Manual Splitter v1

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The LYNX DMX Splitter Assembly Manual


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Introduction

Thank you for making the decision to build the LYNX Splitter. I believe this decision will be one you will be very happy with. This splitter was my attempt to design a way to reduce some daisy chaining of the dimmers and also increase the number of devices per a DMX universe. The goals for the splitter were professional looks and operation, cost effective, easy to assemble for even a novice builder, DMX compatible.


WARNING! This device uses potentially deadly voltages in operation. If you do not feel it is within your ability to work with these voltages please stop and get assistance. This splitter has been design for personal use as a means of education and entertainment. As such it is not rated, tested, or approved for use in commercial environments and as such is forbidden by the designer. Improper use of this equipment could be hazardous to life and property and the suitability of use is your responsibility. I assume no responsibility in the use or operation of this equipment or for the accuracy of any information made on part of itself. This device has been design for my use and my use only. This is simply an explanation of how I built my own personal devices for informational purposes. I make no warranties written or otherwise to it. It should be considered an experimental device with possible unknown characteristics.


Please use static precautions in the handling of these parts. If you are not familiar in them please research on the Internet prior to handling them. You can damage your parts with improper handling!


Preparing to Build

The next thing we want is to make sure you are up to speed on soldering and electrostatic protection of the components in your kit. If you are not an experienced printed circuit builder I recommend you visit the site:

http://curiousinventor.com/guides/How_To_Solder

And check out there extremely good video on soldering correctly. Even if you are an expert it is a good video to watch.


Another issue you must be aware of is that some electronic components can be damaged easily by electrostatic charges that can build up in you or your equipment. We have all been shocked by walking on carpet and grabbing a door knob before. This is electrostatic charge in action. It takes much less than this to hurt some of our parts. If you are unfamiliar with procedures to protect from this please use the internet to research it before opening your parts up. You can damage your parts if handled wrong!


You will need a few tools that do not come with your kit to build the Splitter. You will need a good soldering iron. I can not stress enough that a good soldering iron makes a big difference in these projects. The little 15w cheap irons are more apt to hurt your parts by taking too long to get the parts up to soldering temperature than a good iron which can bring it up to temp very fast. Remember it is more how long you keep the part hot than it is how hot you get it within reasonable soldering temperatures. A good soldering iron can be had for very reasonable amounts of money. You can purchase one for $30 to $60 dollars. Most anything that is called a soldering station where there is a temperature control separate from the iron itself will more than likely be fine but make sure it is rated for more than 15 watts. I myself use a cheap Weller like this one

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-Soldering-Station-WLC100-120V/dp/B000ICEMYA

It works fine and is very inexpensive. I even saw this model on sale at Sears. Radio shack has a very nice looking digital model on sale but be careful as it does not allow you to replace the tip. Tips are a part that wear out and need replacing from time to time. While we are on tips get some. I recommend you get the smaller chisel shape as this work very well for all around board building.


You need solder so buy some. I recommend .032 size as the larger sizes tend to cause you to put too much solder on. How much? Go ahead and get a 1 lb spool as it’s cheaper in large volume and you will go through it faster than you think. Make sure you are getting rosin core for electronics they make some solder for plumbing that has acid as the core this is a bad mistake to make.


You need some work area to work with good lighting. Do not attempt to solder circuit boards in poorly lighted areas. If you wear reading glasses go get them you will want them I promise you. I recommend a set of helping hands like this: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104639&cp=&parentPage=search

STEP 1

Install .1uf Capacitors and Resistor


Spl-1.jpg


Install the .1uf capacitors where the ovals are printed above the 3 rj-45 spots and in between the two RS-485s. Then install the 120 ohm resistor at the top of the board where it is marked.

STEP 2

Install all chip sockets and the and fuse and AC IN terminal


Spl-2.jpg

sockets and fuse


Begin by opening and removing all of the chip sockets (DIP SOCKETS). We will start with the four 8 pin sockets. Now all of the components have marking on the top side of the PCB board to show their location but you must pay attention to their orientation so they have the correct pins in the correct place. The socket locations all have rectangles with little round notches on one end of them with the other end being flat. The notched end is the end that pin #1 of the chip will go to. On the circuit board you will find the area marked out for the 8 pin socket and it will be labeled RS485. The marking will have one end with a round notch on it. The notches on three the sockets will face to the right and the one above faces to the left. The last socket is a 6 pin and that faces to the left. When I reference left or right top or bottom in these instructions it will be as the board sits in the photo.


