Recommended connection of 24V LED strips in home automation

Hi everyone,

I'm probably asking my question in the wrong forum. But maybe there are a few KNX/smart home experts here.

I’m currently thinking about how to best connect 24V LED strips. There will probably be a total of 6 strips at 36/72 watts each in 5 different rooms. Most likely single color, warm white, but possibly also RGB(W). I am considering the following options:
1. KNX bus -> KNX-DALI gateway + 230V mains -> NYM 5x1.5² cable -> DALI ballast/driver (reduces voltage to 24V) -> LED strip
2. WLAN + 24V power supply -> WiFi LED controller -> LED strip
Option 2 would be significantly cheaper because the cheap Chinese WiFi LED controllers only cost around €20. A DALI driver already costs considerably more, as does the DALI gateway. KNX is already installed anyway. In our rental apartment, I’ve had good experiences with the cheap devices; they can be controlled very well via FHEM. But would you install something like that in a permanent installation?

And then it's not entirely clear to me for both options whether the controller/driver/ballast must be installed close to the light or whether it can also be done centrally in the technical room. Of course, central would be preferable for me. In the living space you don’t want to have the devices visible, and if you hide them in the wall, you can’t easily access them if something breaks. I am aware that a larger conductor cross-section is necessary to carry 24V over a longer distance. Are there any other points that favor decentralized drivers?

Certainly, I am not the first to plan something like this. What does the installation look like for you?

Best regards
Stefan

Why does it have to be DALI? How about central wiring and then 24V to the strips? If you still have the option, definitely lay cables, no Wi-Fi stuff.

I have centrally installed dimmers (KNX, Eldoled or similar also works) and then 24 volts to the spots. It also works with strips. Pay attention to cable length and loss but with 2.5 mm² you're basically on the safe side, if necessary. I have the LED controller from MDT and am very satisfied. But there are several products on the market.

Hi, thanks for the reply! It doesn't have to be DALI. In Stefan Heinle's book, it says that DALI quickly becomes cheaper than KNX dimmers when you have multiple lamps, which a first price comparison confirmed. But if you have your dimmers centrally, it should work the same with DALI or WiFi controllers, right? From the controller onwards, the wiring is identical in all variants?

Yes, the book by Heinle, although quite new, was published before the new KNX devices. You would have to calculate again here. But in general, of course, you can also use DALI. For me, it was not worth it given the quantity, and I also did not necessarily want another bus.

With central, you can decide there. Correct.

Could you post the exact designation of your dimmer?

MDT LED Controller (AKD-0424R.01)

But the new version will be coming soon. 170 euros, so 42.50 euros per channel.