wire size

[Gilrock]

Why don't you think voltage drop plays a factor in the voltage levels on the data line?

[Phrog30]

Why don't you think voltage drop plays a factor in the voltage levels on the data line?

Honestly, I guess I'm confused on how data works. I guess I thought it was more immune.

What is the working voltage on the data line?

James

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Gilrock]

I don't know what voltage runs down the line either.  I assume there has to be a threshold that is crossed to indicate a zero or one so I was assuming using double wires would lower total resistance and allow you to have a longer run before going over that threshold is not possible.  Otherwise it would mean you could go an unlimited distance on the data line with no minimum wire size.  It's probably not a big deal but I kinda like how solid it makes the wires feel that I'm screwing into the connector when I solder those two conductors together instead of bending one back.

[babybear]

This is the quote I read on Data on a cat5 line

{You can only run data from 1 output on 1 wire.  Data, unlike power and ground, is single path.  You cannot run the same data on two wires, the signal cannot be split and put back together.  Just wanted to clarify.  Depending on how you run your display you can realistically run up to 4 controller outputs on 1 cat5 wire since there are 4 pairs (need the ground wrap around data to get the distance}

Can anyone say if this is true or not

[Gilrock]

If that's the case then my whole display shouldn't be working....lol.  Believe whatever you want.  I have a EE degree but I trust field testing more than anything I ever read in a book any day.

[babybear]

My brother who was a data expert I thought had told me at one time Data only runs on the outside of a wire thats why data lines are solid and not stranded. I have to find that out..

[babybear]

Im here to learn, There are so many post out there it gets confusing.

[mararunr]

If that's the case then my whole display shouldn't be working....lol.  Believe whatever you want.  I have a EE degree but I trust field testing more than anything I ever read in a book any day.

I do NOT have an EE degree and that was my quote babybear posted and aussie phil has come off the top ropes several times on my posts....I only know what I experience as Gil says and it seems we have lots of different experiences in this hobby.  Honestly this is only the very beginning of my 3rd year so I'm still relatively new so let me repeat Gil's last statement....TRUST FIELD TESTING MORE THAN ANYTHING.  Go try it and test and find what works best for you.  You may find something new that none of us have found (many products like post-its and wd-40 are the result of testing what was supposed to happen only to find something completely different and useful).

[babybear]

I hope I did not offend you, That was not what I was trying to do. I just agree with what you are saying

[mararunr]

I hope I did not offend you, That was not what I was trying to do. I just agree with what you are saying

Not at all.  I'm still learning too.

[Gilrock]

Well I've been stuck doing software most of my career so I freely admit my degree doesn't mean a lot anymore.  That's when I ask the smart folks around me.  Most people are running WS2811 chips at 800KHz so our cable lengths are not long enough for using 2 conductors to make enough of an error to matter.

[babybear]

To me when you give up on learning you give up in life.
   I also will never mock anyone for asking a question.

[Phrog30]

I don't know what voltage runs down the line either.  I assume there has to be a threshold that is crossed to indicate a zero or one so I was assuming using double wires would lower total resistance and allow you to have a longer run before going over that threshold is not possible.  Otherwise it would mean you could go an unlimited distance on the data line with no minimum wire size.  It's probably not a big deal but I kinda like how solid it makes the wires feel that I'm screwing into the connector when I solder those two conductors together instead of bending one back.

I was assuming the data would be limited to 100m like you normally see on cat5.  I don't know either way, it was just an assumption.

I agree with the other posts about real world tests. As long as it works and you aren't breaking laws, codes, restrictions, etc., go for it.

James

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[babybear]

That explains it to me.  Thanks

[babybear]

On my first display I ran 25' 16gauge 4 wire on a E682. the data was a mess. Once pulled the data out of the cable ran it on its own 18gauge wire I was back up and running. I personally will never run data and power in the same line again. Live and learn. LOL