BBB16 vs PB16

[rayhjr]

I have been using PB16's or a varent of it for several years now and really like them. A couple of years ago I made several of the BBB16's but have as yet used them in my display. I'm gearing up to mount BBB16's in cases and I'm begining to thing I'll just stay with the PB's instead. You have to come up with creative ways to mount the BBB board or just cut a hole where the BBB will go under the backplate. With that, If I need to get to the SD card I have to remove the entire Board or use Extendors (which I just learned about).
Those of you using any board with the BBB on the underside, What are your feelings about this? Am I worrying about something I should not be worrying about? Have you used the card extendors? Are they OK?

I even have a wireless BBB and have several different antennas, none were much better that the ones that came with it. Anyone use wireless BBB?

[DrNeutron]

I am just building the BBB16 boards now along with some differential receivers and expansion boards.
I have a pb16 I built when Scott 1st released the boards (think it is 1.0e). Love the PB16 and decided to build the BBB16 purely due to PB shortages at the time and the extra differential port on the version 2 boards.
My plan will be to create a mount for the board using tinkercad and print on my 3d printer. Once I get around to that I will share the design if interested.
On your concern about the SDCARD, I would just ask yourself how many times have you removed one?
I know I have only removed mine once or twice for major FPP releases, but the extenders do work I use one on my 3d printer.

[rayhjr]

Yeah, I have only done that once myself when a PB16 was not doing right and I actually pulled the PB off the board not just the SD card during a show time. But I would have to do major FPP updates, when they come out. I guess using the sd card extensors would alleviate that worry. I have 1 ordered from Wired Watts but I noticed they are a foot long, that might be a bit much, I'll see.

I would like to see what you come up with but I do not have a 3d printer. I have ordered a few items from JLCPCB in the past.

In the past, it has not bothered me to Load as many pixels per port as the port will handle, or close. And for the most part it still don't bother me. I like building things and it don't cost much to build these boards, so..... why not lower the pixel per port and use several more controllers? I'm thinking about it anyway. I do like using the controller for just Data (+ and -) and add the Power at the first Pixel. I'm currently looking to see how many ports I may need and where I need them, and go from there.

Last few seasons I have used 1 controller and receivers around the yard for everything. My 24 string Mega Tree and 6 ring star on 4 outputs and has worked Great, so why mess with it. Maybe I won't.

[DrNeutron]

I have a mix mash of Pixel extenders, an E682, couple of 4 output controllers (16 universe multicast) and decided on consolidating it all into one BBB16 with expansion and differential receivers. I'll keep the pb16 as a spare and future expansion.
It is crazy how many pixels you can run from a single controller.
Also, I am still old school with these older controllers. I set everything up with absolute channels in Xlights.
With using the BBB16 and PB16 I can use the visualizer and simplify things in case I need help in setting things up. (the E682 was only controller supported in xlights).
Right now, it is kind of complicated for anyone to understand how I have things setup.
I enjoy building these boards and ordered some bare boards for the pixel radio project as well.

[DrNeutron]

Finally got around to finishing the BBB16 and some extenders/expansion boards.
20230324_115808.jpg
20230324_115842.jpg
Just a side not, the spring terminal blocks fit nicely on the BBB16 and would also work on the PB16.
These are cheaper than the plug in terminals and work nicely (almost too nice, they hold very well).
Also, I drew up a quick mount for the BBB16:
20230324_115905.jpg
If anyone is interested I will upload to thingiverse.