Help with wiring with x2 power supplies and x4 strips

1

Hi,

I’ve been looking for schematic on how to wire x4 ws2812B (5m each with x2 120w power supplies using one esp32.

Can anyone help with the wiring for this?

Will I need a lever shifter?
Should I use any resistors/capacitors?

Any help much appreciated

D

2

Generally, you want your power evenly distributed amongst your strips.
With 4 strips (A,B,C,D) joined as A->B->C->D and 2 power supplies (PS1, PS2) the simplest layout is to try and power the AB pair at the A->B join and the CD pair at the C->D join.

An explicit ground wire common between all strips and power supplies is required.
There should be no connection of the power line between B->C, only data and ground.

Data is fed into A only, power for the ESP32 can come from either PS1, PS2, or even a separate power supply as long as the ground line for the ESP32 is connected to the other PS grounds.

Depending on distances involved, you may need more power injection and/or a level shifter.

3

Thank you very much for detailed response.

All makes sense now.

Do you know if I would need any resistors or capacitors?

Lastly, how would I know if I need a level shifter?

Thanks again

D

4

I personally have never needed the larger (1000uF+) capacitors suggested in some diagrams.
I attribute that to working harder to ensure there is good power to all parts of the strips.
Similarly I don’t use inline data resistors
For me, the MCU is either very close to the data start or I use a TxRx pair to make the data source close.

I would assume you need a levelshifter rather than the opposite - note a TxRx pair is also a levelshifter so if you want your MCU a long distance from your strip(s) that’s already covered.

Make sure you have fun with stuff :wink: