4 port passive hub - question

[txag2008]

Please help clarify something for a Smart String noob like myself.

Before diving completely in to the Smart String scene I was looking to just dip my toes in.  Can a 4 port passive hub be used without a 16 port active/passive hub to control Smart Strings?  Since the 4 port passive hub takes a pixelnet input and has 4 pixelnet outputs I was just thinking of going straight to the 4 port passive hub from the etherdongle. 

I have drawn up a simple sketch to better show the setup I am referring to.

[rmp2917]

I can't view your sketch, but yes you can connect directly to the 4 port hub. You will need to connect a 12V power supply to it and connect the output from etherdongle.

[rdebolt]

Yes. Missing from your diagram is the 12vt power supply that you will need.

[taybrynn]

This is basically a signal splitter and a 12v power injection point. 

I've never done it this way, but it seems like a simple way to hook up a few strings with a ss hub.

Just be careful on how much you attach, since most of the portable 12v power supplies
only have a few amps and you might need (up to) 4 amps for each 128 node smart string attached.

[zwiller]

I am planning to use one for testing and was actually surprised that you can power 512 nodes from one but in order for that you will need a decent PS, 16A+ or about a 250W PS. 

[RJ]

Yes this is one of its intended uses.

RJ

[rm357]

Just be forewarned that if you want to cascade them (plug a second one into the first one) you are likely to have issues as these do not include the signal regeneration and buffering that are built into the 16 port hubs.

I keep a 4 port wired up at my workbench for testing.

[sittinguphigh]

Yes. Works great.  Just have extra fuses on hand.
Or you could use removable fuses. Was going to try that myself.