Forum suggestion

[rrowan]

Personally I am against links back to the forum. It doesn't normally work out well and what happens if someone deletes their post?

Rick R.

[chrisatpsu]

note taken, rick, plus we can keep the wiki to keep steering people to that are looking for info, rather than continue our search through the threads..


anyone have the rigid strips?
can you take a close up pic of where the wires attach to the strip?

i have the flexible strip, rectanges, and squares, i can take pics of those

i have the OLD smart string nodes, can someone take a good close up pic of the wires going into the node (and showing the chip side)?

[jnealand]

There are some closeups of nodes that have been posted in the past.  Would be useful if there was a way that you could look a the upload repository assuming there is one.

[chrisatpsu]

ok, for the hardware right now...  what do you guys think of this?

Lynx Equipment
USB Dongle
   Use
   Build Manual
   Troubleshooting Ideas
EtherDongle
   Use
   Build Manual
   Troubleshooting Ideas
Hubs
16 port Active Hub
   Use
   Build Manual
   Troubleshooting Ideas
4port Passive Hub
   Use
   Build Manual
   Troubleshooting Ideas
Controllers
Smart String Controller
   Use / mounting examples
   Build Manual
   Troubleshooting Ideas
(I dont want to add the smart string controller for dumb strings, since there is no info about it, we can add it when it comes out)


Nodes
   General Info for testing bad nodes
Smart String Nodes
   Examples of use
   Connection/wire info
   Mounting examples
Flexible Strips
   Examples of use
   Connection/wire info
   Mounting examples
Rigid Strips
   Examples of use
   Connection/wire info
   Mounting examples
Metal Squares
   Examples of use
   Connection/wire info
   Mounting examples
Plastic Rectangles
   Examples of use
   Connection/wire info
   Mounting examples
3pin connectors / 3conductor wire

[sjb]

I think this would be awesome. As a newbie I can not say how much this would assist in getting into the hobby and assisting in know how to get set up.

[Rainlover]

Chris,
That is a great start.

John

[chrisatpsu]

oh yeah, for connection info, i'd add about splicing nodes

[rrowan]

When you said Build Manual are you just linking to the equipment page and the does "use" = a user manual?

Where are the videos?

 

Rick R.

[chrisatpsu]

the build manual will link to the existing stuff.

use would be, how that particular item fits into all of this.

[rdebolt]

Good Start! 

[chrisatpsu]

working on a user manual for the 16 port active Hub...

Lynx Smart String Active 16 port Hub User's Manual


------Image Here ------
A Lynx Smart String Active 16 port Hub with 12v option installed

Use:
   The Lynx Smart String Active 16  port Hub is an important part of the Pixelnet network.
   
It is responsible for taking one "universe" (4096) channels of Pixelnet, and sending the data out along with 12v of power to the smart string controllers.

Features:
   Is capable of receiving power via a single rail ATX Computer power supply.
   Can receive power via a regulated 12v switching power supply. (with 12v option installed)
   Can send Pixelnet to another Active Hub via two onboard Pixelnet ports.
   Can send one universe of DMX via the DMX port
   
   
Build:
   Please see the current Build Manual at:
   You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
   
   
Requirements:
   USB Dongle or EtherDongle programmed for Pixelnet
   Power:
      Single rail ATX Computer Power Supply or
      12v regulated switching power supply (with 12v option installed)
   
Setup:
   Cabling
   Connect RJ45 cable from Dongle to Pixelnet Input jack
   If using more than one Hub, connect the next hub to Pixelnet out jack
   Connect cable(s) for smart string controllers to any of the 16 Smart string output jacks
   If using DMX devices from this hub, connect to the DMX jack.
   Note: If using the 4 port passive Hub, it must be connected to a smart string output jack.
   
   If using just a USB Dongle, set both Pixelnet Universe jumpers to "1"
   If using multiple Dongles, or a EtherDongle, set both Pixelnet universe jumpers to appropriate universe.
   
   Using DMX:
      DMX from an active hub does not give a separate set of channels for only DMX. It is a block of channels used from the Pixelnet signal that are available to both Pixelnet AND DMX.
   
-----in a table-----   
DMX Jumper
Pixelnet channels
1
0001-0512
2
0513-1024
3
1025-1536
4
1537-2048
5
2049-2560
6
2561-3072
7
3073-3584
8
3585-4096

      For example, if you set the DMX jumper for "5" then Pixelnet channel 2049, is also DMX channel 1
   
   
   
   Power
   Connect the single rail  ATX power supply to the Active Hub via the 24 pin power connector AND also the 4pin Molex hard drive connectors:
   A single rail power supply is extremely important.
   
------image here------
Picture of two connectors on one brach (top) and another (bottom)
      
      Note:  If your power supply has multiple braches as in the picture above. Connect each branch to the active hub. This will balance out power among different wires, and wont rely on all the power going over one or a few wires.

   If using a 12v regulated switching power supply, connect the cables from the supply to the Active hub. Refer to the markings on the Hub for polarity. Refer to your power supply for further connection information.
   
   
   Once the rest of your setup in complete, you can turn on your Lynx Smart String Active 16 port hub!
   
   
Troubleshooting:


EDIT: Edited for typos  : )

[sebjsan]

I like where your going with this. It gives me enough courage to do it next year

[rimist]

I think this is great! It would have simplified things significantly for me.

-Rimist (via Tapatalk)

[mkozik1]

Nicely done Chris!