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Need someone to build a LED array controller and probably a computer programmin — Parallax Forums

Need someone to build a LED array controller and probably a computer programmin

WingoAgencyWingoAgency Posts: 29
edited 2007-09-27 23:27 in General Discussion
I am new here and not sure if I posted in the right forum.

As title suggest, I need someone to build a controller for a LED array.

The LEDs will mostly in·two colors and probably·a little of·a third color.

I am thinking of using power LEDs upto 5W each·in strips·.· Total·power of the LEDs·will be ~150W.·
Dimmable, groups of individual color LEDs controllable, timer for groups of the LEDs.· Some kind of EEPROM or such to remember presets which should be reprogrammable with software. ·A simple computer interface for easier re-programming presets.

I think a combination of micro-controller,·a bunch of relays·and some constant current drivers·is the way to go, am I right?· Please elaborate here·or email me if you want to make me one at Wingoagency@yahoo.com.· Of course, I will pay for it.· I have some knowledge in electronics and computer programming knowledge would enjoy going to to program the micro controller again.· The ones I did was·old timer and not as sophisticated the nowadays "robot chips"

Thanks in advance.
·

Comments

  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2007-07-30 14:18
    This thread is being moved from the BASIC Stamps Forum to the Sandbox Forum.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
  • metron9metron9 Posts: 1,100
    edited 2007-07-31 08:00
    I just finished writing a DMX512 interface that can control 4 channels of phase correct PWM that I plan to use for my new stage lighting. You can get a vellman DMX USB controller for 69 bucks if you want to control from your computer and use free software like Freestyler to control a full light show.

    I hope to sell the 4 channel PWM controller for $49.00 in a few weeks. 6 AMPS per channel. Or you can use the PWM output to drive your own fets or triacs is you wish to use higher voltage.

    Let me know some more details on how you want to interface with it.

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    Think Inside the box first and if that doesn't work..
    Re-arrange what's inside the box then...
    Think outside the BOX!
  • WingoAgencyWingoAgency Posts: 29
    edited 2007-07-31 11:01
    Thanks for your reply.



    I will be posting the more exact design requirement and do my research early starting next week.

    Hopefully your stuff can help me finish my project.··

    Can you make PWM controller with more channels ?· I also use DMX512 controller for my stage lighting.· I have four moving heads, strobe light, a DMX controllable power outlet and thinking of adding controllable LEDs for my the DJ booth.· LMK the features of your controller like may be pic of it.· I have friend who use a musical keyboard as a controller and the cutest one I have seen is a gameboy as a controller.



    BTW, do you know where to DL the free FreeStyler?.· I only get to the forums but cannot find the DL page.

    ·
  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2007-07-31 12:53
    WingoAgency said...

    BTW, do you know where to DL the free FreeStyler?.· I only get to the forums but cannot find the DL page.

    In spite of its name, this link http://users.pandora.be/freestylerdmx/·took me to the FreeStyler homepage. It had links to the download area with the software and other downloads.

    Hope this helps. I'd never seen any software like this - pretty neat!

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    Whit+


    "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney
  • metron9metron9 Posts: 1,100
    edited 2007-07-31 14:35
    The DMX receiver I just made can receive all 512 channels, It is designed to run an 8 channel LED light (or 4 lights with 2 channels each) I am designing so it has dmx in and dmx out. To get more channels just add controllers. I can custom design one with 36 dimmer channels and 32 modes, the modes are things like strobe, fadeup/down , react to sound , typical industry standard dmx lighting stuff. You would set a dip switch for channels 1-64 or 65-129 etc..

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Think Inside the box first and if that doesn't work..
    Re-arrange what's inside the box then...
    Think outside the BOX!
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,216
    edited 2007-07-31 15:53
    Metron9,

    May I ask what micro you're using for your DMX projects?
  • metron9metron9 Posts: 1,100
    edited 2007-07-31 17:47
    Mega48 and the tiny2313 for the phase correct PWM as well as the tranceiver sipex makes for DMX interface. The work I did making my coprocessor (although nobody seems to have any idea how powerful it is) enabled me to design this DMX controller in a few days ater work. It really is simple to do. By the way, the timing from the mega48 to the tiny2313 is only 5uS per byte so there is only a 5us delay from the time the DMX signal (44Us per byte) finishes with its stop bit to the time the PWM is updated for each channel. No flicker for any number of channels.

