connecting two boards (20 channels) by one cable - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

jameske · 12th August 2009, 11:04 AM

Hi everyone, I am trying to figure out how I can (make) and connect a control unit to an output box through one cable.
The idea is to use an output box with dimmer control so I can plug in lights and not have the main voltages flowing through the control box. The control box is to be connected to the output box. There are 20 channels for lights to be plugged into and each of these channels will need to be controlled (so they can be dimmed and turnned off and on). Therefore how do I get the 20 channels (with thier individual settings) from the control box to the ouput box.

Please ask questions if I don't make sense.

Thanks,
Jameske

3v0 · 12th August 2009, 11:56 AM

See if DMX is what you are looking for

DMX Control

jameske · 13th August 2009, 08:23 AM

DMX looks like the way to go - How would I go about incorporating DMX into my project? Is there any good websites that are easy to understand?

Thanks

Hero999 · 13th August 2009, 11:43 AM

You should have mentioned this in your previous thread.
Lighting for model Railway

I've never done DMX control before.

I'd probably use something fairly simple such as serial data transmission (20-bit one for each light) which would just tell each LED to light and when.

Dimming as such wouldn't be possible but with a high enough bit-rate, it could be implemented by PWM.

Another way could be just to transmit the brightness of each light serially as an 8-bit number, might be easier. To be honest I don't have much experience with this kind of thing.

EDIT:
You could use a PIC with a built-in UART and PWM controller for this.

3v0 · 13th August 2009, 12:14 PM

Your initial post was vague. I would not use DMX for a model railway. It is intended for theater lighting.

I would look at what the people at MERG are doing as suggested in the other thread.

MrDEB · 13th August 2009, 12:42 PM

using PWM, you can build the boards yourself so you have 250+ levels of light intensity.
come Christmas I put up a display doing just that using one 64 channel with dim capabilities and two 64 channel boards with just on/off capabilities
system uses SSR's, a zero crossing power supply, lots of cat 5 cable
YouTube - rocking Salmon, Idaho lights

here is a link to several DIY projects
Main Page - Christmasinshirley.com

jameske · 14th August 2009, 10:16 AM

Thanks MrDEB, that video is pretty impressive for DIY. Thanks for the website I've been browsing on it and found some interesting things I want to try. In terms of a model railway, what would be the best hardware and software compination to use (with dimming capabilities)?
Also, would it be possible to have a manual option where I can bypass the computer and use physical sliders/pots for dimming and push buttons for flashing the lights instead.

Thanks

3v0 · 14th August 2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Also, would it be possible to have a manual option where I can bypass the computer and use physical sliders/pots for dimming and push buttons for flashing the lights instead.

Use a mode switch (auto/manual) on your console. In the manual mode the computer reads the sliders and adjusts lights accordingly.

The questions you are asking suggest you do not know how to program a PC or micro controller?

If or when you can program the light stuff is almost trivial including PWM for dimming. You can even use R/G/B lights to mix any color you want. Put a running marquee on the theater and a blinking EATS sign on the cafe.

The good news is that micro controllers are cheap. You can run most LEDs directly and incandescent lights with a simple transistor.

And as I suggested earlier you can add sensing too. I could go on all day about what is possible.

3v0

jameske · 14th August 2009, 12:19 PM

Firstly, The reason I was asking about a 'manual option' and computer option is because I was thinking about mounting all the controls for the model railway on the same board as the model. Therefore a computer would fit on the board.
Come to think about it I tink I will do away with that idea and just use a computer.
Secondly, are the lighting controls (with dimming capabilities) mentioned at Christmas In Shirley for DC or just AC?

MrDEB · 14th August 2009, 02:03 PM

and I recall they did have some using dc??

3v0 · 14th August 2009, 02:31 PM

It is possible to do AC or DC.

DC is often dimmed with PWM.
AC is dimmed by turning the TRIAC on late in the AC cycle.

