11-28-2022, 10:37 AM
|
#81
|
Scoring Winger
|
Had these for about a month. Multiple issues with the controller, app is buggy, absolutely no customer support. Would not recommend.
Last edited by The Fisher Account; 11-28-2022 at 02:23 PM.
|
|
|
11-28-2022, 10:44 AM
|
#82
|
#1 Goaltender
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fisher Account
Just an FYI on Watts.
Had these for about a month. Multiple issues with the controller, app is buggy, absolutely no customer support. Would not recommend.
|
Do you know what the brand your controller is? There might be a way to change your software to WLED which is basic software that is open source.
|
|
|
11-28-2022, 11:23 AM
|
#83
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Calgary
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by fundmark19
Do you know what the brand your controller is? There might be a way to change your software to WLED which is basic software that is open source.
|
This sounds nerdy and possibly handy in the event that support ends and/or a company folds.
I have Gemstones, and I don't think that they're going anywhere, but I have wondered about what would happen in 5-10 years when/if they stop supporting stuff but the lights still work fine.
Do you happen to know what type of controller Gemstones uses and if it is compatible with WLED?
|
|
|
11-28-2022, 12:22 PM
|
#84
|
Franchise Player
|
anyone ever have success trouble shooting strings of those mini LED lithgs.
I have three tstrings of lights that i am sure worked last year when i took them down. Plugged them in this year and the lights do not work; however, electricty runs thru the cord from one end to the other as i plugged one set into an outlet (no lights came on), and i plugged a random device in the other end of the string and the device worked.
i have swapped out the fuses in the string and then looked at all bulbs to ensure they were seated securely and i pulled out many bulbs to ensure the contacts were good.
Also inspected the bulbs at the start and end of the string, including those bulbs with three wires going into the socket.
i'd say the sockets are too small to get a multi-meter in as i think the probes would be toughing each other.
seems so odd that all three strings would do the exact smae thing
__________________
If I do not come back avenge my death
|
|
|
11-28-2022, 12:26 PM
|
#85
|
Franchise Player
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Northendzone
anyone ever have success trouble shooting strings of those mini LED lithgs.
I have three tstrings of lights that i am sure worked last year when i took them down. Plugged them in this year and the lights do not work; however, electricty runs thru the cord from one end to the other as i plugged one set into an outlet (no lights came on), and i plugged a random device in the other end of the string and the device worked.
i have swapped out the fuses in the string and then looked at all bulbs to ensure they were seated securely and i pulled out many bulbs to ensure the contacts were good.
Also inspected the bulbs at the start and end of the string, including those bulbs with three wires going into the socket.
i'd say the sockets are too small to get a multi-meter in as i think the probes would be toughing each other.
seems so odd that all three strings would do the exact smae thing
|
Sure, ya, just take them here:
https://www.barewirerecycling.ca/
Then take that cash to fund buying some that aren't the cheapest available.
|
|
|
11-28-2022, 12:59 PM
|
#86
|
Franchise Player
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Northendzone
anyone ever have success trouble shooting strings of those mini LED lithgs.
I have three tstrings of lights that i am sure worked last year when i took them down. Plugged them in this year and the lights do not work; however, electricty runs thru the cord from one end to the other as i plugged one set into an outlet (no lights came on), and i plugged a random device in the other end of the string and the device worked.
i have swapped out the fuses in the string and then looked at all bulbs to ensure they were seated securely and i pulled out many bulbs to ensure the contacts were good.
Also inspected the bulbs at the start and end of the string, including those bulbs with three wires going into the socket.
i'd say the sockets are too small to get a multi-meter in as i think the probes would be toughing each other.
seems so odd that all three strings would do the exact smae thing
|
Troubleshooting mini lights is a time consuming exercise. It just isn't worth it.
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to Strange Brew For This Useful Post:
|
|
11-28-2022, 01:39 PM
|
#87
|
Franchise Player
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuzz
|
thanks - this is good as i hated the thought of just tossing them in my black bin
__________________
If I do not come back avenge my death
|
|
|
11-28-2022, 02:36 PM
|
#88
|
Franchise Player
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Northendzone
thanks - this is good as i hated the thought of just tossing them in my black bin
|
I've had good experiences taking them all sorts of wire and metal, and get more back than I expect. I hate throwing stuff out. Smells a lot better than a bottle depot, too!
|
|
|
01-12-2023, 06:43 PM
|
#89
|
Powerplay Quarterback
|
Anyone with Gemstone lights that can maybe answer a question for me......
