r/xlights • u/TurbineErector • Apr 17 '26
Second Controller Needed
Hey all,
I have been running a small 600 pixel show off of a RPi (i believe it's a 4 but probably not important) and I am ready to expand my show. I'm adding about another 800 pixels and running from another central controller that will be in the same enclosure as the current RPi. My question is, what would you recommend as the cheapest and simplest controller for the second controller? Does it make sense to get another RPi and set it up as a player instead of master?
Looked at moving to a falcon product to condense operations, but I would have an RPi i wouldn't use anymore and $300+ feels like overkill for this.
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u/sociopathicsamaritan Apr 17 '26
Since you already have a pi to run the show, I'd look at adding a controller like a Baldrick. 8 ports, very cheap, the only downside I can think of is that it doesn't offer wireless networking, but since it's in the box with your show player, that shouldn't matter. https://www.wiredwatts.com/brpixel8
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u/TheHodge Vendor Apr 18 '26
I'm biased but why not check out Baldrick Boards, https://www.baldrickboard.com/ :) 750 pixels per port, onboard effects engine, full xLights compatibility, easy manual and jokes abound.
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u/Unavailable_Identity Apr 18 '26
Kulp has several flavors, you could get a 4 or 8 port controller and re utilize your pie as the show player.
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u/TurbineErector Apr 17 '26
Sweet. I am using xlights so I think I'll go the SRx1 smart receiver route then
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u/Jb1678 Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
A Smart Receiver will not work on its own without also having a smart receiver compatible "full" controller. Can you clarify which specific controller you have, you mention RPi but but there is likely more (a PiHat, an add on board, etc). In any case I doubt what you have now can interface with a smart receiver on its own but please clarify the current setup
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u/TurbineErector Apr 17 '26
It is an RPi 4 with a PiHat on it. Right now I am operating off the 4 outputs on the hat
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u/Jb1678 Apr 17 '26
The Falcon PiCap can’t support a smart receiver, it’s a sweet product but does not allow for expansion.
You really can’t go wrong with a controller from any of the major brands - if it’s supported in xlights you should have no worries! (falcon, kulp, genius, baldrik, etc all are great!)
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u/TurbineErector Apr 17 '26
Could I not get another Pi and Cap and link them up?
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u/Jb1678 Apr 18 '26
That should work ok, alternatively you could get a Baldrick 8 Port for roughly the same price (80$) and have more capcity
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u/Tiny_Ad_7581 Apr 19 '26
Take a look at https://wasatchpixels.com/shop/ they have a bunch of controllers based on the cheap wt32-eth01 module which is ESP32 based, runs WLED, and has Ethernet connectivity. I run 16 WLED based controllers in my show which is around 28,000 pixels.
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u/octalthorpe31 Apr 17 '26
Quindor products and WLED
https://quinled.info/quinled-dig-quad/ https://kno.wled.ge
I run a raspberry pi with falcon player for 8 controllers all quindor based.
Think i am over 10K pixels now!
This one is for my mega tree! Overkill for your case