Powering RGB strips

[pghquest]

Ok guys I need some serious advice..

 

I started buying and mounting RGB light strips on my gutters, (yes I know its early, but I'm not sure I know what i'm doing yet and I dont want to be out there in 20 below learning)

 

I ran power supply, then plugged in the RGB lights to it, and then a 2nd set, and after that, there isnt enough power for a 3rd set so I bought an amplifier to boost the power, and running another set, (hopefully 2 more off each amplifier), but the question is this.

 

Can I just keep daisy chaining them?  That doesnt seem like its a good way to do it because the initial power supply probably isnt powerful enough to just keep going.

 

At what point do I need to run new extension cords to continue running new strips?

 

I have a rather large home, (6,000 sf), and I dont want to be taking them down so advice is greatly appreciated.

[Frank Farmer]

I don't think its early, I just finished putting mine up tonight.,705 ribbon pixels, 2115 channels.

Just over 50 feet on the front and just over 150 feet down the side of the building.

http://lightshow.franktronics.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/IMG_20130909_212221_941.jpg

This is all blue at 50% intensity!

I have three controllers (E6804) with power supplies. One on the front of the building and two down the side.

http://lightshow.franktronics.net/?attachment_id=880

Edited September 10, 2013 by Frank Farmer

[pghquest]

Ok, now I'm getting somewhere because I did see those power supplies for sale, but wasnt sure how to wire them, or if they would even work..What is that pc card they are plugged into, and how do I figure out how many strips I can run off a power supply?

Do you just daisy chain the lights using one of those types of power supplies?

I figured before i'm done I'll end up with about 50 strans of lights to do my roof and gutters, another 30 for windows,

 

For starters: https://sphotos-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1235145_10201794168637847_1293264368_n.jpg

 

What the house looks like during the day: https://sphotos-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/311604_4330626665785_2105957608_n.jpg

[Frank Farmer]

I'm using the sandevice E6084 to run my ribbons.

http://www.sandevices.com/E6804Info.html

Each controller  runs up to 3 ribbons on each side of it. The ribbons are mounted on 3/4" (1/16" wall) square tubing. Extra DC power lines run down the tubing to inject power at every ribbon.  I'm planning on adding some vertical ribbons near the windows that will also attach to these controllers/power supplies.  Each power supply is 30Amps DC @12V.

[Little_b]

Here are a couple of links to sites that helped me out a bit when designing my own:

 

http://blog.holidaycoro.com/2013/03/outlining-your-house-in-rgb-lights.html

 

http://forums.lightorama.com/index.php?/topic/24910-dumb-rgb-strips-for-next-years-display-2013

 

 

I separated each section of my roof to be on a different channel to give me more options for effects.  Each section has about 2 10'-12' strips.  I plan on wiring them in parallel so there is no voltage drop for the added length vs daisy chaining them.  I am using dumb rgb strips this year for the first time and so far my tests are going well.  I am using 2 LOR Deluxe DC Board CMB 16D-QC to control them.  There are many options to choose from, but since I am using everything else LOR I just stuck with the same brand controller. 

[pghquest]

I'm using the sandevice E6084 to run my ribbons.

http://www.sandevices.com/E6804Info.html

Each controller  runs up to 3 ribbons on each side of it. The ribbons are mounted on 3/4" (1/16" wall) square tubing. Extra DC power lines run down the tubing to inject power at every ribbon.  I'm planning on adding some vertical ribbons near the windows that will also attach to these controllers/power supplies.  Each power supply is 30Amps DC @12V.

When you say each controller runs up to 3 ribbons on each side, I'm assuming you mean thats your preference, and not a limitation because right now I have 6 ribbons hooked up to one without a problem. 

 

The lights i have are 15 watts, so in theory if I bought one of these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008HARHN8/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AXEJGN8WLZD9M

 

I could daisy chain 24 strips to one, is that correct?  I never would connect that because as Little mentioned, options for effects are being considered as well.

[pghquest]

Here are a couple of links to sites that helped me out a bit when designing my own:

 

http://blog.holidaycoro.com/2013/03/outlining-your-house-in-rgb-lights.html

 

http://forums.lightorama.com/index.php?/topic/24910-dumb-rgb-strips-for-next-years-display-2013

 

 

I separated each section of my roof to be on a different channel to give me more options for effects.  Each section has about 2 10'-12' strips.  I plan on wiring them in parallel so there is no voltage drop for the added length vs daisy chaining them.  I am using dumb rgb strips this year for the first time and so far my tests are going well.  I am using 2 LOR Deluxe DC Board CMB 16D-QC to control them.  There are many options to choose from, but since I am using everything else LOR I just stuck with the same brand controller. 

I'm also running dumb lights for the roof, just to get my feet wet  The video was very informative, pretty much confirmed what I was thinking, except I was planning to use amplifiers, rather than controllers because I dont have a lot of need to change the colors right now.  I was planning on using the remote to just set one section up as green, other one as red, and then next year go into the computer controllers to change the colors.

 

It did have me thinking about seperating them more though, rather than just daising chaining them all together.  I have to hire help to get them up on my roof, (dont trust me standing 50 feet in the air on a ladder).. so I guess i need to make sure its the way I want it from start.

