Maximum data cable length from F16?

[rickswa]

Hi All,

I've moved this past year and have finally got my layout back up with all the changes that needed to be done.  One question I have though is has anyone run a 25' 3 core data/power line from a Falcon F16v3 with acceptable results?  Part of my roof line has changed and where I used to be able to keep it to 18', I now have to run a 25 ft. cable to reach that section of pixels on the roof.  It's a fairly small section of 84 pixels but I'm just curious if I'm going to have issues running that length of a 3 core cable to them.  Thanks so much for any input.

[RandyS]

25' is too far for 3 conductor cable.  You will either need to use a Null Pixel in the center of the run, OR, and this is what I have done with all of my cables - use stranded Cat5 or Cat6 cable.  You can easily go 30-40' from the controller.

[rickswa]

Thanks for the reply! My issue is the controller I have to use for it now is 25? away and I maxed out the other cards used in other spots. I do have null pixels but have never used them. I also have 5? lengths and 20? lengths of cable. Could I just run the 20? and then a null pixel and then a 5?? Thanks again for your help. Or I could also inject power from the end of the run of pixels if that would help out at all

[RandyS]

Yes, you could use a null pixel between 2 shorter sections of cable.  Losing power isn't the issue, rather it is the data signal that degrades over distance.  A null pixel acts as a repeater and boosts the signal back up to a useable level.  Of the choices of cable lengths you mentioned, I would use a 5' cable, null pixel, then the 20' piece.  Good luck.

[rickswa]

thank you so much.  I'll give that a go.  I really appreciate the help!!!!

do you happen to know with the f16v3, do I have to add a pixel to that section in the sequencing so it would be 85 instead of 84 or is there a way to have the f16 know there is a null pixel in that line?  I'm curious of the effect it will have on the behavior of chase type effects as well since it's right after another longer run of pixels.  Rather than just power inject there, I had to split it due to the max pixels for each expansion card.  Will it seem like it's skipping a pixel at all?  Thanks again for any help.

[RandyS]

If you go in to the setup of your F16v3, and select Output Settings, then String Ports, you will see a column where you can indicate if you are using null pixels.  If you have one, enter 1, and then your controller will ignore it and if you have 84 Pixels on a prop, you still use 84.