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The S.A.B.E.R. GUILD: Saber Manufacturers => Plecter Labs => Topic started by: erv on October 05, 2010, 01:31:03 PM

Title: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: erv on October 05, 2010, 01:31:03 PM
ok it's been awaited for too long. I presented a prototype like 3 years ago (YT video) but I've been just overwhelmed with the new house and luxeon boards, among other things. But of course people kept asking (kindly).

I finished the PCB like 2-3 weeks ago and I'll probably order the prototype this week. It will be a design fork from CFV5 so we keep :

- 2W audio amp
- WAV file and recent audio engine
- fully compatible sound fonts
- all existing config files, some dedicated parameters will be removed since not involving a high power led but a led strip.
- 7 accent LEDs and onboard PLI
- Blasters, lockup, force, force clash everything
- battery depletion drive compensation
- flicker, shimmer yada yada
- multiple sound banks, audio player

no reason it can't drive any sort of led strips.
Once I get the PCB, I'll just need a short time to do minor tweaking to the firmware to accommodate the new architecture / blade topology (it's really easy, when I did that on the proto back in the day, it took me like one day of work to get 90% of the features ported.

Of course, I'll keep you posted about that project. In the mean while, please keep the topic clean. When asking a question about a feature, check first if it's in the CFV5 manual. If it's there, there's a huge chance that it will be in the LS version. That includes a RGB color changing blade if you can build it (or ask makoto). FoC is kind of easy to implement too (and that remains my favorite over color changing).

The board is for now 23.5 (W) x 48.7 (L) mm. Yes it's shorter than a CFV5. The upcoming month is busy at work but I expect to get this started anyway.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on October 05, 2010, 01:39:00 PM
Woohoo!  LED string blades with the best soundcard on the planet and Clash Flash ;D!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Caine on October 05, 2010, 01:48:47 PM
Taking it up ANOTHER notch...gee, and WHY do I never change my sig?  :D

That's great, man...another huge win for the saber community thanks to you.  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth_Dadderall on October 05, 2010, 01:52:28 PM
Maaaan oh man. Between this and the Bakery, Erv is SO going on my Christmas Card list. :D

Two questions: How many "steps" will the card support, and what kind of price difference do you anticipate we'll see over the standard CFV5?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: darth_call on October 05, 2010, 01:58:17 PM
guess I should finish this LED ladder I been working on.

Thanks Erv, ...u da MAN!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Drazhar on October 05, 2010, 02:05:57 PM
Oh sweet jeebus... the sound and authenticity of CF with the brightness of a makoto style setup?

DO WANT.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Jm419 on October 05, 2010, 02:32:15 PM
Aww, I might have to buy one of these. 

*Looks surreptitiously at wallet
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: cannibal869 on October 05, 2010, 03:38:20 PM
Just for giggles....

Uh... so if we were to say connect all the negative leads together and positive leads together, does that mean you could potentially just run a regular star off of these??  (just thinkin' outloud cause there seems to still be a relative lack of buttered / baked toast around these parts... ) ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Forcestruck on October 05, 2010, 04:06:09 PM
Awesome! Now I really have to start training my F5-fu.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: OBI-WAN KENOBI on October 05, 2010, 04:16:45 PM
And so begins the era of the ultimate show/display/spin lightsaber!   8)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Caine on October 05, 2010, 04:20:56 PM
And so begins the era of the ultimate show/display/spin lightsaber!   8)

What's that?

Hahahaha
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on October 05, 2010, 04:43:51 PM
Brilliant news! I've been quietly hoping for this to re-emerge for ages. Cheers Erv, look forward to hearing more  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: GENERAL GRIEVOUS on October 05, 2010, 06:30:00 PM
This is shocking news. :o
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Onli-Won Kanomi on October 05, 2010, 08:11:45 PM
This is an extremely cool development for show sabers! :-)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Jedi Yar Nala on October 05, 2010, 09:41:32 PM
WOW.... cool stuff Erv.... Definitely exciting news!!!  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Vektor on October 05, 2010, 10:26:44 PM
This is REALLY good news, I shall be waiting for updates with great interest!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Master Dru-Er on October 06, 2010, 12:50:50 PM
I can't wait.  This is fantastic news.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on October 06, 2010, 03:31:03 PM
a nice addition (just for fun) would be an led strip animation for the blade like with the 7 led strips
its something new and would be fun
or how about a disco style led display for isaber mode?
again just for fun

im a fan of the led strip sabers so this news is just superb
i love the blade activation/retraction fx
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Snake-Eyes on October 06, 2010, 04:13:50 PM
Wow.  There it is.  CF.  With the brightness and duelability of a Makototsai blade?   ;D
AND an even Smaller board?   :o   8)

Erv, that's awesome!

