LED Driver PSU for pixels

MrX

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If you are wanting to power prepackaged pixels like the bullet or square nodes then pretty sure you want constant voltage. All the typical LEDs used for these displays have their own driver chips and in the case of 12 volt versions have their own inbuilt regulator. I use old server power supplies and they good at delivering high amps while staying at 12v.

I think you want constant current power supplies when you are trying to drive raw LEDs directly.
 

fasteddy

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You need constant voltage power supplies because the chip used for the pixel is the constant current driver. So all you require is a power supply that puts out a constant voltage
Constant current supplies are used to drive LEDs directly because the intensity of the LED is controlled by current
Pretty much backing up what MrX said

Below is a selection of suitable power supplies

https://www.meanwellaustralia.com.au/products/rsp-320
https://www.meanwellaustralia.com.au/products/sp-320
https://www.meanwellaustralia.com.au/products/hlg-320h
 

Toni

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Aug 31, 2018
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Sydney
Thanks guys.

This is to power 3-wire WS2811 12v 12mm IP68 bullet type smart pixel nodes from Ray. So just to confirm again I should be looking at a PSU that provides constant voltage not constant current?

I'm looking for something more enclosed and suitable for indoors - like a laptop / desktop type charger. These lights will hang around a tree or room.

Also when I use a standard / average PSU that is not constant voltage - would this explain why the pixels tend to flicker when running in a fading in and out mode?
 

Toni

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Aug 31, 2018
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Sydney
Can anyone explain the difference between a normal PSU and one labeled an LED Driver. I've been told even your everyday PSU's are constant voltage regardless.


I'm trying to figure out the correct PSUs for various lengths of pixels, would the below be correct? These strands will run completely independent of each other.

The 12mm bullet nodes Ray has supplied are 12V pixel is 12V/0.06A/0.7W, 22cm spacing between pixels.

Length -- no. of pixels -- 60mA -- 140% overspec -- Suitable PSU in Amps

5m = 23 pixels x 0.06A x 1.4 = 1.9A PSU
10m = 46 pixels x 0.06A x 1.4 = 3.8A PSU
15m = 69 pixels x 0.06A x 1.4 = 5.7A PSU
20m = 92 pixels x 0.06A x 1.4 = 7.7A PSU
50m = 230 pixels x 0.06A x 1.4 = 9.6A PSU
100m = 460 pixels x 0.06A x 1.4 = 19.3A PSU
 
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