection between controller and cables...or a quick video.
I show that detail in this video:
ua-cam.com/video/7hAfBb0e5Z8/v-deo.html
@@handydadtv thank you so much. I bought Permatrack with Dig-Quad Controller. Did a small run this year. More prepare for 2023.
It’s addictive! Don’t bankrupt the family.
looks rad good job!
Thanks 😊
Ahh I was late to the game! I need to do this for next year! You can also use them for Halloween (Orange purple red) and Valentines (Red)!
Yes indeed
The rule of thumb when planning a setup like this is a buck a pixel. You went a bit over that because of the C9 strings being more than bullet strings, but the premise holds true.
Mind blown! There was a guy on The Great Christmas Light Fight that said he has 50,000 pixels!!! Ouch!
I paid someone back in 2018 to build me a perfect length set 112 C7 warm white LED 2700 Kelvin they are BRIGHT!! every year they install them and take the down they also store them and make sure all the lights are working $250 bucks for that service. It's nice to have a bunch of young athletic guys take care of the roofline. If I add to the display it costs me a one time fee for the new added lights but the same install fee. I surely don't want to be 40 feet in the air but these guys roll around on the roof. Miniature light strands are 50 lights per set for the Professional sets any longer they aren't real Professional ✨️ you get what you pay for and I had always wanted Professional made lights
Good deal!
@@handydadtv Happy Thanksgiving - and sorry for the somewhat negative comment I should have kept my trap shut I'm only human how's your model Y?
Ha! Trust me, I know negative and that WASN’T negative.
The Y is great. I’m back in the office 50% now and it makes my 35-mile commute a breeze.
Love it
Thanks
I'll leave a comment.... well done!
Thanks so much 😊
Bout time you got that done!! lol
Months. I was planning and tweaking for months.
@@handydadtv I hear you, Me too! Yours looks great! Thanks for the great video!
Great vid and install. Can you confirm the power supply calculation? I thought in a previous comment saw to us .8W per light to get total. So 400 lights X .8 = 320W. Seems like 15A power supply would not be enough. BTW, I know i must have the calc wrong as your setup certainly works. I am just trying to get the math correct for my 300 light setup. Thanks in advance.
I probably added strings after buying the power supply. But I have two points:
(1) 0.8 watt is maximum current drawn showing white at 100% brightness. I never use 100% white.
(2) Just tell WLED the size of your power supply and it will automatically adjust the brightness to ensure it doesn't exceed the maximum.
Looks amazing!
Do you know if there's a way to use a motion sensor to trigger different animations within WLED?
You can certainly do that with Home Assistant.
Candy cane would look awesome with snow on the ground
I’m in NJ so fingers crossed 🤞🏻
Damn you got a good deal on those lights.
Not bad, eh?
Hi Handy Dad. I wanted to get a jump on the Christmas Lights early this year and I had a couple of questions.
Do you know the string length [frist bulb to the last bulb] for:
- Standard bullet pixels
- Faceted C9 bulbs
I'm guessing about 25 feet. Or is that 25 feet for the wired string end to end.
I have a little larger house than the white house in the "Installing C9 RGB Christmas Lights with WLED" video, and I will need to put more strings than you placed in the video. I'm thinking 8 strings of the faceted C9 bulbs and 7 standard bullet pixel strings.
I'm thinking that I should buy the 12V 20A 240W power supply and the QuinLED-Dig-Quad controller. I like the idea of having a quad.
I'm a newbie to WLED. I'm hoping to only buy Christmas lights just once more.
Standard bullet pixels are usually 4 inch spacing. There is no standard with the RGB C9’s. You need to read the listing.
If you have a big house, you can get long rolls of RGB C9’s on AliExpress and specify the spacing.
Those bulbs have a serious flaw. Make sure you watch this before buying: ua-cam.com/video/kqJZtNKftXk/v-deo.html
Hello from Australia. Just wondering what is the approximate pixels per meter (or per 3 feet) so I can get estimate how many I would need to do my place. Great video. U have me hooked onto doing better Christmas lights now
The lights are 15 cm apart.
Looks awesome! For next year I’m really wanting to venture into the RGB set up. I have seen quite a few companies that offer rgb c9 light bulbs that you can use with your existing strands and they have a program/box and a remote. My question for you is this: do you think there are any of those ready made kits that would be able to perform the “saw” function like in your video? I love that function, but I’m really not technically inclined, or confident enough to take on the wled project. Thanks!
I’d bet most commercial kits are based on the FastLED library, just like WLED is. Most of WLED’s patterns come from FastLED. So commercial kits may have a lot of the same patterns. Never know.
Great video but I'm still leaning towards permanent lighting so I don't have to roll off the roof ever again 🤦♂️ that's how I came across your video looking for LED lighting 💯🤘🤑🤘
I hear you. I’m investigating different alternatives now for next year.
I guess these lights are not sold anymore? Having trouble finding any while searching.