    I am going to keep the software and connections private though.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Think Inside the box first and if that doesn't work..
    Re-arrange what's inside the box then...
    Think outside the BOX!
  • metron9metron9 Posts: 1,100
    edited 2007-07-31 18:13
    I think some of the stamps can run 250kbs rs422 can't they? 1 start bit, 8 data bits and 2 stop bits. so you could run it from a stamp.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Think Inside the box first and if that doesn't work..
    Re-arrange what's inside the box then...
    Think outside the BOX!
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,216
    edited 2007-07-31 19:58
    No BASIC Stamp is capable of 250K baud; the SX is, and I've done simple DMX receiver stuff with it. I designed a four-channel dimmer for EFX-TEK using an SX20, but the max baud in is only 38.4K. The FC-4 does a lot more than I'd need to do in a DMX-based dimmer, so I guess I'll have to start counting cycles in the ISR.... there are no hardware UARTs in the SX so they have to be synthesized in code.
  • WingoAgencyWingoAgency Posts: 29
    edited 2007-08-01 21:48
    What power rating are these LEDs you are working with?
    metron9 said...
    The DMX receiver I just made can receive all 512 channels, It is designed to run an 8 channel LED light (or 4 lights with 2 channels each) I am designing so it has dmx in and dmx out. To get more channels just add controllers. I can custom design one with 36 dimmer channels and 32 modes, the modes are things like strobe, fadeup/down , react to sound , typical industry standard dmx lighting stuff. You would set a dip switch for channels 1-64 or 65-129 etc..

  • metron9metron9 Posts: 1,100
    edited 2007-08-02 07:21
    I am using the LuxeonIII LEDS , I am waiting for the new rebels to come in I may switch to them in the future. Lower power and higher lumens.

    I just finished taking apart an americanDJ mini spot ($129.00) it actually uses an old Atmel at89C chip so they are doing the PWM with software as it has no PWM hardware on the chip.

    Here are some pictures of some of the tests I am running using the LuxeonIII's
    http://www.acousticlights.com/gels.html
    http://www.acousticlights.com/compare.html

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Think Inside the box first and if that doesn't work..
    Re-arrange what's inside the box then...
    Think outside the BOX!
  • WingoAgencyWingoAgency Posts: 29
    edited 2007-08-03 03:10
    What you·think if I can get my hands on 5w for 280LM and 10W 450LM?
    metron9 said...
    I am using the LuxeonIII LEDS , I am waiting for the new rebels to come in I may switch to them in the future. Lower power and higher lumens.

    I just finished taking apart an americanDJ mini spot ($129.00) it actually uses an old Atmel at89C chip so they are doing the PWM with software as it has no PWM hardware on the chip.

    Here are some pictures of some of the tests I am running using the LuxeonIII's
    http://www.acousticlights.com/gels.html
    http://www.acousticlights.com/compare.html

    Post Edited (WingoAgency) : 8/3/2007 3:26:12 AM GMT
  • metron9metron9 Posts: 1,100
    edited 2007-08-03 05:58
    I am in the U.S.
    Would it be .03192 US cents * 280LM = $8.93 US dollars? I would say how much is shipping! My price is $22.75. I don't even see any 10 watt prices.

    This Rebel is even brighter than the luxeonV. I have some of these on order, my price is $11.99 The Dominant Wavelength is 6500K

    7007-PWC-09-1 Luxeon Rebel Star - White, 160 Lumens @ 700mA

    Oh I found a quad driver I plan to use, Digikey# 497-2700-5-ND The specs are amazing on this part. It's a high side part as well. ST Micro makes the best drivers I think. Hey I just typed in ST on the part search on eaglecad and what do you know they have the part in the library, very cool, now I don't have to make it.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Think Inside the box first and if that doesn't work..
    Re-arrange what's inside the box then...
    Think outside the BOX!
  • WingoAgencyWingoAgency Posts: 29
    edited 2007-08-03 14:45
    Excuse me, ·I mean lumens (LM) not the currency units?· What voltage are the rebels running at?· Do they have higher K? I like 10,000K or at least 8,000K.···How do you·cool the LEDs-with big A$$ heat sink or some kind of fan?

    As for getting the Luxeons, what's the quantity the discount starting at?· Do you want to do a group buy.· I can use about 200W of LEDs mix and match.· But I only need white(80,000K plus)·and blue 420-476 nm are all fine.
    metron9 said...
    I am in the U.S.
    Would it be .03192 US cents * 280LM = $8.93 US dollars? I would say how much is shipping! My price is $22.75. I don't even see any 10 watt prices.

    This Rebel is even brighter than the luxeonV. I have some of these on order, my price is $11.99 The Dominant Wavelength is 6500K

    7007-PWC-09-1 Luxeon Rebel Star - White, 160 Lumens @ 700mA

    Oh I found a quad driver I plan to use, Digikey# 497-2700-5-ND The specs are amazing on this part. It's a high side part as well. ST Micro makes the best drivers I think. Hey I just typed in ST on the part search on eaglecad and what do you know they have the part in the library, very cool, now I don't have to make it.

    Post Edited (WingoAgency) : 8/3/2007 2:58:19 PM GMT
  • metron9metron9 Posts: 1,100
    edited 2007-08-03 16:09
    Go to Luxeon.com for specs, Rebels are 6,500K the other whites LuxI and III and V are 5,500K

    Not really much discount on qty till your over 10,000 pcs. I use aluminum to heat sink.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Think Inside the box first and if that doesn't work..
    Re-arrange what's inside the box then...
    Think outside the BOX!
  • StarManStarMan Posts: 306
    edited 2007-08-03 17:33
    I ordered some Rebels on May 28.· At that time, the·projected time to ship·was 10 weeks.· I'm expecting them to be available in a couple weeks.