All soldering takes place on the bottom or (back) of the board away from the markings. Remember that when you turn the board over to the back every thing reverses on you.


Everyone has they own way of holding the socket in until they are soldered in. I like to turn the board over to the back and put the least amount of solder I can over one of the middle holes on one side of the socket. This allows you to put the pins of the other side of the socket through and hold the socket while pushing extremely easy. Then you heat that one hole on the back. When the solder melts the socket will drop in. remove the iron and it will cool and hold the socket in until you are done. Make sure to reheat this pin while doing the others to insure you have a good joint. Some people prefer to use tape to hold them in and some even super glue them on first and then solder. Make sure your socket is in the correct holes and that it faces the correct way and then solder the other pins in. If you are happy with it you can go ahead and start soldering the other sockets in. Be careful on the largest socket as it faces different than the rest. And check each one for direction before soldering it. Pay careful attention that you are putting the right size socket in the correct set of holes

Find the fuse and the two fuse clips and lock the clips on the fuse then insert into the holes for the fuse. Solder this into place.

It will take more heat than the smaller parts so you may want to bump the temperature up on you iron some but make sure to turn it back down after soldering the fuse.

Below the Fuse it is marked “AC IN” with two larger holes. Solder you green power screw terminal in place here insuring the screws face to the bottom edge of the board.

That’s a lot of soldering so take a break.


Notice that we started with fairly short items. It is best to put short items on and work out to the taller items as you go. As you progress you will understand better why this is. The image at the top of this section is what it should look like at this point.

STEP 3

Install RJ-45 Connectors, Blue Capacitor(100uf), Jumper Header, 5 volt Regulator, Black Capacitor(680uf), Transformer


Spl-4.jpg


We will now install the RJ45 connectors for our DMX to plug into. They will snap in tight so make sure to align the small pins correct and then support the board as you push them in. It takes effort to snap them in so support the pcb while you do this. Some like to put the pcb on foam and do it where the foam allows it to go in but supports the pcb.


Install the round 100uf capacitor into the board making sure the black band marked “-“ is not on the side with the “+” on the board.


Install the 2 pin jumper header in the board the short side of the pins go into the pcb.

Install the Transformer on the board. It will only fit one way but make sure its sitting on the pcb.

Now let’s add the 7805 voltage regulator. It is a three pin device and goes below the transformer. Make sure and face the flat metal side of it toward the white rectangle side of the part outline on the board.

Install the round 680uf capacitor into the board making sure the white band marked “-“ is not on the side with the “+” on the board.

Final Assembly

Now we need to insert the chips into there correct sockets. There is not much chance of you getting them in the wrong ones as the chips are 8 pin and 6 pin counts. There are The board is marked for the correct part. Get them oriented correctly with pin one in the correct position. Pin one is marked on the chips as a notch on the end where pin 1 is and sometimes a dot over pin one. Make sure you put chips in very careful and do not bend any pins as they sometimes can be a challenge to insert straight. Take your time here and before pushing them in look over both side to make sure all pins are started straight. TAKE YOUR TIME HERE!

When installing the AC cord make sure you put the hot(typically black wire or smooth side) wire in the location marked hot.

Note

  • Each of outputs can support up to 32 devices but you are still limited to the 512 channels per DMX Universe (Dongle).
  • The term jumper is only needed if the output Next To the input doesn't have anything hooked to it.

For PCB version 1.0 only

  • Solder a jumper on the bottom of the pcb to fix a missing trace.

Splitter-jumper.jpg

Congratulation you have a finished DMX Splitter


REMEMBER ALWAYS HAVE IT POWERED OFF WHEN WORKING WITH IT. BE SAFE!


Thank you, enjoy your Splitter and
MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN ALL YOU DO!


RJ