Hi,
My new workstation computer build will feature lots of fancy RGB lights, which can be programmed through my motherboard's SDK. The motherboard, however, only has two headers which can connect to said components, and I want all of my 9 RGB components to be individually controllable. So luckily, I also have a connector for addressable RGB strips. The idea is to intercept the data signal, give it 12V from the power supply and provide standardized headers which are to be used by the components.
It's very important that I won't fry my motherboard, and I don't have a lot of experience with PCB's, which is why I've come to the experts to advise my plan. So without further ado, here's what I've come up with:
Molex in is the connection coming from the power supply. The molex connection's 12V and 5V lines are rated at 11A, which should be plenty for 8 RGB components.
Data in is the addressable header coming in from the motherboard, rated at 3A. I've unknowingly connecting the 5V line and the Ground to the Molex in's lines. I don't know if it's dangerous, but I need to make sure that data's voltage is within ±0.5V of the 5V line. Is this how I should do it, or is there a safer way?
RGB outputs are the connections going to the components. My motherboard weirdly swaps red and green, so I need to bridge the red line, in order to not require a second side to my board. The motherboard's specification is 2A for these connections, but I will make sure that my components don't add up to 11A.
Data out is the same connection as data in, to make it possible to chain these PCB's in order to add even more components.
WS2811 is the IC which will be able to decode 8 bits per channel and output a voltage value for it.
The WS2811's specification provides an example 12V circuit which has some additional components added to it that I don't have here:
Useful links:
Sincerely,
CX
EDIT: Oh and now that I come to think of it. I will be first trying this out on a prototype board. Anyone know any input signal source which I can use to test it?
My new workstation computer build will feature lots of fancy RGB lights, which can be programmed through my motherboard's SDK. The motherboard, however, only has two headers which can connect to said components, and I want all of my 9 RGB components to be individually controllable. So luckily, I also have a connector for addressable RGB strips. The idea is to intercept the data signal, give it 12V from the power supply and provide standardized headers which are to be used by the components.
It's very important that I won't fry my motherboard, and I don't have a lot of experience with PCB's, which is why I've come to the experts to advise my plan. So without further ado, here's what I've come up with:
Molex in is the connection coming from the power supply. The molex connection's 12V and 5V lines are rated at 11A, which should be plenty for 8 RGB components.
Data in is the addressable header coming in from the motherboard, rated at 3A. I've unknowingly connecting the 5V line and the Ground to the Molex in's lines. I don't know if it's dangerous, but I need to make sure that data's voltage is within ±0.5V of the 5V line. Is this how I should do it, or is there a safer way?
RGB outputs are the connections going to the components. My motherboard weirdly swaps red and green, so I need to bridge the red line, in order to not require a second side to my board. The motherboard's specification is 2A for these connections, but I will make sure that my components don't add up to 11A.
Data out is the same connection as data in, to make it possible to chain these PCB's in order to add even more components.
WS2811 is the IC which will be able to decode 8 bits per channel and output a voltage value for it.
The WS2811's specification provides an example 12V circuit which has some additional components added to it that I don't have here:
- A bypass capacitor at each of the VDD connections.
- A 33Ω resistor at the data input or output for impedance, to prevent reflection and hot-swap protection.
- A divider resistor at the OutR line. I'm assuming RGB component manufactures will have this in their own component and that I don't specifically require this one.
Useful links:
- WS2811
- Motherboard manual, the headers are at page 1-23 and 1-24.
Sincerely,
CX
EDIT: Oh and now that I come to think of it. I will be first trying this out on a prototype board. Anyone know any input signal source which I can use to test it?
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