What are /r/LightShowPi's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Amazon

12pcs(6 Sets) 8 Positions Dual Row 600V 15A Screw Terminal Strip Blocks with Cover + 400V 15A 8 Positions Pre-Insulated Terminal Barrier Strip (Black/Red) by MILAPEAK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CLX1VW5/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_VVYeCbWF3FHY3

I never could get the PI FM transmitter to work. If I remember it was because the RP4 doesn’t do that? IDK, anyway This is the FM transmitter we’ve used for the past couple of years in our LSP box. Works great for our neighborhood. You can start to pick up the station about 2 blocks away. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7DIRE9/

Looks great! Are those the clicky mechanical relays? I started with those, kinda loud, even in my project box. You could hear the clicking all tue way out to the street. I swapped the mechanical relays out for the SSRs. Also, I’ve read the mechanical relays fail pretty quickly with all the stress LSP puts on them. I used to buy them straight from SainSmart’s site, but looks like they’re out of stock. Amazon has them though. SainSmart 8-Channel 5V Solid State Relay Module Board for Arduino Uno Duemilanove MEGA2560 MEGA1280 ARM DSP PIC https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006J4G45G/

Thanks, u/tmntnpizza! I'll install an earlier Raspbian version tomorrow AM after I build my grandson an ISS Tracker. I've built 3 already and it's reasonably quick.

I was thinking of cutting these in half for my outputs. Did you cut up some extension cords or buy individual female plugs like these?

have PI loaded and working (think so) I have added a add-on board to help with the connections

(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RDYDG6X?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details)

I lights and seems to be working with the sample files that are in the load.

How do I get the audio out?

Using a PI4 B with the added board.

also how to do i get FM out put?

If there is a post with this info please past the link I have had some problem finding post and info.

Thanks for all the effort that has been put into the project and continues to be put in.

This is the power supply I purchased https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KC3KSHP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Is this a good price?

​

https://www.amazon.com/ESPixelStick-Wireless-DMX-Pixel-Controller/dp/B072XT1V77/ref=sr\_1\_1?dchild=1&keywords=es+pixel+stick&qid=1632752183&sr=8-1

Yes, it is a challenge, but we know that a single 18AWG wire can carry all 20 amps (14AWG preferred). Your existing fab/PCB solution might not cut it, but there's got to be a way out there. Maybe as simple as a different PCB fab. Anyway, that's my pain point, but I guess not enough pain for me to do it myself--at least, not for mass manufacture.

Anyway, I hope you keep on keeping on. I've already got enough SSR boards to probably last the rest of my life, but what I like is that you proved you can do it. That counts.

By the way, there are new 5A SSR relays out there now, and their form factor might be slightly different. If you're interested. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-DC-DC-5V-220V-Solid-State/dp/B00TEUEW0G

If nothing else, it's worth noting that there are short 5A traces on that board.

How about this relay? It goes from 3-32v?

Also, I had a look at this video with RPi GPIO directly controlling one of those block relays. I’ve never used one of those before. Anyway, I think this coming year, if Fate is kind, I may replace my 8channel relay board with these.Thanks for suggesting this approach.

Sure! I used this HDMI Mini adapter. It's out of stock at the moment, but you can find variations searching for "hdmi mini adapter with audio". The one shown in my pic is torn-down so I could fit it in the surge-protector case 😁.

They are sometimes difficult to find, but DC/DC SSRs are available. I made a wearable Light Show Pi for a holiday party a couple years ago, that switches on battery run strings of LEDs. Amazon an DC-DC 8 Channel SSR

I have a Pi4 and read about this FM transmitter so I tried it out. It works so much better than I could have imagined. Very clear audio with no static.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7DIRE9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_y8c0Fb9A1FG3P

Here is an example but it’s out of stock. See what looks like little green pills between each relay? That’s the 2 amp fuses.

https://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-8-Channel-Duemilanove-MEGA2560-MEGA1280/dp/B006J4G45G

Amazon Arlington Industries EB1212BP-1 Electronic Equipment Enclosure Box with Back plate, 12 x 12 x 4-Inch, Non-Metallic, 1-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JNBQU3I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_QD4YFbMGPDDH5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

KNACRO 8-Channel 24V Low-Level Solid State Relay Module Board 240V 2A with Resistive Fuse for Arduino Uno Duemilanove AVR Mega2560 Mega1280 ARM DSP PIC (DC 24V) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0786TNTST/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_fyXXFbD7JWNTP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I was in the same predicament. Would you do two (2) SSR 4 channel boards?

