PWM LED Controller Advice

[jschnepf]

Alright, I am going to start working on my DIY led build again. Got sidetracked for a year or so, but i'm back on task. One part I don't have nailed down yet is how I am going to control all my color channels. I was leaning towards the coralux storm x controller with 16 pwm channels it seemed like the best choice. Just wondering if anyone has a better suggestion, since I haven't looked into new options for the past year. And also if anyone is using the storm or storm x if I might be able to come see it in action.

[nanoreef1]

What type of leds are you thinking about using? Rapidleds.com sells nice dimmable controllers. You can also try Nanobox sell dimming kits I'm sure. I'm sure there's alot more but those I would start looking at. How many colors of leds you want to control? Any pics of the leds post them to see have an idea of what your using and materials.😀

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[jschnepf]

Yeah I have a thread somewhere on here, ill search and bump it for you. I think i have about 10 different colors i would like to have individual control of. I looked at the bluefish controller but it only has 6 channels.

[crabbysd]

You might want to look at rasberry pi or arduino. Its a little code heavy for a diy. But you can expand a LOT. Not sure of the controller pricing your looking at.
The o th er option ive been looking at is pi with knobs. Set the level and the controller only sets ramp time. Then you can gang them and use rewer channels.
the only thin wackyier than buildin a diy led is building the diy controller. But if you can build the emitter array is pretty simple to add the controller hardware. Its just the code im lost on.
its pretty simple to someone who knows it.

[crabbysd]

I belive its unbereefable that is the code wiz.

[jschnepf]

I have both raspberry pi and arduinos lying around here and have played with both for different projects. I have typhoon running on one of my arduinos already but trying to get a decent user interface with control of 9 led colors, fan speed, moon leds, and temp sensor hasn't been easy.

If you are running one I would love to come checkout your setup and take a gander at your code if you are willing to share.

[greg619]

If you've got the pi then put a WiFi dongle in it and build the interface as a Web app. You can use off the shelf code to make a decent setup pretty quickly. Store the settings in a file or database on the pi and then build a script to handle the timing of your various outputs.


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[jschnepf]

If you've got the pi then put a WiFi dongle in it and build the interface as a Web app. You can use off the shelf code to make a decent setup pretty quickly. Store the settings in a file or database on the pi and then build a script to handle the timing of your various outputs.


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You lost me on the first statement... I won't ever use wifi on a device that has a wired network option. I am using my current pi as a web based controller for my 3d printer. It was a premade package called octoprint.

I guess I should have added that as much as I love DIY I am going to try and go with a tested and proven setup. I have a 1.5 year old, and between her and work clients time is in short supply. I can't take a couple hundred hours to learn to program the pi and build a nice front end web page when I could buy a full packaged product for 95 bucks. 5 years ago I would absolutely be the guy to save 30 bucks and spend the time to make it work on my own. I didn't think the pi had the number of IO ports that I require for my project either, but honestly I haven't done that much research on them. I originally wanted to use it as a network media player but it fell far short on my expectations, so it was repurposed to run the printer.

[crabbysd]

Will you guys come hang out with me. I have a large grill and beer. Also several schematics of controller led pump plans you may find interesting. I'd appreciate the help.

[crabbysd]

It takes a village.

[crabbysd]

[QUOTE=greg619;968703]If you've got the pi then put a WiFi dongle in it and build the interface as a Web app. You can use off the shelf code to make a decent setup pretty quickly. Store the settings in a file or database on the pi and then build a script to handle the timing of your various outputs.


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Yup. I get that.

[jschnepf]

Are you going to the sdmas meeting this month? Lets talk there if you are.

[greg619]

Pi definitely has enough io. Arduino depends on the chip you choose. I mistook the direction you were headed. Neither of these platforms is an "out of the box" solution. And you're right - there are at least 3 major techs to learn to do this whole system. Ps. I use WiFi cause my tank isn't near a hard line.


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[unbereefable]

Storm X. No coding. Just wire up and go. Much easier and quicker.

[crabbysd]

How many channels on storm x. I'll look at it today.
But it's like building a robot. I could buy one. But where's the fun in that.
If there are components that can be incorporated that are store bought that saves time and I can afford I'm into that.