Pixel test 5V or 12V

[torfkop]

Hi Team,

unfortunately, my kids detected my lab and messed up all the pixels. I have checked and most on most of them is nothing mentioned if these are 5V or 12V. I know that I have both but they look the same.
Does anyone of you have a good idea to find out which one is which? I don't want to destroy those.

Best regards,
Steffen

[Poporacer]

This WiredWatts page should help!

https://www.wiredwatts.com/learn-regulators

[k6ccc]

Power them up on 5 volts and test.  If they work right, they are likely 5 volt pixels.  If they completely fail to work on 5 volts, you can try 12 volts.  Trying to run 12 volt pixels on 5 volts they wont work, but not damage them.  Trying to run 5 volt pixels on 12 volts will likely kill them.

[JonD]

k6ccc is the person I would ask.  I have seen some 12v lights still work at 5v volts, but they will be dim as they are not getting full power.  I would attach them to 5v and if they are lit bright, chances are they are 5v.  If they don't light at all, or are dim they are probably 12v. 

I don't have any 5v lights and have never played with them, so I would not be the best person to get advice from.

[k6ccc]

I'm surprised they would work at all, but as you noted, they work poorly!

I have both 12 volt and 5 volt pixels, although none that look the same.  My pixel tree and star use common bullet pixels at 5 volts, the eves and roofline have pixels that are a little smaller than a c9 bulb at 12 volts, the arches are 60 pixel per meter ribbons that never come out of the PEX tubing, my perimeter string is GE Color Effects bulbs which are 5 volts, and the candy canes use the three light blocks that are 12 volts.  Not easy to mix them up - although the perimeter and candy canes are both fed from the same F16v3 controller so I have to be VERY careful which plug goes into which port on the controller!  Lots of P-Touch labels!  All the rest is year round so always hooked up and runs at 12 volts.

[Poporacer]

I use both 12V and 5V pixels. All my 12V have Ray Wu ends and the 5v have xConnect. Impossible to mix them up. It has saved me a couple times.

[torfkop]

First of all, thanks a lot for all the cool replies. I will check it later today. Wiredwatts is definitely something that I need to check and afterwards lighten them up with 5V to see what happens.

Best greetings from Germany!