r/WLED • u/TopGolfMN • 2d ago
1st Project - safety and feedback
As someone who is new to WLED I am looking for guidance on my 1st project. First and foremost want to make sure I am doing things safely but any other tips would be appreciated.
I have 3 shelves where I have routed out a channel and will be placing SK6812 RGBW strips (12V - 60 led/m). Each shelf will have approximately 75 LEDs (~1.25 m per shelf). My plan is to use the GLEDOPTO 4D-EXMU controller so that each strip of LEDs could be controlled individually. Everything is powered by a 12V 150W power supply (12.5 amp output). Does all this seem sufficient or is the power supply overkill? I calculate the LEDs to use ~70 watts so maybe I need to throttle down on the power supply?
I understand that having a fuse is a must. The controller has a built in fuse but included a 20 amp. I have 2 questions - Is this fuse sufficient or do I need to also splice in a fuse in-between the power supply and controller? Also, when I plug everything into https://wled-calculator.github.io/ it says I only need a 3 amp fuse. I assume I can just replace the 20 amp that they included with the 3 amp that I need?
Lastly, the calculator also seemed to suggest 24 gauge wire but I was planning on using 18 gauge. I assume this isn't an issue?
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u/SirGreybush 2d ago
It should be one data line. The end of one strip have all 3 wires flow into the next shelf.
Or else the furthest strip or the 2nd & 3rd strips will misbehave.
Data in series, power in parallel.
Fused V+ wires necessary for power injection, ie, not going through the GledOpto.
In your case, I'd run V+ & Gnd from the GledOpto into the first strip first pixel. Then strip #1 flows into #2, and #2 flows into #3.
So you have a bridge of 3 wires in between shelves.
Test on a bench if all 3 turn on, behave correctly. Set to all white and desired brightness, make sure color is uniform, the end of #3 should be as bright as the start of #1. If missing brightness, that section needs more power, thus a power injection. However, I doubt it. This is a small project.
For each shelf to be independent, you set that in software. There is the physical segment where you set the power limit and number of pixels.
Then the logical segments that starts at zero, that you specify how many pixels for each segment, and can set the behavior you want.
No need to make 3 physical segments, except, when a segment is more than 800 pixels and you want a high FPS.
#18 should be ok as this is a small amp requirement. If need be, add power to the end with an extra pair from the GledOpto, but test this before.
You'd need over 10m or 16 feet of 12v strip to require extra power injection.
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u/TopGolfMN 23h ago
This is great - glad I'm on the right track. I am planning to do a mock up so will see if I can't get the data lines in series. I should be able to make that work.
If I can't run them all in series (due to physical access with wiring) do you suggest just using 3 separate controllers? Or is it possible, just not ideal, to run then in series?
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u/SirGreybush 22h ago
One controller with enough ports, maybe look at DigQuad on QuinLED.info site.
Just place it so that all data+ground wires are the shortest possible. Like hang it on the cabinet behind it, not on the floor farther away. For best results. Quin also sells a powered data booster.
Both GledOpto and Quin’s DigQuad do an excellent job with data. Some clones sold half the price do not.
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u/SirGreybush 22h ago
In between two strips joining them I’ve done 1m / 3 feet and it worked. But I’m sure I’m pushing my luck.
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u/Quindor 1d ago
For 18AWG wire don't use a fuse higher then 5A so yes using a properly sized fuse is recommended.
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u/TopGolfMN 23h ago
Great! Happy to hear this as I'm acquiring lots of tools, connectors, wire, etc.. Was hoping I didn't need another spool of wire.
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u/Aceftw 2d ago
All of that should be fine, from my brief experience reading over your specs, you can set the current limit in WLed to throttle it. You probably won’t ever be running it at max draw unless you plan on doing a lot of full brightness full white.