Any questions? Follow up video: ruclips.net/video/GfvWu8W_wfA/видео.html There's a written version of this on AusChristmasLighting forum with a few extra details and a Q &A. auschristmaslighting.com/threads/marks-seed-pixel-mega-tree-smaller-and-cheaper.15280/
Nice job. I did a 16 strand flat tree with beads this year and built much like yours. I had zero issues with the pixels. Best part is my whole tree packs down to about the size of a shoe box!
Awesome! 😁 I sequenced Flight of the Navigator 'Robot Romp' as a bit of fun with AI music track breakdown. Then that lead to using the sequence as it turned out good. For a non-Christmas song which most people don't know it gets them dancing.
Thankyou! I'm pleased to share something different into the community. Bullet nodes and mounting strip trees have not been changed much over the years.
Hi, I must say a great job using the seed pixels, which I've found to be cheap and very reliable on other projects. I going to build a 4m tree shortly for the 2024 season. Would you recommend sticking which the 10cm spaced pixels and doubling back or go with the 5cm ones? I think the 10cm option should be stronger on larger trees, due to having double the wire thickness per strand. Also the 10cm pixels per 1000 work out much cheaper than the 5cm per 1000. Not sure why but probably a supply and demand thing.
I did 10cm and 5v because that was the only type available in March 2022. I have got 5cm spacing and comparing both options I would still do 10cm with alternate nodes wiring. As you have said, it helps for strength. Is also helps when splicing failed pixels because I can use a cable tie align the replaced pixel to be in the correct position.
Awesome. Something I have wanted to build, but domt know where/how to start. You did t perhaps do video of your build. Explaining the wiring, and programming? How many strands do you put on one channel of the controller? Is power injection at every strand top and bottom? You say you doubled your lines and spacing is 5cm and not 10cm, can you show example of how you actually did this? Thanks very much.
I have done some write up & images afterwards with the wiring. Doubling it over is doing 'alternate nodes': ruclips.net/video/a7wgHWFVVbQ/видео.html , folding over the string effectively takes spacing from 10cm to 5cm, it also makes the string input & output at the same end. Which is then how the 4-pin connector is wired. Post 3 and 14 in this post on AusChristmasLighting has wiring photos: auschristmaslighting.com/threads/marks-seed-pixel-mega-tree-smaller-and-cheaper.15280/ I ran 3 pixel ports. Simply because I haven't bought another controller. My whole shows runs off a single Falcon F48v3 and 4 receiver differential boards. Power injection is handled by each junction box on the base ring. In the AusChristmasLighting post photos it shows how each strand is 'folded' on itself and power is paralleled at the connector. I bought rolls of 5v seed pixels when that was the only option, now you can buy many voltages. I would highly suggest running 12v or 24v if you were to make this. The programming is done in xLights software.
Good day, first of nicely done. I had a question on your topper, did you make that or did you buy it? I am trying to do something similar this year and trying to figure out how to mount the seeds to the top. I've been looking for a STL file but so far have had zero luck. Thank you
I made my own. I used a 30cm/12inch frying pan, drilled holes and put hooks in. Pixel Paradise USA sell their "BillyGoat" series of 3D printed seed pixel tree toppers and I see a 3D file on cults3D for a mini tree version.
This is fantastic! Do you have a link to the source for those lights? I've looked up GFLAI and don't see anything that looks like them. Very interested in these
I got these from GFLAI lighting, that was after they promoted themselves on AusChristmasLighting forum. You need an account to view this on ACL. auschristmaslighting.com/threads/ws2811-rgb-led-pvc-soft-mini-string-lights-mass-production.14370/ They were $120USD for 1,500 pixels. Ray Wu (AliExpress) also sells these. Ray's come in different spacing and 5v or 12v version. Mattos Designs in the USA also sell these.
I bought these when they first got released and 10cm spacing was the only option to purchase, which is why I doubled it over to make 5cm spacing. Doubling over also solved power injection because I could use 'alternate nodes' function (photos in the AusChristmasLighting forum post in description). I have bought 5cm and honesty I would not buy any smaller. Trying to solder 2.5cm and waterproof it would be a pain.
