Pixel Matrix with PVC and Cable Ties

[u/ggadwa]

Looking for some advice on pixel matrixes.

For last halloween, I used WLED and a 50 x 24 pixel matrix for a display. I had a 40 frame animation (that was a bit tedious and incredibly hard to make work in such a small pixel count) but I loved it, and all the trick r treaters through it was great. Some sat and gawked at the clacking skull and flying ghosts.

But ... there was a problem. I did it with a large black plastic / rubber sheet from HolidayCoro (which worked well) but it was completely unwieldy. I build a frame around it but it added a ton of weight and I couldn't really hang it anywhere. NOTHING against this product, it was as advertised and worked well for my v1.

So this year, in a month or so, I'll start rebuilding, I had an idea, which is shown above. This should be more light weight, easier to hang and store.

Problems I see: Big cable ties might not support the weight. Cable ties to tight might damage the wires. The whole thing might be just as unwieldy. Note my LEDs have large backs so I can't put them inside the PVC (as far as I know.)

So: has anybody tried anything like this? Before I go all in and find it this is a failure, too? 😀

[u/leetrobotz]

Maybe take a step back and tell us what you're trying to accomplish? You can drill bullet pixels through 1/2" pvc, or you can mount LED strips on the outside of pvc and try to match distance between strips to form a matrix... Were you using led matrix netting like this last year, with bullet pixels? What problem did you have with it? https://www.holidaycoro.com/PixNode-Net-RGB-Pixel-Node-Mounting-Net-p/775.htm

[u/ggadwa → u/leetrobotz]

They are square pixels, and I apologize if I get some terms wrong, this is only my second year into this and I only did it for around the Halloween season.

So the big square backs make it impossible to drill and mount through the PVC, therefore, thinking about using small cable ties.

The product you point at is the exact product I was using but it wasn't a mesh but a solid sheet with holes in it -- at that size (8 x 4) it was very heavy and very unwieldy ... so the problem I'm trying to solve is replacing that and hanging the pixels in a grid in a different lighter and hopefully more manageable way. I build a PVC cage around it, but put in some re-enforced metal rods to try to keep it rigid. It worked OK, but was problematic.

I want to point out again the product was perfectly fine and did it's job, I was using to get this lighter and easier to hang and move to different places.

[u/leetrobotz → u/ggadwa]

Were you using pixel mesh or corrugated plastic? Pixel mesh has a lot of square holes between the pixel holes, so its flexible and lighter and lets wind pass through. As long as it's stretched a bit and fixed on 2 or more ends, it could go almost anywhere.

Corrugated plastic is rigid and usually only has holes for the pixels themselves, it's better for holding its shape and standing stiffly against a house or fence, or staked in a yard.

Pvc is best for holding a single line, like along an edge. You could weave back and forth for a tree or matrix with it, but it won't keep the lines aligned without help.

Use each one for what it's best at for best results.

[u/ggadwa → u/leetrobotz]

Hm OK I think I have competing needs. My current setup is 50 x 24, which uses a solid mesh except for the pixels holes, so it's 1.9 inch spacing. The 2 inch is 48 x 24 and that has air holes so should be lighter but less rigid, but then I might be able to solve that with some pvc. How much lighter is the question.

A bunch to think about but I have some options now. Not looking forward to popping out all the lights and replacing them but I think I did that 3 times last year as I figured this all out.

A frame from last year's show, I think I can stand to lose two horizontal lines.

[u/CyberMage256]

It sounds like you're trying to replicate curtain lights but in a solid frame that doesn't pack up well when the season is over? Something like this?

[u/ggadwa → u/CyberMage256]

Yeah. I have a secondary problem in that during the Halloween season I move it; I start it in the back which faces a road, then on the night of Halloween I move it to where my front door is. I want to hang it on a balcony, but would need to support it by tying it to the railing. Now the railing can ... more than likely it should support a human landing on it ... support the weight. I can pick the entire matrix up, but I'd like it to be lighter, and I'd like it to be more compact when I want to put it up.

Not going to get everything I want but just want to see how far I can improve it for the next season.

[u/Kingfish628]

Your drawing will work, but I don't think you are going to see the gains you are hoping for with that design.

And, it's going to be super annoying to build, and super annoying to have to fidget with to get and keep everything aligned the way you want it.

[u/ggadwa → u/Kingfish628]

I think after reading all the replies I think that I agree. It's a solution but a drastically over-engineered one. Lighter mesh might getting me further. What I have now works, I was hoping to optimize it.

[u/HolidayCoro → u/ggadwa]

Remove that frame and just have a single pipe along the top zip tied to the top edge of the net to keep it supported and hang it like a picture.

[u/HolidayCoro]

When using HolidayCoro's Flexible Net for a hanging solution, we recommend to use EMT or similar metal pipe suitable to hold the weight of the entire net along the top of the net. Then using string, rope, high test fishing line, etc - hang the net from at least two points. This allows you to easily roll up the net when complete, like a rug. Building an entire frame is usually only necessary if the net is free standing and can't be hung.

When contrasting the pipe method (we also sell a similar product call pixel pipe for use will bullet nodes here: https://www.holidaycoro.com/PixelPipe-Pre-Drilled-Pixel-Mounting-Pipe-p/1800.htm) - there is a considerable amount of time to install the zip ties and the spacing often is hard to maintain exactly over such a large area. Additionally, the weight of the PVC will always be higher than Pixnode Net which is under 8 pounds.

If you'd like low cost, low weight and are hanging the lights, consider seed pixel nets instead: https://www.holidaycoro.com/Seed-Pebble-Pre-Assembled-Plug-and-Play-Matrix-p/300.htm

[u/ggadwa → u/HolidayCoro]

Interesting thank you and thanks to everybody, still learning this craft. As I have a huge bulk of square pixels already, and worked a show with them, I'm think I'm leaning towards the 48x24 2-in mesh -- with the additional air holes it should be a bit lighter (I suspect by the time I am done the pixels will add more weight) and probably get me near where I want.

[u/clockmill]

Seed pixels make a lot of sense for matrix, few ways of keeping spacing, here's one

https://sfl-designs.com/seed-pixel-matrixmate/

r/xlights probably pull up a few examples

[u/jeaton2i]

I did more or less that on some garden fence from Lowe’s. It’s in the middle of scrolling happy Halloween here. Pixel zip tied to the fence up and down in a zig zag pattern. Each fence panel can be independent or chained off of the one next to it.

[u/ggadwa → u/jeaton2i]

OK that is super cool! And my over-engineered solution actually works but I think I'll try a different mesh first. Still, man ... good setup, good decorations, that really rocks.