I really liked the RGB spinners that Bevo and kool-lites posted about. I was thinking that it would be nice to make an 8 spoke one using 6803 (digital) RGB strip.
To make construction and wiring easier, an 8 output controller could be housed in the centre hub section. Whilst a PIXAD8 would work, it's a bit of an overkill for only a few channels per spoke.
For example, 500mm spokes would only be 5 pixels (15 channels) each, for a total of only 120 channels. 5 pixels (15 RGB LEDs) spokes would allow "ring" effects (grow / shrink) in addition to the "spin" effects used with non-digital strip versions.
The required 4m (8 x 500mm) of digital strip could be cut from a single 5m length, with left over for replacement spares. You could also get 8 x 600mm (6 pixels / 18 LEDs) out of a 5m strip with just 200mm left over.
I think a P-DMX -> 8x SPI board could be done that has on-board 12V regulator for the 6803 strip and a 5V regulator for the micro, etc. A 3A regulator for the 12V should suit the 500mm (2.4A) or 600mm (2.88A) spoke versions. I'd probably use the "round robin" method of sending the data to the 8 pixel outputs. This would normally be a stretch for 8 outputs, but as there are only 120 (or 144) channels to distribute, I think it will be fine.
Anyway, I thought I'd put the idea out there. I realise that it's getting close for this Christmas, but it may interest people for next year. Never hurts to throw ideas around any time of year!
To make construction and wiring easier, an 8 output controller could be housed in the centre hub section. Whilst a PIXAD8 would work, it's a bit of an overkill for only a few channels per spoke.
For example, 500mm spokes would only be 5 pixels (15 channels) each, for a total of only 120 channels. 5 pixels (15 RGB LEDs) spokes would allow "ring" effects (grow / shrink) in addition to the "spin" effects used with non-digital strip versions.
The required 4m (8 x 500mm) of digital strip could be cut from a single 5m length, with left over for replacement spares. You could also get 8 x 600mm (6 pixels / 18 LEDs) out of a 5m strip with just 200mm left over.
I think a P-DMX -> 8x SPI board could be done that has on-board 12V regulator for the 6803 strip and a 5V regulator for the micro, etc. A 3A regulator for the 12V should suit the 500mm (2.4A) or 600mm (2.88A) spoke versions. I'd probably use the "round robin" method of sending the data to the 8 pixel outputs. This would normally be a stretch for 8 outputs, but as there are only 120 (or 144) channels to distribute, I think it will be fine.
Anyway, I thought I'd put the idea out there. I realise that it's getting close for this Christmas, but it may interest people for next year. Never hurts to throw ideas around any time of year!