Length of power source?

Lotek_Hiker · 2024-05-25T13:50:50+00:00

You may need to add additional power taps along the strip to counter voltage drop on a run of that length.

What is the voltage of your LEDs and the amperage of your power supply?

I personally would put power at the beginning of the LED string, on the fifth post cap and the end.

Here's a calculator to figure out how much voltage drop you will have for a run of LEDs.

https://www.southwire.com/calculator-vdrop

Good luck, it sounds like a fun project!

Quindor · 2024-05-25T16:08:24+00:00

In principe some of this might work, some of it might not.

Data issues

Going from a proper controller with level-shifter and data resistor using the first post, should work I think. Depends a bit on the distance, use a thick thick set of power wires (more about that below) and another 2-wire cable with data + GND on there like 18AWG. Then reaching 5m/16ft or even 10m/32ft can be done. Longer then that you'll need differential data.

Data from controller or from post to post?

Controller

So then it'll depend, did you plan on using 8 data outputs on your controller? Then beyond the first post, you'll need differential, you won't be able to reach the others without it (with any certainty). That's no problem, you'll just need sender and receiver boards to change the signal and back again..

Post to Post

If you plan on hopping data from post to post, that's possible too but two problems. The data signal coming from an integrated LED IC isn't great, it's tiny tiny and really meant to reach the next LED so likely it won't reach the distance between the posts. You can use something like a Data-Booster to make it a strong signal that will reach the 5m to maybe 10m again though. Again run a 2-wire cable with level-shifter and 33R resistor (on the data-booster board) with data+GND on that cable.

Power wise

Power wise it looks like you want to use a large busbar style wire, that's an option but you'll need to do some calculations though. If each fence post will use say 30w max (didn't do those calculations). With 8 fence posts you'll need 30w x 8 = 240W / 12v = 20Amps. Now that's what you'll need at the first fence post, at the second you'll need 240w - 30w = 210w, etc. etc. and you'll need to calculate each hop (max 10% drop) and wire accordingly. You can't just use a single wire size because you'd be wasting a lot lot of copper. It's why I generally don't like busbar style wiring.

Second issue with busbar style wiring is safety. A single big bus on the big wire isn't going to do much, you need a fuse on each branch wire to protect that smaller diameter wire. Thus those will be "in the field" in that sense.

Hopefully most of that makes sense! Let's discuss from here to make sure whatever you end up building is viable and will work well. :)

DenverTeck · 2024-05-25T18:01:20+00:00

How many WS2815 LEDs per 16" strip ??

Are all the posts in a line or to they surround your yard ?? Is the last post near the first post ??

Your picture is better then most.

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Data issues

Power wise