Manual Zeus

Introduction

Thank you for choosing to build the Lynx Zeus 16 String Controller. I believe you will be happy with your choice. The Zeus 16 is designed to be both a fun project and and very cost effective way to add RGB lighting to your equipment list.

WARNING! This Device has been design for personal use as a means of education and entertainment. As such it is not rated, tested, or approved for any use and 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 one 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 you 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 Zeus 16 Controller. 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.

Solder Stations:

• http://www.amazon.com/Weller-Soldering-Station-WLC100-120V/dp/B000ICEMYAWeller WLC100

Another recommended Solder Station is the MPJA 302A is has a digital temperature readout

• http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=15141+TLMPJA Model 302A

What ever you get make sure and get 4 - 5 extra tips for it. It is an opinion thing but I prefer and find most prefer Chisel tips. get a couple .8 and a few 1.6 to see which you like and then you are ready to go. The tips do wear out and need replacement from time to time. I can build maybe 4 to 8 big controllers (FS, Etc) with a single tip but when you are learning you will use them up faster.

You need solder so buy some. I recommend the .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 - .1uf Capacitors

Install (17) 1uf capacitors as shown above and solder them in place then trim the leads. They do not matter which direction they are put in.

Step 2 - 120 & 330 ohm Resistors

Install the 120 ohm resistor in place and solder/trim, they do not matter which direction they are put in. Install (17) 330 ohm resistors in place and solder/trim, they do not matter which direction they are put in.

Step 3 - LED

It is important to install the LED oriented properly. The LED will generally have one lead that is longer than the other. This is the positive (+) lead. The LED should be installed with the longer positive lead in the hole near the "+" label on the PCB.

Step 4 - Mosfets

Install the (16) mosfets, make sure the flat side faces the direction on the board

Step 5 - Crystal Oscillator

The 32 mHz Crystal Oscillator must also be oriented properly. You will notice a small dot on one corner of the component. This should line up with the white dot on the board. The corner with the dot will also have a square corner instead of rounded corners.

Step 6 - 100 ohm Resistor

Install 3 watt 100 ohm resistor and solder/trim.

Step 7 - 14 pin Sockets

Install the (16) 14 pin sockets as shown. Make sure to put the notches in the correct direction as marked on the pcb. These sockets have kinked leads that lightly lock the socket to the pcb so you can turn them over to solder without them falling out. This is a nice feature but requires extra caution as the pins can be bent under the socket if care is not taken inserting them. Check before you start soldering that all pins are sticking through the back of the pcb the same. If not, correct before soldering.

Step 8 - 8 pin Socket

Install the 8 pin socket as shown. Make sure to put the notches in the correct direction as marked on the pcb. These sockets have kinked leads that lightly lock the socket to the pcb so you can turn them over to solder without them falling out. This is a nice feature but requires extra caution as the pins can be bent under the socket if care is not taken inserting them. Check before you start soldering that all pins are sticking through the back of the pcb the same. If not, correct before soldering.

Step 9 - Pin Headers

Insert the 16 pin header as shown and solder then in place. Insert the (2) 2 pin header as shown and solder then in place.

Step 10 - 100 uf Capacitors

Install the (2) 100uf capacitors on the pcb as shown. They must put in the correct direction so find the black strip with the - sign on the side of the capacitor and make sure it is on the opposite side from the side mark + on the pcb.

Step 11 - RJ45

Install (2) RJ45 jacks by popping them on the pcb and then soldering 8 pins on each of them. Take your time and do a good job. Do not short any pins as there is power applied to them.

Step 12 - Fuse Holders

Install the (16) fuse holders

Step 13 - Power Connectors

Now install the(3) 4 pin power connectors. They must be inserted the correct direction. The housing of the connect have cut off corners on one side and the marking on the pcb must match the same way. Solder them in it will take some extra heat so turn up your station some. Install the 24 pin connector as shown and solder into place.

Step 14 - Wire Connector Strip

Install the connector strips by hooking them together end to end. Then insert them with the holes facing down and solder them into place.

Step 15 - Add Chips

Configure Zeus

To configure the Zeus for the color order and the start address along with other options use the updated version of the Smart String Utility.
Some of the options:

1 - Start Channel

2 - String Number (1 - 16/All)

3 - Mode (String, Hybrid, Nodes)

4 - Forward/Backwards

5 - Node Count

6 - Null Nodes (optional)

7 - Grouping

8 - Color Order

To program a Zeus choose Zeus and the type of dongle.

Then choose to program all or just one of the string outputs.

For example if you were doing a megatree and you had 16 strings with 60 nodes, and wanted the first node on the first string to start at channels 100, then you would setup to program with these settings. then choose all in the string box.

Move your program jumper and send the data. Wait for all the strings to start flashing and then remove the jumper and unplug and plug the Zeus back in to reboot it. The first string will be channel 100 - 279 and string #2 will be 280 - 460. It will apply the same node count but update the start channel for you automatically. If you need a string different just drop down the string box and choose to program only that string. Set the settings as you need and program as normal. Only that string will program and flash. The rest will be unaffected.

Congrats you have completed a Zeus 16.

RJ