Pretty much all specialty lights are sold out by now. Plan ahead next year - come back in September.
Hi Mr. HandyDad, I have so many questions about those RGB C9's but let's start with the Transformer. We have 220v from our sockets here in the Netherlands. Now I have some questions about the amps.
- How many cables can run on 15 amp? I would like to use the WS2811 C9.
- Or the more wires the higher the amp of the transformer?
- So can I use any 12v transformer?
I have decided to use 12v because I don't want to have too many wires because of the power injection for the 5v.
Thank you in advance, greetings from the Netherlands
The input voltage doesn’t matter. Power supplies are rated for output voltage and amps. Watts = volts * amps. So my 12V 15A power supply outputs 180 watts. Look at the power rating for the lights you buy. If they use 1/2 watt per light, I could power 360 lights with my power supply. If you need more lights, get a bigger power supply.
@@handydadtv Thanks for answering my question. I get into my project soon so maybe i need to ask some more questions.
Have a great day.
your Videos' are always very helpful , can you please some more info on the wreath ?
It’s just a generic 36” wreath that we’ve had for years. I removed the old lights and installed a string of bullet pixels.
@@handydadtv thank you
Great video, Great job, how many feet of the c9 bulbs did you get? And how many bulbs are in the wreath? The wreath looks amazing!
I bought four strings of C9, 25 feet each (50 lights @ 6” spacing).
The wreath has one string of 50 pixels with 3” spacing.
@@handydadtv one more question, what size is the wreath?
36”
I have bullet addressable but have been looking for that xmas'y caps to them - has anyone found just the caps to attach?
I haven’t see them.
Chris, loving your videos. Since the Dig-UNO controllers are sold out, but the 5V controllers are available, could you use the HiLetgo 5pcs Mini ESP8266 ESP-12F that you featured in your most recent video to run a string of the 12V RGB string lights you featured here?
Trying to decide if it’s better to just purchase two strands of 5V RGB string lights and power with the ESP8266 versus 12V RGB lights with the ESP8266 (assuming I can use a buck controller to step down the voltage to the controller and power the lights via 12V in-line). Thoughts?
Even for my small house, I’d need power injection with 5v lights. I avoided that with 12v. So I really recommend 12v lights outside.
You can definitely use the native ESP8266 chip to create the signal that drives the lights, but you need a separate 5v power supply. Or something to step down the voltage. If you use a separate power supply, just be sure to tie all the grounds together.
I really recommend waiting for the Dig boards. Christmas is 2 weeks away. I think you should just plan earlier next year.
@@handydadtv thank you for your reply. My project will consist of only two strands of lights and no more. I’m constructing a “Merry Christmas” sign, have the lights and the ESP8266 on hand. The sign is smaller than 4x8’ so all of my power with be within an immediate area (no distance runs for multiple power injection). Reason I asked about the buck controller is because I have a 12V power supply right next to the sign that I could power these lights from.
Your channel has got me intrigued with the WLED tech. I understand AC voltage but learning DC, for me, is more daunting. Thanks for being so detailed in your videos. Please keep them coming!!!
I never used a buck converter (Dig and Athom boards don’t need them) but I’m sure it will be straightforward.
do you have a video of your wreath light set up on wled? the segments and pattern?
This one shows background detail of the setup before installing anything on the house. ua-cam.com/video/7hAfBb0e5Z8/v-deo.html
What is the spacing on the LEDs? I would like a little more spacing between bulbs.
I agree. It’s only 6” spacing.
Looks great. I am going to start mine once everything is back in stock. What is the spacing of your lights?
The C9’s have 6” spacing, which is closer than I’d like. Standard bulbs are 12”. I’d like to see 9”.
@@handydadtv some of the ones I have looked at (like Drzzs) have his spaced at 3 inches, and I like the look of the separation. I think it looks more like individual lights.
thanks
How do you wire the data booster? Is it just the data wire, meaning 1 wire in 1 wire out?
Both are detailed here:
ua-cam.com/video/b0OMT6hYnDI/v-deo.html
@@handydadtv thanks
Nice job! I'm also a newbie. I'll be installing my C9 lights with a Dig Quad this weekend. Question, do you power off the power supply when not operating the lights? If so, does that affect the controller when you power it back up? Thanks.
Yes the smart plug turns everything off. I’ve had no issue with startup. I created a playlist in WLED and set that as the default preset so it starts that playlist whenever power comes on.
@@handydadtv Awesome! Do you need to have WLED running in the background on a laptop or phone for the lights to work? Will the lights turn on automatically even you're away from home?
WLED runs on the little controller in the weatherproof box. You can schedule it so you don’t need to be home. The app on the phone communicates with the controller, but only within your home network. Not over the internet.
@@handydadtv Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!
You too!
Which dig uno did you use that has 2 channels? I only see single and quad.
