USB to DMX Dongle (Enttec compatible) Co-op now started

[RPM]

OK, before we get started, please read this

Group Buy Rules: Read before posting in this thread

"By participating in this Group Buy all participants agree to release www.doityourselfchristmas.com, its Owners, Administrators, Moderators or any other staff of any and all liability and waive all rights I may have under all laws and governing bodies. By posting in this thread you agree you are entering a binding contract between the Organizer and the Participant."


This group buy will start on 8/21/09 and will go for four weeks until 9/18/09. The parts order will be placed as soon as payment for all kits ordered is received, or within 1 week after 9/18/09, whichever is sooner.
Per group buy rules, this Group Buy will be locked and final when the parts order has been placed with the supplier. No cancellations will be allowed after this point.



This GROUP BUY is for the USB to DMX Dongle (Enttec compatible)
More information about this interface can be read HERE (http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7009)


There will be three options:

Kit #1 PC Board and PRE-PROGRAMMED PROCESSOR
Kit #2 PC Board and FULL KIT OF ALL PARTS TO BUILD INTERFACE (with pre-programmed processor)
Kit #3 Polycase LP-35P Enclosure (With openings cut)

PRICING

For Kit #1 price will be $8.50 each.
For Kit #2 price will be $45.00 each.
For Kit #3 price will be $8.32 each.

Note that these prices are calculated on single quantities, and a minimum quantity of 10 for the cases.
There will be a price break for quantities over 25, which will be determined by the final number of kits ordered at the end of the group buy.
The more we buy, the more we save


SHIPPING

The shipping will be at actual USPS prices, to be determined by actual number of kits purchased at end of group buy and actual location shipped to.


PAYMENT

At this time, the only form of payment accepted will be through PayPal to my PayPal account rcflier@hotmail.com.

Please be sure to include this information in the payment message box:

Do It Yourself Christmas USER ID
KIT NUMBER ORDERED
NUMBER OF KITS


BILL OF MATERIALS

Attached to this message along with other project files.

[RPM]

Participant list


NAME KIT#1 KIT#2 KIT#3 Paid Shipped
--------------------------------------------------------------
RPM 2 4 Y Y
budude 2 2 Y Y
Thomo 2 2 Y Y
Matt Edwards 4 2 Y Y
n1ist 1 1 1 Y Y
BuzzKill 1 1 Y Y
fkostyun 1 1 Y Y
prof 2 2 Y Y
Tabor 2 2 Y Y
dmcole 1 1 Y Y
scorpia 2 2 Y Y
DeanCollins 2 2 Y Y
jrock64 1 1 1 Y Y
rkhanso 1 1 1 Y Y
Hackmeister 2 2 Y Y
intwoit2002 2 Y Y
kfindley 1 1 Y Y
Larry Hazeltine 1 1 Y Y
tfmacz 2 2 Y Y
ikabod 1 1 Y Y
eswets 1 1 Y Y
Ronniek 1 2 2 Y Y
Macrosill 1 1 Y Y
tallan 1 1 Y Y
wonder 1 Y Y
diyctx 1 1 2 Y Y
macmike 1 1 Y Y
Reddy_Kilowatt 2 2 Y Y
kiowamike 1 1 Y Y
ncc1701mda 1 1 2 Y Y
Tuckie 1 1 Y Y
--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS 17 35 46

PRICE UPDATE:

Kit#2 (PCB + all parts) We have passed the 10 quantity, so the price is now reduced to $42.00


Kit#3 (Enclosures) We have past the 25 quantity for the cases, so the price is now reduced to $5.44 each.


SHIPPING UPDATE:

I can fit two of the Kit#2 with Kit#3 enclosures in a Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box which has a shipping price of $4.95 for U.S. addresses. The international price, is $10.95 to Canada or Mexico and $12.95 to all other countries.
For Kit#1 only I can ship in a padded envelope for less, which will be calculated by location shipped to.


I am also attaching a couple of pictures of the unit in a case. Keep in mind that these pictures are of the prototype board V1.01 with a hand cut case.
The board you will receive will be version 1.02 as there was a routing error in V1.01 and the case will be much nicer and pre-cut from the manufacture.

Also, I will have the assembly manual up soon.

