What is the wLightBox / wLightBox PRO controller used for?
The wLightBox / PRO are devices designed to control 12–24V DC RGB, RGBW, RGBWW and CCT LED strips, 2 x CCT and 5 x MONO LED strips. The PRO version of the controller is fitted with an external antenna, which increases the Wi-Fi range, and a reinforced casing, which allows the controller to be installed in locations exposed to the elements.
How does the wLightBox controller differ from the wLightBox PRO controller?
The wLightBox and wLightBox PRO controllers differ mainly in terms of their intended use and technical specifications. The wLightBox model is designed for installation in a flush-mounted box, whilst the wLightBox PRO is intended for outdoor use.
The wLightBox supports 5 channels, allowing control of up to 5 mono strips, whilst the PRO version supports 4 channels, enabling control of 4 mono strips. This difference also affects the maximum power rating – the wLightBox offers 360 W, whilst the wLightBox PRO reaches a maximum of 288 W.
What power rating of LED strip can I connect?
It depends! In both controllers, the maximum current per channel is 3A – so, depending on the supply voltage, this corresponds to 36W (for 12V) or 72W (for 24V).
Depending on the strip used, we therefore have:
RGB strip (3 channels) – 108W (12V) or 216W (24V)
RGBW strip (4 channels) – 144W (12V) or 288W (24V)
CCT strip (2 channels) – 72W (12V) or 144W (24V).
The power of the strip is given in watts per metre. We’ll use some examples to show how to convert the figures above into metres.
Let’s take a CCT strip (2 channels – warm white and cool white), for which the specification states: “CCT warm-cool 2700K–6500K 120 SMD 2835 20W 1800lm CRI>90 IP20 24V”. As a 24V controller allows us to connect a 72W load to a given channel, and the strip draws 20W per metre (the strip’s specifications state the total power for both channels – warm white and cool white), we have: 2 channels × 72W ÷ 20W/m = 7.2m.
Example specifications for a 12V RGBW strip: “neutral white: 60 LEDs, 5.2W, 460 lm; RGB: 60 LEDs, 14W”. Note that the white colour draws 5.2W, whilst the RGB colours draw 14W – but across 3 channels! This means that each colour (red, green, blue) draws 14W / 3 = 4.6W respectively. As, for 12V, we can connect 36W to a given channel on the controller, for the ‘white’ channel we have 36W / 5.2W/m = 6.9m, whilst for the RGB channels we have: 3 channels × 36W / 14W/m = 7.7m. We get two different values – we can connect 6.9 m of ‘white’ strip, and slightly more for RGB, i.e. 7.7 m. But let’s remember that white, just like red, green and blue, is actually the same strip! Therefore, we can connect a maximum of 6.9m of this strip.
If we want to connect more metres than our calculations suggest, we’ll need to use a signal amplifier/splitter – the ampBox.
Does the wLightBox / wLightBox PRO controller have an effects editor?
The wLightBox and wLightBox PRO controllers offer 10 user-editable lighting effects, allowing you to create your own lighting arrangements with specific colours, transition times and effect durations. Both models are equipped with a pop-up menu that allows you to save your favourite colours, activate an effect and edit its parameters, such as duration and transition times.
Can a button be connected to the wLightBox / wLightBox PRO controller?
Yes, a monostable (bell-type) button without backlighting can be connected to the controllers.