My first real hands on project Light Organ

[scott]

Hi Gary and all:

        Rather than to go off topic in the 'introduction' thread I took the 'advice' and finally found my way around here enough to start my thread on my new project. I just purchased and recieved two kits that will be connected togeather and work as one system. I bought the 5 channel light organ kit from Xkits out of California. I also bought the 5 channel control panel to be mounted outside my ' Lil' Black Box' project. I call it this because it is not little. Ok, nevermind ..... The box that will house the LED's and electronics is 24" wide and 44" tall and on 'rollers' for mobility in my house, etc. I have very nicely, painted the box sides and front, flat black. When I place the ? diffuser ? diamond cut plastic light panel, I want it to look completely dark behind it for a more defined light show.

     The question Gary asked was, "what type of filters, active or passive", will I be using". I find this a very good question and was prepared to answer it, because I saw the terms in other kits, BUT......The kit shows............ !nothing! saying passive or active. My guess would be active I spose, or what I should maybe prefer. Am I correct on Active being a better choice? Here is an excerpt from their site and I can't see an indication here but maybe someone can 'see' thru it. "◦This light organ circuit is so responsive you can 'see' vibrato in your music!"....... Is there another name for this 'filter' technically? It is a 'POT' isn't it?   When I become more comfortable at navigating this site system, I will post my project photos. I'm feeling relatively stupid in the subject of 'electronics identification', being a newbie.  I know basic electronics but now I find that the term 'Filter' has caught my curiosity. Thank-You for providing this great web site. I am sure to be a very active member as I am retired/disabled at the age of 51,but, technically at the age of 35 yrs. Thanks and Happy New Year. Scott. 

[scott]

I will post some pictures of my project from my photobucket account so you get an idea of my project.



I have since applied the second coat of flat black, after this photo.



The photo below is the inside rear with the design drawn out. I need to add two more now for the 5 channel system. Originally I thought it would be a raw 3 channel system with '300 LED's and 270 Ohm resistors' directly to the 'speaker' output using a 3-way crossover. I will still build that system in another box just because I have a nice speaker crossover system laying around to act as the sound filters.

[scott]

The kit that arrived (within 3 days!) with my 5 channel light organ and the exterior control panel kit.I am extremely please at the way it was packaged and protected!

The box as it arrived by USPS.



The package opened to check the quality of packing materials.



The package opened and being pre-inspected before I get to see it



The package opened and being pre-inspected before I get to see it And yes, I see those cats in most electronics videos

[scott]

Please let me know if the photos are too big and you want them downsized. I don't want to take up too much 'band width' Also, I notice here and there my grammer is off by a mark because it slipped past my proof reading but I hate to edit if it is a minor deal. BTW, I love large detailed photos. Sorry about the blury photos.

OK, here are more photos of my electronics kit.

Ok, I have a 'paws up' on this package to proceed.



More photos of the kit removed from the box. Very impressive care taken in the packaging.

[scott]

OK, now I have a question. I want to build this with the 5mm LED's I just ordered, and I ordered about 2000 for future projects as well. I believe that even though this system plugs into 120 volts, the output will probably be 12 volts? I hope I can use these LED's with this kit. Am I ok here? Will I need to place resisters in between each and every LED to do this or just wire the LED's all inline? Thanks for your future opinions and advice. Scott.

[scott]

Also, I would be more than happy to buy supplies and electronics, etc. from this site if there is such a forum here for this. Thanks. Scott

[Gary Lecomte]

Hi Scott, Looks like a VERY Nice Kit.
But from the Info you have given, It is Impossible to tell for sure if it is 12 Volts, Or 110 VAC OUT.

But it Appears to be Either SCR's or Triacs on the Output.
If So, It is 110VAC Out and will Not drive LED's.

Want to TALK? Emailme your PHONE NUMBER.
The USA is a FREE CALL FOR ME.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[e-mail]

[scott]

REVIEW # 1> I liked this item so much I bought two of them (one for the left channel and one for the right). I have taken it to lots of parties - works great! I've had lots of complements on it. I bought five glass blocks at a local hardware big box store and put five different colored Christmas LEDs in each block (70 in each block). Boy, what an effect!!!! WOW!!!!! All my friends are in stunned... I can't say enough about my complete satisfaction.
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SCOTT says: OK, I see that the ABOVE reviewer used a string of 70 LED's per channel. I take it that is was a Christmas light string rated for 110V. What would I need to do to make my own 'string of 100'? What does a store bought string of lights have that I don't have ready? I also know that he used 5 different colors for each of the two sterio channel's outputs. What does that 'string of lights consist of that makes them safe for 110V input?
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QUESTION #1 > Do you mean there is another terminal board with 5 plug in receptacles for the lights you choose to use?May be over my head,need more details May 11, 2013
ANSWER > Hello. No, it doesn't come stock with AC receptacles. The main output is the 10 circuit terminal block. Some customers wire 5 AC receptacles to this, but most just wire the lights directly to the term blocks.
May 14, 2013 by Xkitz Electronics
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Scott says: Interesting.
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Answer> I guess you are asking how is the board connected to power and how are the lights connected to the board
This is really up to you but I used a 15 amp power cord with a plug for AC power and I used 5 female power plugs for the lights
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OK, I dislike this type of cross communication. Two guys give the correct advice as a third guy says they are absolutely correct EVEN THOUGH he hasn't seen their posts? And goes on to mislead the correct info?? Does the third guy work for Amazon? OK You be the judge. Am I missing something here? Here is the question and the three answers below.
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QUESTION #2> Amazon advertise your product on their main page as "Lamp circuits are fused and can drive up to 2.5A, or 250W per channel at 110 VAC

On your website you advertise same unit as "Lamp circuits are fused and can drive up to 7A, or 700W per channel at 110 VAC"

Which one is true before I place an order for two?