Also job were converting over to seed pixels. I have a question do you have a link for where you bought your junction box's for your pixels. Seems like it uses less wires and pigtails this way
The junction boxes are electrical conduit boxes from my local hardware store (Bunnings). Many electrical stores sell them. I used a conduit plug in each end, then drilled a hole to mount a PG7 wire gland into it. On the front is a much bigger wire gland I drilled and mounted in.
@NorthparkLights thanks for getting back to me something told me u made it lol. Were wanting to use them. To are they easy to wire and put together im assuming.
@@PaulHines1980 easy in my opinion to solder onto. The wire is thinner than bullet nodes. I'll get the camera out and make a video on splicing them.... I see this question a lot :).
I have no experience with pixels, but I'd like to build one of these. I am very handy and good at soldering. Where do I start? Any recommendations would be much appreciated!
A great place to start in the pixel lighting hobby is the Official xLights Support group on Facebook, and download xLights program. Forums like AusChristmasLighting is a great place to read up on how a pixel light show works.
@acrixiacelestia There is a tick box in xLights for 'Alternate nodes'. It's covered in these images and the video on ACL forum: auschristmaslighting.com/threads/marks-seed-pixel-mega-tree-smaller-and-cheaper.15280/post-130953 Hope this helps!
@@acrixiacelestia7689 All good, we all start somewhere! I'm typically in the xLights Zoom room offering help on setup/troubleshooting most nights NZ timezone. I would also suggest watching Keith's video on getting a show running when it's getting close to Christmas: ruclips.net/video/jf7uLhUObAk/видео.html
do you have a video on how to program the tree? is it something that just comes with the box or that you can buy off the internet like CNC files? Any chance you have a buying parts list for the tree above and what height is it?
I made this tree myself. I bought connectors, spool of seed pixels, power supply and controller individually. Software is xLights and I make my own sequences or use freely avaliable ones. It's not an off the shelf product. There is pre-made versions avaliable from Boscoyo designs.
@@NorthparkLights I looked them up and their like $40,000 wow. can I ask what you paid to do it yourself? Im just a home owner looking to up his christmas game but want to stay a home owner.
@@randyogrady have a look into xLights software and the pixel lighting hobby. I paid ~$600usd for the lights and parts of this tree. A spool of seed pixels is around $190usd for 3,000 now.
Yes, they act like regular ws2811 pixels and are powered like regulator pixels on 5v. I got these from GFLAI lighting, that was after they promoted themselves on AusChristmasLighting forum. You need an account to view this on ACL. auschristmaslighting.com/threads/ws2811-rgb-led-pvc-soft-mini-string-lights-mass-production.14370/ They were $120USD for 1,500 pixels. Ray Wu (AliExpress) also sells these. Ray's come in different spacing and 5v or 12v version. Mattos Designs in the USA also sell these.
It did need power injection. The pixels in a string work about 60-80 before yellowing. My power injection is made very differently to what others do. 1:52 I show a junction box: Each string connectors to this box for data and power. So effectively every string of 80 has power. The lights themselves are wired in 'alternate nodes'. Think of a string of 80 folded in half, now the data in/out and power is at one end. I paralleled the power wires at the end on the connector. So power injection is effectively the same as a string of 80 with power applied to both ends. Each strand on the tree is like this. Plenty of power avaliable if I run this at 100% white.
Nice job. What is the brightness like compared to bullet nodes. I am thinking to use seeds for an indoor matrix that would be covered with may be frosted perspex
@@NorthparkLights thanks that's good. I just thought they would be much dimmer so no good for indoors, but sounds like they will be fine even behind some frosted perspex. Thinking about a 32*32 matrix for pixel art
@@perfectheatingandplumbingp7747 A matrix sounds awesome! I'm wanting to make a snowman this year and maybe another star with these lights. A person local to me has used these seed pixels zip-tied to chicken wire for a matrix.
We were discussing this video in the Zoom room as I am thinking about doing this as well for 2023. It looks like you supported the strands with something to take the strain off of the wire. What did you use?
I have not used anything else to take the strain off the wire. Imagine one string of 80 pixels, folded in half. Now the density has been doubled and power/data is at one end. That is why they appear as two strings of lights together.
