Thread: New DMX-controlled prop interface

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This sounds like something even I could get into. I have no experience with DMX, but with what you have put together, I may just go this route soon! Keep us posted.

The board's built to control up to 24 channels. Channels 0-7 are servos, 8-15 are switch-closure outputs, 16-23 are LED dimmer outputs.

Larry added my previous message (see above in the thread), so hopefully the DMX/VSA primer will prove useful to someone. DMX is a great interface for robust control, since it's decent speed and capable of long runs.

I'll have to figure out what the next step should be for this board. I think it at least needs a status LED to be added, but what else, I'm not sure. I appreciate all the offers for beta testing, and will definitely hit some of you up, once I get some more boards. I guess it's a little much to ask for feedback on something you don't have in your hand, but if anyone's got any to offer, I'm all ears!

- Hook

I'm not sure what price-point you're aiming at for this, but one feature I find very useful on the Board of Chuckee controller is the ability to set the min and max settings for each servo. It also has a trim setting for each channel on the RGB LED driver that allows you to achieve something close to white when all colors are at full intensity.

Mark

with the board of chuckee everything is done with software to set it up. the board of chuckee on has one led output and 16 servo channels. boc needs an led channel for every 4 servo channels for the person that wants to create 3 or 4 three axis skulls.

if this was me i would go with 16 or 32 servos and 8 switch outputs and 8 rbg led outputs.. but of course their may be some limits by the chip makers

Ahhhhh... some feedback! Mua-Ha-Ha-Haaaaa!! [rubbing hands]

I took another look at the BoC, and am again impressed with what they've accomplished. From a technical standpoint, it's quite a lot.

Mark,
You mention you like the min/max settings. VSA supports this too, no? Does setting it in the board bring other benefits? I haven't used one of these before. Does the white-balance trim affect the balance across the range of brightness, or just at the brightest?

Kenny,
Software setup is a plus or a minus? What's par for a '3-axis' skull? Nod, shake, head-bobble, jaw, eye-up/down, eye-L/R? Or... you say 4 servo per 3-axis... so, would that be just head movements + jaw?

Given the complement of outputs, it looks like the BoC was designed to control a full Skeletron (7 axis) + Skulltronix (6 axis + 1 RGB) - it's got one servo channel left. I was thinking of the board I'm designing as more of a universal scene controller, than a skull controller. Be able to control some servos and RGB LEDs, but also have outputs left over to control some ambient/special LED lighting and popups, motors, or whatever else you can connect up to with a relay.

For example...
(2) Skulls with 3-axis neck + jaw & RGB eyes
(2) Spotlight LED clusters (one-channel each)
And on the switch outputs (connected to external relays)
- Something scurrying in the leaves (motor or air cylinder)
- Lightning strobe
- Smoke machine trigger
- Coffin lid (air cylinder)
- Convulsion of corpse in coffin (motor or air cylinder)
- Air cannon
- Flame thrower
- BFG10k

..... or, maybe not the last 2. Truth be told, the BoC is darn near perfect for controlling a skull. No point in reinventing the wheel. Is there merit in the switch outputs and additional LEDs?

- Hook

I personally think this board looks great as it is. I'd be very interested in a few of these at around $100 (or less :-) ) for my haunt this year, and more going forward.

boc probably was designed for the whole skull but i have seen a few people use the board for 4 3axis skulls and not to worried about the eye axis but they wanted each skull to have there own eye rgb channel

with the boc the downside to the software and they even tell you not to hook it up if something else is using the same channels it may render it useless
also if you have the enttec pro you cant use the software to configure it it is ony supported by the enttec open so if you have the pro you will have to buy the open to use the software

i think boc is a good controller alot of features from the jpg of the software

hooked you dont have this problem with your plug and play
can you put a potentiometer on yours to limit the servo travel? just an idea



skulltronix is not interested in home haunters on a budget

Oh no. You poked the bear. Be aware that you might be ostracized now. Don't ever and I mean ever question anyone about prices of electronics on this board. Pay what they want and do it with a smile on your face even if it isn't really what you need or want. Oh and don't suggest alternatives(unless it is about non electronics related things) that might cost less for home haunters on a budget.

Oh and for the love of all that is holy do not under any circumstances use any board or servo combination for anything other then a talking skull. Unless you are going to add another axis. Because we all know that there is someone out there just waiting to show off a 5 axis skull with 3 axis eyes. Or maybe just maybe a 6 axis skull with 4 axis eyes and a 2 axis nose and one axis ears. (No offense to the Frankenstein guy. I really really really hope that works out., because at least it is something different.)

Originally Posted by yardhauntjunkie

oh and for the love of all that is holy do not under any circumstances use any board or servo combination for anything other then a talking skull. Unless you are going to add another axis. Because we all know that there is someone out there just waiting to show off a 5 axis skull with 3 axis eyes. Or maybe just maybe a 6 axis skull with 4 axis eyes and a 2 axis nose and one axis ears. (no offense to the frankenstein guy. I really really really hope that works out., because at least it is something different.)

!!! Lmao !!!