So, how many "banks" of LEDs are you planning on? 
Is the user able to control the speed of the activation/deactivation sequence?
Can the user control the order of the sequence?  (default/"normal" appearance would most likely be the ramp-effect, but a quick random flicker might go well with the Ancient Saber font or something)

Simply amazing stuff, man...  Thanks again for sharing your gifts.    :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 06, 2010, 08:58:09 PM
"on the beat" blade animation in iSaber has been shown in the video 3 years ago I think.
The random of the ignition sequence is planed as well with an accurate and configurable setup to describe the behavior of EACH segment of the blade (including order, speed). There will be several modes of ignition, synched with the sound or stand alone, just like CF right now.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sunrider on October 06, 2010, 09:11:38 PM
 I congratulate you sir for coming out with more crazy awesome stuff than anyone else all the freakin time like a machine. Thank you. Don't wear your self out now.  ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Drazhar on October 07, 2010, 04:02:50 AM
Now the question has become which will be the superior setup, CF and a single high power LED, or CFLS and a makoto type LED string which he has shown in the past to be quite duelable...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on October 07, 2010, 04:37:35 AM
LED Strips are always going to be less durable Drazhar.  He might show them dueling, but plenty of them break ;).  Anytime you have electronics in a blade it is going to be a weak point.  Not saying it is going to be as fragile as an MR but nowhere near as durable as a Luxeon.  I suspect these type of sabers are going to be more for the con-goer and costumer than the duelist.  Which is fine, there is a market for both and although I prefer Luxeon sabers for the majority of my sabers, having an uber cool LED string that is superbright and a great display piece for cons with that awesome scrolling effect driven by Crystal Focus goodness is sweet too! :D.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth_Dadderall on October 07, 2010, 09:13:14 AM
Agreed. A different solution might be some kind of modular card with a plugin satellite that holds the config and light circuitry, so you could swap them more-or-less on the fly. This would allow you to have the pure, unmitigated WOW factor of the CF sound reproduction with the string's brightness for posing and cons, and for duels you could switch out "crystals" and emitters and blades.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on October 07, 2010, 09:22:12 AM
i can vouch for makotos led strips they are very duellable..
they are solderd together on a thin wire frame and if they are protected properly with some sort of
padding like in master replica sabers they are almost as duellable as a lux

but for people like me who doesnt duel its a dream, now we can have a very bright led strip blade and the awesome cf fx
iv tested a lot of blades with the led strip and the best by far is the ultraedge blade... it will blow you away
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on October 07, 2010, 09:34:26 AM
Makotos LEDs are very bright and he does an excellent job.  I am not taking away from the work he does, they are awesome for what they are and the best string blades currently on the market IMHO.  They are not almost as duelable as Luxes, however.  Not even in the same ballpark.  Even with protection, the LEDs are sustaining constant impact and they are just 5mm LEDs like any other 5mm LEDs (although he does source some bright ones :D).  Sure they are padded and that helps, but it doesn't render them impervious to impact.  Lux sabers do not have any electronics in the blade to fail.  It is apples to oranges.

Now, let's get back to our regularly scheduled program discussing this new awesome development in our community!  
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Rogue Graymatter on October 07, 2010, 09:59:57 AM
I was just dreaming of this the other day..... then this.... Erv, always a step ahead. I would love to add one of these to my collection. I love my makoto blades. Nice addition Erv!
RG
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Novastar on October 07, 2010, 10:33:04 PM
hahhaha WORD!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Drazhar on October 08, 2010, 11:53:40 PM
Ahhh, this will be wonderful for me as a costumer/con-goer then!

Way to go erv!

Question though: will the different sound banks retain individual settings? I mean can I still have a silent bank with the LED strip, and one that's at like half volume, with a faster scroll?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 09, 2010, 12:14:10 AM
yup absolutely, just like the current CF for high power LED
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Drazhar on October 09, 2010, 12:41:48 AM
yup absolutely, just like the current CF for high power LED

Awesome! Thanks for answering so quickly.

One more question, you don't have to answer this one.

