FAST Parts Calculator

**imbluenote** · 05-01-2012, 01:07 PM

I don't know if this will help any one or not but figured I'd post it with the pre-sale starting today.

Enter the number of FAST tubes (1-4 ft) that you want on the attached spreadsheet and it will give you how many controller PCB, controller BOM, LED segments, and LEDs to order.

On the controller PCB there you can have 1 controller per tube or 1 controller per 4 -14 LED segements (i.e. connecting a 1ft tube w/o a controller to the end of a 3 Ft tube with a controller). The prior costs alittle more but give more fexlibility with fall rate, etc.. The latter needs less controllers, but the 3Ft and 1Ft would have the same fall rate, etc.

It is down and dirty no pretty formatting or anything, jsut thought it might help others. If you find any errors let me know, but i ran through it a few times when trying to figure out my order and it seemed correct.

**CaptKirk** · 05-01-2012, 04:09 PM

Here is what I found:

Seems to only comprehend the 14 LED strips instead of either 7 or 14 LED strips

If I want 4 x 2ft sections it tells me I need 2 sets of the 14 segment sets, but I think I would only need ONE of either the 7 LED or 14 LED strips.

The order list is a little overboard on the number of controllers needed. A single FAST controller is capable of controlling up to 8 strips (of the 7 LED strips, or 4 of the 14 LED strips) by just running a cat 5 between the end of one strip to the top of the next strip. This does mean your spacing is limited to the length of the interconnect wire, but it does cut down on the number of controllers and 5V power runs needed.

Hope this helsp...

**dlovely** · 05-01-2012, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by CaptKirk

If I want 4 x 2ft sections it tells me I need 2 sets of the 14 segment sets, but I think I would only need ONE of either the 7 LED or 14 LED strips.

Not sure I understand this... Each set of segments is 4' total. 4 x 2' is 8' total length. You are suggesting that 1 set of LED Strips can do 8'? I have to agree with the excel sheet that 8' of total strips is required (2 14 LED Sets).

Originally Posted by CaptKirk

The order list is a little overboard on the number of controllers needed. A single FAST controller is capable of controlling up to 8 strips (of the 7 LED strips, or 4 of the 14 LED strips) by just running a cat 5 between the end of one strip to the top of the next strip. This does mean your spacing is limited to the length of the interconnect wire, but it does cut down on the number of controllers and 5V power runs needed.

As far as wanting independent control the excel sheet is correct, it takes the most common operation into account. I am not sure how useful the sheet would be with here are 10 possible ways you could hack the hardware...

**imbluenote** · 05-01-2012, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by CaptKirk

Here is what I found:

Seems to only comprehend the 14 LED strips instead of either 7 or 14 LED strips

the 14 LED strip is all i saw on at the web site. But could be modifed to include both, but i didn't since it wasn't on there and I didn't know if a "set" was still 4 segments or if it was 8.

Originally Posted by CaptKirk

If I want 4 x 2ft sections it tells me I need 2 sets of the 14 segment sets, but I think I would only need ONE of either the 7 LED or 14 LED strips.

How i caluculated it, if you wanted qty 4 - 2FT tubes/segments (total of 8ft), you would need 8 pcb segments. From the web site a "set" of the 14 LED pcb segements is 4 pcb segments. So it would be 2 sets. I may have misinterpreted something if so let me know.

Originally Posted by CaptKirk

The order list is a little overboard on the number of controllers needed. A single FAST controller is capable of controlling up to 8 strips (of the 7 LED strips, or 4 of the 14 LED strips) by just running a cat 5 between the end of one strip to the top of the next strip. This does mean your spacing is limited to the length of the interconnect wire, but it does cut down on the number of controllers and 5V power runs needed.

Took me a second but i think get what you are saying on this one...in the previous example of 4 x 2Ft FAST. You could run them all 4 with just 2 controllers provided you had one controller connected to one 2 pcb segement then from the end of that run cat 5 to the next 2 pcb segment. The same for the remaining segments?
I had never really considered that, but it could be. However you would loose the ability to set fall rate, etc. on the end segment that didn't have the controller if you did that. I updated the first post to reflect that the assupmtion would be you want to control each tube independently.

