number of strips for "RF Touch Wheel Controller for Analog RGB LED Strips - "

[baileygrib]

Hello, i was wondering how many LED strips can be connected into one RF Touch Wheel Controller. I was planning on setting up 2-3 strips around my desk that is in a corner of my room. Is it possible? they will be no more that 3-4 feet apart

[adafruit_support_bill]

The controller has 3 channels (R, G & B) rated for 4A each (12 A total). The 60 led RGB analog strips have a maximum draw of 1.2A/meter, so you could drive up to 10 meters at full brightness with that controller.

It is no problem to break that up into multiple strips to drive in parallel. Just make sure that your wiring to each strip is sufficient for the current those strips require.

[baileygrib]

do you know of any schematics that have been written up about doing this? Im new to the whole wiring thing im trying to learn from experience but i dont really want to waste money on this if i know its going to be wrong

[adafruit_support_bill]

It is not complicated. The wires are color coded for R, G & B (and the white wire is ground).

1-Get some stranded hookup wire (22 awg should be sufficient for the distances you are talking about).
2-Use color coded wire - or mark each wire with some tape.
3-Connect R, G, B and Ground wires to the labeled pads on all your strips.
4-Connect all the R's to the red wire of the controller.
5-Connect all the G's, B's and Grounds to their respective controller wires.
6-Power up and enjoy

[baileygrib]

so i can have the green AND blue wires soldered to the one controller wire with out it shorting out?

[adafruit_support_bill]

Sorry, I should have been more explicit -

4-Connect all the R's to the red wire of the controller.
5-Connect all the G's, B's and Grounds to their respective controller wires.

Means:
Connect Red to Red.
Connect Blue to Blue
Connect Green to Green
Connect Ground to Ground

[baileygrib]

ok haha thanks put i can attach two or three strips to the one set of wires?

[baileygrib]

oh nevermind i just reread past comments and it has three channels but can i have power going through all three at the same time or is it one channel at a time? (for example an rc vehicle)

[adafruit_support_bill]

The controller has a Red, Green and Blue channel.
Each strip also has a Red, Green and Blue channel.

The Red channel from the controller will drive the red channel on multiple strips simultaneously.
Same for the Green and Blue channels. So all strips will be showing the same colors at the same time.

[baileygrib]

ok that explains it. no microcontroller or computer is needed for the controller to operate? just a power supply?

[adafruit_support_bill]

That is correct. This power supply will handle up to 5 meters of strip:https://www.adafruit.com/products/352

[baileygrib]

can i use an 8x AA battery pack instead?

[adafruit_support_bill]

Yes. That will work too.