[budude]

Hi Robert -

Please put me down for:

2 x Kit #2 (pcb/parts)
2 x Kit #3 (cases)

Thanks!
Brian

[Thomo]

Hi Robert,

Could you please put me down for:

1 x Kit #2 (pcb + all parts)
1 x Kit #3 (case)

Looking forward to trying it out!

Cheers for now,
Thomo

[Matt_Edwards]

please put me down for:
2x Kit #1 PC Board and PRE-PROGRAMMED PROCESSOR

Notes:
I am happy to be drop off point to other Australian buys if it means we save money on postage.
Also I am happy just to take PCBs only as I already have Mega88s and programming facilities.

Thanks for the effort in getting this development thus far.


Cheers
Matt
(My first co op buy!! Magical)

[n1ist]

Please add me for 2x Kit 1 (pcb/processor) and 2x Kit3(case). Thanks.
/mike

[BuzzKill]

Yee haw!

1 X Kit 2
1 X Kit 3

[fkostyun]

Count me in for one #2

[prof]

Robert,

2 x Kit #2 (pcb + parts)
2 x Kit #3 (case)


Thanks Craig.

[Tabor]

Could I grab:

1x kit#1
1x kit#2

Depending on postage costs I make take up Matt's offer to receive all Australian orders in one package.

Cheers

Tabor

[Thomo]

Hi Robert,

Could you add one kit#1 to my order please...

Cheers for now,
Thomo

[dmcole]

Robert:

No. 1 -- 1
No. 3 -- 1

thanks.

\dmc

[budude]

Hi Robert - please check post#3 - I asked for 2 of kit #2 and #3, not 1.

Thanks!
Brian

[RPM]

Hi Robert - please check post#3 - I asked for 2 of kit #2 and #3, not 1.

Thanks!
Brian

Got it. Sorry.

Robert

[Tabor]

RPM

Now that the shipping charges are confirmed can you change my order to

2x Kit#2
2x Kit#3

Cheers

Tabor

[scorpia]

Hi,

Put me up for 2 x #2 and 2 x #3.

should do me nicely.

If PCB's are available seperatly i might be interested in them as well.

Im also happy to combine shipping to matt if it helps.

Peter

[DeanCollins]

Howdy,

Can I grab 2 x #2 and 2 x #3?

I am also happy to combine postage with Matt if it works out cheaper and Matt is happy to repost all the orders ;-)

Cheers,
Dean

[jrock64]

Hi

1x Kit#1
1x Kit#2
1x Kit#3

Thanks

JOel

[rkhanso]

1 of EACH kit, please.
Thanks.
Roger

[fkostyun]

Payment sent for 1 kit 1 and 1 kit 2.

[Hackmeister]

Hi Robert,

Could you please put me down for the following:

2 X Kit #2
2 X Kit #3

Thanks
Jim

[kfindley]

put me in please

kit#1-1
kit#2-1

thank you

[Larry Hazeltine]

Put me down for:
1 x Kit2
1 x Kit3

If I did the math correctly, I should Paypal you $52.39 (including shipping to 80920). Let me know if the prices have changed or if I messed that up somewhere.

[RPM]

Put me down for:
1 x Kit2
1 x Kit3

If I did the math correctly, I should Paypal you $52.39 (including shipping to 80920). Let me know if the prices have changed or if I messed that up somewhere.


Yes, that would be correct at the current pricing.

Robert

[budude]

Are you expecting any more discounts at this point or should we send you the P/P payments now?

[RPM]

Are you expecting any more discounts at this point or should we send you the P/P payments now?

We would need to get to a quantity of 50 (for kit 2 and kit 3) for the next price break, so let's wait another week or so before sending payment.


Robert

[Thomo]

Hi Robert,

If this is OK, could you please change my order to this:

0 x Kit #1 (pcb)
2 x Kit #2 (pcb + all parts)
2 x Kit #3 (case)

Cheers for now,
Thomo

[tfmacz]

Hi Robert,

Could you please put me down for the following:

1 X Kit #2
1 X Kit #3

How do I post payment? Figure out shipping???

Thanks
Ted

[ikabod]

Hello Robert,

Pls. put me in for
1 Kit# 2
1 kit# 3

Thanks!

