The PI36 is a 36 channel DC dimmer board that also functions as a dock for a Raspberry PI and has a real time clock on it to allow shows to be scheduled with [[Falcon Player]] (Falcon Pi Player, FPP). The PI36 requires a Raspberry PI plugged in an with FPP installed to operate. In conjunction with Falcon Player the PI36 can operate as a standalone 36 channel sequence playback device or as a 36 channel E1.31 DC dimmer. A USB dongle can be connected to the PI and a DMX universe generated from it. A wifi dongle (WIPI or similar) can be connected to the PI for wireless access. The Ethernet connection of the PI can stream out dozens of universes of E1.31 data. If additional DC channels are required then a [[2801DC15]] or [[2801DC30]] board can be connected.
There are 36 channel outputs. The maximum load per channel is 3 Amps, but the overall limit is 30 Amps per bank of 18. This means that you can't turn on all 18 outputs with the maximum load. In reality, this should not be a problem as most loads will be less than 2 Amps.
Each group of 3 outputs is grouped into 4 terminals. These are the 3 outputs and a common positive. RGB lights with a single common anode should have the common wire connected to the terminal +V and the red, green and blue wires to channels 1,2,3 (or 4,5,6 etc). The order and specific channels is actually dependant on what is configured in your sequencing software. For lights that have single colours (or single channels) per pair of wires then 1 wire gets connected to the +V and 1 gets connected to the channel output. For led lights which require the polarity to be around the right way then the anode (positive) gets connected to +V and the cathode (negative) goes to the channel. For lights that do not have three channels commoned then 3 wires will be joined and fitted to the +V for the 3 channels
The PI mounts to the PI36 via either 2 or 4 M2.5 standoffs (depending on the PI model) and via an IDC ribbon cable.
Features
- Mates with a Raspberry Pi running the Falcon Player (previously Falcon Pi Player, FPP)
- PI is powered by the onboard regulator.
- PI mounts above the board with "easy" access to the USB, Ethernet, SD, audio and video connectors.
- Mounts to suit the 2 standoff and 4 standoff varieties of the PI. Note these mounts may not suit some version PI's as the footprint varied depending on manufacturer.
- 36 DC channels rated at 30A per 18 channels. Individual channels rated at 3A.
- 2801 output for carry over to 2801DC15 or 2801DC30 boards. Alternatively 2801 pixels could be hooked up to this output.
- 7-35V DC input. If only 5V outputs are used there is a 5V input for powering the board.
- Test switch with a matching LED to turn on or off a test mode.
- Power LEDs for the 2 DC inputs and the 5V power.
- Real time clock onboard for show scheduling.
- 30A (max) ATO (automotive) blade fuse
- Common anode (positive) configuration.
- Output terminals arranged as V+, Ch, Ch, Ch (particularly suits RGB)
Connecting Lights
There are 36 channel outputs. The maximum load per channel is 3 Amps, but the overall limit is 30 Amps per bank of 18. This means that you can't turn on all 18 outputs with the maximum load. In reality, this should not be a problem as most loads will be less than 2 Amps.
Each group of 3 outputs is grouped into 4 terminals. These are the 3 outputs and a common positive. RGB lights with a single common anode should have the common wire connected to the terminal +V and the red, green and blue wires to channels 1,2,3 (or 4,5,6 etc). The order and specific channels is actually dependant on what is configured in your sequencing software. For lights that have single colours (or single channels) per pair of wires then 1 wire gets connected to the +V and 1 gets connected to the channel output. For led lights which require the polarity to be around the right way then the anode (positive) gets connected to +V and the cathode (negative) goes to the channel. For lights that do not have three channels commoned then 3 wires will be joined and fitted to the +V for the 3 channels
Mounting The PI
The PI mounts to the PI36 via either 2 or 4 M2.5 standoffs (depending on the PI model) and via an IDC ribbon cable.