Hardware > Lynx Zeus

Zeus limitations

(1/3) > >>

njKeever:
I have used a pixelnet usb dongle, hub, and SSCs in the past, and decided to go big this year. I bought 2 Zeus 16 v1, 2 850 watt single rail PSUs, and 32 128 node strands from Ray. I plan to make two trees with 16 strands of 128 nodes. In testing with one strand, things were great. But when I hooked up all 16 channels, things got wonky. Some strands turning the wrong color, or not working at all. In digging further, I've seen discussion that Zeus can only handle 16 strands of up to 85 node due to a channel limitation of 4,096. If that's true, I assume my only option is to buy more Zeuses and PSUs. Or, could I program the Zeuses to use groups of 2 instead of 1 to cut the channel count in half from 6,144 to 3,072?

Either way, I also need to figure out why the strands have stopped responding all together. They originally flashed when programmed and responded in some way from xLights, but now do nothing. Any troubleshooting tips?

jnealand:
Grouping cuts the channel count but not the node count.  I suspect you are also pushing the power limits with that many nodes on one Zeus.  What you are describing is a common symptom of low power

njKeever:
Is there an inherent power limitation of the Zeus? I should only need 750 watts and I have an 850 watt PSU, single rail, plugged into all four power connectors on the Zeus.

rmp2917:
The main power limitation is 4 amps per output. 128 nodes would be approximately 3.8 amps depending on the nodes you purchased. This would be about 62 amps for all 16 channels. With this much current you need to make sure all the power connects are connected. Also make sure that each connection has a separate wire going back to the power supply. Do not use connections that are jumped together on the same wire. You need as many wires as possible going to the power supply to divide the current and prevent melting the wires.

If the outputs are no longer working, start by checking all of the 5 amps fuses to see if any are blown. This would indicate that you exceeded the 4 amp output and your nodes are most likely drawing more than 3.8 amps.

Does the power LED still turn on? This would indicate you are still getting power to the board but not to the outputs. If the LED is not lit, you are probably not getting power to the board. So, there is most likely something wrong with the power supply or the connections. You can also check the traces and components around the power connections to make sure nothing is burnt from pulling to much current.

Version 1 of the Zeus only has one jumper to select the universe. Therefore, all 16 channels will be set to the same universe and you will be limited to 4096 channels. Version 2 of the Zeus has a separate universe jumper for each output. So, you would not have a channel limitation with the version 2 board.

zwiller:
Agree with most points.  For some reason I have never pushed the envelope with using all channels available on a controller and same goes for the power supply.  I aim for about 50% capacity.  It has served me well.  Especially on the hubs, when blowing a fuse due to weather, I just move the jack over to another port.  I would post WTB and see if somebody has an extra Zeus and get another PS ordered.  Always some last minute shenanigans before blinky.   ;D

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page