Apex VDM to custom led interface

[djmx2002]

Hey all,

Just thought I would share what I've been working on in the past couple of weeks.

I currently own an apex unit, and got 4 tanks with custom built radion g3 packs on them. At the moment, I can't easily control the color of the lights, since each tank has 6 channels of color.

So i came up with the following solution:
each VDM port, has two channels, one would be used for defining the color, and one would be used to define the channel intensity.

I am planning on storing preset color combination based on 0-10v value. for example
91%-100% would be 15k
81%-90% would be 20k and so on.

Planning to open source the project once completed.

I am not an electrical engineer, and this is kind the first attempt at something like that, if anyone who has experience wants to help out, you're welcome

 

[theatrus]

Schematic isn't legible (thanks ancient RC forum limits).

But nothing wrong with this approach

 

[djmx2002]

Schematic isn't legible (thanks ancient RC forum limits).

But nothing wrong with this approach

I think it may be the eagle export, or maybe combination of the two.


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[theatrus]

Add more pixels and toss it on imgur

 

[djmx2002]

Don't think I can still modify the original post, but i've uploaded it with higher res to IMGUR

High Res
http://i.imgur.com/LDDRBV2.png

PS. yea it was RC resizing it, had to reduce the image size the second time

 

[djmx2002]

Received the PCBs today, going to solder up all of the components tomorrow and start working on the software

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[theatrus]

Surprised you went for HASL - I like my SMT pads flat

 

[djmx2002]

Surprised you went for HASL - I like my SMT pads flat

Yea not sure choose the default settings. Was a bit pita to solder but it turned out ok. Still need to finish testing the pca9685 chip.

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[djmx2002]

Turns out that the rj45 connectors are got are complete garbage. They won't make solid connection. Now I need to wait few more days for other connectors :-/ bit it turns out all do the components are working properly


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[theatrus]

Which, per chance, did you get? Did you order some with magnetics internally?

 

[djmx2002]

I got a few from ebay. Supposed to be pulse jack but even tho it was a us seller I think they are knockoffs.

I tested it against couple of different plugs, ones I crimped my self and also pre crimped ones

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[djmx2002]

Which, per chance, did you get? Did you order some with magnetics internally?

Would those won't work?


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[theatrus]

Pulse brand jacks are quite likely "magjacks" (based on the size and shielding) - they have the needed Ethernet transformer internally.

I.e., these are the internals:

You want one without magnetics, an 8P8C RJ-45 modular jack.

https://www.digikey.com/short/30z2pr

 

[djmx2002]

Pulse brand jacks are quite likely "magjacks" (based on the size and shielding) - they have the needed Ethernet transformer internally.

I.e., these are the internals:

You want one without magnetics, an 8P8C RJ-45 modular jack.

https://www.digikey.com/short/30z2pr

Thanks for the explanation I had no idea they were isolated. Desoldering those will suck


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[djmx2002]

Been a while since I last updated this thread, we've had a new addition to the family and bunch of other things that kept me from working on this project.

So I've ended up ordering non-magnetic RJ45 plugs, and started working on the software, I ended up routing the input wires wrong, the diagram I found online were upside down, so on the apex pins 1 and 5 are the positive voltage, and I've routed pins 8 and 4. I should have double checked before ordering the PCBs, But it's not a big deal, a little more work when cramping the wires together.

For those who are interested following up on github, the repo is here: https://github.com/mottihoresh/ApexLDDController (Open Source)