Any idea on what pricing will be like? Or wiring compared to current CFV5?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 09, 2010, 12:44:33 AM
pricing will be similar, as well as wiring.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sen Tabesi on October 09, 2010, 12:19:33 PM
Well, I didn't want to post for nothing but... well, I can't... This is a very interesting board ^^ :) Expecting to ear some pieces of news from it ^^ :) :) :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Ari-Jaq Xulden on October 10, 2010, 03:38:06 PM
I have got to get me one of these. :o
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 11, 2010, 01:13:43 PM
tonight I gave the final touch up to the PCB so that I can order a few protos. Board is now 23.5 x 49 mm so that wiring the accent leds and associated SMD resistors isn't too difficult. Length of the board isn't critical and it's still smaller than CF.
Can't wait to work on the firmware !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Caine on October 11, 2010, 01:21:14 PM
yup absolutely, just like the current CF for high power LED

 ;D  Agreed.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on October 19, 2010, 12:33:16 PM
i hope someone comes up with an easy removable blade technique
for the ledsrtrip blades similar to hasbros new ones
this is a step closer to a truer light saber the blade retraction affect is really missed with my lux sabers
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 20, 2010, 12:04:49 AM
well, that's "just" a plug and a blade retention screw.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Matt Thorn on October 20, 2010, 01:23:16 AM
darthsteve, I use a 7-pin DIN plug and panel jack, like these:
(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marutsu.co.jp%2Fimages%2Fmm12%2F041102%2F0000000000135661_2.jpg&hash=3ffc7084b42cee9371ae97b85712a0f0e6588f34)
(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marutsu.co.jp%2Fimages%2Fmm12%2F041102%2F0000000000141044_2.jpg&hash=c3ef429f0647e16e12f06e130ee9ff6741a21aad)
You use six pins for the negative leads of the six segments, and the seventh for the common positive.
The jack is attached to the inside of the blade holder.
They are a pretty tight fit, so you need to make sure the plug end is really solidly fixed in the blade.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on October 20, 2010, 02:28:36 PM
thats how my hyperblade leds are plugged in but unless its built well and solid in the blade it can be a pain
you end up pulling the blade out and the led strip not moving

i tend to just leave the blade in at present
but it shouldnt be too hard to do i suppose
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Novastar on October 20, 2010, 11:00:28 PM
I'm not a fan of LED array systems, but... I'd recommend some kind of BNC setup (Bayonet Nut Connector).  Basically, it's a twist + lock system, pretty simple, and fairly useful.

I would also STILL recommend a set screw for a blade, as... if you do this, the blade would NEVER jiggle loose during any sort of usage... and you wouldn't constantly be "shocking/twisting" the BNC (or whatever connector) at every move/swing/clash/etc.  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Matt Thorn on October 20, 2010, 11:37:50 PM
I'm not a fan of LED array systems, but... I'd recommend some kind of BNC setup (Bayonet Nut Connector).  Basically, it's a twist + lock system, pretty simple, and fairly useful.
Actually, it stands for "Bayonet Neill-Concelman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BNC_connector)".  ;) I don't know of any BNC-type connector that has seven or more poles, but maybe I just haven't looked hard enough. And since there's no way to handle a nut that is buried in a blade holder, but a system where you push the blade in, and twist it to lock it in place would indeed be sweet.

I would also STILL recommend a set screw for a blade, as... if you do this, the blade would NEVER jiggle loose during any sort of usage... and you wouldn't constantly be "shocking/twisting" the BNC (or whatever connector) at every move/swing/clash/etc.  :)
Absolutely. A solid set screw is a must, no matter what the set-up. I've never seen or handled a Parks saber in person; do they have set screws? I wonder if you can really duel with them like they do in their promotional video without the blade flying out and causing some property damage.  :-\
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 20, 2010, 11:51:17 PM
but unless its built well and solid in the blade it can be a pain

to me "building things properly" is mandatory to avoid it to be a pain. I don't see any issue about securing the plug in the blade and the connector in the hilt. If you don't secure either one or the other, that's kind of obvious you can't remove the blade without tearing off wires or led strip.

Good news, the CFV5-LS PCBs arrived yesterday. Not sure when I'll have the time to assemble one though, but we're getting closer.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Drazhar on October 21, 2010, 02:11:36 AM
Good news, the CFV5-LS PCBs arrived yesterday. Not sure when I'll have the time to assemble one though, but we're getting closer.

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.ebaumsworld.com%2FmediaFiles%2Fpicture%2F10662%2F80460462.jpg&hash=32aabd009aaf809d17033813dcc9ab619c3a9890)

GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth_Dadderall on October 21, 2010, 11:45:21 AM
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth_Wankel on October 24, 2010, 01:03:56 PM


quick question...were can i get the CFv5 and when it comes out the CFv5 LS? (Dont force choke me, im new to all this)

add on: i dont even know why i quoted the professor vid to reply to this thread lol
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on October 24, 2010, 01:11:50 PM
You need to subscribe to the notification thread here on FX and watch the Plecter Labs website.  Only a few go up at a time and they sell out immediately.  I am very certain when the CFV5-LS comes out, there will be loads of fanfare.  Stick around and it will all become clear ;).
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth_Wankel on October 24, 2010, 01:26:26 PM
You need to subscribe to the notification thread here on FX and watch the Plecter Labs website.  Only a few go up at a time and they sell out immediately.  I am very certain when the CFV5-LS comes out, there will be loads of fanfare.  Stick around and it will all become clear ;).

