No Controller = No Lights?

[XmasFiend]

Hey ACL,

Forgive the noobness of this question and i really did try to search the forums and google but couldnt find anything relating to running pixels without a controller.

So i have received my pixels and the PSU but im still waiting on the controller, i got too excited and couldn't wait so in my infinite wisdom i wanted to at least make the lights turn on.

So as illustrated below, i have hooked a pixel string directly to the power (Via a 5A fuse block) and when i power it on... i get nothing!



I presume i need the controller? Or is there something else going on here??


Cheers
-Mick

 

[Katekate]

yep, they wont do anything until they get some data.

 

[OzAz]

What Kate said, but you can buy a cheap $5 tester from Hanson Electronics , Aliexpress or similar to test them

 

[Benslights]

you need a controller even something basic like this till you get a real controller http://www.hansonelectronics.com.au/product/pixel-tester-2811/

 

[Benslights]

you need a controller even something basic like this till you get a real controller http://www.hansonelectronics.com.au/product/pixel-tester-2811/

lol what oz said

 

[XmasFiend]

Thanks Yall!

 

[bretheron]

Just make sure the tester or or mini controller that you get matches the IC chip on your lights. If they are the WS2811 (looks like it) also make sure the tester plug matches the data direction of your nodes. The one in the link "may" have the wrong end on it for your node strings.