DiyLightAnimation

Hardware => Lynx MR16 / 16 CH DC Controller => Topic started by: RJ on May 08, 2008,

Title: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on May 08, 2008,

This Project is for a 16 channel controller designed with the sole purpose of dimming the MR16 spot lights. It is being optimized for the current MR16 leds that Wirekat sells which have 32 leds on them.

It is really a finished design with afew beta  boards being ordered this weekend. It uses mosfets to provide current enough to handle 12 MR16 as a target per channel and it has 16 channels.

This provides control for either 4 Red/Green/Blue light cannons with up to 36 MR16 each. Or 3 Red/Green/Blue/White Cannons with 48 MR16 each.

The Parts cost will be in the $20 - $25 range and it is a small pcb of just 4" x 3.5"

It is powered by a seperate computer type 12 volt power supply with enough current to handle the lights attached. Each Mr16 is about  .17 amp to drive.

All connections to the board are made by 1/4 spade connectors.

This works on the Lynx drive circuit and the Firmware is special firmware for MR16 that I created for the lynx to dim them.

RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: Aussiephil on May 09, 2008,

RJ

Looks great.

I have something that may be of interest to some who build these and that is a small PCB that has the motherboard style molex connectors and switch wiring so you can just plug in an ATX Power Supply, it has normal screw connections out.
It is a home etch board that i'm happy to post the pdf file if anyone wants to make one.

I made it for my own use but could be useful for anyone wanting to use computer PSU's.

the attached image is the first build - i have made a couple of small changes but it is essentially the same
The board measures 3"x2" - a 20pin or 24 pin atx socket can be installed along with the 4 pin aux socket


Phil

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: kylec on May 09, 2008,

This is really cool!!  Thanks RJ. ;D

If you want any beta testers on this project, I have my hand raised. 

I have 40 of the MR16s from Wirekats most recent group buy that I can play with.  I'd be happy to help out.

Kyle

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on May 09, 2008,

I have 235 MR16s that I need a controller for.

My had is up for a beta tester as well.

Thanks

Tom

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: WWNF911 on May 09, 2008,

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RJ

Looks great.

I have something that may be of interest to some who build these and that is a small PCB that has the motherboard style molex connectors and switch wiring so you can just plug in an ATX Power Supply, it has normal screw connections out.
It is a home etch board that i'm happy to post the pdf file if anyone wants to make one.

I made it for my own use but could be useful for anyone wanting to use computer PSU's.

the attached image is the first build - i have made a couple of small changes but it is essentially the same
The board measures 3"x2" - a 20pin or 24 pin atx socket can be installed along with the 4 pin aux socket


Phil

Looks great Phil!

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on May 12, 2008,

Got the case in for the MR16 / LED controller today. Heres a pic of what the case looks like with a print of the pcb in it.

RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: WWNF911 on May 13, 2008,

Nice find RJ. Looks like it'll fit well!

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: wbuehler on May 13, 2008,

Nice

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: crazylightlady on May 13, 2008,

RJ,

I'd love to be able to beta test the new controller.  I'd really like to find something to replace the D-Light Boards I'm currently using.

Any chance you could release the project as a board only?  I was looking at the PCB and I already have the components in house.   ;)

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: wbuehler on May 13, 2008,

Nice ATX adaptor Phil

Bill

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on May 13, 2008,

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RJ,

I'd love to be able to beta test the new controller.  I'd really like to find something to replace the D-Light Boards I'm currently using.

Any chance you could release the project as a board only?  I was looking at the PCB and I already have the components in house.   ;)

Not sure yet how it will be done.

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: WWNF911 on May 14, 2008,

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If you want any beta testers on this project, I have my hand raised.

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My had is up for a beta tester as well.

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I'd love to be able to beta test the new controller.

Well,... I'd be willing to Beta test and be his new best friend.  So there ...(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/taunt002.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org)

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on May 25, 2008,

I have finished the MR16 Controller Design and will now order a few PCB's if the pcb's come out well there will be a coop for them.

Here is a video of the test on it.

http://media.putfile.com/MR16-controller-test

RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: WWNF911 on May 26, 2008,

RJ,

Once again you've outdone yourself. I don't think I have to tell you "I can't wait!"

Well done.

(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/excited002.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org)

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: WWNF911 on June 01, 2008,

Curious RJ,

I went back and looked carefully but did'nt hear you mention, in your testing did you use an AC or DC 12 volt supply for the MR16s? I remember that these could be run with either per Kevin (Wirekat) I really liked the results and would just like to know which provided the great results.

Thanks

Leon

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on June 01, 2008,

12v DC computer power supply.  you can get thm with 24 amps @ +12 for $19

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2475867&CatId=1078

That is enough to power 125 MR16 lights easy.

RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: tconley on June 01, 2008,

is there going to be a coop for this board anytime soon i need them for halloween

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on June 01, 2008,

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is there going to be a coop for this board anytime soon i need them for halloween

It will be a couple of weeks yet as I do not have the first batch of beta boards in yet. Expected sometime this week. I hope to have one at the Florida mini.

RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: tconley on June 01, 2008,

RJ,
    Are you going to coop your little power supply atx conversion board?

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on June 01, 2008,

That would be Phil's little board. I would imaging he will if people want it. I just cut the wires and add spade connectors to plug into the board. But his board is a nice, cool little setup. I hope he does get enough people wanting them to coop it.

RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: tconley on June 09, 2008,

Since the MR16 are running dc does anyone see a problem with running a single negative back from 3 mr16's.  My plan is to have a red, green and a blue mr16 in a single enclosure and using a standard 4 wire automotive quick connect to connect everything up.

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on June 09, 2008,

How about one +12 and 3 grounds? since the MR16 board switchs ground it would be better.  ;D  But yes it would work fine. I am going to do the same but my cannons will have 3 of each color on them and the same colors will hook together at the canon and feed 4 conductor. The four conductor can run a lot of mr16's on it.

Then back at the controller the first canons red will hook to channel #1 neg terminal, green channel #2 neg terminal, blue channel #3 neg terminal. Then cannon #2 will hook  reds to ch #4 , etc, etc,

but since the pcb has spade terminals I am just going to put them on the end that hooks to the controller and so I want use the plug.

Just thought I would let you in on what I have in mind for it.

RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: Aussiephil on June 09, 2008,

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RJ,
    Are you going to coop your little power supply atx conversion board?

As RJ said that one is mine :) - happy to get it Cooped if there is enough interest but if we only have a few i can etch a bunch at home for a couple dollars each and send out to anyone interested or to the Coop Manager. You just won't get the pretty component overlay if i etch them :)

Cheers
Phil

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: christmas_in_VA on June 09, 2008,

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RJ,
    Are you going to coop your little power supply atx conversion board?

As RJ said that one is mine :) - happy to get it Cooped if there is enough interest but if we only have a few i can etch a bunch at home for a couple dollars each and send out to anyone interested or to the Coop Manager. You just won't get the pretty component overlay if i etch them :)

Cheers
Phil

I'm in for 2 Phil

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: tconley on June 09, 2008,

put me in for 2 as well

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: wbuehler on June 10, 2008,

2 as well

Bill

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: WWNF911 on June 10, 2008,

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12v DC computer power supply.  you can get thm with 24 amps @ +12 for $19

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2475867&CatId=1078

That is enough to power 125 MR16 lights easy.

RJ

I ordered 2 and both arrived yesterday!

One for the display and a backup.

Thanks RJ  :)

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: WWNF911 on June 10, 2008,

Phil,

I'd be interested in 2.  Thanks

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I have finished the MR16 Controller Design and will now order a few PCB's if the pcb's come out well there will be a coop for them.

Here is a video of the test on it.

http://media.putfile.com/MR16-controller-test

RJ

Hey RJ,

Just curious how its going? What the,......  Oh no look at that. I'm getting drool everywhere!  LOL

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on June 10, 2008,

PCB's came in today but no time to do anything with them today or tommorrow so this weekend most likely.

RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: blickensderfer on June 12, 2008,

Phil,

I would be intrested in 3 of them.

Thanks,
Dan

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on June 12, 2008,

This is getting off topic bad guys.  Lets make a thread for the power supply board to request them.

Thanks
RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on June 12, 2008,

Ok,

 Here a video progress update on the MR16 controller.
http://media.putfile.com/mr16-beta-test


RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: kylec on June 12, 2008,

Looks Great RJ !! ;D ;D

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: tconley on June 13, 2008,

Look great when is the coop??????? 

 ???
 ;D :D

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: WWNF911 on June 13, 2008,

Now thats the best test of the MR16 in action I've seen so far. Thankyou soooo much for all your hard work RJ!

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on June 13, 2008,

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Look great when is the coop??????? 

 ???
 ;D :D

Very Soon just a little testing first. I will most likely start a coop by the end of the Week. hopefully we can get enought to make it cheap.

RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: WWNF911 on June 25, 2008,

*************************************

(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/excited002.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org)

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: RJ on June 26, 2008,

For those looking for 4 conductor wire to use to connect you light cannons the best price I could find was here

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_1016438_1016438?cm_mmc=Housefile-_-SHIPPED-_-1206-_-CONF

it is 16 ga but thats good for 20 amps at 12v so 10 times the single channel current. one piece of it could operate 120 MR16's safely!   :o

So I order a spool.

Let me know if you find it cheaper so if I need more I can get it.

RJ

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: wirekat on June 26, 2008,

I use this wire:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/WRB-22/22-GAUGE-RED/BLACK-ZIP-CORD/-/1.html

and these connectors:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/CON-320/2-CONDUCTOR-WATERPROOF-CONNECTORS-18-AWG/-/1.html

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: joshuashu on July 18, 2009,

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RJ,
    Are you going to coop your little power supply atx conversion board?