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Answer # 1> I have 2 of the XLO-5 kits and both have lamp circuits fused at 7A per channel.
Darrel G. answered on October 11, 2013

Answer # 2> Its 3.5 amps for 220 VAC ( which is UK Outlets) and 7 amps for 110 VAC ( United States outlets). So it's both, but it depends on what's outlets you are plugging the light organ into: a UK or US outlet.
Ben A. answered on October 11, 2013

Answer #3> Hello Todorove. I would first like to say thank's to Ben A. And Darrel G. for their response also to your question. Both of them are absolutely correct. I haven't seen the posting myself, but according to the manufacturer, reference the unit in question, the lamp circuits are fused and can only handle 2.5A or 250W per channel at 110 VAC (United States). You'll find that even at 250 watts power hadling capability per channel, that should be more than enough for your purposes. One last note, make sure that there is adequate ventilation getting to the board during operation. The very best of luck to you in your project and thank you for writing. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Best Regards. Richard T. USA
Richard answered on October 11, 2013

[scott]

Here was Answer #4> Yep, I know what's the advertised current draws are; but don't worry about that. Use LEDs!!!!! You can run lots of them. Their flash rates are more responsive than incandescent lights. I bought 5 glass blocks (seasonal items), 70 LED facet strings - red, blue, green, white, violet. Put them in the blocks and hook them up to the color organ. If you really want to get crazy, get LED rope strings in addition to the blocks and suspend them from the ceiling. That drives the crowd wild. I've had lots of complements.
Fred answered on October 11, 2013

[scott]

After research and advice, I will not be able to use the LEDs I ordered because they are DC as Gary once told me. I will use them for another light organ project though. You may however use them IF prewired for an AC outlet. I will be using the old miniature Christmas lights. How many will I have to 'daisy chain' to hook them to the power? I forget the actual voltage and amperage of each bulb at the moment,but did e-mail myself the info when I ran across it. I will have to search for it. Yes, when I find something interesting, I email the link to myself for safe keeping. Most times I will just post a 'shortcut' and keep them until my project is finished and I no longer need them. Currently, I probably have about 100 shortcuts pasted on my screen. Anyway, I am about to start soldering on my board. I am questioning whether my solder is ok to use. Brand is 'Victor' (foreign), it is 60/40 rosin core and it is .093 Dia. I have seen many videos that recommend multi rosin core and .46 mm or so. Mine must be in inches and I don't know how close I am to the metric size. Does anyone have a solder size and brand preference? Thanks. Scott

[scott]

OK, my (advanced) Light Organ kit is finally soldered. Sure was really cool watching this project come togeather yesterday(thursday). I started yesterday morning and finished it around 4pm. Spent more time keeping an eye on our newest kitty while outside. Well, that and an on and off smoke from time to time,oh, and the fresh brewed coffee.. I really had cold feet but decided that if I didn't get it done, then it would just sit around and collect dust. So, I sat and soldered in, my first twelve resistors and I was suprised at how easy it was. I figure I spent about 1 1/2 seconds per solder dab. My neighbor let me borrow his board stand, Weller 100, a pair of soldering needle nose pliers and a snipper to clip the extra legs off after soldering each component. I took about 80 step by step photos cause that is what I do on my projects. Don't worry, I won't post them all LOL. I can't believe that I never soldered nothing but hot water heater pipes and sterio wires togeather. I amazed myself. BUT, today was the day of truth. Will it work when I get the control panel and unit mounted in my cabinet and wire it up?? YES! Initial plug-in and power up went great. Signal gets to the adjustmant sliders and with great sensitivity with that ceramic mike. NOW I can't wait to get the lights all installed. Thanks. Scott

Here is our 7 month old MIA enjoying the Christmas tree. LOL



MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm COFFEE!



Sorry a few are blury

[scott]

OK, I was able to finish downloading the rest of my pics to photobucket. As you can see, I installed a 12 volt fan under the power board for the heck of it. The boad is spaced an inch from the wall for good air flow. Don't know if these get too hot but it never hurts to keep them cool. I use alot of parts I salvage from computers. Most computer fans are 12 volts and I usually find 3 inside scrap computers. I want to experiment with the main power box inside a computer,( I salvaged 2 nice ones) and the input is 120 volts but, the outputs are variable. I wonder how many amps one is. Could one handle a car CB radio. They will be good for bench testing stuff. 'Output' voltage checks will be fun.

[scott]

Yesterday I did an initial test by powering the kit on and everything worked great. The led's on the sliders worked great to the music and other sounds as a pre-test. Today, I hooked up 5 sets of christmas lights and the test was a success. I really had my doubts about this project and my ability to build this since I have never soldered on a 'board' before. When I clicked the switch on for the first time, I even moved away quickly to watch for smoke LOL. I am pleased. On to more soldering projects..... Also, when I get the lights installed, I will post pictures and a youtube video if I can figure out how to download onto youtube. Thanks, Scott

[scott]

Here are all the lights installed and I now have to wire them up.

[scott]

Now, as you can see, I have alot of wiring to do. I did it this way so I could drill the correct size hole and , from the front, press the 'socket' in place. I am using the 'easy pull' type sockets.

These lights are still common place, to be bought on the internet. Lucky me. I have also made a wire tester so I can pre test the lights as I wire them togeather.