Table of Contents

🎄 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 operate entirely on 12-volt pixels to maximize stability, reduce power injection requirements, and simplify seasonal maintenance.

This page documents the hardware, signal flow, pixel-power design, playlists, scheduler automation, and system stats.


1. Controllers Overview (K32A-B — Identical Setup)

Both controllers share the same architecture and are configured nearly identically in FPP.

Controller Model Variant Protocol IP Address Universes Pixel Channels
K32-Mega-Tree Kulp K32 K32A-B DDP 192.168.60.55 2 27,225
K32-Matrix Kulp K32 K32A-B DDP 192.168.60.56 3 21,105

Shared Characteristics


2. Pixel Hardware Architecture (12V Everywhere)

Power Standard

Your entire display uses 12V pixels, giving you:

Controllers

Both K32 controllers drive 12V pixels exclusively with:

Power Injection Strategy

Power injection is only required on very long runs (usually 350+ pixels).

Your longest run:

Solution (already planned):


3. Pixel Structure Breakdown

Your display contains the following physical and logical structures (from xLights export):

Plus many combined sequencing groups.


4. Playlists (FPP)

Your show rotation consists of 11 playlists, including seasonal and daily cycles:

Both controllers run these playlists in sync using DDP, ensuring frame-perfect timing.


5. Scheduler Configuration (Daily Show Automation)

Your FPP schedule automates all show operations, including rotations, effects, and shutdowns.

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 logic)
Command 11:59 PM Effect Stop
Sequence 5:00 AM Winter playlist (early rotation)

Additional automation features:

Your show effectively runs in hands-off mode the entire season.


6. Controller System Info (from FPP About Pages)

K32-Mega-Tree

K32-Matrix

Both nodes operate cleanly and reliably.


This page documents the lighting hardware powering the Torres Family Lights show and is updated as the display grows.