~DOC~ Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 I bought the 16 x100 pixie 16 12v kit this summer. I cannot find PSU wattage in the manual. Curious to what size the meanwell PSU is? I am guessing 350W but that would not make sense. It could not drive all 1600 pixels. correct me if I am wrong... 32 strings of 50= 1600 pixels each string of 50 = 15w 15w x 32 strings =480w total needed. Reason being I have my mega tree on 8 ports. Each port has 100 pixels. (1 Fold). That’s 240w on the tree. I have 8 ports left and was going to run the 8 mini trees (50 each). That bring the grand total to 1200 pixels. Which if it is only a350w PSU. It won’t cut it. I need 360w. Any additional pixels above that I should be cooking the PSU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibblejr Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 (edited) The pixie16 comes with a 500w PSU. The 500w psu will handle the 1600 but I do not recommend adding any more. You can add that second psu to have both banks controlled by a 500w You can add a second PSU - 1 per bank. That is how I build them a pixie16 gets at least 700 and I have 1 with 1400 well it’s a pixie16 and 8 combined All other pixies I build have at least 500wattS JR Edited November 10, 2020 by dibblejr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~DOC~ Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 7 hours ago, dibblejr said: The 500w psu will handle the 1600 but I do not recommend adding any more. Only going to 1200 so it is good to know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 I also do Per Bank PSU when needed (not all my controllers max out outputs) I happen to like using External models and put 2 controllers in the case. My Tree (dumb) has 2 CMB24 and I still 🙄 have to borrow ports for the center string (there are 17 strings in a half circle) and the topper. Others have a Pixie4 and a CMB24 all on a single 400W. Do your maths for each case, leave a extra margin if you run hard (lots of White) AMD pay attention to BUS Limits 8 * Ports (maxed out) is more than the bus rating . 💡 Balance the Bigger loads between the buses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibblejr Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 1 hour ago, TheDucks said: I also do Per Bank PSU when needed (not all my controllers max out outputs) I happen to like using External models and put 2 controllers in the case. My Tree (dumb) has 2 CMB24 and I still 🙄 have to borrow ports for the center string (there are 17 strings in a half circle) and the topper. Others have a Pixie4 and a CMB24 all on a single 400W. Do your maths for each case, leave a extra margin if you run hard (lots of White) AMD pay attention to BUS Limits 8 * Ports (maxed out) is more than the bus rating . 💡 Balance the Bigger loads between the buses I dislike having an external PSU. Extra stuff out in the open and they do not come with high wattages. (At least I have not located any) In the beginning of my pixie16 builds using the CG1500 I placed the controller on top of one psu and another psu was mounted in the door. The first beta pixie16 LOR sent me to test was mounted in a huge enclosure with a commercial grade meanwell 750. The enclosure cost more than a brand new LOR preassembled pixie16. After beta I added a pixie8 to this enclosure and they control my matrix. When HC started selling their 2500 enclosure I stacked two psu’s and the pcb was mounted next to them Now a friend makes some mounts that allows me to install the psu’s standing up on a side so I have even more space to add additional nice to have items in all of my builds. JR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 I use closet poles and portable holes (Stake style) for my controllers (all the cables keep them pointed where I put them). FWIW the top of the pole has a screw eye so I can Hang them for storage (on a J hook) So I mounted the Weather resistant 400W PSU (or 2) on the back (a bank can handle 360W @12V and I am only running 50 nodes per dumb port. I do push 2 ports on my Pixie 4's to 100, but the other 2 are lighter loaded (About 240W total) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OrEZiskjJj2fhwuzkadZ22k9mZ9LZU30/view?usp=sharing The fans face down (as marked on the label) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibblejr Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, TheDucks said: I use closet poles and portable holes (Stake style) for my controllers (all the cables keep them pointed where I put them). FWIW the top of the pole has a screw eye so I can Hang them for storage (on a J hook) So I mounted the Weather resistant 400W PSU (or 2) on the back (a bank can handle 360W @12V and I am only running 50 nodes per dumb port. I do push 2 ports on my Pixie 4's to 100, but the other 2 are lighter loaded (About 240W total) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OrEZiskjJj2fhwuzkadZ22k9mZ9LZU30/view?usp=sharing The fans face down (as marked on the label) Yes, I do mount the only external psu's (CF50D's) I have to my controller poles and or circle supports. I just prefer to not have all of the extra stuff hanging around. My pixie4's have 500 watts my 8's and 16's all have at least 750. Just in case I ever need PI , I will have a source in all directions. So far so good ive never needed pi. HC used to sell those 400w externals. Yesterday a member I