DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx EtherDongle => Topic started by: pk on December 27, 2011,
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I assembled my EtherDongle, programmed the PIC, and powered it up and there was no smoke - always a good sign. The +3.3 and +5 supply voltages were good.
I added the EtherDongle output plug-in to the appropriate folder in Vixen and modified a sequence to use the EtherDongle. The EtherDongle is connected to a port on a switch on my home network. I connected the Pixelnet/DMX port to my TX/RX. With fingers crossed, I clicked on play, and looked out the window to see blinky flashy!!! Woo hoo.
Then I wanted to try the EtherDongle with xLights which is on my show computer located downstairs. So.... I configured xLights for E.1.31 operation. I fired up my playlist and it worked!!! The neat thing about this is the EtherDongle and TX/RX were still in my office upstairs and the show computer is downstairs!! And... to top it off, the show computer is connected to my network using a set of those adapters that send ethernet over the ac wiring in the house!!! I am amazed it is all working!! There could be some problems but it is hard to tell in the daylight.
I do not have smartstrings this year so the EtherDongle is programmed with the DMX firmware. I have found a DLA member here in Denver to check out the EtherDongle using Pixelnet firmware.
I will run my show with the EtherDongle tonight and see how it goes.
Does anyone know if the EtherDongle with DMX firmware supports more than 1 DMX universe?
RJ - Thank you for sharing your design of this impressive hardware. Assembly was a breeze!!
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Yes the EtherDongle supports 4 universes
In your case 4 DMX or 2048 channels (512 * 4)
To use all four you will need to either use the combiner (in reverse mode) or make a custom cat5 cable that splits out the 4 pairs of wires and then connect whatever universe you need.
btw: My show is running tonight with no problems using the EtD. I just change xLights to use it instead of the usb dongle. So Cool
Cheers and congrats
Rick R.
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UPDATE: My show is running fine with the EtherDongle.
Thanks for the 4 Univ info Rick. I thought I read that somewhere once upon a time. Yes it was easy to change xLights to use the etherdongle. It is nice.
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Way to go pk!
I am going to put my etherDongle together this week. Can it run off of a stand alone system that is not connected to a network?
My show computer is not connected to the internet or our home network.
John
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Way to go pk!
I am going to put my etherDongle together this week. Can it run off of a stand alone system that is not connected to a network?
My show computer is not connected to the internet or our home network.
John
Sure a cat5 cable from the ethernet port on the computer right into the EtherDongle
Rick R.
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Thanks Rick.
I will try to figure it out tomorrow.
John
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Rick beat me to the answer. :o
I now have the EtherDongle directly connected to an Ethernet port on my show computer and it works fine.