[n1ist]

Robert-
Please change my order to
1 kit #1
1 kit #2
2 kit #3

Thanks.
/mike

[Matt_Edwards]

in summary the Australian Contingent is

Thomo, Matt Edwards, prof, Tabor, scorpia, DeanCollins

I think most of you have indicated you are Ok if with RPM sending the lot to me and then I will redistribute them either by Express Post, Registered Post, Fastway Courier (I still have a book of their tickets left over from another project) or Sneaker Net.

Can you please PM me directly if you have any objections to this process.

Any other Aussies should speak up sooner than later as the cut off date is approaching.
I will let you know how much to send to RPM.
Cheers
Matt

[eswets]

I'll be in for
1 Kit #2
1 kit #3
Thanks

[RonnieK]

Put me in for:

1 Kit #1
2 Kit #2
2 Kit #3

Thanks,
Ronniek

[Macrosill]

Please add me in for:
1 Kit #1
1 Kit #3

[tallan]

Please add me as well

1 x Kit #2 (pcb + all parts)
1 x Kit #3 (case)

Thanks,
Ted

[RPM]

Just a reminder, this is the last week before this co-op closes, so if you were thinking of getting one now is the time.

If you haven't already sent in payment, you may do so now so I can start working on getting the parts ordered.

The amounts are in the 2nd post in this thread, but if you are not sure just PM me and I'll give you your total.

Also, please be sure to include this information in the payment message box:

Do It Yourself Christmas USER ID
KIT NUMBER ORDERED
NUMBER OF KITS

Robert

[wonder]

Please add me for

1x Kit#2 (pcb and parts)

Thanks

[diyctx]

Please put me down for:

(Qty. 1) Kit #1 ("PC Board and PRE-PROGRAMMED PROCESSOR")
(Qty. 1) Kit #2 ("PC Board and FULL KIT OF ALL PARTS...")
(Qty. 2) Kit #3 ("Polycase LP-35P Enclosure...")

Thanks!

[RPM]

The PC boards arrived today and they look good.

I'll be building one up, so I'll have the assembly manual up in the next day or so.

Robert

[macmike]

I would like

1x Kit#2
1x Kit#3

Thanks,
Mike

[RPM]

I have just uploaded the assembly manual. You can find it attached to the 2nd message in this thread.

Also, a reminder that this co-op will be closing on Friday so make sure to get your order in by then.

The PC boards are now in and the enclosures have been ordered and have a shipping date to me of 10/2/09. The enclosures will probably be the last item to arrive, so once I get them I'll get your kits shipped if you have enclosures in your co-op order.

If you haven't already, I would appreciate it if you would send your payment as soon as possible so I can get all of the remaining items ordered.
If you are not sure how much to send, please PM me and I'll give you your total.

Robert

[kiowamike]

I'm in for one 1 kit 1 and 1 kit 3.

[DeanCollins]

All Paid :-)

[BuzzKill]

Paid last night. PM'd address (I think I forgot to put in the PP details.)

[kfindley]

just paid in full

[RPM]

Paid last night. PM'd address (I think I forgot to put in the PP details.)

Got it. Thanks

Robert

[scorpia]

sorry about the delay.

all paid

Peter

[RPM]

As of now THIS GROUP BUY IS NOW CLOSED.

Thanks everyone for your prompt payment and thank you for participating in this group buy.

As of today all parts have been ordered and the Mouser order should be here by middle of next week.
It looks like the enclosures will take the longest to get, as I have a ship date from the manufacture to me of 10/2/09.

I already have the PC boards in stock, so when the Mouser order arrives I will be able ship the three orders that do not have enclosures in them.

I will keep you all posted of the status.

Thanks again,

Robert

[RPM]

The Mouser order has arrived and I've started putting the kits together.

I'm still waiting for the enclosures, so as I've said before as soon as they arrive I'll start shipping out the kits.

There are three orders without enclosures, so I'll ship those out by tomorrow.

Robert

[fkostyun]

Got mine today and assembled it - gave it a quick rundown with my snow machines - and it kicked them on! Thanks again!

[kfindley]

got mine also today well yesterday i should say i would assemble now but just got off work and to tired

thanks
Kevin

[RPM]

STATUS UPDATE

I just received notification from the enclosure manufacture that the package was shipped today.
It should arrive here by about next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Once they get here I'll start shipping out the kits.

