DMX Programming for 1152 12V Dummy LED's

[boddio]

This is a non-holiday related project and much smaller scale than some of these incredible displays I’ve seen using xLights. I believe xLights can perform the task I’m attempting and hopefully, in a short amount of time. I’ve done research, but I’m not confident. I tried to post on xLights' Forum. It was unresponsive to join. It's built, but making it perform on its own falls into uncharted territory. I looked online and found programming Christmas lighting setups seems to run parallel with my project.

I built a dance floor prop for a stop motion music video. During the design, I didn’t need programming since I could flip the switches for the lighting sequence for each frame as I shot. After the shoot, I’ve been asked to display it at an event and now, I’ll need to make it have standalone programming.



Built with individual one color 12V LEDs (1,152 with pre-wired resistors) wired together as sections under acrylic (inside red, yellow, blue, outside red) and quadrants (upper left, upper right, bottom left, bottom right) using physical on-off switches (16 total - powered with AC wall warts.)









I’m looking to have the lighted sections turn on and off in a programmed sequence.

In xLights, I built each colored section based on the physical switches and wiring. I used multiple Single Lines and then Grouped them. I’ve built the correct timings in the Sequencer.



The display will be on a table so there won’t be extended runs of wiring, etc.

I’m looking for recommendations on how to facilitate the sequencer and DMX. I have a power supply that does 12V conversion that I use for a different prop and will power the setup.

I looked at the ENTTEC Open DMX USB connected to a 24 Channel LED DMX512 Decoder to use with a computer/laptop setup. Is it possible to utilize a single board computer or will I need to have a laptop or other system for the sequencer? Any recommendations? Truly appreciate any help.

If I'm missing any needed information to facilitate assistance, please let me know.

 

[Skymaster]

Firstly - that's amazing, well done on that soldering effort - that would have taken quite some time to do!!

I looked at the ENTTEC Open DMX USB connected to a 24 Channel LED DMX512 Decoder to use with a computer/laptop setup. Is it possible to utilize a single board computer or will I need to have a laptop or other system for the sequencer? Any recommendations? Truly appreciate any help.

Your best bet here is to use a DMX adapter of some description connected to a Raspberry Pi, running FPP. Then you have no need for a laptop etc.

Whether you go a brand name DMX adapter (as you state) or one of the basic USB Serial ones (eg: https://www.hansonelectronics.com.au/product/usb-dmx-dongle/) is largely irrelevant; the configuration and operation is the same.
Noting that you're in the US the above link isn't great, however the following might also be useful (especially if you decide to add a few pixels or a panel later): https://www.wiredwatts.com/hanrpimfc - this one also has the added advantage of a clock should you need standalone scheduling.

Because you're only talking 24ch of DMX it's quite straightforward to configure in xLights. Create a FPP based controller, assign the channels, and upload it.
Then it can run standalone.

 

[boddio]

Firstly - that's amazing, well done on that soldering effort - that would have taken quite some time to do!!


Your best bet here is to use a DMX adapter of some description connected to a Raspberry Pi, running FPP. Then you have no need for a laptop etc.

Whether you go a brand name DMX adapter (as you state) or one of the basic USB Serial ones (eg: https://www.hansonelectronics.com.au/product/usb-dmx-dongle/) is largely irrelevant; the configuration and operation is the same.
Noting that you're in the US the above link isn't great, however the following might also be useful (especially if you decide to add a few pixels or a panel later): https://www.wiredwatts.com/hanrpimfc - this one also has the added advantage of a clock should you need standalone scheduling.

Because you're only talking 24ch of DMX it's quite straightforward to configure in xLights. Create a FPP based controller, assign the channels, and upload it.
Then it can run standalone.

Thank you, Spymaster. Yes, it was a few months of time from concept to finish and then testing for a couple weeks as little issues popped their heads up.

I did a rough design in Photoshop per your instructions and some more research.

Wiredwatts has most in stock, but I just missed their holiday break.

The USB to DMX is a little challenging. There are a large number online and the chance of it working is not guaranteed. I don't see any way to get the Hanson version soon, or if it's possible. I'll keep looking, and I may get a few other models for testing just in case they take a dump on me at the event.

Wiring to the DMX is one channel per color/section based on the current switched wiring. I didn't need to repeat that process 16 times in the picture below. (DMX Channels are arbitrary in the image until I actually wire them to the decoder depending on their system.)

I'm hoping this design is correct. Again, Spymaster, thank you.

Also, I want to thank ryanchristmaslights for getting me authorized on this site. There was an issue with my email service and he took care of it.

Thank you, Sir.