Hello, I’m working out the details of adding LED strips below a bar, and I have a few questions regarding your PiPixel board (https://www.tindie.com/products/ManiacalLabs/pipixel-raspberry-pi-led-strip-hat). I’d love to reduce the “rats nest of wires”.
I noticed that the Usage Guide says:
The PiPixel has two input options… For both the maximum current is 5A. If you need more power, you will need to splice power into the LED strip further down the line.
I’m going to be using a 5V 30A power supply for this project, and I plan to power the Raspberry Pi with a separate (smaller) power supply. If I understand the above statement correctly, plugging the power supply directly into the PiPixel will fry the board.
I’ve attached examples of what I’m trying to achieve. Both options have the power running through the board (which I will adjust as necessary). The second option is a tentative plan to address any potential voltage drop if it happens.
Two questions:
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Is the above assumption correct? Will my plan, as diagrammed, fry the board?
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If so, do you have any diagrams or corrections you can provide on how to bypass the board safely?
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Lastly, even if rerouted the input power (answer to #2), do I need to worry about the ground coming back to the PiPixel? In other words, if there was a surge or overload of some sort, would the additional amperage flow back and fry the board from the other direction?