DMX-Controlled 64-Channel 8V – 24VDC Lighting and Motion Controller

The DCshow64 provides 64 DMX-controlled low-voltage power drivers intended for motors, lamps, LEDs, solenoids, relays, and most other electrical load devices. Limit switch inputs for each driver facilitate end-of-travel shut-offs without the need for high-current inline switches. The DCshow64 is ideal for parade floats, mobile theatrical set pieces, animatronic characters, and more. Input voltage can be anything from 8V to 24VDC; 12V or 24V battery arrays are most typical.

A 5U rack chassis provides card slots for one master controller card, and 16 power driver cards. The standard master controller card provides an optically-isolated DMX data input, and USB port for configuration of driver cards via PC software. Two different driver card types are available : the UNIDIR4 quad unidirectional driver, and the BIDIR4 quad bidirectional driver. Other card types are planned for future release.

Each power driver can be assigned to any DMX control channel. In addition, a global-enable DMX channel is used to enable/disable all drivers on a card, and is usually the same channel for all cards in a rack. Power is delivered via 17KHz pulse-width-modulation (PWM) for silent operation, with either a linear, inverse-square-law (ISL), or non-dim power curve. Each driver is protected with built-in over-current and over-temperature shutdown, and the over-current threshold is user adjustable for each individual driver.

The UNIDIR4 works much like a 4-channel dimmer card. Each of the four drivers can deliver more than 10A continuous. This card is ideal for lighting, motors that only need to run in one direction, solenoids, relays, air brakes, and more.

The BIDIR4 card provides four 10A H-bridge drivers, suitable for running DC motors in either direction, fully reversible. Regenerative deceleration ensures fast motor responsiveness. The user can select from several different operational modes for each driver, including one- and two-channel motor control.
Energy-saving thermal management ensures quiet operation. A network of cooling fans is engaged only when required to remove excess heat from the chassis.

DCshow64 Config - Software Screen Shot

In the event of an over-current shutdown or blown fuse, a rapidly blinking LED quickly draws the eye to the source of the problem.

All control parameters are configured using DCshow64 Config software on a PC, connected to the rack unit via USB. From the software, any driver card can be selected. Parameters applicable to that card are displayed for adjustment, and can be edited and sent back to the card with ease. Configuration data is stored on the card in non-volatile flash memory.

DCshow64 Version Management