Why all the ports on a controller…

[BrianZ]

When you’re limited to the power supply?This is probably the most frustrating part about pixels. For example, a F4v3 controller with 4 ports should be able to run approx. 1000 pixels per port, totaling 4000 pixels for this controller, right? But you’re limited to the power supply. So, this controller can run 1000 pixels total at approx. 30% brightness with 1 power supply. And that doesn’t include the power injection. If you want to use the other ports and go beyond 1000 pixels, you’ll need to add a 2 power supply. Or am I missing something here?

 

[Skymaster]

Because for redundancy or power purposes, you wont want to load each port to 100%.
Some like top run 1 prop per port, for example./

 

[Notenoughlights]

You'll start to lose framerates once you go above something like 800 pixels, so loading them up to their max isn't what everybody likes to do.

 

[BrianZ]

My idea is to connect about 750 icicle pixels from port one by daisy chaining the pixels to each other and power injecting them. My issue is, port 2,3, and 4 are dead unless I add an additional power supply. Because this power supply will be close to its limit.

 

[Skymaster]

Alternatively, if you're injecting, you could just do that on all, dont connect the power via the controller, just data and ground, and use the other three ports standalone.

 

[David_AVD]

You don't have to use the controller's port power to feed the pixels. You can just use the data and ground and use another power supply to run them.

 

[darylc]

if you are talking the F4v3 controller with a typical 350W PSU you get around 30A.

You can use an absolute max of 20A via the 4 pixel ports so you have 10A left to inject from the same power supply.

 

[BrianZ]

You don't have to use the controller's port power to feed the pixels. You can just use the data and ground and use another power supply to run them.

And that will allow me to run about 700 pixels per port?

 

[BrianZ]

if you are talking the F4v3 controller with a typical 350W PSU you get around 30A.

You can use an absolute max of 20A via the 4 pixel ports so you have 10A left to inject from the same power supply.

How many pixels in total will I be able to use with this controller and 1 power supply then?

 

[merryoncherry]

What kind of pixels?

 

[Indigogyre]

You never stated the size of your power supply. There are many different sizes for power supplies that can be used instead of the default lrs-350-12.

 

[BrianZ]

What kind of pixels?

Icicle pixel strings at 105 pixel per string about a safe 30-40% I’ll need 750 for the whole roof line.

 

[merryoncherry]

I mean are they 5V, 12V, if 12V resistor or regulated?

 

[BrianZ]

I mean are they 5V, 12V, if 12V resistor or regulated?

Sorry, 12v regulated.

 

[uncledan]

I would say hop into chat, but you're already in it. Much easier to figure this out in chat. Everyone replying is in chat. Don't be scared.. we don't bite!