Well thats gonna suck im usually terrible at those kind of purchases/win deals. well how about buying a used CFv5 or maybe the v4+ just go to the buy/sell/trade section? and about how much will they go for?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on October 24, 2010, 01:28:56 PM
Second hand CFs have been going anywhere from 2-4 times retail value recently.  You also have to find someone willing to give theirs up, as well ;).
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth_Wankel on October 24, 2010, 04:47:43 PM
Second hand CFs have been going anywhere from 2-4 times retail value recently.  You also have to find someone willing to give theirs up, as well ;).

so in other words im better off trying to buy the CF v5-LS when it comes out? and I'm going to safely assume the notification thread you mentioned is stickied in the Plecterlabs section lol
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: nartules on October 24, 2010, 04:56:25 PM
Yeah the notification of new product availability is in the plecter labs section.  Keep in mind some people have been hunting for a crystal focus board (any version) for 1-3 years without luck snagging one directly from erv.  However, if you read the board often, you can get one.  I managed to get a 4.3 and a v5.  For the LED strip version, a lot of people have been waiting eagerly for it for a few years, but once again keeping a good eye on the forums will help you gain one.

Good luck : )
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth_Wankel on October 24, 2010, 05:51:16 PM
Yeah the notification of new product availability is in the plecter labs section.  Keep in mind some people have been hunting for a crystal focus board (any version) for 1-3 years without luck snagging one directly from erv.  However, if you read the board often, you can get one.  I managed to get a 4.3 and a v5.  For the LED strip version, a lot of people have been waiting eagerly for it for a few years, but once again keeping a good eye on the forums will help you gain one.

Good luck : )

well thank you for all the help i truly appreciate it.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on November 07, 2010, 07:14:00 PM
Yeah... the one to three years thing is really true.  Two years ago i saw my first video of a cf soundboard (though I didn't know what it was) and i decided to make a graflex replica... I ordered all of the parts and then waited.. and waited... and waited... there has only been one legitimate (not just to the sabersmiths) >:( release... I settled for an Ultrasound 2.5, which while way better than my mr fx sabers, is no where near  a crystal focus.  Hopefully there is another release so that I can finally get one.  Two years and only one release... wow... I'm definately not ordering the hilt first this time.  It does seem like CF boards are constantly wasted on replica sabers that are just going to sit on the shelf and never be dueled with.  The possibilities with CF are too great to limit them to a show graflex (though yoda's work is amazing).  Why even buy a CF if you aren't going to duel with it?  That is when it truely gets set apart from the other soundcards.  The swings and clashes match perfectly with your motions.  I could talk all day about reasons to duel with CF vs let it sit on a shelf. 
    Also, the reason that hardly any of us have CF is because so many of us order 3 at a time.  Save some for people who don't have twelve CF sabers... and if someone gets the okay from erv and buys 10, that sucks for us... so really only 33 people actually get cf boards in a release, and they are the ones with the best internet connections.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: nartules on November 07, 2010, 08:56:28 PM
I only bought one even though it said 4 were available when I was purchasing them last time.  After I had it in my cart and finished the order I went back and saw there were still 2 left, so whoever bought the other ones didn't go with a 3 order either.  I know some people try to get 3 at a time, but there are other people who know how sought after they are and will only buy 1, if they only need 1.

As far as the smiths getting them, I am glad they have seperate orders.  A lot of the smiths who have license to buy them from Erv are the members of the forum and the community who keep pushing the hobby towards greater goals (although there are a few people outside of professional smiths who are developing new techniques and designs -  Slothfurnace and sunrider - are just two that come to mind.

A lot of the innovation occurs when smiths take on commissions that push the boundries of their current knowledge/abilities.  When I got my v5 I wanted to make sure I took advantage of as many features as possible and I am happy with the result. 

