Corsair 430W PS $25

[zwiller]

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Nice mid sized unit.  430w *.8 /.356 = 966 nodes.  Remember $10 off code and to submit rebate within 30 days. 

[oj70chevy]

Sorry for a dumb question. If I understand right a 430W power supply would only be enough to power up 7 1/2 strings with 128 nodes all white? is this the slandered? I did not know and just bought this one for $59 - PSU CORSAIR|CMPSU-650TX 650W RT

[zwiller]

Not a dumb question.  Yep, 7.5 strings of 128.  Not really a standard (no libel  )  The PS you got is nice and higher capacity.  I tend to be more modular with my show setup and have multiple hubs near the main elements so I don't the capacity.  Cuts down long cat5 runs, etc.  The PS I posted would be perfect for a small to medium sized mega tree/Zeus IMO.   

[oj70chevy]

Thanks for the info. as this is my first try at pixels im planning on only having 6 coro canes and 2 arches on an active hub. cant wait till the coop for that and the ssc come out as i already have everything else and cant wait to start programming.

[taybrynn]

I have one PS this small, but unless you have a lot of hubs with say only 8 strings or less on them ... this supply would be too small for most of my hubs.

As mentioned, in a more distributed show ... you'd have maybe more SS Hubs and smaller PS units like these on each of them.

To me, most of mine are 550 or 650 with maybe some 500 and 450 thrown in for smaller spots.  These lower powered units are much cheaper but you end up buying more hubs, so it kind of equals out a bit.

[zwiller]

Good points.  The 500-600W ranges seems to be the best bang for the buck.  My main hubs are powered with this size as well. 

This year I hope/plan to be all 12V and will no longer have dual dmx outs of my trusty LE's and having more hubs will help alleviate this.   

[taybrynn]

Make sure they are "80 PLUS" rated.

[CaptainMurdoch]

Nice mid sized unit.  430w *.8 /.356 = 966 nodes.  Remember $10 off code and to submit rebate within 30 days.

Also keep in mind the 12V rail is only listed as 32A, so you can't use the full 430W figure when calculating how many nodes this will run.  I think this may be a lot closer to only six and a half 128-node strings rather than seven and a half if you plan for using only 80% of the 12V rail.

[oj70chevy]

This is the one I got -
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[jnealand]

Too small for my way of thinking.  I use all 630 watt PS.

[travailen]

Just make sure that, no matter what size you buy, it needs to be a single rail supply.

Rick S

[zwiller]

Nice mid sized unit.  430w *.8 /.356 = 966 nodes.  Remember $10 off code and to submit rebate within 30 days.

Also keep in mind the 12V rail is only listed as 32A, so you can't use the full 430W figure when calculating how many nodes this will run.  I think this may be a lot closer to only six and a half 128-node strings rather than seven and a half if you plan for using only 80% of the 12V rail.

Another good point (and the reason I showed my work).  32A * 12V *.8 / .356 = 862 nodes or 6.74 128ct strings.  I don't run my node count that close to max since I use multiples.  Anyway, this is cool for me since I only need to power 640 nodes for my 16x40 mega tree.  With this and a Zeus I should be pretty close to a 10' SS mega tree for $250-300. 

[taybrynn]

Just a somewhat related comment -- if your pushing the max amps limit of your PS on a ss hub ... the 4-port passive hubs do give you some nice options and versatility.

i.e. you can attach one of those 12v weatherproof/IP68 "ray wu" power supplies to the passive hub and get some additional power injected that way, offloading the need for a monster power supply on the hub.  If you just 1-3 strings too many, this may provide an easier way to offload the power for a few strings, or to get up to 19 strings out of a 16 port hub, just by adding the passive 4-port and some cheaper PS (if needed).