P-DMX 25 pixel (or 5 servo) controller with DC converter

[David_AVD]

Re: P-DMX 25 pixel (2801 / 6803) controller with DC converter

For those who are interested in putting boards like this into a plastic box, the HB6122 from Jaycar would suit.

There would be enough room to sit the board loose inside with RJ45's plugged in.

A small "mouse hole" (cut out) in one or each end for the cables is all you'd need. Add a dab of silicone around the wires and it should be pretty weatherproof.

The picture on the Jaycar sire is rubbish, so here's one I prepared earlier!

 

[David_AVD]

Re: P-DMX 25 pixel (2801 / 6803) controller with DC converter

Just received word that the initial batch of PCBs are on their way to me, so should have some built to show at the BNE meet.

 

[fasteddy]

Re: P-DMX 25 pixel (2801 / 6803) controller with DC converter

Excellent news David, I look forward to having a close look

 

[David_AVD]

Re: P-DMX 25 pixel (2801 / 6803) controller with DC converter

Here's a short clip of it running a 6803 string.

 

[daunce]

Re: P-DMX 25 pixel (2801 / 6803) controller with DC converter

looks cool.. had to replay the video a few times.


So what's the rough price at now?


What is the price of the box?


So for 50 or pixels, we could daisy chain them no worries?


Is there any limit to the amount that can be connected, or is that the whole point on that protocol, that there's usually only 1 continuous path?


This might be a good way for me to dip my toe into pixels.

 

[David_AVD]

Re: P-DMX 25 pixel (2801 / 6803) controller with DC converter

So what's the rough price at now?

I'd guess $30 built and tested. Need to see how long they take to build to be sure.

What is the price of the box?

Those boxes are about $9 retail.

So for 50 or pixels, we could daisy chain them no worries?

Yes, you can daisy chain them.

Is there any limit to the amount that can be connected, or is that the whole point on that protocol, that there's usually only 1 continuous path?

You should be able chain 5 or 6 of these together with no issues.

This might be a good way for me to dip my toe into pixels.

That's what I went with DIP switches. I think there's people out there who don't really want larger controllers or the associated configuration software.

 

[David_AVD]

Re: P-DMX 25 pixel (2801 / 6803) controller with DC converter

I wrote a different firmware version for driving small servos. Here's a clip of it driving 2 servos.

 

[fasteddy]

Re: P-DMX 25 pixel (2801 / 6803) controller with DC converter

Looking very nice David, A few questions on how the controller servo feature will be offered.
How many servos could you hook up to one controller?
Will you be able to hook up pixels and a servo at the same time?
Will you be able to easily select if you want servo or pixel mode?
Or is this going to be a firmware differnce only so you choose by the firmware version which way you want the board to control

 

[David_AVD]

Re: P-DMX 25 pixel (2801 / 6803) controller with DC converter

This controller is now available. Further info to be found here





The board is designed to drive up to 5 servos or 25 pixels. There's only two servos hooked up in the video, as I only had a 6 pin piece of header strip at home!

The on-board 5V regulator is rated at 1.5A so that's only enough for 25 Ray Wu (or similar 20mA / colour) pixels or some servos.

I have room for a jumper on the ICSP connector, so could use that to select pixel or servo mode I guess.