Pixel bullets

[Christmasdisplay100]

Hi there I have a general question about the data on pixel lighting I'm. Doing our cherry tree with many directional. Branches from the main branches on the trunk and wondered if you attach 2 pixels strings inwards to the outwards side if the single string like a 'Y' shape will that work and just mimic each side of the branches on the y branch or will it corrupt data on a smallish length string

[k6ccc]

Having the output side of one pixel driving the input of two pixels generally will work.  Obviously for any pixels downstream of the Y, the lighting will be duplicated.  In other words, whatever commands are given to the 4th pixel after the Y will appear on the 4th pixel of both strings after the Y.  That can be quite limiting.  For example using your situation of branches of a tree, you would be able to do a sweep from top to bottom or bottom to top, but not side to side.

Just as an FYI, several years ago, I did a test where I had a WS2811 pixel strip that had the output end of the strip connected to more and more pixels.  I was adding only a couple of pixels on each test segment (mainly to keep current consumption down), and the wire length was less than one foot.  As I recall, I got to one pixel output driving five pixel inputs, and it was still working, but when I added a sixth, it was obviously failing.  Your pixels could be quite different.

In general, it's not highly recommended, but can work if you understand the limitations.

[AAH]

Breaking the string and creating a Y will lose the ability to have each individual pixel mapped so that you can control them individually. What you probably should be doing is on the shorter branches having the 3 wires extended back to the fork and then continue on up the longer fork. If doing that extends the string unreasonably long you can just have the data wire returning from end of the fork and at the fork T off the -ve and +ve to go up to the other fork.

[Christmasdisplay100]

Breaking the string and creating a Y will lose the ability to have each individual pixel mapped so that you can control them individually. What you probably should be doing is on the shorter branches having the 3 wires extended back to the fork and then continue on up the longer fork. If doing that extends the string unreasonably long you can just have the data wire returning from end of the fork and at the fork T off the -ve and +ve to go up to the other fork.

OK. Many thanks for the info on how to. Split the strings in a correct way much appreciated

[Christmasdisplay100]

Having the output side of one pixel driving the input of two pixels generally will work.  Obviously for any pixels downstream of the Y, the lighting will be duplicated.  In other words, whatever commands are given to the 4th pixel after the Y will appear on the 4th pixel of both strings after the Y.  That can be quite limiting.  For example using your situation of branches of a tree, you would be able to do a sweep from top to bottom or bottom to top, but not side to side.

Just as an FYI, several years ago, I did a test where I had a WS2811 pixel strip that had the output end of the strip connected to more and more pixels.  I was adding only a couple of pixels on each test segment (mainly to keep current consumption down), and the wire length was less than one foot.  As I recall, I got to one pixel output driving five pixel inputs, and it was still working, but when I added a sixth, it was obviously failing.  Your pixels could be quite different.

In general, it's not highly recommended, but can work if you understand the limitations.

OK thanks v much for this info I wasn't sure what would happen to fork the strings into a y and you have explained that many thanks