Pixel icicles

One thing you may notice on the larger image is that the pixels are spaced further apart than usual. This was mainly done because I only wanted to use 1 universe (170 pixels) per element.

For the top icicles there are 166 leds in total. These are arranged as 4, 6 and 8 leds per group with 28 icicles in total.

The bottom icicles have the same arrangement but with a total of 21 icicles.

The garage icicles have not been extended so the leds remain on a 33mm spacing and each icicle has 10 leds. The intention here was to scroll text which is just about readable even though the icicles are 20cm apart

The icicles are of similar construction to the snowflakes and starburst. I have used white pvc electrical trunking cut into strips the same width as the square silicone tubing. This was done to stiffen the silicone tube and stop the icicles twisting. The top end of the pvc has a hole in so that it can be tie wrapped to the power cable that runs the width of this element to power each icicle. The power cable is twin core 79 strand copper clad aluminium (cca). CCA cable is inferior to pure copper cable but I only needed a 10 metre run so this cheaper cable was sufficient.

Low modulus neutral curing silicone sealant is used to seal the ends of the tubing. I had three leds fail because water got into some icicles. I assume it was because of stress on the four wires coming into the top being disturbed by high winds. For 2016 I will add more sealant and then cover this with some clear heat-shrink tubing - and hope for the best!