Going Pixels 2019

[Htrapletap]

So this years Dumb RGB show I had was a success attracted a lot more people then I expected. It was such a basic set-up, single dumb RGB controller running about 7-8 strands of dumb RGB ribbon lights.

Next year (as I am wrapping up for this year a little early.) I want to go Smart Pixel, I've watched a lot of the Johnson Family videos and the one question that keeps popping in my head is how many strands am I going to need? I know I wont need more than 1-2 controllers compared to other extravagant shows that are out there running more than 3.

I don't understand how you can daisy chain two sets of smart pixels together and some how you can address each pixel on both strands of lets say 50 pixels to do a certain task, wouldn't you get a power loss running two strands on one channel? I'm planning on using HolidayCoro as my main source of supplies, Im buying two 16 Output Alphapix Controllers, and im not 100% sure how many strands I should buy to begin with. Below I have attached what my dumb rgb show looked like this year. This was our first ever light show done by my brother and I. We want to improve and also give back to our city.

We appreciate any type of feedback and scrutiny we honestly want to become a key player in my little city. We are the only ones in my city that I know that are doing anything like this, most lights shows are out of my city and about 15-20 mins drive.

[babybear]

I can kinda answer your question. The numbers of your controller I don't know but A falcon F16v3 you can run just over a 1000 pixels per out put.  The key is getting power to the lights. So on my mega tree I add a power feed every 300 LEDs and at the end. The power you add can all come from the same power supply.  Now how many... Hmmm All depends on your lay out. Mega tree? out line the house? spinner? Snowflakes?

[Htrapletap]

So it will be house outlines (incl. 3 windows, 1 doorway) , probably 4 snow flakes, 4 trees, and possibly 2 leaping arches.

I know on this particular pixel controller it can handle about 340 pixels, but at what point would I need power injection, my main roof line is about 30ft I know it will require about two strands of nodes to cover it (granted 50 pixels per strand at 5v) if I ran that off one output you think I would need the power injection?

[babybear]

Im a 12volt guy And I have 2 setups with 390 and 381 with power at both ends. works just fine

[Gilrock]

So it will be house outlines (incl. 3 windows, 1 doorway) , probably 4 snow flakes, 4 trees, and possibly 2 leaping arches.

I know on this particular pixel controller it can handle about 340 pixels, but at what point would I need power injection, my main roof line is about 30ft I know it will require about two strands of nodes to cover it (granted 50 pixels per strand at 5v) if I ran that off one output you think I would need the power injection?

My roof ridge lights are 96 5v pixels with no injection.  But I'm using a J1SYS differential board so I send 24v down the wire and have a converter board that fits in a little electrical box so there is little to no voltage drop for the 5 volts before it reaches the first pixel.  So can you do it....yes.  If you're one of those that insists on using 100% power and solid white colors....you will need injection.

[Htrapletap]

Sorry for such a late response, Merry Late Christmas to all of you.

So I have a very good idea of power injection and such, my next question is, people run 3-4 strands off one data port on the pixel board. I know there is power injection usually after the second string or even at the beginning, what I don't understand is how are they applying power to the second strand, while also continuing to transmit data through the wire? Are they chopping the ends of basically, attaching the data cable to continuously, and then grabbing power and ground and injecting power like that? I have drawn a picture and can anyone tell me if this seems logical, because I want to be ahead on planning this time around instead of just winging it. I've also changed I am no longer using 5v Pixels I have gone with 12v.

Just remember this is a very basic picture, im just trying to get a clear understanding on what I need to be doing, Ill be adding power supplies and such through out the yard accordingly, i just need to figure out if I have my basis covered with this picture. F

[bwinter]

Basically yes.  The data and ground run continuously through all the strands.  Periodically, V+ (and ground) are also connected to the strands to “power inject”

[Htrapletap]

Basically yes.  The data and ground run continuously through all the strands.  Periodically, V+ (and ground) are also connected to the strands to “power inject”

Wow perfect, Ground and Data are always continuously connected as for power it is snipped and essentially power injected. At different points, this is definitely a lot easier than I thought. I did notice one thing the AlphaPix controller has a 4th out called CLK should I be considered about that? Thank You very much for all the help!

[bwinter]

Clock is used for older pixel protocols (nothing you would use for the newer wS281x type pixels.

When you inject V+, make sure you also inject Ground.

And also make sure you’re injecting from the same power-supply.  It’s a tad more tricky if you’re injecting the same strand from different power-supplies (it’s doable, just requires an extra step to be cautious of)

[Htrapletap]

Clock is used for older pixel protocols (nothing you would use for the newer wS281x type pixels.

When you inject V+, make sure you also inject Ground.

And also make sure you’re injecting from the same power-supply.  It’s a tad more tricky if you’re injecting the same strand from different power-supplies (it’s doable, just requires an extra step to be cautious of)

Will doo, and will keep this in mind. If I need any more help can I specifically PM you?

[bwinter]

Sure, but it’s generally best to ask general questions in public (so the answer is available to everyone).  And so that you can get a “general consensus,” instead of a single-biased perspective.