Building an LED Tape Light DMX Controller

What size is the wiring from the power supplies to the controller? For 15A it should be a minimum of 1.5mm CSA ( 15AWG ).

almorton said:

Looks to me as if they already have a transparent cover in place.

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but not paperclip-proof

Harrison Hohnholt said:

We have High CRI but only single whites and a tunable white, no High CRI RGBW yet.

Honestly, the only time I have found CRI to affect the look is on camera or in a museum setting. "Regular" tape is around 80+ so it isn't terrible just not good enough for on camera work.

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@Jay Ashworth We have now added a High CRI 5 in 1 RGB Daylight/Tungsten to our catalog. If you get our newsletter you should be seeing that announcement today. If not let me know and I can send you the cut sheet if you are still interested.

Ben Stiegler said:

but not paperclip-proof

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@Ben Stiegler We started carrying Meanwells' HLG series because our broadcast users were looking for a fanless power supply option. It gets rid of the paperclip issue since they come with wires already attached. They are a bit more expensive but it makes it nice to just add a plug to the power supply.

gafftaper said:

The power supplies I used have a DC output of 12 Volts/15 AMPs each. The 16' RGB LED tape lights I bought draw 5 amps each. Some of them run as high as 2 amps per color so I would be under powered for some RGBA/RGBW strings. I keep debating if I screwed up by not going with 12 Volt/20 Amp power supplies. A couple years down the road I'll probably change them out.

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Gaff

I see you are purchasing from Amazon - I do see that the total amperage of the reel of tape is 5 amps. Where do you see info that some are as much as 2 amps per color? ( my frustration is finding that information. Wondering if I am missing something simple)

JChenault said:

Gaff

I see you are purchasing from Amazon - I do see that the total amperage of the reel of tape is 5 amps. Where do you see info that some are as much as 2 amps per color? ( my frustration is finding that information. Wondering if I am missing something simple)

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I spent hours reading Amazon reviews and comments trying to figure it out.

JChenault said:

Gaff

I see you are purchasing from Amazon - I do see that the total amperage of the reel of tape is 5 amps. Where do you see info that some are as much as 2 amps per color? ( my frustration is finding that information. Wondering if I am missing something simple)

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This isn’t helpful for when buying from Amazon but a good thing to do once you get the tape, put a clamp meter on it. If you are concerned about an imbalance of amperage on the channels look for a tape that has all of the colors on each diode.

We have an RGB+A tape that is 4.2a total. The RGB runs draw .9a each per 5m reel and the A draws 1.9a per 5m reel. That is because the tape is in an every other configuration. RGB-A-RGB-A and each diode has 3 emitters so when you turn on Amber more emitters turn on then when you turn on then when you turn on Red causing an imbalance.

Again, easy fix is look for tape that is all in one. There will still be a small imbalance but not enough to cause issues.