sunray Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182321874268 Do you have personal experience of this module, and can you recommend it? The 3 decoders I've tried so far have an annoying flicker every 4 seconds or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistermorton Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Those RGB controllers off the bay are really simple to use, but the LEDs will show up the steppiness in the bottom end of using straightforward 8-bit dimming. However, for a cheap solution you can't go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timsabre Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182321874268 Do you have personal experience of this module, and can you recommend it? The 3 decoders I've tried so far have an annoying flicker every 4 seconds or so. No I don't, it was just an example of the type of thing, being the first one that came up on ebay. What is the flicker (all off/all on/different colour)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistermorton Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 I have used the exact same module Tim linked to, and had no flicker problems. As I said, the biggest problem I had was the LEDs ability to really show up the lack of resolution of 8-bit dimming, because the dimmer has no clever slew rate control as it goes from one step to the next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musht Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 Gallery Glass is pretty good https://plaidonline.com/brands/gallery-glass Cost effective alternative, but slightly milkier off axis, is PVA glue with dye, inkjet ink works OK. `Leading` lines, PVA with black/grey emulsion mixed , apply with nozzle bottle. Can create whole design tracing on cellophane wrap and them peel and apply. Clear perspex/PVC/ acrylic/polycarbonate sheet and LED edge light the sheet to show up the colours etc. Just don't scratch the sheet! Unless you can scratch it in a nice even dot or grid pattern then you have perfect edge lit backlight..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunray Posted October 4, 2017 Share Posted October 4, 2017 No I don't, it was just an example of the type of thing, being the first one that came up on ebay. What is the flicker (all off/all on/different colour)I have tried 3 3channel versions of this genre http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DMX512-Decoder-15A-RGB-Controller-LED-Stage-Driver-Mini-Board-3-Channel-Part-Top/263123345513?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 & http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-channel-DMX-512-Controller-Driver-DMX-Decoder-XLR-3P-15A-LED-RGB-Strip-Light-/182537414056?hash=item2a8013e5a8:g:Cz0AAOSwN6JY-FcV the third I can't find on Ebay anymore and they all have a fairly random dip in brightness across all channels simultaneously every 4 seconds or so. I am currently trying to source something that will fit in a 100x100x30 enclosure for 'ambient lights' in a listed environment, it doesn't need to be particularly smooth dimming, just stable once dimmed. I started a topic: <a href='http://www.blue-room.org.uk/index.php?showtopic=69875&pid=555004&st=0&#entry555004' class='bbc_url' title=''>http://www.blue-room...=0</a> I have used the exact same module Tim linked to, and had no flicker problems. As I said, the biggest problem I had was the LEDs ability to really show up the lack of resolution of 8-bit dimming, because the dimmer has no clever slew rate control as it goes from one step to the next.Useful feedback thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigclive Posted October 4, 2017 Share Posted October 4, 2017 I have tried 3 3channel versions of this genre http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DMX512-Decoder-15A-RGB-Controller-LED-Stage-Driver-Mini-Board-3-Channel-Part-Top/263123345513?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 & http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-channel-DMX-512-Controller-Driver-DMX-Decoder-XLR-3P-15A-LED-RGB-Strip-Light-/182537414056?hash=item2a8013e5a8:g:Cz0AAOSwN6JY-FcV the third I can't find on Ebay anymore and they all have a fairly random dip in brightness across all channels simultaneously every 4 seconds or so. I am currently trying to source something that will fit in a 100x100x30 enclosure for 'ambient lights' in a listed environment, it doesn't need to be particularly smooth dimming, just stable once dimmed. I started a topic: <a href='http://www.blue-room.org.uk/index.php?showtopic=69875&pid=555004&st=0&#entry555004' class='bbc_url' title=''>http://www.blue-room...=0</a> The regular dip might not be the controllers. It could be the power supply you're using not having a fun time with the PWM of the load (often fixed by adding an extra electrolytic cap at the load) or it may be that the controller you're using is putting out DMX in a form or rate that causes issues with the processors juggling the DMX reception and the PWM of the LEDs. Was it a generously rated regulated DC supply you were using? Ignore the current ratings on eBay power supplies. If they say 2A it's better not to use them above 1A. Also note that cheapo PSUs on eBay should be regarded as having such poor electrical separation internally that the 12V output could be referenced to the mains and could give a shock. For anything other than trashy personal projects I strongly recommend the use of power supplies bought from prominent UK sellers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunray Posted October 4, 2017 Share Posted October 4, 2017 It's not regular as such, if I repeatedly do a 1,2,3,4 count the flick will sort of be in the right place, it ranges from missing a flick, through hardly noticable to a downright off flash. It will have been either a 13.8V 20+A switchmode (amateur radio type of thing) or 30V 5A variable bench psu. So far only tried these cobbled together on the bench birds nest style but did take the latest one to the local hall to try it on their established system where there was a noticable difference but still there. I confess I hadn't tried extra caps but I will now. Yeah I have an Ebay 50W LED and it's 'matching' driver here which runs at 1100mA / 28V when connected together... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgallen Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Thanks Tim! Hope that helps the OP too... I might look to see if "uncle" bigclive has any videos on the subject! ETA: Giving some of this a go... http://www.ebay.co.u...353.m2749.l2649 It's not clear-plastic enclosed so not for external use. Let's see.. To close the loop, I used one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/dc-5-24v-DMX512-6CH-RGB-Decoder-6-Channel-Controller-For-LED-5050-RGB-Strips/182321874268?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 with 2 lengths of this (=600 LEDs): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5m-Super-Bright-12V-5050-SMD-300-Leds-Flexible-Strip-RGB-Home-Decoration-Light/192259457657?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 (driven from a Farnell LT30-2 power supply and my Zero88 FLX through a Chauvet Datastream4 [because I wasn't quite sure I wanted it directly connected to a £3k lighting desk, at least initially!]) This stuff works really nicely - nice and bright, good strong colours. I found the red a little weaker than the green and blue (to mix yellow it was 100% red and less than 50% green). Dimming was ok - better than some LED fixtures I have! Current gets high quite quickly, if I remember correctly around an amp (@12V) for one length with one colour on 100%. So I will have to box up the DMX interface with some proper connectors for DMX, power and LED (any suggestions for connectors for the LED side, maybe XLR4?) then I might use it for some large props/scenic pieces in an upcoming panto! Thanks to Tim and others for input and suggestions. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timsabre Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Glad it worked, any photos of the finished result?The green Phoenix connectors seem to be what everyone uses for LED tape. XLR4 would work but they are quite expensive connectors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgallen Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 The green Phoenix connectors seem to be what everyone uses for LED tape. XLR4 would work but they are quite expensive connectors. Thanks Tim, you mean these? Look a bit awkward to panel mount the output connector though? https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Phoenix+connectors&rlz=1C1GGRV_enGB759GB760&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjbqNTf0YvXAhXH6iYKHb_uB2wQ_AUICygC&biw=1616&bih=920 Glad it worked, any photos of the finished result? Well it was just draped around the spare room, so probably not very exciting as a photo. Is there something more specific as a photo you think would be useful (for others, I'm sure you've seen miles of that stuff!)? I'll look into those connectors a bit more, see what variants are on offer at CPC/Farnell/RS. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timsabre Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Yes those, they are normally mounted to a PCB which sticks out the box. Sorry I got you mixed up with the original poster who was making stained glass windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgallen Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Oooo forgot to add for Sunray and others, the DMX decoder/controller identified above seemed to be happy enough with RDM data on the DMX line (as output by RigSync on the FLX at least) - there was no flickering evident as seen with some intolerant fixtures. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardash1981 Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 The green Phoenix connectors seem to be what everyone uses for LED tape. XLR4 would work but they are quite expensive connectors. Thanks Tim, you mean these? Look a bit awkward to panel mount the output connector though? https://www.google.c...iw=1616&bih=920You could use these to fit unified XLR holes, but it does defeat the cost argument!https://www.canford....e-PCB-footprint It's also frustratingly hard to find the block versions with strain relief for the cables in small quantities in the UK (as opposed to the US). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRW Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182321874268 Do you have personal experience of this module, and can you recommend it? The 3 decoders I've tried so far have an annoying flicker every 4 seconds or so. What are you using to provide DMX? We noticed something similar when using cheap LED control boards hooked up to our Pathport nodes- turned out to be something to do with RDM discovery, as when we turned the 'RDM Discovery' option off on the port in question, the regular flickering stopped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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