Wb1616 inputs.

[Esski]

Please excuse, but I am a newbie with lots of questions. Is the power output -v the same as ground on the wb1616 controller? When I apply power to the wb1616 initially, what should I see without anything attached?

 

[merryoncherry]

A lot of people call V- "ground" and use these terms interchangeably. Your power supply would produce DC V+ and V-, V- may or may not be the same as "ground" according to A/C ground or a metal rod placed in the ground nearby, and it doesn't matter as to whether it is or is not, as you'll be keeping this V- isolated from other things. (Right?)

Before applying power (via V+ and V-/ground) from a power supply, be sure the voltage selector switch is set properly. If it is not, I think it probably won't hurt, but the board will refuse to power up.

Then, when you apply power, the following should happen:
1. Power supply generally would have an indicator LED that would light
2. Fuse indicators on the controller cape board would light up green
3. LEDs on the beagleboard under the WB1616 cape would light blue and flash a bit
4. OLED would (eventually) show the Wally's Lights logo (in blue / yellow), followed by the FPP status screen

How far are you getting?

 

[Esski]

A lot of people call V- "ground" and use these terms interchangeably. Your power supply would produce DC V+ and V-, V- may or may not be the same as "ground" according to A/C ground or a metal rod placed in the ground nearby, and it doesn't matter as to whether it is or is not, as you'll be keeping this V- isolated from other things. (Right?)

Before applying power (via V+ and V-/ground) from a power supply, be sure the voltage selector switch is set properly. If it is not, I think it probably won't hurt, but the board will refuse to power up.

Then, when you apply power, the following should happen:
1. Power supply generally would have an indicator LED that would light
2. Fuse indicators on the controller cape board would light up green
3. LEDs on the beagleboard under the WB1616 cape would light blue and flash a bit
4. OLED would (eventually) show the Wally's Lights logo (in blue / yellow), followed by the FPP status screen

How far are you getting?

I have been afraid to power up the wb1616 for far of smoking it. I have all the strands, pole, and pigtails attached to the strands but have not attached them to the power supply. I have 16 strands of 100 smart leds for a mega tree. I appreciate your patience and help

 

[merryoncherry]

Attach a photo showing as much detail as possible.

 

[merryoncherry]

Just don't mess up in the vicinity of the gold boxes and you won't smoke anything. (Everything else is fused.)

Also the PSU is generally self-protected pretty well.

I do suggest using a GFCI (aka RCD) of some sort, because they are cheap, available, and offer some protection against a variety of moderate dangers.