4 Channel DMX DC controller..

[mrpackethead]

Hi.. Finally ( and just in time for christmas 2008 ), i've finished the prototype and design of a n idea i've been messing with for some time..

Its a 4 channel DMX controlled DC Dimmer.. Good for about 2A per channel. Simple design.. Pic16f688 with pretty standard dmx front end.. These are complete, no external SSR required. the board is pretty small and will fit in a little plastic box that i can buy at the supermarket for a $1 or so.

I've just ordered enough parts to build 20 odd boards.. The per board cost came in at ~$US8.90, which includes all teh connectors, PIC Micro, FETS etc etc. PCB cost is $119 ( on 2oz copper ) which will give me about 18 boards. ( goldphoenixpcb.biz ).. IE PCB cost about $6.10 per board. Add onto that about $3 per board for freight.

Prototype Beta runs are not cheap.. So, its looking like about $US18 per controller, at 20off quanity.. Anyway, they will do exactly what i want them to do, and while cheaper woudl be better, i dont' care too much.

I'd guess at 100 off quantitys, and better research into sourcing the parts it could get down to about $12 per controller..

Anyway, once the beta test is over, ( theres a few boards going across the ditch ), i'll publish all the design and code.. And if someone wants to run a co-op or build project, then they are totally welcome.. I'll be working on a project for 2009.

I'll keep in you in teh loop as progress happens.

[scorpia]

PacketHead,

as discussed i think this design is a great idea. and hopefully one of a new set of controllers that will take us to the next step of evolution in the DIY controllers.

Good luck with the testing and lets see some pics once its together

Keep the good idea's coming

Peter

[mrpackethead]

PacketHead,

as discussed i think this design is a great idea. and hopefully one of a new set of controllers that will take us to the next step of evolution in the DIY controllers.

Good luck with the testing and lets see some pics once its together

Keep the good idea's coming

Peter

Nah, i'll be expecting photos from you.. ( couple of boards earmarked for you btw )

[mrpackethead]

Got asked for the BOM. Here it is, sorry its a bit rough!!

Part Value Device Package Library Sheet

C1 100nF C-EUC0805 C0805 rcl 1
C2 100nF C-EUC0805 C0805 rcl 1
C3 100nF C-EUC0805 C0805 rcl 1
C4 100n C-EUC1206 C1206 rcl 1
C5 100nF C-EUC0805 C0805 rcl 1
C6 100n C-EUC1206 C1206 rcl 1
C7 10uF C-USC1206 C1206 rcl 1
C8 100nF C-USC1206 C1206 rcl 1
F1 SHK20L SHK20L fuse 1
F2 SHK20L SHK20L fuse 1
F3 SHK20L SHK20L fuse 1
F4 SHK20L SHK20L fuse 1
IC2 7805DT 7805DT TO252 linear 1
J1 215877-4 215877-4 con-amp 1
J2 215877-4 215877-4 con-amp 1
R6 R-US_R0805 R0805 rcl 1
U$1 IRLR024Z IRLR024Z TO252(DPAK( transistor-fet 1
U$2 2X.2SCREWTERM 2X.2SCREWTERM 0.2SCREWTERMX2 andrews 1
U$4 IRLR024Z IRLR024Z TO252(DPAK( transistor-fet 1
U$5 2X.2SCREWTERM 2X.2SCREWTERM 0.2SCREWTERMX2 andrews 1
U$7 IRLR024Z IRLR024Z TO252(DPAK( transistor-fet 1
U$8 2X.2SCREWTERM 2X.2SCREWTERM 0.2SCREWTERMX2 andrews 1
U$10 PIC16F688 PIC16F688 SO-14 microchip 1
U$11 75176 75176 SO08 maxim 1
U$12 2X.2SCREWTERM 2X.2SCREWTERM 0.2SCREWTERMX2 andrews 1
U$13 IRLR024Z IRLR024Z TO252(DPAK( transistor-fet 1
U$14 2X.2SCREWTERM 2X.2SCREWTERM 0.2SCREWTERMX2 andrews 1
X1 22-23-2051 22-23-2051 22-23-2051 con-molex 1

[mrpackethead]

Hi All,

PCBs and Parts all arrived.. Solder Paste onto the board, and baked with 11 secret herbs and spices in the oven. ( actually just a standard reflow profile )... Heres teh first one...
Tommorrow, i'll do some solid testing on it, before running of a run for the aussie neighbors.

[Josh]

very exciting, hopefully testing goes well, and we can get a COOP on the road for next year.

[mrpackethead]

very exciting, hopefully testing goes well, and we can get a COOP on the road for next year.

I have to be totally upfront now about CO-OPS.. I will not be running one. That is not something that i have the inclination to do. However all the know-how about this project is in the open, schematics, pcb files, gerber files, and the code that runs it.

It is highly probable that i will have a run of several hundred of these made in a factory in china, and some of those might be made available for purchase online. That will no way impact someone else from running a co-op if they want. The DIYC community is just one group of all the people who use christmas lights.. My neighbors for example want to do blinky, but have no interest in the electronics.

Not everyone who plays guitars wants to make guitars and in fact not all guitar makers can play guitars ( and not all blinky makers can play blinky )

However i'm no off topic. If anyone wants to organise and run a co-op you are welcome to contact me.

[Josh]

either way, being able to purchase these without having to go threw setting up an account threw a pcb house etc is what i would like to see.

[mrpackethead]

either way, being able to purchase these without having to go threw setting up an account threw a pcb house etc is what i would like to see.

Someone has to go through all that pain ( and expense ), no pain no gain.

[Josh]

this is true, and i would be willing to run one if people are interested... maybe it wont be this board, but i will need a DC board for next year, and will be running DMX