Thread: RGB LED rope light with controller hacking

I have been trying for sometime to find a solution to using RGB LED Rope lights that have the built in effect controllers.

See example: Multicolor 150LEDs 5M LED Strip LED Rope Light RGB SMD 5050&44K Controller&Power | eBay

I know these lights use a 5volt source and polarity reversing, to control the color changes. But has anyone come up with a way to make the light controllers be able to control the lighting effects?

The search has gone on a for awhile now with no luck. Whether it be google, or the search on this forum, nada has alway been the result.

Even if the only control was making the lights change from green, to white, red, and blue, including the fade in and out. That would be enough.

Running a single RGB capable rope light across the eaves of the house, would make installation much easier. The Light o Rama CCR's are rediculously expensive, and out of the question for me.

My only thought on this would be to find something that could mimic the IR controller. So to the RGB rope light it would think the controller was being pressed. In the same way a universal remote works.

But in this case, the RGB controller would receive a signal from my teensy light controller via a box, say with 4 channels in it. Channel one would detect the 110 volt on off of the input line from my teensy light controller, as well as the fade in and out of it. So in this way it would turn on the red/ blue/ green/ or white, with the same effect as a set of four LED christmas light string.

I have contacted a DIY electronics kit company and I think this is doable using some of their kits, only modified. It would use an in-between custom made module that would mimic the remote controller card that comes with the RGB light rope. These kits are under 50 USD, to include also FM broadcasting modules as well.

Theory of operation:
The light controller sends its 110 volt signal to the module, on channels 1 through 4 (more channels possible) This then causes the module to emit an RF frequency that matches the remotes frequency for that given color. And if that same channel ramps on or off in voltage, it will cause the controller to give off a different RF frequency, commanding the RGB rope light to create a fade effect.

This way, the entire controller unit, power supply and all can be used. Depending on the level of effects that came built in to the original controller unit, all of these can then be turned into usable, effect controlled by our LOR, or teensey light controllers via the sequences we write.

The frequencies of the remote would only need to be setup into the RF module controller.


Just my idea, No idea of the complexity, practicality, or possibility of this unit.

Thoughts?

Bumped for update

It appears they have a DMX controller available on their accessories page for $39.95.

What does the DMX do, need to work? Im familiar to the name DMX, but no idea about what it is or does. Most of the DMX stuff Ive seen is ridiculously expensive.
How does it connect to a standard controller, like LOr or teensy lights?

Do you have a link?

DMX or DMX512 is a communication protocol that many light show enthusiasts are now using. It started as standard for the theater and concert lighting manufactures but is now very much in the home market as well. Essentially DMX is method of sending packets of information out from a dongle (or other device) that is attached to your computer to your light controllers or other DMX devices. (Foggers, Lasers, Moving heads, etc.) LOR controllers (with updated firmware) can be run off of DMX along with Lynx Expresses, Renards (with DMX firmware) and many other controllers. Visit DIY light animation DiyLightAnimation - Index most of the equipment RJ has designed uses DMX or Pixelnet is is a variant of DMX.

OK I found a 512 DMX controller for RGB LED's on eBay. Not badly priced.
What Im curious about is hook up.
It has both DMX connectors, and Ethernet/RJ45 connections. Would i just use the Ethernet cable from one of my controllers to connect to the DMX unit for LED control? Like daisy chaining them into the system?
Then they would just show up as another set of controllers in the sequencer?

OK I found a 512 DMX controller for RGB LED's on eBay. Not badly priced.
What Im curious about is hook up.
It has both DMX connectors, and Ethernet/RJ45 connections. Would i just use the Ethernet cable from one of my controllers to connect to the DMX unit for LED control? Like daisy chaining them into the system?
Then they would just show up as another set of controllers in the sequencer?

Seems tricky to find wired controllers, as the majority of the market seems to be wireless. Thats ok though. drives the price down of the wired stuff.

Now next question, do I need one DMX controller per string of lights?

Then, what is the difference between the 512 DMX controller, and this? http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Channel-LE...item2a16e55a6f

30 dollars, vs. 2 is a big difference.

That controller you posted i believe it is DMX but i do not see it as being addressable. There are lots of addressable options out there.
what are you planing on doing ?

Example LSP > PC > USB to DMX or ethernet to DMX. you then would need a DMX decoder that is addressable

if you would like give me an outline or game plan if what you are trying to accomplish.

Examples

Fasteddys 2011 Colour Christmas Light Show on Vimeo


Test-Show

ok the intital Idea was to go nuts this next year. So I got with my pastor about what we were doing and we decided, should I be able to get everything I need, get it all hooked up and working, not to mention sequences written, and copyright permission from the song owners, I will be setting up a charity fund raiser light show at my home for next Christmas.

So my plan is to use light show pro V2, teensy light controllers, and now apparently DMX running RGB LED strips.

The Plan: I will outline my roof and front windows with RGB LED strips, and have LED floods to illuminate the surrounding trees around my home in various matching colors.

There will also be LED Christmas lights, on the bushes, juniper trees, yard, and driveway. I will have a small 9 foot mega tree, and some cosmic arches as well. With a row of 4 foot lighted fake trees out front to be used in the sequences as piano keys, or guitar strings. A Bethlehem star will be on the roof, and a artificial snow blower, on a custom made oscillating mount, with a fan should there be no snow. So when Bing says "Let it snow" it will on cue.

I'm working with SolsticeWerks now to see if the system can be one big daisy chain of controllers. via a single Ethernet cable out of the laptop. That way the mess of cables and extension cords can be outside, and not running through my door.

Ill be using an old Win XP laptop to run the show.

But I need info on getting everything hooked up. as well as what components Ill need. There seems to be very little info on hooking all this stuff up for these types of displays.
Once I know how, my you-tube channel will get a lot fatter. As I will post them up for other to use.

My linux desktop running Firefox wont update the Java in Firefox so, I cant view Vimeo videos, or pretty much anything but you-tube.This of course doesn't help.

I have a year to get everything I need. Right now I'm running a 6 channel Mr. Christmas lights and sound display. Its cheesy but its the best in town so far. Its about 2500 lights.

Another thing that adds to the confusion is it looks like I have to use two sequencers to run DMX stuff? Or can I run it only through Light show pro?

I love the test show. I plan on having the chipmunks in my show as well. (-:

The RGB strips I'm looking at at cheaper, and only change colors. They don't chase of anything. I would love to have the additional options of the more elaborate ones, but money is tight, so maybe on the back burner for the future. But the show Im planning will be plenty bright. Should I be able to get all this figured out so I know what Ill need, and how to hook it all up and get it configured. Not to mention sequenced. Wont i need some sort of DMX hub if i use the smaller white controllers, vs using the larger 512 model controllers that can be daisy chained?

If you look up on you-tube, the holdman amazing grace video you'll see kind of what I'm planning. Although I have a single story home.

I do not think those white controllers will work for you . they are not addressable. You need to be able to set the addresses of each tree.
I would get a USB to DMX decoder (512 channel) 170 rgb channels that would get you 170 rgb effects. the arches are multiple rgb channels .
After christmas i would be happy to assist you