1" Pex Pixel Strip Holder

thingiverse

Arches are a great looking element in animated Christmas light shows and this pixel strip holder will secure your pixel strips flush to the bottom of 1" Pex tubing so you eliminate hot spots. Before you build the arches you’ll need to do some calculations first. To have a true edge to edge light on your arches you’ll want the pixel strips to reach all the way to the end of the tubing. (Being a little short is ok) Once you’ve figured out the length of the tubing and the pixel strips you will want to first predrill and tap the ends of the arch for an 8/32 size nylon machine screw. Drill the hole on the top, upward facing side of the arch about 1/2” from the ends. Then feed your pixel strip inside the arch and on one side place the pixel strip holder over the pixel strip. Next slide a 4" zip tie through the hole on the strip holder and push the pixel strip and the holder simultaneously about 2-3" deep into the arch. (Note: the zip tie is only used to pull the holder towards the end of the arch and is later removed, so there is no need to secure it) On the opposite side of the arch pull just enough of the pixel strip out to slide a pixel strip holder over the pixel strip and then push back until flush to the end of the arch. When flush with the edge of the arch, secure a nylon machine screw through the premade hole and tighten just enough for a snug fit. The nylon screw should apply pressure to the center of the mount on the flat side to securely hold in place. Now with one end of the pixel strip held firmly in place, grab the zip tie from the opposite side and pull along with the pixel strip. Once satisfied with the position and tension, secure in the same manner as the first side and discard the zip tie. When complete, clip off protruding piece of nylon screws on the outside of the Pex and secure into your base mounts. If you ever need to remove the strip holders they come apart very easily by using a small drill bit to drill out then nylon screw.