Recently I purchased this 12VDC WS2811 controller from Ray Wu and used it to test my 12VDC 2811 50 pixel strips.
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DC12V-input-WS2811-LED-smart-pixel-controller-for-testing-max-100pixels-controlled/701799_652082488.html
First of all, for only 3 American dollars, I am TRULY impressed with what this small little controller can do to test my 12VDC pixel strings. I basically power everything with a very small 12VDC power supply that I made from 8 AA batteries. Radio Shack in the USA sells a small plastic battery holder that is designed to hold 8 AA batteries that connect all the batteries in series that have a 12VDC output which is perfect to test one 12VDC strip at a time with this controller. For anybody that uses 12VDC WS2811 strips, this setup is wonderful to quickly test all of your 12VDC WS2811 strips. Since my WS2811 strips (5 meters long) have 50 pixels, this controller is amazingly perfect for testing. In my opinion, it simply is a MUST have!!!
And now to my problem,
It seems that Mr Wu also sells a 5VDC version of the same thing. See below:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DC5V-input-WS2811-LED-smart-pixel-controller-for-testing-max-100pixels-controlled/701799_652082478.html
The only issue is that the documentation indicates that the device only controls 100 pixels. My 5 meter long 5VDC strips are 150 pixels. And most of my WS2811 strips are 5VDC.
Two problems, first of all, how do I get a small battery powered handheld 5VDC power source? I can easily come up with a 6VDC portable battery power source but right now coming up with a 5VDC battery powered source is a bit of a connumdrum. The 12VDC power source that I was using to test my 12VDC pixels is smaller than a pack of cigarettes. Just 8 AA batteries. See below to look at the battery pack: Very easy and inexpensive for both the battery holder and the 8 batteries. It's a no-brainer!!
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062242
So, How do I come up with a small inexpensive battery powered handheld portable 5VDC power source?
And second of all, since my 5VDC pixel strings are 150 pixels, what might happen if I use this controller on them?? The documentation indicates that is only handles 100 pixels. Is it a 'load' issue? Would I possibly damage the strip or the controller? My initial thought is to power up the strip 'independent' from the controller with giving BOTH the controller and the strip two separate 'feeds' from the same 5VDC power source.
Would my 5VDC S2811 strips be damaged if I used a 6VDC power source? Is it worth it to risk damaging a $40.00 strip?
Anybody else using this 5VDC controller? And how are you powering it with a portable battery source?
Enjoying the light!! --Greg--
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DC12V-input-WS2811-LED-smart-pixel-controller-for-testing-max-100pixels-controlled/701799_652082488.html
First of all, for only 3 American dollars, I am TRULY impressed with what this small little controller can do to test my 12VDC pixel strings. I basically power everything with a very small 12VDC power supply that I made from 8 AA batteries. Radio Shack in the USA sells a small plastic battery holder that is designed to hold 8 AA batteries that connect all the batteries in series that have a 12VDC output which is perfect to test one 12VDC strip at a time with this controller. For anybody that uses 12VDC WS2811 strips, this setup is wonderful to quickly test all of your 12VDC WS2811 strips. Since my WS2811 strips (5 meters long) have 50 pixels, this controller is amazingly perfect for testing. In my opinion, it simply is a MUST have!!!
And now to my problem,
It seems that Mr Wu also sells a 5VDC version of the same thing. See below:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DC5V-input-WS2811-LED-smart-pixel-controller-for-testing-max-100pixels-controlled/701799_652082478.html
The only issue is that the documentation indicates that the device only controls 100 pixels. My 5 meter long 5VDC strips are 150 pixels. And most of my WS2811 strips are 5VDC.
Two problems, first of all, how do I get a small battery powered handheld 5VDC power source? I can easily come up with a 6VDC portable battery power source but right now coming up with a 5VDC battery powered source is a bit of a connumdrum. The 12VDC power source that I was using to test my 12VDC pixels is smaller than a pack of cigarettes. Just 8 AA batteries. See below to look at the battery pack: Very easy and inexpensive for both the battery holder and the 8 batteries. It's a no-brainer!!
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062242
So, How do I come up with a small inexpensive battery powered handheld portable 5VDC power source?
And second of all, since my 5VDC pixel strings are 150 pixels, what might happen if I use this controller on them?? The documentation indicates that is only handles 100 pixels. Is it a 'load' issue? Would I possibly damage the strip or the controller? My initial thought is to power up the strip 'independent' from the controller with giving BOTH the controller and the strip two separate 'feeds' from the same 5VDC power source.
Would my 5VDC S2811 strips be damaged if I used a 6VDC power source? Is it worth it to risk damaging a $40.00 strip?
Anybody else using this 5VDC controller? And how are you powering it with a portable battery source?
Enjoying the light!! --Greg--