I melted one of my SSR's on my 8 channel, so for now I am going to replace it with an 8 channel mechanical. I used mechanical on my light show for over 2 years, and it worked just fine. The only reason I stopped is because somehow I got water in my box, and mechanical relay got wet.

So with that said, I bought this one on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057OC5WK

For me, it says order today for Friday delivery.

How about just using 2 4 channel boards?

https://www.amazon.com/KNACRO-Channel-Solid-State-Trigger-Professional/dp/B077D62FWY/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=4+channel+ssr&qid=1606777335&sprefix=4+channel+ssr&sr=8-17

I was thinking about using these: https://www.amazon.com/Arduino-NRF24L01-2-4GHz-Wireless-Transceiver/dp/B07GZ17ZWS/ref=pd_sbs_147_1/143-2985707-5772466?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07GZ17ZWS&pd_rd_r=604915cc-63bf-480d-8ea0-5730bc3a364e&pd_rd_w=QP4Nf&pd_rd_wg=yzWCd&... and having them use their own communications to see if it would be fast enough

Drilled holes...pushed the wire through cable glands. Size PG11

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y5F6G67/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pi FM didn’t work very well for me. Also couldn’t handle the static between songs. The transmitter works much better! I am using a cheap .2 watt amazon one and it works good. Battery does not lay as long in the cold as they say at all so I just keep it plugged in while running the show. FMUSER FU-T300 0.2W Portable Home... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07425BXYH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I couldn’t get my RP4 to work with the Integrated FM transmission so I picked up this external transmitter.

Icstation Digital Audio Transmitter Stereo DSP PLL Module 88-108MHz with LCD Display MIC USB Input https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7DIRE9/

I have it mounted inside my project box with the relays and such, and a little wire coming out of the box attached to the antenna loop. We can hear our station all the way around the block.

Try amazon smile to donate to a charity of your choice automatically at no cost to you!
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01N7DIRE9/
^^^I'm ^^^a ^^^bot ^^^and ^^^this ^^^action ^^^was ^^^performed ^^^automatically.

I've been using one like this for years and it works fine. It comes through very clear from across the street about 50ft.

https://www.amazon.com/Transmitter-Adapter-Built-iPhone-Players/dp/B076X3GSMH/ref=sr_1_33?crid=2D2VQ4XJS8WEV&dchild=1&keywords=3.5mm+fm+transmitter&qid=1602980059&s=electronics&sprefix=3.5mm+fm+trans%2Celectronics%2C155&sr=1-33

I just ordered this guy last night. I’ll let ya know how it goes.

Icstation Digital Audio Transmitter Stereo DSP PLL Module 88-108MHz with LCD Display MIC USB Input https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7DIRE9/

The enclosure was bought on Amazon from BUD Industries, for the money, it's a good case. Here is the link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T94MQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Buy the mounting back plate... I should have. I fabricated the mounting board myself but it probably cost more then buying it and took time away from other things.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057OC66U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks, I purchased some lifts/spacers from amazon that work great for mounting on a wood base like this. I attached the spacers to the relay board and Pi first, set them in place, marked the holes in the feet and pre-drilled to make it easier to sink the wood screws on the feet.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H2BGGSF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&pldnSite=1

Best of luck on your build.

I set up a cheap soundbar that I got from a pawn shop (I think I paid like $25 for it?) out on my front porch and hook that up to my first LSP. Then, I hang small battery powered outdoor speakers from my trees and plug each one into a different LSP. Works great! I used these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H2WM44C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 but it looks like they aren't available anymore. :(

i have this, very good range: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07425BXYH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

edit: that item is no longer available. but i paid $39 for it, so not that bad if you can find elsewhere

I don't know about that one, I was thinking of something like this : https://www.amazon.com/Syba-external-Adapter-Windows-C-Media/dp/B001MSS6CS/ with a clear audio in

Nice!! Are you talking about a USB to Aux 3.5 mm adaptor so I can plug it straight in? Is there much involved in changing the code?

Like this?

DuKabel ProSeries USB to 3.5mm Jack Audio Adapter, TRRS 4-Pole Mic-Supported USB to Headphone AUX Adapter Built-in Chip External Stereo Sound Card for PS4 PC and More [Metal Housing & Durable Braided] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RS11M1T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KUxEDbACNKBAX

I bought this one. It is a cheap one but it seems to work pretty well. The range is decent, I can still hear it 5 houses down from mine. Not sure how many feet. I run it constantly for Halloween and Christmas and it has not had any problems.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07425BXYH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1