Robert

[Tuckie]

If anyone has an extra kit, I would love to purchase one. I've begun thinking about plans for this Halloween, and would like to go the DMX route (X10 should die in a fire), but I, sadly, did not see this thread until last night.

I may go the arduino+max485 route, but that is less than ideal.

[RPM]

If anyone has an extra kit, I would love to purchase one. I've begun thinking about plans for this Halloween, and would like to go the DMX route (X10 should die in a fire), but I, sadly, did not see this thread until last night.

I may go the arduino+max485 route, but that is less than ideal.

I still have plenty of PC boards and a few processors.

I'll have to wait until all the co-op kits are shipped to see if I'll have any spare full kits left.


Robert

[Tuckie]

I would be fine with just the board and avr, the only issue atm is mouser's supply.

While some of the minor components can be swapped that they're out of (cap and resistors), they're also out of the DMX driver chip (SN75176AP), and the cat5 connector (5520251-4).

Do you think you have any spares of just these parts? Or do you know of an equivalent chip/connector? I know maxim makes a similar chip (MAX485), but I haven't looked in to see if its a drop in replacement...and it would appear that it is also out of stock :(.

Finally, thanks in advance, sorry for being a straggler, and how much? ;)

edit: and would it make it by the end of the month (for obvious reasons)?

[RPM]

STATUS UPDATE

The enclosure are now here and they look great! Check out the pictures below.

I'll be getting all of your kits boxed up and shipped out by Friday.

Robert

[dmcole]

STATUS UPDATE

The enclosure are now here and they look great! Check out the pictures below.


A box full of boxes! Thanks so much for your hard work on this project Robert.

\dmc

[dmcole]

While some of the minor components can be swapped that they're out of (cap and resistors), they're also out of the DMX driver chip (SN75176AP), and the cat5 connector (5520251-4).


For the SN75176AP, this should be an acceptable replacement part: 511-ST485BN

And in just checking, the RJ45 connector is now in stock.

Best o' luck.

\dmc

[Tuckie]

In that case, put me down for kit 1.
(Or kit 2 if you have it)

Email/PM me when you know your stock situation, and I'll be happy to paypal the needed money your way.

[RPM]

All kits have been shipped today. They should arrive within 2 to 4 days (the Canada and AU orders will take a little longer), so you should be getting them by the middle of next week.

I would like to thank you all for participating in this group buy.

Robert

[Matt_Edwards]

I would like to thank you all for participating in this group buy.
Robert

I am sure I speak for a lot of others, it is you who should be thanked for releasing the design and arranging this Coop.

I am looking playing with them soon.

Cheers
Matt

[wonder]

Mine arrived today!

thanks Robert! I´m assembling it this monday.

regards

[scorpia]

Great to hear this went so smoothly.

Matt since all the aussie stuff got shipped to you i guess you will want some more shipping money soon.

just let me know

Peter

[Matt_Edwards]

Too Right mate. It will be gooooooood to get these going.
Our shipment went out with the others on Friday last week.
I will keep you posted.
Matt

[ikabod]

got mine last saturday.
as always, it was packed nicely and neatly.
another superb coop by RPM!!!

5 stars!

Thank you very much Robert

[rkhanso]

I can't wait for the package to arrive. I add my thanks to RPM for the design and the work for the group buy.

[RPM]

OK, it seems that there was a need for some sort of driver setup and troubleshooting guide, so I've put one together.

It can be found attached to the 2nd post in this thread, or here http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4872&d=1255422369

It's preliminary, so if you have any suggestions or changes, please PM me.

Robert

[n1ist]

I just got it this morning. Just as a heads up, mine had a 1k 1% resistor instead of the 120R one. Not a problem since I have some 120R lying around here...
/mike

[RPM]

I just got it this morning. Just as a heads up, mine had a 1k 1% resistor instead of the 120R one. Not a problem since I have some 120R lying around here...
/mike


Sorry about that. I may have accidentally pulled some from the wrong bag.
Just as a precaution, everyone please check to make sure you have the correct 120 ohm resistor for R5.

Robert

[jrock64]

got mine.

looks good

Joel

[budude]

Got my two today and already slapped one together - looks great Robert - many thanks!!

