Beta-Portable Wired/Wireless DMX Tester (See first post for specs and features)

[deanathpc]

Awesom!  Getting closer....

So how much cheaper is it to use a China board than a US based company?

[n1ist]

In this case, the board house in China (pcbgeek) charged $89 for a 200-square inch panel (16 boards), including shipping.  The American house (4pcb) has a prototype special - 4 boards for $33 each with a fifth tossed in free, plus shipping.  There are likely better choices out there; I am running a proto of the DMX servo controller at iteadstudios (10 boards for $28 plus shipping).

/mike

[dlhoppe]

Nice, looking forward to putting one together. Thanks for leading the effort on the hardware side Mike!

As soon as we assemble a couple and test them, we'll send some boards to the coop managers so they can do their own build and see how best to organize a coop. I guess the only real question is how to handle the wireless "option". We'll let the coop managers decide that.



Cheers,
Dave


P.S.  Mike and Charles, please photo-document your builds so we'll have them for the wiki.

[deanathpc]

In this case, the board house in China (pcbgeek) charged $89 for a 200-square inch panel (16 boards), including shipping.  The American house (4pcb) has a prototype special - 4 boards for $33 each with a fifth tossed in free, plus shipping.  There are likely better choices out there; I am running a proto of the DMX servo controller at iteadstudios (10 boards for $28 plus shipping).

/mike

Wow big difference.  cool...

Can't wait for the availability of these!  Should be cool!  And I've gotten in on the wireless coop so this should be a great option!

Dean

[dlhoppe]

I got the boards in the mail today. I have one almost fully assembled. Just need a 14pin socket for the line driver. I could solder the chip in, but decided against it. I'll run into the shack later and get one so I can get this finished tonight. Look for pics later this evening.


Dave

[dmaccole]

Just need a 14pin socket for the line driver.

Remember, a 14-pin socket can also be a six-pin and an eight-pin soldered in next to one another ...

\dmc

PS: Or, a 16- or 18-pin with some pins cuts off (someone on this or another board said they cut theirs up with a bandsaw).

[dlhoppe]

Update:

I completed the assembly and everything works exactly as it should. Awesome job on the PCB design Mike! Works like a charm. Now I just need to do some cutting on the enclosure and button it all up.



Dave

[hbomb341]

 

Can't wait - HOPE to have one by LSH Academy - be an awesome item to show off and spike intreats in DIY.

Harrison

[dlhoppe]

Here's my prototype unit. Don't look too hard at the hack job I did on the enclosure...

[dlhoppe]

A couple more pics...

I'm going to play around with some graphics using my vinyl cutter. I'll post more pics when I get that done.


Cheers,
Dave

[loveroflife96]

Dave....

That looks great!!  Been following this for a while and really excited to see it coming to a end user product prototype! 

Duane

[n1ist]

If you are thinking of building the tester (or the servo controller) with the wireless option, don't forget to get at least a PCB in the current coop...  Hold off building it as there are some minor mods that you will need to do.

/mike

[RJ]

Looks Great!

RJ

[PJNMCT]

Great Job!

-Paul

[wbuehler]

Looks Good

Bill