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12th August 2009, 11:04 AM	#1
jameske	connecting two boards (20 channels) by one cable Hi everyone, I am trying to figure out how I can (make) and connect a control unit to an output box through one cable. The idea is to use an output box with dimmer control so I can plug in lights and not have the main voltages flowing through the control box. The control box is to be connected to the output box. There are 20 channels for lights to be plugged into and each of these channels will need to be controlled (so they can be dimmed and turnned off and on). Therefore how do I get the 20 channels (with thier individual settings) from the control box to the ouput box. Please ask questions if I don't make sense. Thanks, Jameske

12th August 2009, 11:56 AM	#2
3v0	See if DMX is what you are looking for DMX Control __________________ Please post questions to the forums. PM's are for personal communication. BCHS/3v0's Tutorials Junebug USB PIC programmer kit., USB Bit Whacker, The 15 Minute Printed Circuit Board! (+drill time)

13th August 2009, 08:23 AM	#3
jameske	DMX looks like the way to go - How would I go about incorporating DMX into my project? Is there any good websites that are easy to understand? Thanks

13th August 2009, 11:43 AM	#4
Hero999	You should have mentioned this in your previous thread. Lighting for model Railway I've never done DMX control before. I'd probably use something fairly simple such as serial data transmission (20-bit one for each light) which would just tell each LED to light and when. Dimming as such wouldn't be possible but with a high enough bit-rate, it could be implemented by PWM. Another way could be just to transmit the brightness of each light serially as an 8-bit number, might be easier. To be honest I don't have much experience with this kind of thing. EDIT: You could use a PIC with a built-in UART and PWM controller for this. __________________ I do not answer private messages asking for help because no one else can: benefit from advice I may give or correct me if I'm wrong. Please ask on the open forum if you have a question and I'll be happy to help, if I know the answer. Last edited by Hero999; 13th August 2009 at 11:58 AM.

13th August 2009, 12:14 PM	#5
3v0	Your initial post was vague. I would not use DMX for a model railway. It is intended for theater lighting. I would look at what the people at MERG are doing as suggested in the other thread. __________________ Please post questions to the forums. PM's are for personal communication. BCHS/3v0's Tutorials Junebug USB PIC programmer kit., USB Bit Whacker, The 15 Minute Printed Circuit Board! (+drill time) Last edited by 3v0; 13th August 2009 at 12:18 PM.

13th August 2009, 12:42 PM	#6
MrDEB	You could go with computer controled using PWM, you can build the boards yourself so you have 250+ levels of light intensity. come Christmas I put up a display doing just that using one 64 channel with dim capabilities and two 64 channel boards with just on/off capabilities system uses SSR's, a zero crossing power supply, lots of cat 5 cable YouTube - rocking Salmon, Idaho lights here is a link to several DIY projects Main Page - Christmasinshirley.com

14th August 2009, 10:16 AM	#7
jameske	Thanks MrDEB, that video is pretty impressive for DIY. Thanks for the website I've been browsing on it and found some interesting things I want to try. In terms of a model railway, what would be the best hardware and software compination to use (with dimming capabilities)? Also, would it be possible to have a manual option where I can bypass the computer and use physical sliders/pots for dimming and push buttons for flashing the lights instead. Thanks

14th August 2009, 12:19 PM	#9
jameske	Firstly, The reason I was asking about a 'manual option' and computer option is because I was thinking about mounting all the controls for the model railway on the same board as the model. Therefore a computer would fit on the board. Come to think about it I tink I will do away with that idea and just use a computer. Secondly, are the lighting controls (with dimming capabilities) mentioned at Christmas In Shirley for DC or just AC?

14th August 2009, 02:03 PM	#10
MrDEB	They have used to run LED lights and I recall they did have some using dc??

14th August 2009, 02:31 PM	#11
3v0	It is possible to do AC or DC. DC is often dimmed with PWM. AC is dimmed by turning the TRIAC on late in the AC cycle. __________________ Please post questions to the forums. PM's are for personal communication. BCHS/3v0's Tutorials Junebug USB PIC programmer kit., USB Bit Whacker, The 15 Minute Printed Circuit Board! (+drill time)