Having a problem getting SD card controller working

[TomP]

Hi everyone,

I'm having a bit of a problem getting the SD card controller to work.

I have hooked up a 1 metre 2812 strip and it doesnt do anything other than blink all the led's at powerup. I have used the utility on the SD card and set it to Stand-alone, 60 channels, 1 output and the correct type.

Double checked the connections at the controller, + pin to 5V on strip, - pin to GND on strip, DAT to DIN on strip and CLK not connected.

In the absence of another controller I had an Arduino sitting around so I've hooked that up to the strip and ran a test pattern with no problems so the strip is working fine.

Is there anything I might be doing wrong or something I've missed?

Cheers

Tom

[TomP]

I have tried connecting the controller via the cable to the PC and it detects the SD controller OK in device manager, it just doesn't appear to be outputting anything

[ForumAdmin]

For 2811,2812 or 2801 you need to ensure you have single output SD card controller. Earlier version were sold as single output or 4 outputs, recent versions are configurable by PCB jumpers and are normally dispatched preset for single output.

If you are configuring for stand-alone use, using the supplied sequences, it is important that the controller id is set to 1, as this is what the pre-programmed sequences are set for. If the SD card controller and strip were purchased from us together, we usually configure the SD card controller for you. When the stand-alone sequences are playing the LED with flash quickly and pressing the button will change between sequences.

[TomP]

Hi

Thanks for the help, hope you had a good xmas.

I only purchased it earlier this month so I would assume its the recent version, would i invalidate my warranty by opening to check the jumper?

The strip was one I got from elsewhere just to test the controller worked ok as I wont be putting a display together till closer to next xmas so wont be buying many lights till a bit closer to the time. I will double check that the address is set to 1.

Thanks

Tom

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Aha,

Its working on stand-alone now, as per your advice I changed it back to channel 1 and its all working fine.

Just about to try it out on RS485 and see if it works being controlled.

Thanks for the help.

Tom

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OK, so I know now its something I'm doing wrong but I have now configured it as controller ID: 6 and it shows up and can be controlled on Device Manager from the quickstart, if I open show designer and create a 2d group of say 2x30 it is not working, I then checked in Device Manager from the Tools menu and the controller isnt showing up. IF I close show designer and go back to the Device Manager on quick start it is still showing up and working.

EDIT: Doh - I just found out it plays from the show player, I just assumed clicking on play in designer would actually control the outputs which I now assume it doesn't. All working fine thanks for a great product

Cheers

Tom

[ForumAdmin]

Hi Tom,

The Show Designer will control connected controllers when playing a Show. In the "View" menu of the Show Designer please ensure "Control Lights" is ticked.

Craig.