@@NorthparkLights So those are 8m strings at 5V with power at both ends and no other power injection? If so then these seed pixels are definitely the way I want to go!
I just saw this. I have wanted to make a Mega Tree, but bullet nodes would take it to over $2,000. With these, I am looking at about $500 + the miscellaneous hardware. 4,000 50mm spaced 12V seed lights cost about $325, PSUs about $120, Topper about $25. I don't have the cost for the galvanized post, extra wiring, etc. But I would guess another $250. I can afford that and plan for XMas 2024. How tall was your tree? I planning 12' (~3.6m), but would consider 15' (~4.5m)
Exactly my reasoning for these seed pixels over bullet nodes was weight and cost! My tree is 4m to the top of the lights and another 0.5m for the star (4.5m total). The write up on AusChristmasLighting forum (description) has some extra photos. Stringing the lights up/down is the easiest way to get it done quick, but I would suggest connectors on lights in the future.
@jasonguy1497 I used 10cm spaced seed pixels and doubled it up to make 5cm. I've bought some 5cm spaced recently; 5cm is the lowest I would recommend to go because soldering & heat shrinking is a lot harder on 5cm! The smaller 2.5cm and 1.5cm sounds like an even bigger challenge to repair!
@@jasonguy1497 Thankyou :) If you are getting started in this hobby, there is xLights Official Support Group on Facebook, AusChristmasLighting forum, FPP forum and a few Discord groups. There is also xLights Zoom meeting support where many volunteers help issues for free (link is on xLights.org).
I got these from GFLAI lighting, that was after they promoted themselves on AusChristmasLighting forum. You need an account to view this on ACL. auschristmaslighting.com/threads/ws2811-rgb-led-pvc-soft-mini-string-lights-mass-production.14370/ They were $120USD for 1,500 pixels. Ray Wu (AliExpress) also sells these. Ray's come in different spacing and 5v or 12v version. Mattos Designs in the USA also sell these.
@@NorthparkLights This is very clever--I like the way they wired them, out and back, so you can apply power at both ends effectively, if I'm understanding correctly.
@@NorthparkLights Oh, I see! For some reason, I thought they were manufactured that way, but you cleverly did yourself and, as you said, doubled the density. Nice. (And apologies for posting this under the wrong comment--I meant to post under the question someone asked regarding power injection)
@@sidewalkspectaculars A month later after I bought these pixels, Ray Wu started selling them. Then Mattos a while later. Ray's are in 15, 10 or 5cm spacing and there's even a 12v option. Sadly making an early order wasn't the best move... I'm really temped to try a 12v version but they all look the same so I'd get mixed up!
The small junction boxes are from my local hardware store. I drilled a hole, added a wire gland and put 5 pig tails into it. I also drilled a small hole for the smaller wire glands at the ends. The Tri-Box enclosure holding the power supplies is from another person who has sold their display. They paid over $100 per box.
![Seed pixel mega tree follow up [2024]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GfvWu8W_wfA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Seed pixel mega tree follow up [2024]](/img/tr.png)
Any questions? Follow up video: ruclips.net/video/GfvWu8W_wfA/видео.html
There's a written version of this on AusChristmasLighting forum with a few extra details and a Q &A.
auschristmaslighting.com/threads/marks-seed-pixel-mega-tree-smaller-and-cheaper.15280/
Approximately what was the total cost for everything you use on the tree? Well done!!
Nice job. I did a 16 strand flat tree with beads this year and built much like yours. I had zero issues with the pixels. Best part is my whole tree packs down to about the size of a shoe box!
Just had to say I was geeking out about the use of the Flight of the Navigator soundtrack. ;-)
Awesome! 😁
I sequenced Flight of the Navigator 'Robot Romp' as a bit of fun with AI music track breakdown. Then that lead to using the sequence as it turned out good. For a non-Christmas song which most people don't know it gets them dancing.
Thanks to this video I made my own seed pixel mega tree. I used 30 strands on 160 - 5 cm spacing in alternating nodes. Looks great!
Awesome!
Looks amazing!! I will be trying this for 2023. Thanks for sharing your build.