    Chris I.
  • DigitalDjDigitalDj Posts: 207
    edited 2007-08-08 01:29
    Check out these 2 pages!

    http://www.freewebs.com/artdecojukebox/lightgridvideos.htm

    http://www.freewebs.com/artdecojukebox/lighjtgridsoftware.htm

    Kevin



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  • WingoAgencyWingoAgency Posts: 29
    edited 2007-09-14 17:44
    Been a while have not come back to this thread due to other projects.

    Here are some more stuff I have defined for the projects.

    I have picked some Power LEDs so that all of us can debate the benefits or disadvantages of them. However, I don't know how to post files (they are in PDF and Word format) in this forum? Can some give me some pointers-I canno open my attached pdf.

    Basically, I have decided to go wtih

    5W White LED, 60000-8000K, 6-7.5V 200-280LM

    1W Blue LED, 460nm, 3.5(typical)-4(Max)V, 10-15LM or
    10W Blue LED, 465nm, 30(typical)-33(Max)V, 90LM

    Some of my concerns in choosing the two different LEDs are the number of pcs I have to solder and the eveness of the light. The projecting distance from the light sourse are around 18-36 inches. That is, if I go with 10W, I solder only 8 pcs while if I go with 1W I have to solder ~60 pcs for the same amount of LM. However, the ~60 pcs can be more evenly spread out along the fixture and thus give me much even light close to the "bulb" The cost is similar in either 1W or 10W LEDs for the same amount of LM. Next concern is the voltage: the 10W ones uses 30-33V which is way above power supplies I can find handily. I am think of using old PC power suplies because they have 12V lines and that I hav emany old computer PS everywhere in my house. BTW what can I use to load the PC PS-a sandbar or what spec?

    thanks for any input, I am such a newbie in this thing

    Post Edited (WingoAgency) : 9/14/2007 5:52:24 PM GMT
    pdf
    pdf
    S12GB7C.pdf
    170K
    doc
    doc
    For Release PA0BCZJ-C3ZJE2 Blue color.doc
    319K
    pdf
    pdf
    5VAM12DW6C.pdf
    46K
  • StarManStarMan Posts: 306
    edited 2007-09-15 23:00
    Thanks for reminding me.· I still haven't received my Rebels.· It's time for a phone call.

    How are you going to heatsink those 10W LEDs?

    Chris I.
  • WingoAgencyWingoAgency Posts: 29
    edited 2007-09-16 07:00
    I am thinking of·attaching a sheet of aluminium.··Then I may attach some old PC CPU heatsink/fans to the sheet if they are·still too hot.· I also want to check if I can use the heat sink (some people called them fins) of air conditioner and put one big fan there.



    Post Edited (WingoAgency) : 9/16/2007 7:08:33 AM GMT
  • WingoAgencyWingoAgency Posts: 29
    edited 2007-09-26 23:58
    I am now at the stage of trying to mount the LEDs on the aluminium but found that they don't stick by soldering. What to do?

    I am using power LEDs so look like a star. I am thinking of using some screws but have to insulate it so that it won't touch the conacts on the surface of the bulbs. At the same time, I have to have them tight on the surface of the aluminium sheet so that heat can be tranfserred properly.

    Any inputs?

    As for the heat sink I got a big heat sink. It may be a poser but at least it looks good. Hehe
    http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2978&p=2

    Now back to the very first question I am asking for one of you guys to program a controller for me so that I can controll this fixture with computer. I will write my own user interface with high level language package MS Visual Baisc and send a matrix of of information to turn on and off each bulb at a certain time. I need someone to program the controller so that it receive information from my computer may be thru a USB port of such. In the old days I have done a parallel port controller to turn on and off 8 lights using relays so I guess you guys can come up with something for LEDs with micro controller as well. I will pay for your trouble of building, programming and such and please offer me a deal.

    Thanks in advance.

    The LEDs are mostly 10V 10W ones and most likely I want each one to be individually programmable unless financially prohibitive. So far I am thinking of 10 pcs of 10V 10W White LED and 4 pcs of 10V 10W Blue LED and 2 pcs of RED 1 W LED.
  • WingoAgencyWingoAgency Posts: 29
    edited 2007-09-27 22:14
    I am testing to the use of AA/Crazy glue to hold the 3W LED, I will let you guys know if it can stand the heat.


    Update after·6 hours operation.

    With just an alluminium frame the temperature of the LEDs will stable at 110F and the glue looks like holding alright.· There seems to have no visual degrading of the light intensity either.· Nevertheless, I will put a fan to see how much coolr it will get to.

    Post Edited (WingoAgency) : 9/28/2007 3:22:02 AM GMT
  • WingoAgencyWingoAgency Posts: 29
    edited 2007-09-27 23:27
    Metron9,

    I sent you a PM
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