I do agree about the dueling part...omg its so much more fun with a CF! every clash, every swish, clear perfect sound matching the motion and attacks of my blade.  It feels like magic in my hands!  If I hadn't bit off more then I could chew I would have already submitted my remaining cf board to upgrade a current saber so I could let the kids use it against me.  We don't really duel mind you just kind of play fight/cheoregraph fights.

sigh...soon though (My wife should be getting back pay for at least 2 months at the end of November/Start of December :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on November 08, 2010, 09:35:34 AM
yeah, the dueling part of CF is the reason that it is so sought after.  And I wasn't saying that the smiths don't do a good job, cause the work that they do is amazing.  I was just saying that the movie replicas with CF's don't get dueled with so the board is basically wasted on them.  The work that the smiths do blows me away, and they sell the sabers to be dueled with (hopefully with the exception of Yoda's graflex replicas for instance) 

  And yes, you're right, not everyone gets three, but some people do, and like I said they can contact Erv and buy more than three.  I have a great MHS saber designed and if I'm lucky enough to get a CF board, I'm going to use it to its full potential... LEDengin 10W green blade W/ blue FoC, 7 led bargraph, at least one green accent led matching luxeon current (in the pommel most likely) illuminated power and aux buttons, possibly a motor matching the luxeon current... you get the Idea... this saber has been two years in the making, I just haven't been able to get my covetous hands on a CF board.

    If the smiths didn't have separate orders, I'm not sure what the community would do... I'm not mad at that fact, It's just that they seem... I repeat, SEEM to get more boards then the basement DIYers like me. 

    Hopefully there is a release this year, so I can hopefully complete my saber before the 3 year mark hits... I wonder how many other people that have waited as long as me still haven't been able to get CF...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Snake-Eyes on November 08, 2010, 11:12:54 PM
Alex Gordon,

1)  Welcome to Forum.  Please visit this topic thread  http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=10747.0 (http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=10747.0) and read the first post.   

2) 
Of course, I'll keep you posted about that project. In the mean while, please keep the topic clean. When asking a question about a feature, check first if it's in the CFV5 manual. If it's there, there's a huge chance that it will be in the LS version.
This particular thread concerns questions/ideas/development updates concerning the CFV5-LS.  Please, stop derailing it with your off-topic comments.  You're needlessly getting the hopes up of folks who subscribe to this thread, waiting for updates from Erv. 
(like this post of mine will probably do, too)   :-\

3)  I'm not sure where your "facts" are derived from, but you've got quite a few errors concerning CF availability, saber-smith "CF supplies", and bulk purchasing from 'evil customers'...  Please, do yourself the favor and follow some old-but-TRUE advice: research before you speak.  If you're profile is accurate, and you're only 18, then you've got a LONG time to enjoy this hobby.  Don't start off on the wrong foot with bad information.

4)  From your other posts, I can see that you appreciate Erv's work, and the contributions of the many others in this hobby.  That's awesome, man.  And it's great that you choose to publicly say "Thanks."  Just don't cheapen the gesture by simultaneously throwing in a pitch about how you might deserve a CF more than someone else.   

Keep your subscription to this thread:  http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=26025.0 (http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=26025.0)
Follow Jango's advice from this thread: http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=13214.0 (http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=13214.0)

And soon enough, you'll catch an elusive CF.    ;)
Then, you can post a brilliant thread about your project... with lots of pictures.   ;D

//end transmission

Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Novastar on November 08, 2010, 11:43:46 PM
@Alex, I completely agree with Snake-Eyes.  Also... just to make sure you're clear on how many CF releases have happened--I have a *LOT* of video/"timeline" evidence to back this up:

http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=26080.0

I don't want to de-rail the thread more... but I also do not want people believing that there has "only been 1 release" of CF or whatever.  That's way off, too... since there have been *MANY* releases (not just 2 or 3).
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-------------------

To go back to LED strips... I have a question that is "simple concept" but "hard to say" for Erv...

Erv... do you think maybe you'll allow some kind of "clash flash parameters" on the LED strip board?  For example... if you wanted (for whatever reason) to have the LED array shimmer randomly + individually... you could set that, or... maybe you (for whatever reason) want to have the LED array pulse in sequence (such as on the blaster core) from the "emitter" to the "tip" (like a "moving light")?

And so forth.  You know... basically having some ability to individually control how the array behaves during a collision/clash (or whatever)...

I hope I explained that correctly, lol!!!  Hard to put it into words...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Matt Thorn on November 09, 2010, 12:05:50 AM
Erv... do you think maybe you'll allow some kind of "clash flash parameters" on the LED strip board?  For example... if you wanted (for whatever reason) to have the LED array shimmer randomly + individually... you could set that, or... maybe you (for whatever reason) want to have the LED array pulse in sequence (such as on the blaster core) from the "emitter" to the "tip" (like a "moving light")?

