Published March 20, 2021 © CC BY-NC-SA

Control a LED Spotlight set-up with an Arduino via DMX

The task was to control a lighting system with an Arduino via DMX.

IntermediateWork in progress3 hours21,514

Control a LED Spotlight set-up with an Arduino via DMX

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino UNO

Seeed Studio DMX 512

Marvell DMX cable

C.H.I.P. LED Spotlights

DPTechnics Dupont Jumper Cable

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

Story

The task was to control a lighting system with an Arduino via DMX. In the trade there are already adapters from PC to DMX but so far rarely an Arduino control. Therefore I took my old Arduino out of the drawer and bought a DMX512 interface (industry standard EIA-485 interface). Additionally a DMX compatible device (e.g. LED RGB fixture) is required and a DMX cable to the fixture. All plugged together and recorded with simple software. Lo and behold, not so difficult. Have fun and I look forward to further suggestions.

After you have all the components together, you need to download and install the Arduino SDK at https://www.arduino.cc/en/software. Plug the Arduino into a free USB port and access it with the SDK. If these steps are unknown, then read the following tutorial and work through it (https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoUno).

Now we need a library (DmxSimple.h) which can be used for the DMX 512. First download the *.ZIP from (https://github.com/PaulStoffregen/DmxSimple) and then install it in the Arduino SDK (https://www.arduino.cc/en/guide/libraries).

Now the test setup is assembled.

Step 1. Connect the Arduino UNO to the PC (via USB)

Arduino UNO (or other Arduino possible)

Step 2. Plug DMX 512 shield to the Arduino UNO (with 3 wires)

a) wire 1: plus/red to PIN 5V

b) wire 2: minus/black to GND

c) wire 3: signal/yellow to PIN 3 (Digital/PWM)

DMX 512 Arduino Shield

Step 3. Connect DMX 512 with light system

a) Plug the DMX adapter cable with 3 pole cable into the socket on the DMX shield (DMX cable approx. 30cm)

b) Plug the DMX adapter cable with 3 pin cable into the socket on the lighting system (e.g. LED spotlight) (DMX cable approx.30cm)

DMX cable

4. Establish power supply for light system, switch on.

5. Set the DMX channel "d001" on the back of the light system e.g. via menu keys. This can be very different from light system to light system. With older fixtures, a DIP strip must be set to activate the correct DMX address. To do this, it is essential to read the enclosed instructions for use of the lighting system.

So now the test setup is built and prepared.

Backside of LED DMX Headlight

Complete setup with 3d printed housings

Very important information for the correct setting is to program the DMX channel settings correctly: For this purpose, a description of the DMX channels and addresses is included with each lighting system. These describe what the lighting system does when this address is addressed by programming. Therefore, do not be disappointed if my example does not work for you, because usually the lighting systems always have different control addresses. Unfortunately, you as a maker must always work out for your system! Following my example:

DMX512 Channel description.

Video Link Test Setup: https://c.gmx.net/@334340224932910899/v3j22LrUQH-2hh8u21MrEQ

The next step explains the programming.

Schematics

Code

Arduino_music_sensitive_DMX

#include <DmxSimple.h>

void setup() {

 DmxSimple.usePin(3);
 //DmxSimple.maxChannel(6);
 DmxSimple.write(1, 255);

}

void loop() {
     
  {
    DmxSimple.write(1,12); //Kanal 1 - Funktionsauswahl - einschalten
    DmxSimple.write(1,151); //Kanal 1 - Funktionsauswahl - sound wechsel
     DmxSimple.write(3,151); //Kanal 3 - Funktionsauswahl - sound wechsel Geschwindigkeitsanpassung
     
    DmxSimple.write(2,48);  //Kanal 2 - Farbanpassung - rot
    delay(5);
    DmxSimple.write(2,52);  //Kanal 2 - Farbanpassung - grn
    delay(5);
    DmxSimple.write(2,62);  //Kanal 2 - Farbanpassung - blau
    delay(5);
    
    }
  
 }

Credits

max_loser

1 project • 3 followers

Control a LED Spotlight set-up with an Arduino via DMX

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Custom parts and enclosures

3d Print DMX 512 Housing

3d Arduino Uno Housing

Schematics

Arduino connection

DMX 512 Connection

Code

Arduino_music_sensitive_DMX

Credits

max_loser

Comments

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Control a LED Spotlight set-up with an Arduino via DMX

Control a LED Spotlight set-up with an Arduino via DMX

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Story

Custom parts and enclosures

3d Print DMX 512 Housing

3d Arduino Uno Housing

Schematics

Arduino connection

DMX 512 Connection

Code

Arduino_music_sensitive_DMX

Credits

max_loser

Comments

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