Northlight Systems has moved. If you are not redirected to the new webpage in 5 seconds, please click the link below. Thanks for visiting.

NorthlightDMX.com

Northlight's RC servo controllers will receive DMX512 digital protocol for Stage lighting products and controlls 8 RC hobby servos.
No complicated setup, basically the board is plug and play. Easy to use screw terminals, just supply power.

We're moving! Click the link below to go to out new website.

NorthlightDMX.com

Home Page DMX to 0-10 VDC converter DMX to Relay driver Convert 0-10VDC to DMX512 protocol. Isolated DMX splitter. DMX to PWM servo DMX512 AC light dimmer boards Misc items on sale Application circuits for Encoder and Decoder Notes about DMX 512 protocol Trouble shooting guide. Warranty and disclaimer.
  • The Northlight Systems Servo controller board is capable of receiving DMX512(1990) signals.
  • The servo controller also receives serial data from a PC serial port @ 9600 BPS. PC communication is acomplished with a simple use a 3 byte method, examples are available for download.
  • Use jumpers to select from 8 pulse widths.
  • There are 255 discreet positions for each pulse width.
  • On board address switch.
  • Addresses all 512 channels for DMX and 254 channels for PC serial.
  • Use jumper to select DMX512 or PC serial port.
  • Input screw connectors.
  • Requires 7.5 - 12 volts DC @ 100mA, to power board.
  • Separate power connector for Servos.
  • Fast RISC microcontroller and Assembly language firmware.
    • Address switch options
    There are 2 options shown below.
    Select a switch type when ordering.
    Mini DIP Switch

    The Mini DIP switch is mounted on the circuit board.
    Use this when infrequent address changes are needed.
    The address is entered in standard binary code, starting with 0.

    board mounted switch

    		Mini DIP Switch with LED
    The Mini DIP switch is mounted on the enclosure panel.
    Includes LED and connecting lead.
    The address is entered in standard binary code, starting with 0.
    panel mounted switch
    Click in the "Contact" button for Warranty info.
    SERV8M -- 8 Channel servo controller with on board address switch.
  • Size 2.30" X 1.50".


    To order online from OUTSIDE the US and Canada; Click here


    Download the manual in PDF format.

    		• Only $49.00
    $6.00 Shipping in the USA.
    To Purchase, select shipping, then click icon below.

    Quantity -  

    		Actual size on most screens.
    SERV8P -- 8 Channel servo controller with panel mount address switch.
  • Size 2.30" X 1.50".


    To order online from OUTSIDE the US and Canada; Click here


    Download the manual in PDF format.

    		• Only $59.00
    $6.00 Shipping in the USA.
    To Purchase, select shipping, then click icon below.

    Quantity -  

    16 Channel Serial Servo Controller - Zip file
    A freeware visual basic project originaly written by Goerge Vastianos and distributed on the Portland Area Robotics society(PARTS) web site. Contains source and executable files.
    Click here to download the Visual Basic Serial source and EXE files.
    8 Channel Serial Servo Controller with record and playback functions. Records up to 16,000 servo moves. Source and Executable files in ZIP. We will be updating this from time to time so check back.
    Click here to download the Visual Basic source and EXE files.
    SPECS:
    Input Signal: Northlight Serv8 board accepts DMX512(1990) as specified by USITT. The Serv8 can receive data at the full rate and is responsive to all 512 channels.
    Output: Output is 8 PWM servo channels. Update at 50Hz. There are 255 discrete servo positions.
    Address: Set the starting address to the first in a group of 8. Start with address 0 up to 511 for DMX and 254 for PC serial port.
    Power requirements: 8 to 12 volts AC or DC @ 100 mA.
    Board connections: All connections to the board are made via micro screw terminal blocks. Acceptable wire size is 20 - 30 AWG. See drawing for connector locations.
    All IC chips are in sockets for easy replacement.
    Red Power LED: The Red LED indicates the board is getting power.
    Green Signal LED: If the green LED is blinking, there is no valid signal present.
    If the LED is on, but dim, try to reverse the DMX signal wires. A valid signal will produce a steady bright LED.

    PC Serial port protocol
    To communicate with the Serv8 through the serial port, you can use just about any computer that has a serial port on it.
    Some computers, like the Apple, come with serial ports which are directly compatible with the RS-422 / RS-485 signal levels the Serv8 want to see. RS232 levels are close enough to be used with the decoders without adapters.
    The protocol used is compatible with a number of servo controllers including Scott Edwards’s mini SSC servo controller.
    There are several commercial animatronics software packages and freeware available for a servo controllers using this protocol.
    A freeware Visual Basic example is available on the Northlight web site. Includes source and compiled code.

    Mini SSC protocol

     To send a new output level command, 3 bytes are needed.
    The first is a “sync” byte with a value of 255.
    The second byte is the servo address. It is a number from 0 to 254.
    The third byte is the actual position data, between 0 and 254.
    This sequence is followed for each servo.

    For example, as shipped the Serv8 board address is 1.  The output channels are addressed 1-8. Simple enough, For servos 9 - 15 the decoder board address would be set to 9. Channel 3(on the board) would be 11 to the controller, the board address plus the channel # - 1.
    To change the level of a channel 3 to 50%, three bytes must be sent.
    Sync , Address , Posn .
    255 , 3 , 128

    Connections:

    Only 2 wires are needed from the PC serial port.
    PC ground is connected to DMX input 1.
    The RS232 signal is connected to DMX input 2.

    On a standard DB-9 connector use these pins:
    Pin 3 = Serial data
    Pin 5 = Signal ground

    To order online click here or hit "Purchase".
    Send  COUNTER
    		 Made in the USA.