And so forth.  You know... basically having some ability to individually control how the array behaves during a collision/clash (or whatever)...

I hope I explained that correctly, lol!!!  Hard to put it into words...
Oooo... How cool would it be to have a subtle "wave pulse" (like ripples from a pebble dropped into a pond) from the center of the blade to the ends on clash.  8)

<murmur>No one has a natural "right" to a CF.</murmur>
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Jedi Yar Nala on November 09, 2010, 12:11:25 AM
I think what Nova is describing here... is making it  like a force power being shot out from the emitter to the tip of the blade.... with each LED utilizing the clash flash in sequence from one end to the other... this would be REALLY cool  in conjunction with a force power/ push from one of the fonts...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on November 09, 2010, 12:14:01 AM
I've already planned a special fx for the clash and I was indeed thinking about "destructuring" the blade if it does make sense. Could be a wave, or something more organic or erratic, slightly randomized (plasma becomes unorganized for a short time then comes back to normal). That will work with intensity but of course with spatiality too (otherwise, it's wasting the individual control of segments). And... it's easy to code.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on November 09, 2010, 04:04:26 AM
(defense mode activated)  lets start a new thread so I can defend myself here... I was saying there has been 1 big batch of CF in about the last year... the V4.3... that regular hobbiests like me were buying... Oh wait i can think of one more...  (I'm not counting 5.0 cause there were only a handfuland I wasn't trying to say that the CF releases for smiths was bad and that they were evil customers... I was saying that it is a good thing that they have separate runs.

And given that I am 18, and you see somewhere on my other posts, I have been interested in this since I was 12... I'm not gonna say before the technlogy existed... but before it was utlized... and I'm pretty sure ( correct me if I'm wrong).. before buttered toast... or at least it was in its early stages...

Back to the topic

Yeah, the FoC with the LEDs on the strip would be amazing... I'm definately going to try to get my hands on one... this would go great with a makoto blade
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Matt Thorn on November 09, 2010, 06:23:16 AM
I've already planned a special fx for the clash and I was indeed thinking about "destructuring" the blade if it does make sense. Could be a wave, or something more organic or erratic, slightly randomized (plasma becomes unorganized for a short time then comes back to normal). That will work with intensity but of course with spatiality too (otherwise, it's wasting the individual control of segments). And... it's easy to code.
I was afraid we were making unreasonable suggestions. I should have known you would already have a plan.  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Drazhar on November 10, 2010, 07:58:40 PM
Why is it that every time erv answers a question in this thread, I want the board even more?

KUDOS GOOD SIR!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on November 11, 2010, 07:56:56 AM
Hi - I'm very excited about this, cheers Erv for continuing to 'push the envelope', I'm hoping to have some spare money and a quick finger when it's released  ;D

I have a question in relation to CF5-LS and Makoto Tsai blades and FX boards: as I understand it, the Makoto blades are wired '+' and '-' the other way round from FX blades (I think FX blades have seperate wires to each bank of LEDS on the '-' side and a single '+', whereas Makoto's have seperate wires to each bank of LEDs on the '+' side and a single on the '-'. If anyone can confirm or correct this, please do chip in). However, I remember reading about Makoto making blades to order 'the FX way round' to run from FX boards when customers requested this. Will the CF5-LS run the blade 'the FX way' or 'the Makoto way'?

The reason I ask is that I'm considering ordering a couple of blades from Makoto to run from FX boards, with a view to upgrading the board(s) to CF5-LS if I'm lucky enough to get hold of 1 (or 2!) - it'd be great know if I could swap out the FX board for a CF5-LS and use the same blade without having to rewire/resolder the blade to work with the CF5-LS. Otherwise I might wait to see if I get lucky when the CF5-LS is released before investing in blades. Thanks!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on November 11, 2010, 09:15:18 AM
board is wired with a common positive and negative to the banks of leds.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on November 11, 2010, 09:41:49 AM
Wow, that is going to be sweet, I can't wait to see what the future brings for that board
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on December 05, 2010, 08:19:35 AM
so when is this board gonna be available to buy?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 05, 2010, 10:07:34 AM
no idea. Busy making boards right now. R&D time possibly during the xmas vacations.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on December 05, 2010, 01:12:01 PM
In case you guys don't understand, not to be rude though, cause that's why we're all here on the forums... but erv makes these boards by hand and tests every one of them... he has to keep everyone happy (his affilates and the general public)... and, he actually has Darth real life... plus he probably gets 50 emails a day asking about CF availability... so it's probably going to be a while before he gets to the LS... can't wait though... after my regular CF v5 saber I'm probably going to try and build an LS one too...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 29, 2010, 01:28:34 AM
starting the work on the LS version !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: dgdve on December 29, 2010, 02:06:09 AM
Well erv' after 4years and 2 seperate accounts, I'm finally going to post on fx forums... just to say.. Thx old man.. keep up the good work and especially keep up the R&D(I can tell thats your favorite part). gl, have a safe happy new years
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 29, 2010, 02:16:12 AM
Thx old man.. keep up the good work and especially keep up the R&D(I can tell thats your favorite part). gl, have a safe happy new years