Thankyou soo much for the kind words!
I am also very pleased with the look compared to bullet node/mounting strip trees.
Amazing video, the tree looks great!
Brilliant use of a frying pan! Love it!
Could i be so bold as to ask how you made your arches? Or point me in the right direction? Cheers.
@@jonathanroberts8213 The arches are HDPE tubing, commonly used in 'Air seeder machines' (farming equipment).
I use 12v pixel strip inside them.
Thanks for sharing, this is great!
Thankyou! I'm pleased to share something different into the community.
Bullet nodes and mounting strip trees have not been changed much over the years.
Que lindo !!!
Que a Magia do Natal possa estar presente em todos os Lares.
Obrigado! Feliz Natal.
(Google tradutor).
Hi, I must say a great job using the seed pixels, which I've found to be cheap and very reliable on other projects. I going to build a 4m tree shortly for the 2024 season. Would you recommend sticking which the 10cm spaced pixels and doubling back or go with the 5cm ones? I think the 10cm option should be stronger on larger trees, due to having double the wire thickness per strand. Also the 10cm pixels per 1000 work out much cheaper than the 5cm per 1000. Not sure why but probably a supply and demand thing.
I did 10cm and 5v because that was the only type available in March 2022.
I have got 5cm spacing and comparing both options I would still do 10cm with alternate nodes wiring.
As you have said, it helps for strength. Is also helps when splicing failed pixels because I can use a cable tie align the replaced pixel to be in the correct position.
Awesome. Something I have wanted to build, but domt know where/how to start. You did t perhaps do video of your build. Explaining the wiring, and programming? How many strands do you put on one channel of the controller?
Is power injection at every strand top and bottom?
You say you doubled your lines and spacing is 5cm and not 10cm, can you show example of how you actually did this?
Thanks very much.
I have done some write up & images afterwards with the wiring.
Doubling it over is doing 'alternate nodes': ruclips.net/video/a7wgHWFVVbQ/видео.html , folding over the string effectively takes spacing from 10cm to 5cm, it also makes the string input & output at the same end. Which is then how the 4-pin connector is wired.
Post 3 and 14 in this post on AusChristmasLighting has wiring photos: auschristmaslighting.com/threads/marks-seed-pixel-mega-tree-smaller-and-cheaper.15280/
I ran 3 pixel ports. Simply because I haven't bought another controller. My whole shows runs off a single Falcon F48v3 and 4 receiver differential boards.
Power injection is handled by each junction box on the base ring. In the AusChristmasLighting post photos it shows how each strand is 'folded' on itself and power is paralleled at the connector. I bought rolls of 5v seed pixels when that was the only option, now you can buy many voltages. I would highly suggest running 12v or 24v if you were to make this.
The programming is done in xLights software.
Good day, first of nicely done. I had a question on your topper, did you make that or did you buy it? I am trying to do something similar this year and trying to figure out how to mount the seeds to the top. I've been looking for a STL file but so far have had zero luck. Thank you
I made my own. I used a 30cm/12inch frying pan, drilled holes and put hooks in.
Pixel Paradise USA sell their "BillyGoat" series of 3D printed seed pixel tree toppers and I see a 3D file on cults3D for a mini tree version.
This is fantastic! Do you have a link to the source for those lights? I've looked up GFLAI and don't see anything that looks like them. Very interested in these
I got these from GFLAI lighting, that was after they promoted themselves on AusChristmasLighting forum. You need an account to view this on ACL. auschristmaslighting.com/threads/ws2811-rgb-led-pvc-soft-mini-string-lights-mass-production.14370/ They were $120USD for 1,500 pixels.
Ray Wu (AliExpress) also sells these. Ray's come in different spacing and 5v or 12v version.
Mattos Designs in the USA also sell these.
Could you have used 2.5cm pitch seed strings instead of doubling each stand? Or was it less to double than buying stands with leds closer together?
I bought these when they first got released and 10cm spacing was the only option to purchase, which is why I doubled it over to make 5cm spacing. Doubling over also solved power injection because I could use 'alternate nodes' function (photos in the AusChristmasLighting forum post in description).