All Dig Unos have two channels. It’s a misnomer.
how do you factory reset the digi 32l brain board i have wrong software on mine and now wont work
Ask on Reddit /r/wled
where would I find the code I need this for myself
Go to wled.me
I usually start in January
Now THAT’S preparation!!
So I ordered c-9 light bulbs with programmable light show. It has limited options. Can I simply switch the board out
Of the board and make my lights that much better?
Impossible to say without trying it. But you might damage them beyond repair.
I used to take stuff apart when I was young. My cassette player was never the same.
I took it apart without messing it up, and after removing the case where I turn the lights on and off I saw a small board running the lights.
Can I simply replace that board with another dig uno controller
Who knows?
why not keep them up all year? if there wled, you should have many different scenes available...
I’ll be investigating permanent lights this year, but not these.
Once you start, it doesn’t stop especially when you find Xlights
Ka-ching… year after year
Are you on any Christmas forums. I have a 350 bulb dumb rgb c9 setup, but the lack of control drives me nuts. This is something that interests me and fits my needs but I am OCD. I custom make all
My strands to fit perfectly so nothing is hanging in the gutter. Also, are there option to synch the lights to a music playlist.
These can be cut to fit. You would just have more work to replace a bad pixel.
@@handydadtv one quick question. How does the traditional warm white look. Just wondering if I want to do a traditional setup to break up the rgb light shows.
Looks fine in my opinion.
What did you use to give the 12v adapter power?
See details of the setup here: ua-cam.com/video/7hAfBb0e5Z8/v-deo.html
@@handydadtvcool thank you. I’m copying your exact setup 😁
@luisantoniocontrerasjr.2494 Watch before buying: ua-cam.com/video/kqJZtNKftXk/v-deo.html
“OCD” friendly ❤
Accurate?
so if i connected 6 sets of 25 of c9 light and its all connect to one one power supply should i connect 3 to a different power supply for them to work? fuse blows when i connect all of them to one plug?
6 x 25 = 150. If you’re using 12-volt lights, you should be able to run them all on one channel without power injection.
(It has nothing to do with blowing a fuse.)
I am running 200 lights on each of my channels.
well mine keeps blowing a fuse right when i plug it into the plug?
i replace the fuse and it just keeps doing the same thing so should divide it and connect only 3 into one plug?
Then you’ve got a short.
Do you have a diagram sir??
I show a simple animated diagram in this video: ua-cam.com/video/7hAfBb0e5Z8/v-deo.html
That’s the best I have.
So for the C9 covers, are you just buying cheaper C9s and removing them? Or what?
Those are sold as C9 lights. You can get (maybe not this late) C9 covers for bullet pixels. That's a bit cheaper, but a LOT more work.
My string are manufactured with the C9 covers. The lens is removable, but not the body.
Although snap-on covers may be an option, you won’t like the 3” spacing of normal pixels. Mine are 6” and I’d prefer them even further apart.
@@handydadtv seems like the C9 rgb pixels are a little tough to find. Especially now. I was hoping to snag a set to play with and test for next year. I’ll keep an eye out for them.
Great videos! I think I’ve watched all the Christmas ones today haha
Yeah that ship has sailed this year. I bought mine in September.
So what’s the benefit of larger spacing?
Not gonna lie I thought this was a custom zombies map with the perks displayed on top
Nope. No a zombie map.
That’s not the ridge that’s the rake my G
Rakes are for leaves. 😂
The only negative you said was "HOA".
Yeah it’s a blessing and a curse.
My HOA doesn't want to see Christmas decorations until at the very minimum Thanksgiving week. If you have lot of work to perform you cannot start earlier.
Same with mine. But I pushed it a little. I installed the lights the weekend before Thanksgiving because the weather was good, but I didn’t turn them on until Thanksgiving night.
How much they cost?
You’re kidding, right?
he gives the cost here: 8:34
12V is too low for long runs like 20meters.. 24V is better.
12V works fine for me, and much more common.
HOA, ugh.
Indeed
Sadly buying through Dr .Zzs your pay a lot more for controllers it seems he bumps the prices up a lot more than getting through china for uno or quads .
I’d rather give him a few bucks than buy directly from China.
@@handydadtv But there coming from china shipped to him from the maker of them anyway .
Did a little comp shopping for a Dig-Quad ext. antenna from both. Base price is $46 from Dr Zzs, $42 from AllChina.net. But Dr Zzs doesn’t charge sales tax for me in NJ. AllChina wants to charge me $5.46 sales tax. Why?? They’re an international company! There’s no way that tax is coming back to NJ. They’re pocketing it.
I didn’t enter my info to AllChina to see what they’d charge for shipping but I know Dr. Zzs charges a flat rate $5.
My wife gave me a Pixelectomy when she found out how much I spent on pixels and controllers. 😡
Hahahaha 🤣🤣🤣
Eh
Eh?
First take them fall decorations down
It was recorded before Thanksgiving. Sorry the pumpkins distracted you.
Not a fan. Just me though.
Thanks for the feedback