@dlovely - I agree there are a bunch of different ways that they could all be connected, depending on what lengths and qty people have. I updated the sheet with the qty is using one controller per tube and if wanting to use the minimum qty of controllers.

I was really trying to make this easier as i made this the last presale to make sure i got everything i needed.

**CaptKirk** · 05-01-2012, 07:43 PM

I am used to the 7 LED segments which I use 2 to get about 1ft- got mixed up about 2ft vs two strips together- my bad. Ignore that complaint- it was wromg. I guess the real complaint is that the 7 LED strip is not comprehended at all- are they dead now?

Yes, you can run 8 conductor wire from the bottom of a strip to the top of the next up to 56 leds total. That could be 8 or the 7 LED strips, 4 of the either a pair of 7 led strips soldered together or one 14 LED, etc. The strips do not care how they are connected bottom to top- directly or via wire. Not sure if that is "hacking them" or not, but it sure is a lower cost method to make these really "Finally AFFORDABLE Snow Tubes".... Just wanted to be sure people realized you do NOT need one head per tube- but that interconnects work also...

I love the intent of the spreadsheet- it should make some people's planning easier. Thanks for putting it up.

**dlovely** · 05-01-2012, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by CaptKirk

I am used to the 7 LED segments which I use 2 to get about 1ft- got mixed up about 2ft vs two strips together- my bad. Ignore that complaint- it was wromg. I guess the real complaint is that the 7 LED strip is not comprehended at all- are they dead now?

Yes, you can run 8 conductor wire from the bottom of a strip to the top of the next up to 56 leds total. That could be 8 or the 7 LED strips, 4 of the either a pair of 7 led strips soldered together or one 14 LED, etc. The strips do not care how they are connected bottom to top- directly or via wire. Not sure if that is "hacking them" or not, but it sure is a lower cost method to make these really "Finally AFFORDABLE Snow Tubes".... Just wanted to be sure people realized you do NOT need one head per tube- but that interconnects work also...

I love the intent of the spreadsheet- it should make some people's planning easier. Thanks for putting it up.

I agree that that is another way to connect them, but I think if added to this 'beginner' sheet it might cause more confusion for someone who is new.

Two other things to mention...

The current GB offers two FAST Controller PCB options, the old 1x8 in line connector and a new 2x4 connector to match the LED Segments. I am waiting on the prototype to arrive to test the new design, the old one is what I have left in stock so if you are dear to this order before they are gone.

Second is, the 14 LED has shown more interest then the 7 LED segments, so instead of having to raise prices to split the order between two boards, I have just been running the single 14 LED board set to keep the cost down. I would not consider it dead, just has been a cost reason to as why it has not run lately. If we get the interest next year (Won't happen this buy) I can see if we can offer both and keep the prices as low as they are now.

**THurrle** · 05-02-2012, 07:21 AM

now what is needed is a picture of a nice wiring harness someone has made to go from the main controller to each of the fasts they are hooking up. Like from a ren48lsd to each of the fasts without and ugly mess of wires.

**CaptKirk** · 05-02-2012, 06:49 PM

Two wires from the Ren48LSD switching 5VDC on or off that runs to the "head" FAST logic board that is direct mounted to the to the top of the first strip.. These are self running- apply power and away they go. The Ren would be switching the Vcc to the boards (5V) on and off.

I'm not sure what you need to see??

**imbluenote** · 05-02-2012, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by CaptKirk

Two wires from the Ren48LSD switching 5VDC on or off that runs to the "head" FAST logic board that is direct mounted to the to the top of the first strip.. These are self running- apply power and away they go. The Ren would be switching the Vcc to the boards (5V) on and off.

I'm not sure what you need to see??

Just to make sure, this is the controller I am refering to.http://www.diyledexpress.com/index.p...11d40d11c85a85

**CaptKirk** · 05-02-2012, 08:51 PM

Yup that is the one I mean- that board goes in the "tube" with the strip(s) and you just add 5v. To have these controlled by a low power controller, you need:

1. a low voltage REN that has 5V output.
2. A 2 wire connection to the FAST carrying the 5v from the low voltage Ren.
3. A sequence that only turns on or off the channel controlling the FAST tube(s). You do not dim a FAST...