 

I know if I do a crappy job, everyone will see it, its that house in the neighborhood that stands out regardless, so I'm trying my best to make sure its something people remember in a positive light.

[Frank Farmer]

It is a preference, It can do more. By keeping it down to 3 on each side I reduce the length I have to run power and each chain is on it's own universe.  Just keeps it neat for me.  I'm only running about 20 ribbons for the roofline, but I have other RGB stuff to add to each controller later.

[pghquest]

It is a preference, It can do more. By keeping it down to 3 on each side I reduce the length I have to run power and each chain is on it's own universe.  Just keeps it neat for me.  I'm only running about 20 ribbons for the roofline, but I have other RGB stuff to add to each controller later.

Ok thats what I thought.  I pretty much want to get the lights up and working for this year, and then next year worry about other rgb stuff.  I realize its more work, but I have to program my songs yet and need to figure out how many channels I'm going to use on the RGB lights.

 

Can you recommend a power supply?  Most of the ones I've seen dont appear to be water proof, and I'm planning on using these outdoor all year.

[plasmadrive]

I ran into issues with powering strips where at the end of 5 meters there was a large color shift when displayed as all white.  I made icicles this year and I wound up feeding them power every meter worth of LEDs.  These are the 5v 2812B flex strips.   Anything but white was ok for several meters, just not white. 

[Little_b]

^{As far as power supplies, just make sure to calculate out how power your strips are going to need.  Not all strips are the same so it's best to get out your multi-reader and see how much it is actually using.  Most threads I've read are using 350w power supplies which is plenty of power for about 20 strips. Again depending on the type and how much it actually uses.  Most are not weatherproof, but can be put in a case to make them.  I am using some CG-1500 Enclosures from http://radiant-holidays.com to enclose my controller and power supply.}

[Frank Farmer]

I'm also using the CG-1500 enclosures for my power supplies and pixel controllers.  I have not seen any waterproof power supplies, but I need something to put my controller in anyhow.

[pghquest]

Thanks for the info.  I ordered one of these yesterday to experiment with

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008HARHN8/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I'm really hoping I ordered the right thing, I think I'm going to need 3 of them to begin with just to outline the house.

 

I also bought some amplifiers, but I have yet to get one of those to work.

[pghquest]

btw, I was also thinking of buying something like this

 

http://www.amazon.com/Suncast-GS1250B-Vertical-Tool-20-cubic/dp/B000063082/ref=sr_1_15?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1378881579&sr=1-15&keywords=shed

 

To mount the enclosures in, this way I can keep them out of the weather, and when the holiday is over, just carry the whole thing into the garage for storage.  This would also keep them safer because I can lock them up..

 

Only issue is I'd obviously need to cut a big hole in the back of the box to run the extension cords.

[pghquest]

I'm also using the CG-1500 enclosures for my power supplies and pixel controllers.  I have not seen any waterproof power supplies, but I need something to put my controller in anyhow.

Thanks, I did order some enclosures from them, they didnt have a lot of the 1500's, so I think I ended up with the 2000's.. 

[pghquest]

Well the power supplies arrived today, now I of course need controllers for them, and I still need my enclosures..  I ordered them last week, no email confirmation or a bill for the shipping.  I called and got voicemail..

 

In the meantime, any suggestions on the controllers and how do I figure out how many of them I need?  I'm thinking 1 per power supply? 

[Frank Farmer]

I have one controller per power supply. As you can see in the picture I'm using a sandevice E6804. I have 3 of these boxes along the 200+ feet of roofline.  Right now I'm only using 2 of the 4 ports for the roofline pixels. The other two ports are for later expansion.

 

 

http://lightshow.franktronics.net/?attachment_id=881

[DDyess]

maybe someone can help me....I am wanting to use RGB smart strips for my light display and I have read and am still confused, but the price difference is way cheaper then going CCR.

I am looking to buy 23 RGB strips 16.4ft long.

What exactly will I need to daisy chain them together and how many power strips, ect to use with the LOR software?

A step by step would be much appreciated, I really don't want to have to buy the min. of 9 CCR's for 3x's the amount of what I can get these strips for.

If a direct contact is better I can do email or text.

Thanks....I'm getting over whelmed and need help!!

<3

[viennaxmas]

You will need two things - a controller and a power supply.

The smart RGB strips usually have 3 wires (some have 4) two for power and 1 or 2 for the control signal.

While you can daisy chain the control signal, you will need to power each strip individually.

For daisy chaining the control signal you need to know how many pixels your controller can support - for example: the J1sys P12S can support 1 DMX universe per output. This allows up to 170 pixels in theory since each pixel is 3 channels. On 50ct pixel strings, you can daisy chain 3.

For the power - you need some DC power supply matching the voltage of your strips - usually 5V or 12V.

You need to know the power consumption of each strip to determine how much power you need.

The technicolor pixel use .3W per pixel - so for a 50 ct you need 15 W. For a 150ct pixel strip at 12 V you would need about 35 W - depending on model.

Always count for 25% overhead too...

So if your pixel strings need 200 W get a 250W power supply.

As I said, this is all depending on the type of material you are planning to use and it is always good to measure too...

Hope this helps as a starting point....

[DDyess]

thank you....I saw some on amazon 150 pixels...12v

how does it work w LOR/ through the cat5 cable?