So I've changed the direction of this project a bit.

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So I’ve changed the direction of this project a bit. Instead of using LED strips I’m going to use pixel bullet string. It will be much easier to install with much less soldering.

My question is, is there a BEST PRACTICE for how the pixels are wired, or installed in sequence.

I’m not sure how the unit will be installed, horizontally or vertically. I’ve read about “snake” setup. I guess it doesn’t matter if it’s 16 ROWS of 3 or 3 rows of 16 as long as they snake back and forth?

Any thoughts before I start drilling holes!

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Personally, I would do 16 columns (or rows) of 3 because it makes it slightly easier with just a single wire going between boxes.

If the units were stacked vertically I’d probably number starting in bottom left like this:
…
6,7,8
5,4,3
0,1,2

If units were horizontally grouped I’d probably do this:
2,3,8,…
1,4,7,…
0,5,6,…

But really, doesn’t matter. Very easy to remap later in code as needed.

Btw, it already looks awesome! :slight_smile:

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Reminds me a bit of my grid project I did several years ago:

I am having trouble with scale but seeing the strips makes me think they are pretty small. One thing you might consider to isolate the light around the circles is puting some craft tubes over the leds. That is what I used to construct my grid. Uline has them for pretty cheap and you can get the plastic covers for the backs and then just cut a hole for pixels to push through.

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@Justin_Eastman That’s a cool project! Similar for sure, but def bigger. My scale as you can see from the LED’s is much smaller. These are Hard Drive holders for computer case. I think they are about 4" x 6" or so. I like the idea of isolating the LED’s from one another to keep the color clean, but as close as they are to the diffuser I also like that they naturally isolate some, but bleed into each other. Will def do some tests before I put everything together to see which is better for my taste. Thanks for sharing!

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I like that material you are using as a diffuser. What is it?

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@James_Callahan Florescent light diffuser lens from Lowes. It was about $11 US I think. 2’x4’. I have lot’s extra for my next project ")

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Very Cool! With LED pixels, you might be able to just pop them in using a serpentine layout - then use a look up table to change the referencing to any other layout that is mathematically easier for you to use in your effects. Would definitely isolate each led in it’s own tube, that would give effects more pop and might actually make the LEDs brighter. Shower curtain makes a very cheap but surprisingly effective diffuser, tucking that in between the led and the fluorescent light diffuser might give you much more even lighting.