The “STRATUSLIGHT 8A LED” and “STRATUSLIGHT 16A LED” controllers allow the direct control of LED circuits, LED spots or incandescent lamps with a nominal voltage of 12-24V. The number of channels participating in the program sequence can be selected as needed - from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 8 using the selector SW3 (Steps number) (HEX rotary encoder). This is the small blue square-shaped switch with numeric (0 to 9) and alphanumeric (A to F) markings and a red rotor with a screwdriver groove with an arrow corresponding to the currently selected number of active channels. It is located in the lower left part of the printed circuit board under the microcontroller (large integrated circuit with 28 pins U2 - PIC16F873A) and next to the quartz resonator (silver component with an oval shape). As the markings on the key are in hexadecimal, a two-digit LED digital indicator is installed for the convenience of the users. Each time the rotor position is changed, the current selected number of active channels for a period of 3 seconds is displayed on the SW3 switch. After this time, the indicator shows the number of the current program currently running. Using the switch SW1 (Program select 1-8) (DIP switch 8) the user has the opportunity to select combinations of up to 8 pre-stored program sequences. The switch is located immediately to the left of the digital indicator. When the white lever of each of the key sections is switched to the ON position, the corresponding program number corresponding to the numbers of the selected sections is also activated. Depending on how many and which levers are in the on position, the number of combinations of programs currently active is determined. The implementation of the active programs is performed in sequence from 1st to 8th. In the absence of a selected active program (all levers of the key are in the lower position - off) no program is executed, and the controller goes into test mode. Then all outputs are static and active. This mode is used when checking the serviceability of the controlled indicator circuits. Example: sections 1; 3; 4; 7 are selected First program one is executed (three repetitions of the cycle), followed by program three, then four, then seven and again .. one .. three .. four .. seven .. and so indefinitely With the trimmer potentiometer RV1 (SPEED) the step speed of the running programs can be adjusted according to the user's wishes. To facilitate the review and selection of the appropriate program sequence and not to wait for the expiration until the end, but to stop it and start the execution of the newly selected one, button PB1 (RESET) is installed. It also serves for manual initial setup (restart) of the controller, in case of possible "hanging" of the microcontroller due to a series of electric shocks or disturbances in the power supply. In the latest modified versions of the controllers - "STRATUSLIGHT 8A LED" and - "STRATUSLIGHT 16A LED" must be used to supply upright and well-filtered voltage, and when possible stabilized. We recommend the waterproof switching power supplies of "Waterproof Electronic LED Driver" offered by GEKO, which are especially suitable for outdoor installation. They are characterized by high reliability, wide tolerance of the supply voltage in the network, protection against overload and short circuit, shockproof and moisture-proof housing. The maximum load capacity at the output of one channel is 500 mA. If a higher output current is needed, transistor expanders and additional power supplies are used. In the old versions of the controller “STRATUSLIGHT 8 LED” and - “STRATUSLIGHT 16 LED” it can be supplied directly with alternating voltage from a transformer because rectifier diodes D1 -: - D4 for rated current 6A are mounted on the board. The output transistors are without cooling radiators. When using all eight channels, the maximum output current of 750mA must not be exceeded! If higher power is required, a controller without rectifier diodes is ordered or the already installed ones are dismantled. An external bridge rectifier with the appropriate rated voltage and current (eg KBPC3501 100V / 35A) mounted on a suitably sized cooler is used, and in place of the diodes D1 and D3 (on the board the place is marked with rectangles enclosing the diodes) bridges of single core copper wire are mounted with a diameter of 2 mm. It is recommended to use additional filter electrolytic capacitors with higher capacities (for example 4700uF / 35V) at higher capacities. Instead of alternating voltage from the secondary winding of a transformer, a direct voltage with the corresponding polarity is applied to terminals 1 and 2 of terminal block J1 (conditionally marked -12V and + 12V, respectively). At the 1-minus terminal (negative electrode) of the DC voltage, and at the 2-plus terminal (positive electrode). The anode circuits of the LED groups are supplied from terminal 3 of terminal block J1 (conditionally marked with + Vout). In other words ... this is the total positive electrode for all loads. Each terminal of terminal block J1 is for rated current up to 20A and conductors up to 4mm2. Each output of the controller (terminals Y1 to Y8 of terminal block J2) with the transistor switches Q1 to Q8, switches the corresponding cathode circuits of the LED groups (minus the loads). Each terminal of terminal block J2 is for rated current up to 10A and conductors up to 1.5mm2. Depending on the applied supply voltage, the voltage drop in the forward direction - specific for each type of LEDs and the number of diodes used in one LED circuit, the corresponding limiting resistor is calculated. It is not permissible to connect LEDs or LED circuits without a limiting resistor with the appropriate rating! It is needed to limit the current (usually 20mA for a standard series) of the LEDs within the desired and recommended by the manufacturers limits! Otherwise they will fail! Electrical characteristics:. Nominal rectified supply voltage Uo - 8 -: - 35Vdc. Maximum allowable output current of channel Iout - 0.5A. Operating ambient temperature Top: -10 -: - + 50 ° C. Storage temperature T st: -20 -: - + 80 ° C. Relative humidity RH: 80%
