1-16 Pixel LED Amusement Lights: How Do Auto-Running Programs Work?
- date： 2026-08-26
- category： Industry knowledge
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If you have shopped for LED pixel lights for fairground rides, you have almost certainly seen the notation "1-16 programs" or "program 1 / program 2 / program 3..." in product listings. For buyers new to the industry, this can be confusing. What exactly are these programs? How do you choose which number to order? And how do different program numbers work together to create the famous chasing effects of carnival rides?
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The Basics: What Is an Auto-Running Program?
An auto-running program is a pre-set color animation sequence stored in the IC (integrated circuit) chip inside an LED pixel light. When the pixel light receives power, the IC chip immediately begins executing its stored program — cycling through colors, fading, flashing, or chasing in the specific pattern defined for that program number.
No external controller or data signal is needed. The IC chip acts as its own tiny computer, running the program independently from the moment power is applied.
What Are the 16 Programs?
Current-generation pixel lights (6th generation) include 16 distinct programs. While the exact sequences vary between manufacturers, a typical 16-program set includes:
| Program # | Typical Animation |
| 1 | Fast RGB color chase, forward direction |
| 2 | Fast RGB color chase, phase offset +1 |
| 3 | Fast RGB color chase, phase offset +2 |
| 4 | Fast RGB color chase, phase offset +3 |
| 5 | Slow rainbow fade |
| 6 | Slow rainbow fade, phase offset |
| 7 | Red-blue alternating flash |
| 8 | Red-green-blue sequential |
| 9 | White strobe |
| 10 | Warm white steady (dimmed) |
| 11 | RGB random sparkle |
| 12 | Red steady |
| 13 | Green steady |
| 14 | Blue steady |
| 15 | Amber/Yellow steady |
| 16 | White steady |
Note: Specific programs vary by manufacturer. Always request the program list from your supplier.
How Chasing Effects Are Created Without a Controller
The magic of auto-program pixel lights is that a group of them creates a chasing effect without any external control signal — purely through the phase relationship between different program numbers.
Here is how it works:
Imagine programs 1 through 8 are all variations of the same color sequence, but each starts at a slightly different point in the cycle. Program 1 starts at point 0°; program 2 starts at point 45°; program 3 at 90°; and so on. At any given moment, adjacent lights are at different points in the same sequence — so they display different colors.
If you install them in order around a carousel horse (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, then 1, 2, 3, 4... repeating), the color that program 1 is currently showing will be the color that program 2 was showing a moment ago, and the color that program 3 will show a moment from now. The result: color appears to flow from light to light, creating a "chasing" wave.
The direction of the chase is determined by whether you install programs in ascending order (1, 2, 3...) or descending order (8, 7, 6...) around the ride. Ascending = chase travels in one direction; descending = opposite direction.
How to Plan Program Assignments for Your Ride
Step 1: Count the total number of bulbs on your ride.
Step 2: Divide the ride into sections that you want to show the same chasing direction (typically one full rotation of a carousel, or one panel of a waltzer).
Step 3: Assign program numbers in sequence within each section. For an 8-program chase: use programs 1-8 repeating. For a 4-program chase: use programs 1-4 repeating (simpler but less smooth).
Step 4: Order bulbs by program number. You will need approximately equal quantities of each program number used.
Example order for a carousel with 400 bulbs using programs 1-8:
▶ 50 × Program 1
▶ 50 × Program 2
▶ 50 × Program 3
▶ 50 × Program 4
▶ 50 × Program 5
▶ 50 × Program 6
▶ 50 × Program 7
▶ 50 × Program 8
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the program after installation? No. Auto-program pixel lights have a fixed program set at the factory. The only way to change the program is to replace the bulb with one of a different program number.
What if I order the wrong program number? The light will still work correctly — it just won't create the intended chasing sequence when installed next to the other program numbers. For small quantities, this is easily corrected. For large orders, request samples first to verify the program sequences work as intended together.
Do all manufacturers use the same 16 programs? No. The program sequences are manufacturer-defined. Even if two products are both labeled "Program 3," they may have completely different animation sequences. Always verify that your entire installation uses products from the same manufacturer with the same program set.
Can I mix auto and DMX pixel lights? You can mix them electrically (they share the same power supply) but the auto lights will ignore any DMX signal and the DMX lights will need to be addressed and programmed separately.