What is it?

Lightkraken is a PoE++ (802.3bt Type 4) powered LED strip driver.

• Up to 70W of power+data through a single standard Cat5 network cable
• Supports ArtNet and E1.13 protocols
• Supports most common programmable strips (WS2812b, APA102 etc.) or (as a hardwired option) can drive analog RGB(W) strips using PWM at 14 bit resolution
• 5V/12V/24V output selectable with a switch
• web configurator built into device

Why did you make it?

Nothing like it exists yet on the open market.

What makes it special?

PoE++ support, meaning up to 70W of power delivery vs standard PoE which is limited to 25W.

Detailed information

• PCB comes fully assembled, tested and ready to plug into any PoE switch as pictured above
• A case is optional

PoE Power

Fully compatible with switches which support the following PoE standards:

• 802.3bt Type 4 "PoE++" (70W max)
• 802.3bt Type 3 "4PPoE" (50W max)
• 802.3at Type 2 "PoE+" (25W max)
• 802.3af (802.3at Type 1) "PoE" (12.5W max)

PoE++ switches are still rare, but I have tested the following switches:

• UniFi® Industrial Switch (USW‑Industrial) Up to 60W per port.
• POE-171A-95 This switch can push up to 90W!
• GS-6320-24UP2T2XV Up to 60W per port.

Networking

• 100/10Mbit ethernet
• single RJ45 connector
• DHCP (default) or static IP address. IPv4 only.
• Each device has a unique MAC (LAA) address and host name
• Each device has a built-in web configuration page. No public internet connection is required.

ArtNet and E1.31

• Each device supports up to 5 universes per output. For RGB strips that means up to 1020 LEDs per output (see "Reality Check" below)
• Accepts unicast or broadcast ArtNet packets
• Accepts unicast E1.31 traffic and joins E1.31 multicast address space by default
• Supports ArtNet and E1.31 synchronization packets

Data input modes

• RGB 8-bit sequential DMX data. RGB is automatically converted to RGBW if such a strip is used.
• RGBW 8-bit sequential DMX data. RGBW is automatically converted to RGB if such a strip is used.
• sRGB 8-bit sequential DMX data. This will convert the received data using the reverse sRGB transfer function ("gamma correction").

Output power modes

• 5.4V @ 10A (54W)
• 12V @ 5.8A (70W)
• 23.5V @ 3A (70W)

There is a 3-position switch on the board which allows you to select the output voltage. Left position is 5.4V, middle is 12V and right position is 23.5V.

If you drive your LEDs at 25W or higher it is recommended to install a fan as the DC/DC conversion section on the board can become rather hot without one (I measured 100C/212F in open air, this will be much higher in an enclosed space). The board comes with a standard JST XH2.54-2P fan header, readily available 30x30mm fans work fine. Optionally you can purchase a 3D printed cased with the fan already mounted. Make sure that the voltage of the fan matches the voltage of the LED strips you use.

Miscellaneous

• Firmware is open source
• Firmware can be easily upgraded over the network
• JST XH2.54-2P fan header
• 3D printable case designs available on thingiverse.

Reality check

54W@5V and 70W@12V is not a lot in the grand scheme of things. While Lightkraken supports up to 5 universes per output, don't expect to be able to drive LEDs at full brightness using this configuration. Realistically expect 1 universe (~256 LEDs) per Lightkraken device at full brightness. I have tested one of these LED arrays successfully on the above mentioned POE-171A-95 switch for several weeks. YMMV will vary of course as all LEDs out there vary in specifications.