Last year there was a lot of debate among Pixel junkies about 12v pixels, in part due to a bad production run from a popular Chinese supplier that resulted in fires. I did my own (controversial) analysis and decided that I would eliminate the 12v pixels we already had in our show (on our roof!)..
Add an OLED to a Raspberry Pi
It's kind of silly since they spend most of their time closed up in a weathertight box, but I really like the little OLED screens on the Kulp controllers. They give me a quick indication if the controller is working, so I can at least rule it out (for the most part) if there is..
What Happened?
Yes, I changed the name (and the look)... This site was initially started as joke, called BubbaLectric.com. It was supposed to represent a series of my cost-cutting (cheap!) and unsophisticated hobby builds, using satirical "BubbaTronic" branding. Since I first set it up- I've grown the site with a lot more practical information about my builds..
Tool Tip: Zip Tie Tightener
Just a quick tip here. You can often find these on sale at Harbor Freight for a few bucks: Cheap Junk Harbor Freight Wire Stripper They are utter garbage when it actually comes to stripping wire. BUT- they are excellent for getting the last few clicks out of a zip tie! Excellent Zip Tie Tightener!..
“Dolphin” Connectors for Pixel Repairs
I mentioned in an earlier post about Scotchloks ™ that I was also going to check out "Dolphin" connectors. I don't have any experience with them, but I have seen them used as an alternative to Scotchloks in Tele/Data-com applications. I bought a pack of them on Amazon. "Dolphin" Connectors These are "IDC" (Insulation Displacement..
Scotchloks ™ for Pixel Repairs
Quick Update (December 2021): Corning purchased 3M’s communications products division, so now these are sold as Corning Brand. I’ve been using these "UY2" connectors for emergency repairs this year (2021), and still have a few repaired strings left over from last year. I haven't had any issues with any of them. Older ones are showing..
Quick-Hack: Jumper
Can't find your baggie of circuit board jumpers and need one in a pinch? Do you have some Scotchloks and some jumper wires (that you CAN find)? Then just do this: Scotchlok Jumper Hack Scotchlok Jumper Hack Now, granted, I could have just used the jumper wire, but I didn't really want an extra foot..
JST Connectors
UPDATE: I revised my thinking on this after realizing I was dead-wrong about xConnect connectors. See it here. This started out as a side-note for my Pixel Data Cables story. I decided it needed it's own write-up... I've seen a lot of hate for these online, usually from people who have spent a small fortune..
Pixel Data Cables
I've seen a lot of debate about this, and of course everyone does things differently. I just wanted to show what I am doing for my cables this year. So- you have a fancy new controller, like a Kulp K16A-B: Kulp K16A-B You stick it in a box with power supplies, terminal blocks, and maybe..
Solder-Seal Connectors
Doing pixels- I use these red ones the most.The white ones are excellent for smaller wires like data cables. These things are a godsend to anyone who tinkers with electronics or repairs low-voltage systems in cars, boats, etc. I can't imagine working with pixels without them. Sure- you can solder connections and shrink tube them,..
Ferrule Crimper
Screw terminal blocks got you down? Sick of twisting wires and trying to make sure all those strands made it? Having problems with stranded electrical cables working their way loose? There is a solution, and it works great! Ferrules! You can buy these ferrule crimping kits on Amazon, eBay, or from Chinese suppliers like Alibaba/AliExpress...
D1 Mini E1.31 (DMX) Relay Controller
I wasn't content to just be able to run RGB pixels, I also wanted to be able to programmatically turn the system on and off. I could use some off-the-shelf home automation gear, but it seemed overly-complicated to try to drive it from FalconPlayer (FPP). Of course I could also use old-school programmable timers, but..
Quick Take – Drilling Plastic
Doing holiday lights and building power supply and controller enclosures out of off-the shelf ammo boxes and waterproof junction boxes means you have to drill a lot of holes in plastic. Don't use regular twist bits for this- you will get uneven holes with really bad burrs. Use a step bit instead! It makes a..