LOL  ;D It's a french saying that "you have the age of your intestines".
*go buy some Q10+ nivea cream to put on a toast and eat it*
only 35 but I got the warning thanks  ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Drazhar on December 29, 2010, 02:24:11 AM
Thx old man.. keep up the good work and especially keep up the R&D(I can tell thats your favorite part). gl, have a safe happy new years

LOL  ;D It's a french saying that "you have the age of your intestines".
*go buy some Q10+ nivea cream to put on a toast and eat it*
only 35 but I got the warning thanks  ;)

I suddenly have this strange image of you putting anti-aging cream on a CF board and trying to eat it.

Maybe it should play Auld Lang Syne for New Years? You could make a video!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: dgdve on December 29, 2010, 02:30:30 AM
Thx old man.. keep up the good work and especially keep up the R&D(I can tell thats your favorite part). gl, have a safe happy new years

LOL  ;D It's a french saying that "you have the age of your intestines".
*go buy some Q10+ nivea cream to put on a toast and eat it*
only 35 but I got the warning thanks  ;)

I suddenly have this strange image of you putting anti-aging cream on a CF board and trying to eat it.

Maybe it should play Auld Lang Syne for New Years? You could make a video!


wait that means I'm old too.... ehh de rien, mon ami
EDIT: sad part is even though I NEVER post on fx, when I see erv' online I cant help but go check the site LOL, soooo yeah were old... but not that old
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Azmaria Dei on December 29, 2010, 07:23:18 AM
Thx old man.. keep up the good work and especially keep up the R&D(I can tell thats your favorite part). gl, have a safe happy new years

LOL  ;D It's a french saying that "you have the age of your intestines".
*go buy some Q10+ nivea cream to put on a toast and eat it*
only 35 but I got the warning thanks  ;)

I suddenly have this strange image of you putting anti-aging cream on a CF board and trying to eat it.

Maybe it should play Auld Lang Syne for New Years? You could make a video!


wait that means I'm old too.... ehh de rien, mon ami
EDIT: sad part is even though I NEVER post on fx, when I see erv' online I cant help but go check the site LOL, soooo yeah were old... but not that old
you're only as old as you feel. and yeah the only reason i check FX is for Erv as well. ^_^ i do have to wonder how similar this CF will be to the luxeon model though...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on December 29, 2010, 08:08:17 AM
this board is gonna be the best!!
for someone like me who doesnt really duel with his sabers and is a big lover of the scrolling fx (hey its 1 of the main features of a saber and highly missed with my lux sabers)
if its got all the v5 features too then its just perfect

so imagin the light "bursting" in a crystal chamber then traveling up the blade that would be beautiful in something like a graflex or any crystal chassis saber for that matter, and then the blade retracting to a fading out crystal

and i love the idea i read somewhere about the blade impacts rippling up the or down the led blade

1 questuion to erv how are you possibly gonna find time to supply v5s, ledv5s and petit croutons? not to mention all the other stuff you make?
your gonna need a small team of apprentices- have you ever given though to that?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 29, 2010, 08:43:41 AM
santa and I share a team of christmas jawas  ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: shef on December 29, 2010, 12:26:13 PM
santa and I share a team of christmas jawas  ;)

Stay clear of Oompa Loompas.  I hear they're all part of the labor union.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Dak Arne on December 29, 2010, 01:57:05 PM
santa and I share a team of christmas jawas  ;)

Stay clear of Oompa Loompas.  I hear they're all part of the labor union.

Those Oompa Loompas get insane benefits - their own custom housing, food and all of the candy they can eat.

Stick with elves and jawas, they do an excellent job, are proud of their work and don't taunt visitors to your plant.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Jm419 on December 29, 2010, 02:43:07 PM
santa and I share a team of christmas jawas  ;)

Stay clear of Oompa Loompas.  I hear they're all part of the labor union.

Those Oompa Loompas get insane benefits - their own custom housing, food and all of the candy they can eat.

Stick with elves and jawas, they do an excellent job, are proud of their work and don't taunt visitors to your plant.

