Sean Meighan

Hardware => General hardware => Topic started by: jwilliams31 on November 20, 2024, 07:33:34 AM

Title: Pixels dim after certain number in string
Post by: jwilliams31 on November 20, 2024, 07:33:34 AM

I'm running a WiredWatts/Kulp K16A-B w/2v 350w power supply.  I am running 2811 type pixels.  I was working on setting up a new prop and noticed that after approximately 350 pixels, all pixels after that are dimmer.

Not sure if I have a bad pixel/string in that first string after the 350 or if it's a power issue?

Any thoughts or assistance would be appreciated.

Title: Re: Pixels dim after certain number in string
Post by: jond on November 20, 2024, 09:45:27 AM

If you are not power injecting, it sounds like a power issue.   You typically want to power inject after 170 lights.  You can go a little further on the newer seed pixels that use less power.  You will burn up your lights if you are under powering them.  Even if they are working, you can greatly reduce their lifespan.  Check out the below calculator.

http://spikerlights.com/calcpower.aspx (http://spikerlights.com/calcpower.aspx)

Title: Re: Pixels dim after certain number in string
Post by: MikeKrebs on November 20, 2024, 09:46:26 PM

Rule of thumb (which is almost always not optimal or required but saves a lot of messing around).

Bullets/square with 4" spacing... power inject
12v at 200 (assuming powered at 1). This is 100 in each direction.
5V at 100. This is 50 in each direction.

Title: Re: Pixels dim after certain number in string
Post by: jwilliams31 on November 25, 2024, 08:26:28 AM

Thanks all.  New to RGBs and wasn't thinking.  The controller says it can control 800 per channel.  Just assumed that included power.  But it actually just means control.

I have enough channels to do what I want with splitting up into smaller strings, it just means more soldering...

Power injection is for another time.