We have 2 devices controlling the lights, mine and my wifes phone. She can't see the zones I've made, or any of my custom patterns, she can only see the timer. This leads me to believe that that information is stored locally on the phone, not on the controller (and the timer is on the controller, because it obviously operates independently)
I just want to make sure I'm not doing something wrong, so anyone else with them have the same behaviour?
Thanks
|
|
|
01-12-2023, 06:49 PM
|
#90
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Calgary, Alberta
|
I think that’s how ours are, or at least that’s how we do things.
|
|
|
01-12-2023, 07:26 PM
|
#91
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Calgary
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aleks
Anyone with Gemstone lights that can maybe answer a question for me......
We have 2 devices controlling the lights, mine and my wifes phone. She can't see the zones I've made, or any of my custom patterns, she can only see the timer. This leads me to believe that that information is stored locally on the phone, not on the controller (and the timer is on the controller, because it obviously operates independently)
I just want to make sure I'm not doing something wrong, so anyone else with them have the same behaviour?
Thanks
|
You are correct. Apparently they are working on iCloud sync/backup of patterns, but currently everything is local except for the timers.
|
|
|
08-09-2023, 11:51 AM
|
#92
|
#1 Goaltender
|
Would anyone be interested in a DIY kit like gemstones? It would be open sourced using WLED or can go a step further with Xlights/FPP (christmas light to music software).
Lights would have 2" spacing instead of the 4" that gemstone offers. I am guessing costs would come in around $1000.00 for the kit (hopefully lower based on 120' of trim and lights). Track colour will be white but I am guessing you could paint to match your soffit colours as needed. I can provide support but this would definitly be a DIY Hobbyist adventure.
Last edited by fundmark19; 08-09-2023 at 11:59 AM.
|
|
|
08-09-2023, 02:10 PM
|
#93
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Income Tax Central
|
Christmas lights in the Middle of August? Could this come back to haunt us??
__________________
The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
If you are flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a Fire Exit. - Mitch Hedberg
|
|
|
08-09-2023, 02:14 PM
|
#94
|
Scoring Winger
|
Bit of a follow-up after close to a year with Watts.
The first 6 months were not good. Software issues, app challenges and then they pushed out an update that destroyed pretty much every client's set up.
Had them send out a guy to fix things. They then updated the app, and I've had no issues since.
|
|
|
08-09-2023, 03:00 PM
|
#95
|
First Line Centre
|
How difficult would a DIY installation be? I could probably do the basics and prep but the actual installation I would have to get help as the roof is quite high
|
|
|
08-09-2023, 03:05 PM
|
#96
|
Franchise Player
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Hyperbole Chamber
|
Getting out my snow shovel.
|
|
|
08-09-2023, 03:05 PM
|
#97
|
#1 Goaltender
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary14
How difficult would a DIY installation be? I could probably do the basics and prep but the actual installation I would have to get help as the roof is quite high
|
Depends on your house really and comfort on ladders. Scissor lift rental would be the safe way to do it. The light tracks themselves just screw in a back plate and click on the lights/wires.
Cable mangement would depend on how you want things to look. It would need access to an outlet somewehre with ethernet or wifi signal.
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to fundmark19 For This Useful Post:
|
|
08-09-2023, 03:06 PM
|
#98
|
#1 Goaltender
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke
Christmas lights in the Middle of August? Could this come back to haunt us??
|
I am 6 months behind on this years light show already.
|
|
|
08-09-2023, 04:54 PM
|
#99
|
#1 Goaltender
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke
Christmas lights in the Middle of August? Could this come back to haunt us??
|
Has this place turned into Costco?
|
|
|
08-09-2023, 07:35 PM
|
#100
|
#1 Goaltender
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang
This sounds nerdy and possibly handy in the event that support ends and/or a company folds.
I have Gemstones, and I don't think that they're going anywhere, but I have wondered about what would happen in 5-10 years when/if they stop supporting stuff but the lights still work fine.
Do you happen to know what type of controller Gemstones uses and if it is compatible with WLED?
|
Controller isn’t really what you need to worry about as that part is cheap. You can run 800 lights off a 4 dollar part. It’s that their lights are proprietary so it would depend what the chipset they are using and if you can incorporate them into a different environment.
I would try and buy some extra led lights in the case that one goes out and you need to change it a company isn’t around anymore. I saw on Kijiji one of the lighting companies is for sale. I doubt it’s gemstone but you never know what the future holds.
Last edited by fundmark19; 08-09-2023 at 07:38 PM.
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:49 PM.
|
|