FPP Lighting Hardware

The Torres Family Lights display is powered by two Kulp K32A-B pixel controllers running Falcon Player (FPP). Both controllers use identical hardware architecture and are fed by a fully 12-volt pixel ecosystem to maximize stability, reduce power injection needs, and simplify maintenance.

This section documents the hardware, signal flow, pixel power design, and show configuration for both controllers.

1. Controllers Overview (K32A-B — Identical Setup)
Controllers
Controller	Model	Variant	Protocol	IP Address	Universes	Pixel Channels
K32-Mega-Tree	Kulp K32	K32A-B	DDP	192.168.60.55	2	27,225 channels
K32-Matrix	Kulp K32	K32A-B	DDP	192.168.60.56	3	21,105 channels
Shared Characteristics

32 native pixel outputs per controller

12V pixel power design

Auto Layout: Enabled

Auto Size: Enabled

Vendor: KulpLights

Network: Dedicated lighting VLAN (60.x.x.x)

2. Pixel Hardware Architecture (12V Everywhere)
Power Standard

Your entire display runs on 12-volt pixels.
This provides:

Longer power runs

Lower voltage drop

Less power injection needed

Better performance at lower brightness (your show runs at ~40%)

Cleaner wiring and easier troubleshooting

Controllers

Both K32 controllers drive 12V pixels exclusively using direct injection from fused outputs.

Power Injection Strategy

Only required on extremely long runs (typically >350 pixels)

Your longest run: 371 pixels on upper roofline icicles

Even at 40% brightness you observe slight pinking at the end — normal for a 12v feed that long

Solution:

Inject at the end of the run, hidden in gutter

Single injection point is enough since show brightness is limited

3. Structure Breakdown

Your display includes the following pixel structures (as exported from xLights):

Icicle Tips

Big Drops

Icicle Arches

ALL Roof

ALL Stars

ALL House

ALL House Decorations

ALL Yard

All Display with Tree

All House with Tree

All Icicles

Arches

Gutters

House Verticals

Mini Trees

Mini Trees Odd

Snowflake Arms

Snowflake Tips

Snowflake Rings

Stars on Trees

Windows & Doors

Candy Canes

Garage Matrix

House Outline

Lollipop Sticks

Lollipop Tops

Lollipops

Mini Tree Even

And many combined groups for sequencing.

4. Playlists (FPP)

You currently run 11 playlists in rotation:

Christmas – remote

Christmas1

Christmas2

Christmas3

Christmas4

Halloween

ShowDay1

ShowDay2

ShowDay3

ShowDay4

Sunday

These feed both controllers using DDP for perfect sync.

5. Scheduler Configuration (Daily Show Automation)

Your schedule automates ALL show start/stop logic:

Type	Time	Function
Script	4:00 PM	start_rotating_show.sh
Command	4:00 PM	Effect Start (Floods)
Command	4:00 PM	Effect Start (Sign Flood)
Command	10:00 PM	Stop Gracefully
Sequence	5:00 PM	Winter playlist (even/odd days split)
Command	11:59 PM	Effect Stop
Sequence	5:00 AM	Winter playlist (early rotation)

You also use:

Immediate vs Hard Stop

Odd/Even day logic

Long-range date windows (2025–2035)

Your show automation is fully hands-off and stable all season.

6. Controller System Info (from FPP About Pages)

K32-Mega-Tree

FPP v8.5.1-24

BeagleBone Black

Kernel: 6.1

Uptime often >12 days

VIN: 12.1V (typical)

Disk: 83% free

K32-Matrix

Same platform

Same firmware branch

Similar uptime, power, and disk usage

Both nodes run clean with no CPU or memory pressure.