I've probably got 50 spares of those dumb USB cables for printers but couldn't find one so I stole it off my daughters printer - don't tell her! (she'll figure it out eventually...).

[n1ist]

Robert-
Looks like yours (picture in post 56) has the 1K too...
/mike

[RPM]

It's just the way the picture looks. I metered it just to be sure and it's in fact a 120 ohm 1%.

Did you meter yours? The color code for this resistor is BROWN/RED/BLACK/BLACK/BROWN, left to right.

If you read the colors backwards it may appear that it's 10K (not 1K), since the colors for that value are the exact reverse of a 120 ohm 1% resistor.

The color codes on the 1% resistors are sometimes confusing :confused:

Robert


Robert-
Looks like yours (picture in post 56) has the 1K too...
/mike

[rkhanso]

The R5 I received was a 1k. Luckily, I had a single 120 ohm hanging around.
The kit went together great. Now, for the software and connection to PC.

[budude]

Hmm - I didn't meter mine out - I'll do that when I get home - hope it's right otherwise I'll be yanking one out...

[ikabod]

mine is exactly as you mentioned: Brown/red/black/black/brown

I got all (PC-USB Dongle-Grinch DMX) connected and working now!

Thanks Robert!


It's just the way the picture looks. I metered it just to be sure and it's in fact a 120 ohm 1%.

Did you meter yours? The color code for this resistor is BROWN/RED/BLACK/BLACK/BROWN, left to right.

If you read the colors backwards it may appear that it's 10K (not 1K), since the colors for that value are the exact reverse of a 120 ohm 1% resistor.

The color codes on the 1% resistors are sometimes confusing :confused:

Robert

[RPM]

Hmm - I didn't meter mine out - I'll do that when I get home - hope it's right otherwise I'll be yanking one out...

It's possible that I may have shipped out some 1K 1% resistors... I happen to have 1K and 120 1% resistors in the same parts box (in different compartments though), so it's possible that a few could have gotten mixed up.

All I ask is to please check your color code Brown/Red/Black/Black/Brown (or meter the resistor) and it's the wrong part, I'll send out the correct one.

Robert

[n1ist]

Mine measures 999 ohms, so it's a 1k one. No need to send a replacement. I agree on the 1% resistors - it's not clear which end to start on, and then the blue body makes brown, red, and orange look the same. So much easier with 0805 or 0603 - most of them have the numbers printed on them.

/mike

[tallan]

Hey Robert,

Well it made it here to the east coast quicker then I expected :p. I haven't checked the parts closely yet though so I guess I will tonight. Thanks again what I did see looked great!

Ted

[budude]

Both my 120ohm resistors were really 1k also - no biggie - I had a bunch of 2% 120s laying around from another project - all is good. Don't sweat about the parts Robert - let's see - - Two Enttec-like DMX USB Pro dongles for around $100 when a regular one runs $151(+S/H)? I can live with coming up with an additional resistor or two! :razz:

I noticed that when I plugged in the two dongles in the same USB port that they come up as Com6 and Com7 - I guess the PC sees a serial number from the USB device or something? It's not a problem at all - but something to keep in mind if you swap them around and you wonder why Vixen won't talk to it anymore...

Anyway - I'm a happy camper! Now to hook up some gear to them...

[RPM]

Both my 120ohm resistors were really 1k also - no biggie - I had a bunch of 2% 120s laying around from another project - all is good. Don't sweat about the parts Robert - let's see - - Two Enttec-like DMX USB Pro dongles for around $100 when a regular one runs $151(+S/H)? I can live with coming up with an additional resistor or two! :razz:

Sorry about that, I guess I gotta stop doing those late night sessions putting kits together :rolleyes:


I noticed that when I plugged in the two dongles in the same USB port that they come up as Com6 and Com7 - I guess the PC sees a serial number from the USB device or something? It's not a problem at all - but something to keep in mind if you swap them around and you wonder why Vixen won't talk to it anymore...

Anyway - I'm a happy camper! Now to hook up some gear to them...

You can always go into your device manager and change them to the same com port. This way both will come up as the same com port, but the drawback is if you try and plug them in at the same time they will cause an error. :oops:

[Tuckie]

Just wanted to say thanks.
I got it put together on Tuesday night, but didn't get a rj45 to xlr adapter made up until yesterday (Technically its currently a rj45 to heat-shrinked molex pins adapter, the xlr is in the mail), and it works great!