I have bought 5cm and honesty I would not buy any smaller. Trying to solder 2.5cm and waterproof it would be a pain.
Also job were converting over to seed pixels. I have a question do you have a link for where you bought your junction box's for your pixels. Seems like it uses less wires and pigtails this way
The junction boxes are electrical conduit boxes from my local hardware store (Bunnings). Many electrical stores sell them.
I used a conduit plug in each end, then drilled a hole to mount a PG7 wire gland into it. On the front is a much bigger wire gland I drilled and mounted in.
@NorthparkLights thanks for getting back to me something told me u made it lol. Were wanting to use them. To are they easy to wire and put together im assuming.
@@PaulHines1980 easy in my opinion to solder onto. The wire is thinner than bullet nodes.
I'll get the camera out and make a video on splicing them.... I see this question a lot :).
@NorthparkLights thanks and its a pleasure to meet u btw
I have no experience with pixels, but I'd like to build one of these. I am very handy and good at soldering. Where do I start? Any recommendations would be much appreciated!
A great place to start in the pixel lighting hobby is the Official xLights Support group on Facebook, and download xLights program.
Forums like AusChristmasLighting is a great place to read up on how a pixel light show works.
@Northpark Lights how do you configure the lights and wirings in xlights, since it has 2 stands per strings?
@acrixiacelestia There is a tick box in xLights for 'Alternate nodes'.
It's covered in these images and the video on ACL forum: auschristmaslighting.com/threads/marks-seed-pixel-mega-tree-smaller-and-cheaper.15280/post-130953
Hope this helps!
@@NorthparkLights thanks for the information. Still newbie here 😅😉
@@acrixiacelestia7689 All good, we all start somewhere!
I'm typically in the xLights Zoom room offering help on setup/troubleshooting most nights NZ timezone.
I would also suggest watching Keith's video on getting a show running when it's getting close to Christmas: ruclips.net/video/jf7uLhUObAk/видео.html
do you have a video on how to program the tree? is it something that just comes with the box or that you can buy off the internet like CNC files? Any chance you have a buying parts list for the tree above and what height is it?
I made this tree myself. I bought connectors, spool of seed pixels, power supply and controller individually. Software is xLights and I make my own sequences or use freely avaliable ones. It's not an off the shelf product.
There is pre-made versions avaliable from Boscoyo designs.
@@NorthparkLights I looked them up and their like $40,000 wow. can I ask what you paid to do it yourself? Im just a home owner looking to up his christmas game but want to stay a home owner.
@@randyogrady have a look into xLights software and the pixel lighting hobby. I paid ~$600usd for the lights and parts of this tree. A spool of seed pixels is around $190usd for 3,000 now.
Do you power it like regular pixels and got a link were I can get them
Yes, they act like regular ws2811 pixels and are powered like regulator pixels on 5v.
I got these from GFLAI lighting, that was after they promoted themselves on AusChristmasLighting forum. You need an account to view this on ACL. auschristmaslighting.com/threads/ws2811-rgb-led-pvc-soft-mini-string-lights-mass-production.14370/ They were $120USD for 1,500 pixels.
Ray Wu (AliExpress) also sells these. Ray's come in different spacing and 5v or 12v version. Mattos Designs in the USA also sell these.
Looks good, did you have to power inject anywhere?
It did need power injection. The pixels in a string work about 60-80 before yellowing.
My power injection is made very differently to what others do.
1:52 I show a junction box:
Each string connectors to this box for data and power. So effectively every string of 80 has power.
The lights themselves are wired in 'alternate nodes'. Think of a string of 80 folded in half, now the data in/out and power is at one end. I paralleled the power wires at the end on the connector.
So power injection is effectively the same as a string of 80 with power applied to both ends. Each strand on the tree is like this. Plenty of power avaliable if I run this at 100% white.
Nice job. What is the brightness like compared to bullet nodes. I am thinking to use seeds for an indoor matrix that would be covered with may be frosted perspex
I would compare these at 100% white to be the brightness of a node at 80% white.
This tree is running at 50% brightness in the video.
