NeoPixel power distance? Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit

[doublejosh]

The description on the NeoPixel description mentions that more than 6" of power distance would result in a drop of power. :?
http://www.adafruit.com/products/1312

I'm looking create a very long strand (170 ft) with lights spaced at 6 ft apart. Is this possible?

Did find this note about using a 'blind pixel'...
https://www.adafruit.com/forums/viewtop ... 47&t=39530

[adafruit_support_rick]

The power isn't really the problem - you just use a bigger power-supply. You'll be needing at least 2A. The problem is going to be data corruption. Digital signals degrade over long wire runs due to electromagnetic interference, the impedance and capacitance of the wire itself, reflections, etc.

You can mitigate some of that by using heavier-gauge wire. Sometimes, with this sort of thing, you just have to try it and see what happens.

[doublejosh]

Worth mentioning that I was able to drive 25 RGB LEDs with 6 ft of phone cord (and later ethernet cable) between each bulb. Also got confirmed all the way to 200 ft with one bulb during testing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLMrVE0isjI

[adafruit_support_rick]

Wow! Good data point. Thanks!

[doublejosh]

Proof about the 200 feet in video form :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLMrVE0isjI

Final result...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_QpBHy1OX4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka-9o_Phb_I

[adafruit_support_rick]

That's amazing. Didn't think they'd work like that.

The balloons are beautiful!