I am new to the hobby. Please bear with me.
I order LEDs in various forms from a few manufactures in China for work. My primary supplier doesn't sell nodes, so they referred me to another supplier. In my conversation with the supplier I told them I wanted WS2811 IC for the nodes. I was told they could make them with 9883 IC instead of the 2811 IC. The difference between the 2811 and 8983 is that if the node goes out with 2811 all the following nodes go out, with the 9883 if one node goes out it is the only one and the rest of the following nodes will continue to work. I know there is another IC that will the same thing but don't remember the number.
I am also being told that I would have to purchase their controller to address the nodes. Their controller is $30.00 USD and will control 1000 nodes. The issue I have with getting their controller is I don't know if Xlights will be able to address the controller or not. Forgive me if my terms are incorrect.) The cost per node is also $0.10 USD each more, almost doubling the cost per node. I am getting RGBW nodes, not the typical RGB nodes, thus the reason the nodes are $0.15 USD each rather than $0.08 USD each I have seen from other suppliers.
I am getting 300 nodes for proof of concept to present to the Board of Directors at the Gadsen Pacific Model Train Museum. If the proof of concept works and they go for it, the matrices will replace existing fluorescent fixtures. I can go more in depth about the idea in another thread if interested.
I know I have a lot to learn and all of this is over my head to a large degree, but I'm looking forward to drinking from the fire hose.
Thank you in advance for your help and input.
Russ aka TenBall