The only issue I had was that I had to shave off a bit of the plastic on the case. The board was just barely hitting the posts for the case screws. Finally, I wish the led was a bit more informative than it is currently (just a steady constant blink). Maybe take the sum of all the channel values and base a rate off of that, if there isn't too much overhead. Not a big deal at all, but it would be nice to know that the box is communicating with the program without hooking anything up.

[RPM]

Just wanted to say thanks.
I got it put together on Tuesday night, but didn't get a rj45 to xlr adapter made up until yesterday (Technically its currently a rj45 to heat-shrinked molex pins adapter, the xlr is in the mail), and it works great!

The only issue I had was that I had to shave off a bit of the plastic on the case. The board was just barely hitting the posts for the case screws. Finally, I wish the led was a bit more informative than it is currently (just a steady constant blink). Maybe take the sum of all the channel values and base a rate off of that, if there isn't too much overhead. Not a big deal at all, but it would be nice to know that the box is communicating with the program without hooking anything up.

The case is a tight fit, mainly because of the "ears" on the RJ45 hold how far back the board can be mounted. I found that if you can't get the board to go up far enough to reach the mounting posts, you can just trim the "ears" off the RJ45 jack and it will go in.

Currently, the LED flashes at a rate of about 2 per second to indicate the dongle is outputting a DMX signal. It's only intended to be a basic indication of functionality.
When I get around to changing the firmware so it can receive as well as send, the LED will flash at different rates depending if the dongle s either transmitting or receiving.

For the moment it's either flashing or not. If it's flashing it's transmitting, if it's not then there is a problem.

Robert

[rkhanso]

Robert,
Do you have any cases available yet? I'll purchase one if so.
Plus, I have another ATMEGA88 that I have no way of programming. If you have a case available, could I send you the chip for programming and you send a case and the chip back? I shoulda ordered what I needed the first time.
Roger

[RPM]

Robert,
Do you have any cases available yet? I'll purchase one if so.
Plus, I have another ATMEGA88 that I have no way of programming. If you have a case available, could I send you the chip for programming and you send a case and the chip back? I shoulda ordered what I needed the first time.
Roger

Yes, I still have a few cases left.
I also have plenty of PC boards and a few processors for anyone who wants to build one.

Robert

[rkhanso]

Robert, your PM mailbox is full and won't accept any more messages......so:
I'll get the processor in the mail.
$8.32 for the box, right? If you send a resistor, that'd be OK, too.
I'll wait for your answer before I PayPal it to you.
Roger

[rkhanso]

Robert,

Sorry for the not-so-completely not-related question.
Do you have cases for the 4-channel DMX4SSR V1.01?

Plus, about the 4-ch DMXSSR: the top-entry rj jack is Out of stock at Mouser. I don't see any others available. If you have cases for these, are they set up for top or side mount? I keep running into out-of-stock items on that BOM....What's up with Mouser lately?

[Matt_Edwards]

Robert,
I just got message the mail man has been and dropped off a largish box of goodies. (no customs issues)

So fellow Aussies it is now our turn.8-) When I get home I will package up and advise via PM. I am assuming I need to send them all out to individual locations and no one lives close by to each each other. if this is wrong please let me know.

Matt

[n1ist]

I just got a chance to wire up the output adapter cable, and it's working fine with Vixen. It's not working with my usual lightboard software, but looking at the code, it's only implementing a subset of the Enttec protocol. I'll try changing the resonator and pouring in the Enttec firmware as soon as I find where my 6 MHz rocks went...
/mike

[Thomo]

I got my package today.
Thanks Robert for an excellent group buy and an excellent product!!
Thanks also to Matt Edwards for organising the Aussie shipping and saving me a few extra dollars.

Cheers for now,
Thomo

[tallan]

Hey Robert,

Well I got the 1K resistor but it's alright I guess only if a 5% 120 will work???

Let me know,

Thanks,
Ted

[RPM]

Yes, a 120 Ohm 5% resistor will work fine.

If you don't have one, I can send you the correct one.

Robert

[tallan]

It's good I have plenty of 5% resistors and some 1% but not a 120 1%. I'll just find a really close 5%.

thanks again,
Ted