I've posted this same info on several sites to enlist posts from other users who have built large pixel matrixes for the purpose of sharing stories as to how their pixel matrix worked.
The purpose of this thread is to discuss successes and failures of building large pixel matrixes.
Two years ago I had build a reasonably 'large' pixel matrix on our front porch. It was using 5V WS2811 pixels strips at 30/meter. The size of the matrix was 36 vertical X 75 horizontal pixels. Couldn't do much with it as it was simply too small of a matrix but this first project served as my starting point for building a large matrix. I considered it a reasonable success. It was built using 3 separate J1sys P12R boards and 6 350 Watt 5V power supplies. The only thought I remember saying to myself is that this needs to be way bigger and the pixels need to be much closer together.
Last year I switched out all of my 30/meter pixels to 60/meter and built a 48 X150 mega tree using 5V WS2812b flexible pixel strips. Pretty cool as I was able to put pics, animated gifs, and mini movies featuring dancing Santa Clauses, etc on the tree as there was more pixels and they were closer together. It was a big hit as every pixel was addressable because I selected 5V pixels.
This year I'm getting more ambitious, the 48 X 150 megatree will be increased to 60 strips so I will have a 60 X 150 mega tree and I am back to putting a large matrix on the porch and in the process of building it. Projected completion date is mid February for the next 2015-2016 Christmas show. Everything is coming along good so far.
Initial matrix size will be 56 vertical X 96 horizontal. I am building it by using 96 individual 'rigid' pixel strips each of them 56 pixels 'tall' mounted vertically. I have done research and selected ONE Pixlite 16 board and 8 individual 450 watt 5V power supplies.
If this works out well then with just one extra Pixlite 16 board and 8 more power supplies then I could have a 84 vertical X 128 horizontal matrix for the 2016-2017 Christmas. With this size matrix, I will be able to show reasonably detailed pics, animated graphics and this would now be the 'center piece' of my large Christmas display.
Here in the USA our incoming power is 120VAC but in every house we have two 'phases' of this 120VAC power thus I will have four of the power supplies on one phase and the other four power supplies on the other phase. Technically, this is running on 240VAC power but every Meanwell SE450 power supply will have only 120VAC as it's input.
Each power supply will be running 2 outputs out of the Pixlite16. Each output of the Pixlite 16 can run 2 universes thus 340 pixels maximum. I selected 56 pixels on each strip so that each output of the Pixlite 16 can run 6 strips. If you multiply 56 X 6 you get 336. Just slightly UNDER the maximum of pixels that each output can drive. Since each output can drive 6 strips and the board has 16 outputs, by multiplying 6 X 16 you get 96 strips across (horizontally)
I've had good luck in the past with my J1sys boards and now I am going to try this Pixlite 16 board for this project. Even though J1sys P12S boards have unofficially announced that their P12S board can drive two universes /output, that information is NOT on their web site and I don't want to be the first to try it. The J1 sys boards has only 12 outputs/board and this Pixlite board has 16. Just seems like a better value and a better performer.
This project should be done in a few weeks as I have all the parts and currently in the final stages of building it.
And now for the most important question, can anybody think of anything I'm forgetting? I've invested a lot of money and time. Anything I'm forgetting to take into consideration? I would like to hear the successes and failures from others who have built large matrixes. Thanks --Greg--
