Pixelcade Pulse Arcade Lighting Effects
Pixelcade Pulse enhances your Pixelcade experience by adding WS2812B-based LED strips, rings, and matrices that dynamically respond to game scrolling and launches from your arcade front end.
Required Hardware
The Pixelcade V2 board (purple version) is included with recent Pixelcade LED marquees. If you already have a V2 board, you do not need to purchase another. A bundle option is available for existing V2 board users who want to add Pulse arcade lighting effects.
If you’re using a Pixelcade V1 board, an AtGames BitPixel, or a Pixelcade LCD marquee, you can upgrade by purchasing the Pulse Upgrade Bundle.
Recommended Configuration
2 WS2812B LED strips, sized to your preferred length – note that 4 LED strip zones are supported (left, side, top, bottom)
FCOB (Flexible Chip-On-Board) LED strips are highly recommended for Pixelcade Pulse. Unlike traditional LED strips where exposed circuitry and copper traces are visible, FCOB strips encapsulate the LEDs in a white resin layer that hides the electronics and provides a cleaner, more polished appearance. The result is a more finished, professional look while still preserving clearly visible individual pixels for effects and animations.
That said, any WS2812B-compatible LED strip will also work.
1 Pixelcade Pulse 8×32 Matrix in Stealth Black Matte Mount
2 Pixelcade Pulse LED Speaker Grilles in Stealth Black Matte Mount
Extender Cables of varying lengths per your installation
- 1.64 ft / .5 meter extender cables
- 3.28 ft / 1 meter extender cables
- 6.56 ft / 2 meters extender cables
Optional Add-ons
2 Pixelcade Pulse 8×8 Matrices in Stealth Black Matte Mount
Pixelcade Pulse Retro 7 Segment
Powering and Safety
Power Options:
- <40 LEDs – No external power supply required, use Pixelcade V2 board power *
- >40 LEDs and < 150 LEDs – 5V, 10A Power Supply
- > 150 LEDs – MEAN WELL 5V, 60A Power Supply with AC cord with spade connectors
IMPORTANT: Do not use this ALITOVE 5V, 60A power supply as users have reported a startup voltage spoke which can damage your Pulse devices.
Each WS2812B LED can draw up to 60mA when displaying full white at maximum brightness.
* You can power up to 90 LEDs (or 2 LED Speaker Grilles) directly from the Pixelcade board, provided you reduce the brightness in the Pixelcade Companion device settings.
Power Supply Estimate:
Full brightness:
# LEDs × 60mA ÷ 1000 = Amps
For example:
400 LEDs × 60mA = 24A (full brightness)
It’s always smart to size your power supply with extra headroom for safety and long-term reliability.
Do not attempt to power the LEDs directly from the Pixelcade V2 board if using more than 40 LEDs — doing so can overload the board, lead to system failure, and in some cases, create a fire hazard.
Additionally, your Pixelcade Pulse setup must include a common ground between the GND on the Pixelcade V2 controller board and the ground of your external 5V power supply.
API
Just like Pixelcade’s LED and LCD marquees, Pixelcade Pulse also supports API control, allowing developers to extend its functionality and create custom integrations.
👉 View the Pixelcade Pulse API
Built in Thermal Safety Protection
To help protect against accidental misuse (e.g. no external 5V power source connected), the Pixelcade firmware includes built-in thermal protection. The system will automatically adjust brightness based on internal board temperature readings:
< 55°C (NORMAL)
– Full operation (no restrictions)
– All effects enabled at original brightness
55°C (ELEVATED)
– Brightness reduced to 50%
– Original brightness setting saved
– All LED effects continue
60°C (HIGH)
– Brightness reduced to 25%
– Original brightness setting saved
– All LED effects continue
65°C (CRITICAL)
– All LED effects stopped
– LEDs turned off immediately
– Thermal protection lock activated
< 48°C (RECOVERY)
– Original brightness restored
– LED effects resumed