Power
Voltage strategy
The full installation runs 24V to minimize voltage drop over long cable runs. The rose window is the one exception — WS2813 is 5V-only, so a buck converter steps it down at the window.
| Zone | Voltage | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Arches | 24V | Long runs, less voltage drop |
| Spires & canopy (globe nodes) | 24V | Ordered in 24V RGB |
| Rose window strips | 5V via 24V→5V buck converter | WS2813 is 5V-only |
| Controllers / SmartReceivers | Per device spec | F48V5: 12V; SRx4: matches strip voltage |
Rose window power
At realistic 20% brightness: ~95W typical, ~480W peak.
A single 24V→5V buck converter (Mean Well SD-150B-5, ~$40, 150W) handles typical load with headroom. The 24V supply feeding it must budget for this load.
PSUs
PSU selection pending until full LED counts and zone layout are confirmed. Do not order yet.
Candidate: Mean Well HLG-240H-24
Mean Well HLG-240H-24 — 240W, 24V, 10A output.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Output | 24V / 10A / 240W |
| Input | 90–305V AC (generator-friendly wide range) |
| IP rating | IP65/IP67 |
| Efficiency | ~93% |
| Temp range | −40°C to +60°C ambient (fanless) |
| Mode | Constant voltage + constant current |
Good fit for the 24V distribution backbone. Multiple units will be needed for full playa load — final count TBD once LED totals are confirmed.
First unit: being ordered now to power the rose window in NYC lab testing (24V → buck converter → SRx4 → 16 petal strips). One HLG-240H-24 is sufficient for the rose window alone (window peaks at ~150W through the converter; PSU rated 240W). This unit then ships to playa as part of the 24V distribution.
Playa power
Generator capacity TBD. Full load estimate pending final LED counts.