As RJ said that one is mine :) - happy to get it Cooped if there is enough interest but if we only have a few i can etch a bunch at home for a couple dollars each and send out to anyone interested or to the Coop Manager. You just won't get the pretty component overlay if i etch them :)

Cheers
Phil

Where can i get one of these?

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: Aussiephil on July 19, 2009,

Joshua

Looks like i have one left from last year, the postage from Aus will be more than the board to the US, maybe one of the stateside members has a spare.

Send me a PM if you can't get one stateside.

Cheers
Phil

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: rrowan on July 19, 2009,

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RJ,
    Are you going to coop your little power supply atx conversion board?

As RJ said that one is mine :) - happy to get it Cooped if there is enough interest but if we only have a few i can etch a bunch at home for a couple dollars each and send out to anyone interested or to the Coop Manager. You just won't get the pretty component overlay if i etch them :)

Cheers
Phil

Where can i get one of these?

Send a PM to wbuehler, since he ran the coop for them he might have a few laying around.

Rick R.

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on July 19, 2009,

I have an extra one I might part with. If you are interested I can check. Just PM me.

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: knguyen916 on July 20, 2009,

likewise. I have 2 i can part with.

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I have an extra one I might part with. If you are interested I can check. Just PM me.

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: MrChristmas2000 on July 21, 2009,

Sold.

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: joshuashu on August 26, 2009,

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I use this wire:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/WRB-22/22-GAUGE-RED/BLACK-ZIP-CORD/-/1.html

and these connectors:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/CON-320/2-CONDUCTOR-WATERPROOF-CONNECTORS-18-AWG/-/1.html

Kevin,

do you just cut the end off and solder the wires to the MR16 and use the cut end to connect to the  wire going to the board?

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: WWNF911 on August 26, 2009,

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I use this wire:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/WRB-22/22-GAUGE-RED/BLACK-ZIP-CORD/-/1.html

and these connectors:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/CON-320/2-CONDUCTOR-WATERPROOF-CONNECTORS-18-AWG/-/1.html

Kevin,

do you just cut the end off and solder the wires to the MR16 and use the cut end to connect to the  wire going to the board?

You would plug the MR16 to these and then connect the wire to the socket. Although you can solder them together, I used a ten connector terminal block from radio shack since each MR16 enclosure had 4 colors of MR16's. Keep in mind though that each MR16 Kevin sells comes with a resistor that you'll also need to solder in line to get them to perform (dim) properly. Also they are polarized so you'll want to pay attention to that as well.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-of-50-X-MR16-MR11-Wire-Connector-Socket-LED-Halogen_W0QQitemZ200261180062QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea07f1a9e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14


Oops - Just read kevins post you quoted. I guess theres many ways you could do it. Sorry to but in. I'm not sure exacly how Kevin did his.    :-[

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: wirekat on August 26, 2009,

Not a problem...

I cut the connectors in half (roughly) and I use sockets for the MR16's but
you could solder directly to the MR16 as the pins are pretty isolated from
the circuit board under the MR16 LEDs.
I use a ton of the CON-320 connectors from Allelectronics for not only
coming off the controllers but for extension cables in various lengths
to run to the individual MR16's all over the yard.
Yeah the plugs can provide polarity for you but the MR16's don't care
as they have the electronics in them to allow 12 volt AC or DC and
seem to work well without reguard for polarity.

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: joshuashu on August 26, 2009,

thanks kevin,

i will be ordering more once i sell my extension cords. looking forward to getting them  :)

so basically i can cut them in half and use them connected to the lead wire from the MR16s and connect the other end to a wire and then to the board.

cut end solderd to mr16 lead wire----- to other end connected to the end coming off the MR16--- to wire to the board? sorry i am a visual  person, does that make sense?

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: WWNF911 on August 26, 2009,

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Yeah the plugs can provide polarity for you but the MR16's don't care
as they have the electronics in them to allow 12 volt AC or DC and
seem to work well without reguard for polarity.

Wow, Thanks Kevin. I never knew. I plugged mine into the board for testing last year and one way had no light. swapped the wires and had light. After that I just assumed that you had to pay attention to polarity.

Title: Re: MR16 LED controller
Post by: wirekat on August 26, 2009,

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thanks kevin,

i will be ordering more once i sell my extension cords. looking forward to getting them  :)

so basically i can cut them in half and use them connected to the lead wire from the MR16s and connect the other end to a wire and then to the board.

cut end solderd to mr16 lead wire----- to other end connected to the end coming off the MR16--- to wire to the board? sorry i am a visual  person, does that make sense?

I think so. Here's a link to my hookup using a store bought DC controller: http://www.christmasinkent.com/howto/howto.htm#DC