I built a large 4’x16′ pixel matrix using Chroma Mesh from Boscoyo and 1,024 5V pixels. I show how to model this in xLights to get the wiring plan and I built is as a single string of lights using one controller connection. This requires a lot of power injection. but it’s pretty easy to do on a matrix.
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hi love the vid, just done 150 bullet pixels sore thumb and fingers…how do you inject power using another unit.
Building mega tree so would like to lessen the load by placing power units every 90 deg and wire up that 90 deg area x 4. the strings I am using have a pig tail for power on every 50 nodes neg and pos would this work to take back the wires to the power supply. Getting confused as on line people say tie in the neg on the supply, is this the neg from mains or neg from low side (5volts), any help gratefully received its my first BIG display piece. Just love the videos, tried to get to the expo but just too far plus I would buy stuff and have no luggage allowance left!!!
Thanks! First, I run my pixels at 30% which reduces the power draw. For example, I run my 1200-pixel megatree off one 350-watt power supply. 5V strings generally need power every 50-80 nodes. 12V strings generally need power every 80-100 nodes. That’s for 100% brightness. Let the pixels tell you if they need more power. When building the prop, leave the ends at a point you could add power easily if needed. IOW, don’t solder and heat shrink everything until you’ve connected everything up and tried it. If feeding a single string with 2 power supplies, I always teach breaking the positive somewhere so you don’t burn out the power supplies. I have had people tell me that pixels between two power supplies provides enough load so the power supplies won’t fight each other, but I have no specifics so I say just break the positive somewhere in the middle of the string. Never connect the positives of two power supplies without a load between them. Always connect the negatives (low sides) of the two supplies, otherwise the lights will probably flicker uncontrollably due to floating voltages.
Jeff, do you know how to feed the pixel wall with live video?
I am going to build one and would like to stream live video to it, any suggestions.
Ross, Check out https://youtu.be/vxLqUlkv820 and let me know if that’s what you’re looking for. Jeff
Jeff, so what Iām trying to figure out is I want to have a live video out ex cable box outputting to device 1 and that will be a live video on the pixel matrix. Iām having a heck of a time figuring this out. And thank you very much for responding, I have asked in several fb groups and no responses.
Oh. OK. I’m unfamiliar with anything we use that handles live video. I’m not saying nothing exists, but nothing I am aware of. For videos, I believe xLights downsamples the video and then converts it to pixel data. You may be venturing out on your own here. š
Hi, my question concerns the data lead. How far can a data signal run? I completely get power injection and the reasons for it but I never see anything about the data signal. The data signal doesn’t drop over an “X” amount of pixels? I there a limit on the data side?
Data is regenerated at each pixel so once you get it to the first pixel, you’re good.