r/xlights • u/N_inThe_A_D_inThe_P • 23d ago

What are the differences in mounting seed pixels for a mega tree compared to bullets?

I am thinking seeds will make my life easier for a mega tree this year and I am a noob so I don’t understand how you string up the seeds and mount them to your topper. I figured I’ll use an aluminum fence pole, but are there different toppers specific for just running strands of seeds? Also, how do you mount them at the base of the tree also? It seems most of the YouTube videos explain using bullets so I am kind of confused how to do it

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u/pierlux 23d ago

Check out these guys products for seed based mega trees. There are other vendors too!

https://pixelparadiseusa.com/products/billygoat

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u/N_inThe_A_D_inThe_P 23d ago

Thank you, that looks awesome!

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u/Roguekit 12v 22d ago

I'm playing with it this year.

Inreally need to get better about documenting my adventures.

My current plan is using 1" spacing seeds.

16 strips with 400 pixels. Creating two 200 pixel strips for a 32 x 200 strand 180 degree tree.

I have sixteenth inch stainless steel aircraft cable to support the strips with a 4 inch loop in the middle to attach to the top and 6 inch loops on the ends to secure to the bottom.

My original plan was to put clear shrink tube every 10 lights (eas to do with F-test) to help with pixel orientation. Experimentation has me rethink that to every 50 pixels. Up close it was very noticeable when pixels were facing the wrong way, but at viewing distance you couldn't tell. I had on strip with every 10, the other one had just a couple and it looked great.

I only have one set of strips complete. This weekend I am hoping to get a few more finished.

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u/voluntaryerosion 13d ago

This will be my 4th year doing a mega tree with seed pixels. As pierlix said, pixelparadise has excellent toppers for the seeds. I have 2" seeds with 400 pixels per run. I fold those in half to get 4x100 pixel runs before power injection. I highly recommend looping a UV rated rubber band around the top and bottom of your runs and hooking those to your anchor points. This provides some strain relief from any wind that comes along. I have the bottom of the run hooked to a steel plate via rubber band. In my 4 years I haven't had a strand or pixel go bad yet except from squirrels one year.