I'm working on a project where I need to control 576 WS2812B LEDs using a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W. I have a power supply rated at ~20Ah at 5V, and I've divided the LEDs into 8 segments with 72 LEDs each. Initially, I used the original wiring that came with the LED strips, but realizing it wasn't sufficient, I switched to thicker wire (around 12 or 14 AWG, roughly 2mm in diameter). However, during my setup tests, I encountered a problem where the wires and solder detached from the LED pads. I'm unsure about my next steps: should I use pigtail wires, a multicore wire with the same gauge, or maybe run multiple GPIO control points instead of just one? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Make sure to use a connector that can handle the interface between the strip and the thicker cable. It's best to have good strain relief as well. WS2812B LEDs typically draw around 50-60mA each, so unless you're powering them all at once in a single strip, you might not need super thick wires. You could consider a ladder network for distributing power more effectively!
You might want to look into using smaller gauge wires that lead to a bus bar for power distribution. Another option would be to boost the voltage from your battery and run the 8 groups in series. This is common with LED strips that operate at 24V, which helps reduce current. Just remember to have a suitable booster circuit for that setup. As for the signal line, regular 24-gauge wire should be fine either way.
I recommend soldering small pigtail wires directly to the LED strip first. Then, connect those pigtails to the larger power distribution wires you've got. This way, you maintain a solid connection without putting too much strain on the LED pads.
Thanks for the suggestion! I've sketched a circuit to create a bus system for power and neutral lines, and I'll run data in series. I'll definitely look into the ladder system before I solder my test!