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Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

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Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#21

Post by sircastor »

INTPenis wrote: post #20
sircastor wrote: post #17

This is a huge space to get into. I’m on my fourth year doing an outdoor light show. My personal preference is 12v ws2811 bullet-style voltage-regulated nodes. They’re extendable, individual nodes on a strand are replaceable if you’re willing to do some cutting and crimping. I like the 12v because you can go for longer strands without losing colors from voltage drop. Regulated over a resistive voltage divider = less…

I know programming but only very rudimentary hardware, how difficult is this to do? Are there guides?

Installing WLED is about as easy as one could hope for - so easy, it's kind of unbelievable. Provided that your device has USB, you plug it in, go to the WLED installer page (https://install.wled.me/) and press the install button.

In terms of making custom sequences for lights, my go to is Xlights - an Open source project that allows you to create layouts, and build sequences.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#22

Post by harrall »

quickthrowman wrote: post #9
pwg wrote: post #2

https://kno.wled.ge/ Many 'effects' already prepackaged. Plus the ability to schedule time based changes (on/off/change pattern/etc.). Includes a web server to provide "app like" control over a phone or PC. Also includes integrations for several "home control" systems and a http API for programmatic control from another system. Can even synchronize plural controllers into a whole 'net' (note, I've not used this featu…

I strongly suggest not buying any electronic components from Amazon, but 5VDC LED light strings should be OK. Do not roll the dice on the power supply, buy a UL listed one. If you buy some shitty Chinese PSU and it lights your house on fire, your homeowners insurance will deny the claim. This one puts out 30w @ 5VDC and is also UL listed: https://poliledsigns.com/shop/poli-5vdc-30w-waterproof-led-p... Even though it…

This is some major myth. Crack open your insurance policy — it’s not going to say “UL listed appliances only” or anything like that. Insurance also covers mistakes.

But you should get a good power supply anyway because the hassle is not worth it.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#24

Post by quickthrowman »

harrall wrote: post #22
quickthrowman wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I strongly suggest not buying any electronic components from Amazon, but 5VDC LED light strings should be OK. Do not roll the dice on the power supply, buy a UL listed one. If you buy some shitty Chinese PSU and it lights your house on fire, your homeowners insurance will deny the claim. This one puts out 30w @ 5VDC and is also UL listed: https://poliledsigns.com/shop/poli-5vdc-30w-waterproof-led-p... Even though it…

This is some major myth. Crack open your insurance policy — it’s not going to say “UL listed appliances only” or anything like that. Insurance also covers mistakes. But you should get a good power supply anyway because the hassle is not worth it.

My bad on perpetuating the myth regarding homeowner’s insurance and UL listing, I appreciate the correction.

You’d need to read what the policy has to say about uninspected electrical work performed by or at the direction of the homeowner. If you use a hardwired power supply, non-UL/cUL equipment won’t pass an inspection [0]. You can bypass the inspection by using a cord and plug 120V rectifier which wouldn’t need to be UL listed since it wouldn’t need an inspection.

[0] NEC Section 110.3(c): https://up.codes/s/examination-identification-installation-u...

> 110.3 (C) Listing Product testing, evaluation, and listing (product certification) shall be performed by recognized qualified electrical testing laboratories and shall be in accordance with applicable product standards recognized as achieving equivalent and effective safety for equipment installed [1] to comply with this Code.

[1] ‘Equipment installed’ means hardwired.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#26

Post by sowbug »

pwg wrote: post #2

https://kno.wled.ge/ Many 'effects' already prepackaged. Plus the ability to schedule time based changes (on/off/change pattern/etc.). Includes a web server to provide "app like" control over a phone or PC. Also includes integrations for several "home control" systems and a http API for programmatic control from another system. Can even synchronize plural controllers into a whole 'net' (note, I've not used this featu…

The most plug-and-play WLED-compatible controller I've found is made by athom.tech and available on AliExpress https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1101393719>. There are two versions based on the ESP32C3. One is powered by USB-C @ 5V, and the other has a barrel jack and passes through 5-24V to the lights, which is useful if you're using a higher-voltage strip like WS2813.

I used to build my own controllers from ESP development boards, but it's just not worth it when an enclosed controller with convenient connectors is priced between $10-20.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#27

Post by entangledqubit »

I ended up buying a couple strings of Twinkly lights a while back - after considering a diy solution. The mobile app has been solid and (assuming they didn't muck it up) there's are libraries out there for interfacing to them as well (over WiFi). The cost is not cheap but seems fair to me and seems to be well built. (The light mapping is pretty fun. You can zigzag a bunch of lights across a wall and basically create a low res display.)

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#28

Post by tiagod »

sircastor wrote: post #15
joshstrange wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

WLED is the clear answer here. I got a simple USB controller (usb just for power) so it can’t run a a massive strand of lights (at least at full brightness) but it was perfect to dip my toes in and try out. The Home Assistant integration works great as well.

The fact that you can install the WLED firmware _from the website_ is the cherry on top. It’s a fantastic piece of software.

Agreed. There's people on HN complaining about APIs like Web USB, but I never got why. You can ship a firmware flasher as a single .html file now! No sketchy native tools or messing around with the command line, and runs on pretty much any machine.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#29

Post by sowbug »

Tepix wrote: post #23

Maybe i can piggyback onto this question: Are there timer switches that can change the times depending on the calendar? I want to turn on some lights shortly after sunset but they don't have a brightness sensor. So i'd like to do it by time of day.

If you're already using Home Assistant and WLED, this is a cinch. You could even write an automation that plays your home team's colors each night they win a game.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

#30

Post by tedchs »

I've used strings of Twinkly lights for a couple seasons now. They can sometimes be found on eBay for cheap. They're easy to set up, whether standalone or by clustering multiple units into one larger virtual canvas. The app has a lot of good looking animated patterns included.
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