automation control of RGB LED tape?

TonyNo, they don't seem to use image links much. In fact I don't see any as I poke around a bit.

There are a lot of images.

Are you writing about images which you think should be links? ( I'm using firebug to examine the elements of the page )
 
BaduFamily said:
TonyNo, they don't seem to use image links much. In fact I don't see any as I poke around a bit. There are a lot of images. Are you writing about images which you think should be links? ( I'm using firebug to examine the elements of the page )
Click to expand...
 
I meant images, period. I tried Chrome and it was fine. Clearly, my FF install is hosed. :(
 
I'd want to be able to ad-hoc to that device for my purposes (no existing network).
 
BaduFamily said:
wkearney99, while poking around the spark.io link did you stumble across these: https://community.spark.io/t/wiring-to-drive-an-rgb-led-strip/3888 https://community.spark.io/t/messagetorch-torch-fire-animation-with-ws2812-leds-message-display/2551 http://blog.roman-mueller.ch/index.php/2014/03/13/a-weather-moodlight/
Click to expand...
 
The message tube is really clever.  
 
I'm intrigued also by an Ikea lamp repurposed for showing weather. Ever since I was a kid the question of the morning remains, "do I need a jacket outside today?".  It'd be clever to find a way to use the message tube's 'motion' combined with colors to do something like make a column lamp 'spin' with warmer/cooler colors based on outside temps and windspeeds...
 
There's definitely something to be said for alternative ways to indicate information without having to use traditional displays.
 
( TonyNo, if you're using a FFx nightly build there have been issues with the cache mechanism lately. If your browser can't get images into the cache in the first place there may be problems just browsing. FWIW my 'test' was FFx on a Mac and it was fine. )

I like the message tube too. Many of those projects are clever. I wasn't sure from the OP's requirements if addressable RGB strips were the target, or just on/off of monocolor strips. These examples are mostly the former.

anyhoo it's a nice form factor.
 
Does the Fibaro controller work standalone or require their central box also?
 
There's a ton of cool stuff out there but it's a bit disappointing to see it so poorly integrated.  Close, but yet so far... the siren song of home automation...
 
Here not really interested in any sort of wireless RGB stuff but rather LV automation of LED's in general.  Over the years I have configured some 3 locations in the house that utilized 12VDC LED lighting.  Testing it have left it on 24/7 for the last three years.  They are still working fine.
 
I do like the "play" with RGB to provide effects and that said my preference is for local / centralized control and use of network or serial transport.
 
My original interest in Kevin Lo's endeavor on the Homeseer forum related more to initially LED control then RGB control using same devices.   He did provide the "test" combo PLC, Serial and wireless network device at a reasonable price and also wrote a Homeseer 2 and Homeseer 3 plugin for use with Homeseer which I tested and it worked just fine.   There are a few Homeseer users using it today for some interesting effects.  Here I went to purchasing some RGB mini strips that were sealed for outdoor use. 
 
My outdoor lighting is all LED now sourced with LV 12VDC power supplies connected to one UPB controller.
 
I have in place today one RGB outdoor zone; and it works fine to date.  I want to be able to test the zone though such that I can change the colors via the automation and I am really just about to that part of my little experiment.
 
wkearney99 said:
Does the Fibaro controller work standalone or require their central box also?
 
There's a ton of cool stuff out there but it's a bit disappointing to see it so poorly integrated.  Close, but yet so far... the siren song of home automation...
Click to expand...
 
It's z-wave.  Works with Vera and perhaps other controllers.
 
I'm going down this road too.  However I'm only interested in dimming single color LED strips, a much simpler task.  My preference is to use UPB dimmer switches instead of complicated RF or serial control.  This usually then just requires a 120VAC to 12VDC dimmable power supply.  The power rating is not high, maybe 50 watts max.
 
So I guess my question is more along the lines if anyone knows of a good dimmable LED power supply that works with standard AC/triac dimmer switches?
 
 
EDIT:
I think I've answered my own question.  It seems there are no inexpensive switching power supplies on the market that do this.  At least I did not find any.  You have to use old school transformers with bridge rectifiers.  They are expensive (~$100 for 50W) and have mediocre efficiency (~78%).  SuperbrightLEDs.com has the Magnitude brand of power supplies.
 
NOt sure what you are using to automate the strip with, but these guys seem to have a nice bit of gear
 
www.rs232ledcontroller.com
 
As you can see from teh url, its a RS232 based controller.  Use something like an iTach with WiFi and you will get wireless access to it for control.
 
Follow the links back to hwat appears to be the parent company - http://www.epicskytech.com and you will find other options for RGB LED control (RF, IR and more)
 
Might be what you are looking for - they are aimed home automation.
 
Mick
 
Depends on price, which is not shown. It looks cool, but, my post above shows a serial device and I bet it would be a lot more economical.
 
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