On/Off (No Dimming) DC DMX Controllers

David_AVD

Grandpa Elf
Community project designer
Generous elf
Joined
Jun 12, 2010
Messages
4,681
Location
Victoria Point (Brisbane)
I was going to mention this in my other thread, but thought it warranted a separate one.

In my 2011 display, I had a couple of DC channels that needed to be switched on and off with no dimming. I ended up using some spare channels on a DC24 and made sure I never dimmed them. They were driving some meteor tubes via step-down regulators and dimming them would have resulted in high current draw and possible damage.

I can see that on/off would be good for some simple animated props with fans or motors, etc. Things that you want to control, but definitely not dim.

So, is there a need for a DC controller with pure on/off switching? How many channels? Does it need multiple voltage banks to make connection to your oddball display items easier? Comments? Ideas?
 

cenote

Suburbs of Philadelphia
Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
246
Location
Pottstown, PA USA
Would love to see a board with higher current (bout 5-10amp per) but be able have multiple voltages for each channel. I been designing, mostly in my head, a way to control my low voltage lighting threw the yard, which uses AC volts multitap from 13-16v depending on runs. Any way of board not caring it it is AC/DC? Only need 8-12 channels
 

David_AVD

Grandpa Elf
Community project designer
Generous elf
Joined
Jun 12, 2010
Messages
4,681
Location
Victoria Point (Brisbane)
Not sure what you mean by "multiple voltages per channel" Chuck. If you mean each channel can have a different output voltage, maybe the other thread here is what you want?

The only (easy) way you can have a channel not care if the voltage is AC or DC is to use relays, but switching them on and off rapidly will wear them out in a short time.

I am looking at a (4 channel max) DMX controlled relay board for switching power supplies on and off each night. That thread is over here.
 

JonB256

Full time elf
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
125
Location
Granbury, Texas
David, I used a custom dimming table on my dc board and my ac board. They were 100 on down to 60% then went to off. Nothing in between.

Both were d-light boards using the new DMX firmware.

Any board that allows dimming tables could do it. LSP does it in software I think.
 
Top