Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: What are the best programmable holiday lights?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 120 posts

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

#31

Post by asteroidburger »

sowbug wrote: post #26
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 dev…

I’m a fan of these guys:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHHZTGJR

Power is passed through from either connector, so it’ll work on 5v or 12v strings. And it’s got two output channels. It’s only an ESP8266 inside, but that works fine for my needs.

For a slightly more DIY approach, try this one:

https://wiki.vdbx.io/product/flip_c3

Has everything you need to give it some sort of power and get the requisite data signal out.

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

#32

Post by lukevp »

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…

Do you have proof that claims are denied due to power supplies not rated correctly? That seems like fear mongering otherwise. Your insurance still covers your house even if you make mistakes on construction or repair yourself, I can’t imagine them denying a claim over a purchased part that you have a good faith reason to believe it will function correctly.

Also why do you specifically call out Chinese parts as being shitty? Where do you think the majority of electronics come from? This feels like xenophobia. The power supply can be cheap and crappy and come from anywhere. Or it can be great and come from anywhere. That one you linked, by the way - Made in China.

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

#34

Post by moepstar »

silverlight wrote: post #18

Somewhat related topic: anyone used something like the Luxedo to do a projection mapping? It seems like it’s more complicated and expensive but I love the idea of doing something cool to the house for Halloween and Christmas without having to lug out a ton of lights and decorations.

I‘m fascinated by these projection setups ever since I learned they’re a thing! But Jesus is the Luxedo stuff pricey?! I’d love to learn about something similar but in a kinda OSS/DIY kind of style…

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

#35

Post by thereticent »

lukevp wrote: post #32
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…

Do you have proof that claims are denied due to power supplies not rated correctly? That seems like fear mongering otherwise. Your insurance still covers your house even if you make mistakes on construction or repair yourself, I can’t imagine them denying a claim over a purchased part that you have a good faith reason to believe it will function correctly. Also why do you specifically call out Chinese parts as being…

My understanding is that insurance will not cover issues caused by DIY work if you did not have it permitted and inspected properly afterward. I sincerely doubt that an insurance company would be required to cover losses due to DIY electronics using parts that have not been properly safety rated. I'm surprised you think the opposite is obvious. Could just be my US perspective.

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

#36

Post by thereticent »

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.

Ah, good point. I was picturing this setup as hardwired.

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

#37

Post by rapjr9 »

silverlight wrote: post #18

Somewhat related topic: anyone used something like the Luxedo to do a projection mapping? It seems like it’s more complicated and expensive but I love the idea of doing something cool to the house for Halloween and Christmas without having to lug out a ton of lights and decorations.

There are several open source projection mapper projects that run on a RaspPi, or other platforms, here are a few of them:

https://github.com/arisona/mpm

https://ofxpimapper.com/

https://mapmapteam.github.io/

There are media players and graphics generators that will run on a RaspPi also. Finding a bright enough projector and sheltering it for outdoor use might be the main challenge.

Another approach might be a galvo scanned laser with DMX software to control it, though there may be safety/liability issues with that.

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

#38

Post by blutack »

sowbug wrote: post #26
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 dev…

The athom stuff is a bit annoying because they never bothered to upstream anything to support their fairly minor changes - they just forked instead. You can still install upstream WLED, but the remote control support is faffy.

The mottramlabs or QuinLED boards don't have this problem.

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

#39

Post by blutack »

luxuryballs wrote: post #12

I want a mesh grid of LEDs that I can lay across the house maybe with 6” between each one so I get a low res screen of dots and then play Die Hard on it to see if people figure it out. It would kind of be like a TV but with 9 out of 10 pixels missing, more or less.

You could use ws28xx/skxx based addressible strips laid out in rows. Usually WLED would be recommended to drive it, but for playing a video, the teensy fastled library comes with a demo specifically doing what you discuss with a film.

https://quinled.info/2019/06/03/what-digital-5v-12v-rgbw-led... good intro to the subject.

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

#40

Post by charleslmunger »

If you're interested in DIY:

LED lights as a string or strip - sk8612 are RGBW, which you need if you want a nice looking white. Lots of strips of varying density and waterproofing are available everywhere; strings ("pixels") can be harder to find but are available on AliExpress.

Controller is https://quinled.info/

Runs wled which has a simple web interface, mobile apps, and works with home assistant.

Post reply on HN