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capdiamont · Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 8

With the changing interfaces on computers, the parallel port will probably not be offered on motherboards anymore. Where does that lead us? USB, serial port, ethernet, or what?

I was reading on one of the how to's that led strings were too low of current to be controlled by the ssr's. Is this still true? I love led strings for their low current, keeping operating costs down. What about dimming the led stings?

I was looking online the other day, and found two channel ssr, though the cost was really high. Interesting way to save space though.

mcsquared · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 4

There are many new designs that use the serial port (Renard, FGDimmer, etc.) These will also run from the USB port by using a simple and inexpensive USB>Serial Converter. Also, some people are going to DMX-Based designs, which use the USB port as well.

Ethernet has definitely been considered, but the main deterrent to using an ethernet-based system is the cost - a cheap ethernet interface can be upwards of $40.

LED strings will probably work fine with SSRs. A bigger problem that we have seen is that they don't respond to dimming very well. To correct this, the Renard dimmer comes with PWM code that can dim LED lights better and also can dim onboard indicator LEDs.

-Matt

DynamoBen · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 1

[quote="mcsquared"]Ethernet has definitely been considered, but the main deterrent to using an ethernet-based system is the cost - a cheap ethernet interface can be upwards of $40.
[/quote]

This is changing, I recently recieved an ethernet to SPI interface that only retails for about $20. The chipset is $12 so it looks like ethernet is coming...

shades · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 2

As with everything else in this world two words: wireless and digital.
how? blue tooth? my bluetooth transmitter can broadcast 90feet or so.
how about cellular? and there is 5GHz home phones. How about sending your trigger signal down the ac line? a X10ish system. how about IR. or laser(ok it would take some aiming but if you want to shoot a beam to a decorating on a hill or down the street why not?) beats the hecK out of wire.