Using a pipixel to power 3 meters of apa102

Old Google Group Archive
#1

Hey,

Just had a really quick newbie question.

I'm building an ambilight for my TV. I'm using a pipixel to regulate the voltage going to the leds from the rpi.

I'm powering 300 leds with a max amperage of around 20amps. I know the pipixel can handle a max amperage of 5 amps. The usage page says if I need more power to splice the power to the leds further down the strip.

In my case, am I correct in assuming that I have to splice the power to the strip four times to get the amperage to the Pipixel to five amps?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

#2

What’s the total strip length?
So, first of all… you’re not wrong that the typical max current draw will be num_leds * 0.06A, however that’s really a worst case scenario. And in your case would be 18A, not 20A… but close enough.
I’ll personally send you a crisp $10 bill if you can prove having put 18A through 300 LEDs :stuck_out_tongue:
Most likely you’ll top out at 10A, and even then, maybe even 5A
I’ve easily pushed 10A down a 5 meter long strip of 300 LEDs, but unless your TV is enormous, your strip is shorter.

So my suggestion is to simply power the strip at each end from the same power supply. Have the power supply close to the data input end, and then take some ~12-14AWG wire and run it over to the other side.

5A is just the limit of the barrel jack that we sourced for the PiPixel… that’s all. The strips can handle more.

···

On Thu, Feb 28, 2019 at 5:49 PM jonathan rodriguez jonrgz@gmail.com wrote:

Hey,

Just had a really quick newbie question.

I’m building an ambilight for my TV. I’m using a pipixel to regulate the voltage going to the leds from the rpi.

I’m powering 300 leds with a max amperage of around 20amps. I know the pipixel can handle a max amperage of 5 amps. The usage page says if I need more power to splice the power to the leds further down the strip.

In my case, am I correct in assuming that I have to splice the power to the strip four times to get the amperage to the Pipixel to five amps?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

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#3

Definitely not 5 meters, but maybe one day! A man's got to have dreams lol.

More like 3.2 meters. The leds are 96 diodes per meter, a bit overkill I know. Anyway, thanks for the help Adam, it's much appreciated.