Difference between revisions of "AC Dimmer Board Version 0.1"
From SlugWiki
(Created page with "=History= The original version was used with success during Rush 2011, despite several design flaws that needed to be corrected before the devices were functional. At least 35 st...") |
(→With fully assembled and working box) |
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====Mac==== | ====Mac==== | ||
Untested. There is a possibility the stock FTDI driver will not operate at 250Kbps, and needs patch. Google is your friend. | Untested. There is a possibility the stock FTDI driver will not operate at 250Kbps, and needs patch. Google is your friend. | ||
| − | * Install | + | * Install [http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm FTDI Virtual COM Port] |
| − | * Install | + | * Install [http://qlc.sourceforge.net/ Q Light Controller] |
====Linux==== | ====Linux==== | ||
| − | * Install | + | * Install [http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm FTDI Virtual COM Port] |
| − | * Install | + | * Install [http://qlc.sourceforge.net/ Q Light Controller] |
====Windows==== | ====Windows==== | ||
| − | * Install | + | * Install [http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm FTDI Virtual COM Port] |
| − | * Install | + | * Install [http://qlc.sourceforge.net/ Q Light Controller] |
| − | * OR install | + | * OR install [http://www.freestylerdmx.be/ FreeStler ] |
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
* Connect a few resistive loads to the box, | * Connect a few resistive loads to the box, | ||
* plug in the power with a standard (IEC C13) computer power cable | * plug in the power with a standard (IEC C13) computer power cable | ||
| − | |||
==With a unsoldered PCB == | ==With a unsoldered PCB == | ||
Revision as of 20:26, 1 January 2012
Contents
History
The original version was used with success during Rush 2011, despite several design flaws that needed to be corrected before the devices were functional. At least 35 strands, if not more were controlled by two DMX boxes, receiving different frequency sine waves from a python program.
The design was conceived over the summer of 2011, about six weeks before Rush. In order to get the circuit boards on time, the layout was a bit rushed. The silk screen layer leaves much to be desired, not to mention the several functional errors mentioned below.
Known Issues
- Ground and VCC were reversed for one input to the PIC. This was fixed by cutting some traces. One set of power supply pins seemed to work.
- INT0 (the first external interrupt pin) did not seem to function (possibly do to problem 1). This was fixed by cutting a trace and wiring it to INT1
- Two outputs to channels 3 and 4 were not working, so as above, rerouted to different output pins
- A lack of terminating resistor made communication difficult at times
- The SHDN (Shutdown) pin on the 485 transceiver was left floating, making for unreliable communication.
- The traces to the Triacs are small, and the Triacs or not heat sinked, limiting the current handling ability of the board.
Usage and Documentation
This Device is not recommend for usage. It has many problems that are a pain to resolve.
With fully assembled and working box
Software Installation
Mac
Untested. There is a possibility the stock FTDI driver will not operate at 250Kbps, and needs patch. Google is your friend.
- Install FTDI Virtual COM Port
- Install Q Light Controller
Linux
- Install FTDI Virtual COM Port
- Install Q Light Controller
Windows
- Install FTDI Virtual COM Port
- Install Q Light Controller
- OR install FreeStler
Hardware Setup
- Connect the USB to DMX dongle to your computer, which should appear as a virtual serial port. oa* Connected an RJ-45 from the dongle to the box
- Connect a few resistive loads to the box,
- plug in the power with a standard (IEC C13) computer power cable
With a unsoldered PCB
RJ-45 pinout
- Data 1+
- Data 1-
- Data 2+
- Not Assigned
- Not Assigned
- Data 2-
- Signal Common (0 V) for Data 1
- Signal Common (0 V) for Data 2