was helping could use a 400 psu for bank 2 on his pixie16. In a pinch I suggested an external of 400 or 500 watts but could not find one. HC stopped selling them. Where is your source for the 400 or are those from HC? thanks JR Edited November 10, 2020 by dibblejr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k6ccc Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 I have never been a big fan of external (supposed to be waterproof) power supplies. All of my power supplies are either inside the house or my brick columns or in waterproof electrical boxes. I only have four controllers that have AC sources (three CCP, and one CTB16) that are outside. The CTB16 is semi-sheltered, and the CCP controllers are under trash bags (more to hide them that waterproofing). You can see one here: http://newburghlights.org/photos/2014_2_arches.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~DOC~ Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 3 hours ago, TheDucks said: Do your maths for each case, leave a extra margin if you run hard (lots of White) AMD pay attention to BUS Limits 8 * Ports (maxed out) is more than the bus rating . 💡 Balance the Bigger loads between the buses Ok I have an idea but want clarification on your term of bank and bus. If I am correct I may have to do some rework. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibblejr Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 (edited) 3 minutes ago, ~DOC~ said: Ok I have an idea but want clarification on your term of bank and bus. If I am correct I may have to do some rework. They are interchangeable however a bus is usually in a power panel a bank as I know them normally refers to a particular side. Yes you would have to remove the bridge LOR uses to bridge both banks . Of course you would leave the wires on one of them. the two banks and add a psu and just attach those wires to the right or left. Its not a lot of work. Straight forward even if you only study whats there already. JR Edited November 10, 2020 by dibblejr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~DOC~ Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 3 minutes ago, dibblejr said: They are interchangeable however a bus is usually in a power panel a bank as I know them normally refers to a particular side. Yes you would have to remove the bridge LOR uses to bridge both banks . Of course you would leave the wires on one of them. the two banks and add a psu and just attach those wires to the right or left. Its not a lot of work. Straight forward even if you only study whats there already. JR Now more question so 8 ports 1-8 is a bank. 9-16 is another. Is there an issue where I should possibly put 1-4 port and 9-12 port on my mega tree and use the other ports for mini trees or is using 1-8 port for the mega OK. Each port is at 100 pixels. When I get the mini trees up that will only have 9-16 port with 50 pixels each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibblejr Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 (edited) 5 minutes ago, ~DOC~ said: Now more question so 8 ports 1-8 is a bank. 9-16 is another. Is there an issue where I should possibly put 1-4 port and 9-12 port on my mega tree and use the other ports for mini trees or is using 1-8 port for the mega OK. Each port is at 100 pixels. When I get the mini trees up that will only have 9-16 port with 50 pixels each. Other than sequencing no problem there, however IMO your 500w PSU should be able to handle what you have. Have you physically tested it? You can move your channel buttons to sequence or copy paste. Edited November 10, 2020 by dibblejr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~DOC~ Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 3 minutes ago, dibblejr said: Other than sequencing no problem there, however IMO your 500w PSU should be able to handle what you have. Have you physically tested it? I’ve tested the mega tree and all is good. Max white saw no issues. Very bright. I have not hooked the mini yet. Still waiting on boscoyo. 😖I do have another pixie as back up though but be much easier just the one out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 51 minutes ago, ~DOC~ said: Ok I have an idea but want clarification on your term of bank and bus. If I am correct I may have to do some rework. The Bus is what moves power to the Channels My Bank is what LOR empties frequently 😛 J/K In this case they are almost identical. in usage. You have a Bank of channels that reside on the power Bus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibblejr Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 1 hour ago, ~DOC~ said: I’ve tested the mega tree and all is good. Max white saw no issues. Very bright. I have not hooked the mini yet. Still waiting on boscoyo. 😖I do have another pixie as back up though but be much easier just the one out there. If you have the lights you can connect them wherever you plan on placing the other tree so that you can be prepared. JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~DOC~ Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 12 minutes ago, dibblejr said: If you have the lights you can connect them wherever you plan on placing the other tree so that you can be prepared. JR Good point. I will do that this weekend. Will be colder so it would be a better test Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts