Why did ya switch from Falcon controllers? Just ordered 3 new F16V4. Instead of the Meanwell supplies, switch to breakout board HP server power supplies. The come in 700 and 1200/900 watt units. They are super robust in a small package. But I custom build all my controllers and dont use the premade Bud box units. Cheers !
I still use my falcon f16v3. Just decided to try out the genius controllers. I like there new differential receivers. As for GP power supplies, just haven’t gotten around to trying them out.
I have not created a wiring diagram. Generally you connect the 120v plug to the AC side of the power supplies. You then connect the DC side of the power supply to the controller. One power supply connects to one side of the controller and the other power supply connects to the opposite side of the controller. In other words each power supply powers 8 ports on your controller. Hope this helps.
Nice build. Power injecting from separate power supplies, do you break the positive so the controller power and other power supplies are not feeling same string?
I am new to this hobby. Does V- cable from distro board go to V- on power supply or to the L on the power supply? I can't tell from the video. Thank you.
No- don’t think I have seen any pixel controllers that do that. The Genius controllers operate on 12 VDC, so they are powered up by the power supplies inside the box.
Might want to branch out a little. The Dig-Uno, Quad and Octa boards all have a delay out put that can be used to turn on the power supplies. Just need to provide 5v to the ESP32 chip.
Im new to the hobby. for my first year i was going to start with a controller and roofline lights. I luv your icicles. How many ft of icicles can i cover with one of these 16 port boards?
It depends. If you do power injection you can put more on an output then if you don’t. There are 150 pixels per 8 ft section. If you are using 12v pixels and run them at 50% brightness you can easily do two sections without doing power injection per output. Hope this helps.
Are you using 1 power cord for all four of your power supplies? Can you show me how you have them linked? I know I must have not been seeing it correctly but it looked like the power wires were the same colors as a pigtail?
I did only use one power cord. Most people use 2. You need to check your load and the gauge of your plug makes a difference as well. For AC power I used black for load, white for neutral, and green for ground. If you are unsure use two power cords. For DC power I used red for V+ and black for V-. So there are two types of black wires. Hope this helps.
@@bergmannlights5149 Thanks for the info. Do you know what gauge your power cords are? I believe the ones that I got were 18 AWG. They 16 AWG, Do you think those would be better to use for multiple power supplies. I used to use one cord for each PS but now I've been only using 1 in my boxes with 2 PSs. Having fewer plugs is a definite plus.
@@bergmannlights5149 I would love to see a better shot on how you did the wiring for 1 power cord for all 4 power supplies. Is there a diagram or something you can post? Is the cord going into one powersupply and daisychaining them? I wish you would have gone over that in the video.
Lots of online resources, check out xLights.org. There is also some good RUclips channels out there on getting started. For smart LED’s Canispater Christmas had some great content.
It is a nice video and a clean build, however... as a retired industrial controls systems engineer I cringe at the power supply mounting where you cover up the bottom supply fans. It may work ok in the reality of Christmas lights and cold weather, but I believe it is a bad design. Give them some breathing space..
Thanks for your insights. There is about 3/8 of an inch spacing between the stacked power supplies so the fan is not covered up. Also have a large fan, 9 inches I think,on top to pull cool air through the box.
@@bergmannlights5149 Was looking into using this box - and your video is very helpful to get a hands on feel for it. Regarding this comment which seems like a valid concern - is there room to add spacers to increase the breathing space between power supplies - say maybe one inch?
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Thank you for the help on the temperature controller!!
You're welcome!
I am really new to this and plan on building one for next year. I learned so much from you! Earned a sub!!
Glad the video was helpful
The blue tubing that comes with the kit is 1/2" PEX. Also for sale at HD/Lowes in the plumbing aisles.
Didn’t know that. Guess I should have figured it out. Thanks for the insight
Good looking kit. Goes together nicely. Building mine from scratch and got a lot of tips from watching you. Thank You.
Glad to help
Nice tutorial, enjoyed watching, thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
Why did ya switch from Falcon controllers? Just ordered 3 new F16V4.
Instead of the Meanwell supplies, switch to breakout board HP server power supplies. The come in 700 and 1200/900 watt units. They are super robust in a small package.
But I custom build all my controllers and dont use the premade Bud box units. Cheers !
I still use my falcon f16v3. Just decided to try out the genius controllers. I like there new differential receivers. As for GP power supplies, just haven’t gotten around to trying them out.
Some good tips in there. Thanks
Any time!
Really nice, thanks for sharing. Are you using 12 gauge from power supply to fuse boards?
Yes I am
Do you have a wiring diagram to follow? I am building same setup and need help.
I have not created a wiring diagram. Generally you connect the 120v plug to the AC side of the power supplies. You then connect the DC side of the power supply to the controller. One power supply connects to one side of the controller and the other power supply connects to the opposite side of the controller. In other words each power supply powers 8 ports on your controller. Hope this helps.
Nice build. Power injecting from separate power supplies, do you break the positive so the controller power and other power supplies are not feeling same string?
Yes I break the V+ in the prop or between different props. It depends on various factors like number of lights brightness level and type of pixels.
I am new to this hobby. Does V- cable from distro board go to V- on power supply or to the L on the power supply? I can't tell from the video. Thank you.
Yes- V- to V- and V+ to V+
Could you give a list of materials and were you got them. Thank you Rick
I have the major components in the description. Do you need more details?
WE REALLY NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND MAKE A LIST OF ALL THIS STUFF.
About the Genius controller, is there a relay output to turn on the power supplies?
No- don’t think I have seen any pixel controllers that do that. The Genius controllers operate on 12 VDC, so they are powered up by the power supplies inside the box.
Might want to branch out a little. The Dig-Uno, Quad and Octa boards all have a delay out put that can be used to turn on the power supplies. Just need to provide 5v to the ESP32 chip.
@@eekedout did not know that, thanks for the info
Im new to the hobby. for my first year i was going to start with a controller and roofline lights. I luv your icicles. How many ft of icicles can i cover with one of these 16 port boards?
It depends. If you do power injection you can put more on an output then if you don’t. There are 150 pixels per 8 ft section. If you are using 12v pixels and run them at 50% brightness you can easily do two sections without doing power injection per output. Hope this helps.
Do a mega tree first. Its a great learning curve display!
Are you using 1 power cord for all four of your power supplies? Can you show me how you have them linked? I know I must have not been seeing it correctly but it looked like the power wires were the same colors as a pigtail?
I did only use one power cord. Most people use 2. You need to check your load and the gauge of your plug makes a difference as well. For AC power I used black for load, white for neutral, and green for ground. If you are unsure use two power cords. For DC power I used red for V+ and black for V-. So there are two types of black wires. Hope this helps.
@@bergmannlights5149 Thanks for the info. Do you know what gauge your power cords are? I believe the ones that I got were 18 AWG. They 16 AWG, Do you think those would be better to use for multiple power supplies. I used to use one cord for each PS but now I've been only using 1 in my boxes with 2 PSs. Having fewer plugs is a definite plus.
@@chestercampbell5681 bigger is better. Go for 16 awg. One 16 awg for 2 power supplies is good in my experience
@@bergmannlights5149 I would love to see a better shot on how you did the wiring for 1 power cord for all 4 power supplies. Is there a diagram or something you can post? Is the cord going into one powersupply and daisychaining them? I wish you would have gone over that in the video.
The thicker the wire the better do go for 16 awg or better for 4 power supplies. I just ran jumpers from the power supplies using 12 awg wire.
That key looks the same shape as a gas fireplace shut off valve
You know you might be right.
What software do you use to control all this? My stuff is so small and it is just WLED still.
I use xLights. There are several others you can use. xLights is very powerful and there is a lot of community support. It is also open source.
fascinating ! I how I can get my head wrapped around this !
Lots of online resources, check out xLights.org. There is also some good RUclips channels out there on getting started. For smart LED’s Canispater Christmas had some great content.
Why so many power supply?
For power injection. I probably have more then I need but better safe than sorry.
It is a nice video and a clean build, however... as a retired industrial controls systems engineer I cringe at the power supply mounting where you cover up the bottom supply fans. It may work ok in the reality of Christmas lights and cold weather, but I believe it is a bad design. Give them some breathing space..
Thanks for your insights. There is about 3/8 of an inch spacing between the stacked power supplies so the fan is not covered up. Also have a large fan, 9 inches I think,on top to pull cool air through the box.
@@bergmannlights5149 Was looking into using this box - and your video is very helpful to get a hands on feel for it. Regarding this comment which seems like a valid concern - is there room to add spacers to increase the breathing space between power supplies - say maybe one inch?
Yes this box is very large. You could have a stack of 3 power supplies so if you have two of them you will have plenty of space.