Got my iDMX1000 today!! Time to put it to use (dialup beware!) - DIY Direct Control of Hardware. Read Only. No more posting. - PlanetChristmas! Forums. Read Only. We've moved to http://talk.planetchristmas.com - The Forums of PlanetChristmas have moved to http://talk.PlanetChristmas.com
First of all, let me thank all of you out there in PC land and all that have been bitten by the same bug as me. Here is the latest thing I have been working on. I had only recently discovered the DMX world and was impressed by the wide range of available devices and the ability for LOR to communicate with them via the iDMX1000. I put together a little something using an AVR controller which includes constant current source drivers for driving high flux LED's. I developed the boards using expressPCB (free software, good boards) and they turned out well. They have a prototype service, 3 boards minimum that I used here. No silkscreen or solder mask but the price is good.
Here is one of the boards fully stuffed (minus processor and line driver).
Without helping hands and a 3x lens, I could never have pulled this one off, well maybe in the old days. 3 resistors, 2 zener diodes, a cap and a transistor all in a 9 pin backshell. Now . . . don't touch it and it will work
What a rats nest Just a proof of concept prototype, isn't pretty but does the job. Included here are two 5 volt supplies (one for the processor, one for the PAN and TILT servos), a 12vdc switching supply for the LED's and 3 RGB 'stars'.
Right now I'm running 3 stars but my drivers can support using six.
Here is a video of the board under LOR control through a iDMX1000. The ramps are smooth although the video doesn't show them that way. These LED's are soooo bright that they hurt your eyes to look at them.
Anyway, I had started coding a utility to edit LOR track configuration data when I started this. The track utility has been put on hold and I'm having more fun with this than I thought I ever could.
Here are some other shots (dark brown walls don't reflect well though
More to come as I get this all put together in a useable state (case, fixture, cooling, etc...).
Have fun, I am!!!
Craig
Last edited on Tuesday April 1st, 2008 05:30 am by VetteNut72
Just a proof of concept prototype, isn't pretty but does the job. Included here are two 5 volt supplies (one for the processor, one for the PAN and TILT servos), a 12vdc switching supply for the LED's and 3 RGB 'stars'.
