(click for larger image)

Pixel ropelight

The construction of the ropelight is basically the same as the curtain window lights and the door wreath.

The smart pixel has a 100nf capacitor soldered directly to it's positive terminal with a small piece of wire then linking the negative terminal. (image 1)

Image 2 shows the wires soldered onto the led.

The next step is to use hot glue to cover the led and some of the wire. This will strengthen the joints but also diffuses the light much better. The final step is to place a piece of clear heat-shrink over the led. Use a heat gun to shrink the heat-shrink and wait until the hot-glue starts to slightly flow out of the ends. (image 3)

The type of clear wire I have used is quite small gauge so either power injection would be required or larger gauge wire used along the power lines. The two sets I made only consisted of 20 and 40 leds so I just connected both ends to form a loop and then connect these to the power supply.