@@NorthparkLights thanks that's good. I just thought they would be much dimmer so no good for indoors, but sounds like they will be fine even behind some frosted perspex. Thinking about a 32*32 matrix for pixel art
@@perfectheatingandplumbingp7747 A matrix sounds awesome!
I'm wanting to make a snowman this year and maybe another star with these lights.
A person local to me has used these seed pixels zip-tied to chicken wire for a matrix.
We were discussing this video in the Zoom room as I am thinking about doing this as well for 2023. It looks like you supported the strands with something to take the strain off of the wire. What did you use?
I have not used anything else to take the strain off the wire.
Imagine one string of 80 pixels, folded in half. Now the density has been doubled and power/data is at one end. That is why they appear as two strings of lights together.
@@NorthparkLights Got it. Thanks for the clarification.
@@aguidry1967 I'm usually on Zoom in the evening NZ time (8pm onwards).
@@NorthparkLights So those are 8m strings at 5V with power at both ends and no other power injection? If so then these seed pixels are definitely the way I want to go!
@@andrewfidel2220 Yes, it is effectively a strand of 8m with power applied at both ends.
I just saw this. I have wanted to make a Mega Tree, but bullet nodes would take it to over $2,000. With these, I am looking at about $500 + the miscellaneous hardware. 4,000 50mm spaced 12V seed lights cost about $325, PSUs about $120, Topper about $25. I don't have the cost for the galvanized post, extra wiring, etc. But I would guess another $250. I can afford that and plan for XMas 2024. How tall was your tree? I planning 12' (~3.6m), but would consider 15' (~4.5m)
Exactly my reasoning for these seed pixels over bullet nodes was weight and cost! My tree is 4m to the top of the lights and another 0.5m for the star (4.5m total).
The write up on AusChristmasLighting forum (description) has some extra photos.
Stringing the lights up/down is the easiest way to get it done quick, but I would suggest connectors on lights in the future.
Did you double up 5cm spaced strands to make it 2.5cm between seeds?
@jasonguy1497 I used 10cm spaced seed pixels and doubled it up to make 5cm.
I've bought some 5cm spaced recently; 5cm is the lowest I would recommend to go because soldering & heat shrinking is a lot harder on 5cm! The smaller 2.5cm and 1.5cm sounds like an even bigger challenge to repair!
@@NorthparkLights thanks for the reply! Display looks great!!
@@jasonguy1497 Thankyou :)
If you are getting started in this hobby, there is xLights Official Support Group on Facebook, AusChristmasLighting forum, FPP forum and a few Discord groups.
There is also xLights Zoom meeting support where many volunteers help issues for free (link is on xLights.org).
Do you have a link to purchase these light strings?
I got these from GFLAI lighting, that was after they promoted themselves on AusChristmasLighting forum. You need an account to view this on ACL. auschristmaslighting.com/threads/ws2811-rgb-led-pvc-soft-mini-string-lights-mass-production.14370/ They were $120USD for 1,500 pixels.
Ray Wu (AliExpress) also sells these. Ray's come in different spacing and 5v or 12v version.
Mattos Designs in the USA also sell these.
@@NorthparkLights This is very clever--I like the way they wired them, out and back, so you can apply power at both ends effectively, if I'm understanding correctly.
@@sidewalkspectaculars Thankyou.
Initially I folded it in half to double the density, then realised it was a great idea for powering it effectively.
@@NorthparkLights Oh, I see! For some reason, I thought they were manufactured that way, but you cleverly did yourself and, as you said, doubled the density. Nice. (And apologies for posting this under the wrong comment--I meant to post under the question someone asked regarding power injection)
@@sidewalkspectaculars A month later after I bought these pixels, Ray Wu started selling them. Then Mattos a while later.
Ray's are in 15, 10 or 5cm spacing and there's even a 12v option.
Sadly making an early order wasn't the best move...
I'm really temped to try a 12v version but they all look the same so I'd get mixed up!
Did you make the junction boxes
The small junction boxes are from my local hardware store. I drilled a hole, added a wire gland and put 5 pig tails into it. I also drilled a small hole for the smaller wire glands at the ends.
The Tri-Box enclosure holding the power supplies is from another person who has sold their display. They paid over $100 per box.