Thread: Lighting Controller Question

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Hello! I'm hoping one of you good people can help me!

We're looking for a very simple, inexpensive lighting controller for our display. There are so many products out there that searching through them is a truly daunting task, and most seem to be designed to perform extraordinarily complex sequences.

All we need is something that we can plug an extension cord into (which itself has two strands of LEDs plugged into it), which will then make the lights come on for one minute, then go off for two... then on again for one minute, and off for two, ad infinitum.

Can anyone recommed something for us? Thanks very much!

Andy

do they have to turn on imediately or could they be a second or two off.

Hello! Thanks for the assist, I appreciate it...

Yes, they can definitely be delayed by a matter or seconds. Or even minutes, really; they're not going to be synched up to anything, they're an effect unto themselves. So the times are just approximate... about a minute, then about two, or as close as I can get!

Andy

Well I use two different software and controllers. But the cheapest one is PC Printer Port Relay Board (Assembled) (version 2)

and i use the free vixen software to run it. Vixen

Thanks very much!

I had come across that one in my searches, but I have one substantial concern... I'm completely ignorant in the matter of circuit boards and have no idea what to do with it! I mean, it says "assembled," but then the text suggests I need an old PC case, and so on... Does is actually come ready-to-use, just waiting to be plugged into the wall and have lights plugged into it? Or would I need an old case, a motherboard, and varous other equipment? Because I'm afraid plugging it in is pretty much all I know how to do. I feel terribly ignorant suddenly...

I'd love to learn how to operate a system like this, but I know I don't have time between now and Halloween... What actually would I be getting if I ordered this?

Andy

first thing do you have a parrallel port.

you need a simple 12v power supply

you will also need a parrallel cable

and a few extension cords you can cut up

I think this is what you are looking for http://www.simplecircuitboards.com/S...20-%20Spec.pdf simple, easy to use and cheap.

Thanks for the info, guys, I really do appreciate it. I'm afraid it's all well beyond my capabilities, though. I was hoping for something akin to a household lighting timer or a pre-made, just-plug-your-lights-into-it controller. Nothing involving a circuit board or wiring...!

Still, thanks very much for the suggestions, and between this year and next I would love to learn how to make use of these things! And I shall come here and beg for assistance.

In the meantime, I'm starting to fear that a wireless remote control for a household lamp might be my best option. It would mean we'd have to actually click the lights on and off manually. It'll get tedious and will limit the effect severely, but at least we'll get some nice randomness out of it!

These are LED strands mounted high in a tree, simulating glowing eyes, you see... we were hoping they could operate on their own, coming on suddenly and briefly and then disappearing all through the night, but I'm not finding any way we can pull it off easily...

Have to seen the christmas light box They sell them at Kmart for about $30-40 you just plug in the lights set the timer and off you go.I can't think of the Brand name if anyone on here can help with the name you can look this up online.

like this?

SMALL 2 POINT CONTROLLER

Commercial Light Cross-Faders