It's crazy...the singing lessons, the hairspray, not to mention the dry cleaning...

Looking forward to this, Erv!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Azmaria Dei on December 29, 2010, 05:04:19 PM
i honestly have to wonder at how many people are going to get this and try to use it with a luxeon setup...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 30, 2010, 12:42:15 AM
fair enough since people are already using CF for ledstrips  :D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Novastar on December 30, 2010, 06:02:12 PM
Hahahhah I love that...

Totally like the logic of:

IF A + B = C...
    THEN...
    C - B = A...

hheheheh  lol

P.S.  @everyone... Happy New Year -->
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 04, 2011, 01:25:48 AM
got most of the I/O swapping done, sound is working (obvious) as well as motion sensing and battery monitoring. However, I need to order a new PCB as the little hack I tried to implement uses too much CPU and I want the segment driving as good as one CF-regular, not some el-cheapo, POV flickering drive. Flickering is supposed to be an extra effect, not to reflect the poorness of the drive itself.
Board length might increase of a few mm (5-8) but since that version of the PCB was shorter than a CF, it will just match the current CFV5 length or will be very close.
I also got some cool ideas to have the ledstrip version inherit of most aspect of the current CF. But those are led segment related so I'll post when I'll be there. I have a ledstrip blade on my bench for testing, PCB I should finalize and order today, expect some news by the second half of january.
Blade drive & associated fx won't take long to code as my code has a full API to easy code writing & code porting and most of the principles are already in the CFV5.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on January 09, 2011, 12:01:28 AM
A video of the prototype might make the six-o'clock news  :o
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 23, 2011, 01:35:13 AM
finally getting some budget to order the new proto PCB. I keep going on that project, just to keep you posted.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: const on March 03, 2011, 03:23:37 PM
I missed a few of the middle pages but is there any plan to do something like this for the new for sale to public petit croutons?  I'd like for my next build to be be a string blade but I want a beast sound card that I don't have to camp out at my computer for 4 months to get because I keep blinking.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on March 03, 2011, 09:51:40 PM
it will be for sale if the prototype is successful.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on March 04, 2011, 03:33:42 AM
Erv, I think he meant in stock all of the time, not available the way cfv5 is now

EDIT:  Before you guys say anything, this is not my opinion... I am not asking for that at all
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth Xusia on March 04, 2011, 07:06:00 AM
Yeah Erv, quit your silly day job, run the oven all day long making
CFv5, CFv5-LS, BSv3, etc... and start a breeding program for the
ultra rare Crystal Ficus v1. That way, we can all have some. ;)
Or, keep doing it as a hobby, and we will exercise patience and
understanding that this is a hobby to you, not a career, like some
people tend to think.
I am waiting patiently for my very own Crystal Ficus v1. ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Skottsaber on March 04, 2011, 07:18:04 AM
If that was short enough to put in my sig it would go in.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on March 04, 2011, 11:34:53 AM
Erv, I think he meant in stock all of the time, not available the way cfv5 is now

EDIT:  Before you guys say anything, this is not my opinion... I am not asking for that at all

Then why respond?  How do you know what the poster means?  Let the poster clarify.  You do not need to translate.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: David Simmons on March 04, 2011, 12:29:50 PM
santa and I share a team of christmas jawas  ;)

Stay clear of Oompa Loompas.  I hear they're all part of the labor union.

There's always Grunka Lunkas.  "They think have a good union, but they don't!"

Dave S.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on March 04, 2011, 12:52:14 PM
I am waiting patiently for my very own Crystal Ficus v1. ;D

Just curious... why do you say you want a CF v1? Aren't the later versions better?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Jm419 on March 04, 2011, 12:54:25 PM
Not a CF... a Crystal "Ficus."
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on March 04, 2011, 02:07:07 PM
I am waiting patiently for my very own Crystal Ficus v1. ;D

Just curious... why do you say you want a CF v1? Aren't the later versions better?

Joke ;).
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on March 04, 2011, 04:21:43 PM
Ah.. :D I thought the ficus part was a typo  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on March 04, 2011, 10:44:39 PM
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/CrystalFicus.jpg)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: nartules on March 04, 2011, 10:53:38 PM
Will the Crystal Ficus be a limited stock item like the F5 Keyboard...I missed out on that keyboard last time and regret my indecision to buy it when it was first listed. ::)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Jasher Kain on March 05, 2011, 05:32:46 AM
I almost got one of those keyboards, too...but my computer doesn't even have an F5 key to push.
That's why I lost out. :'(
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Novastar on March 05, 2011, 04:40:34 PM
Come to think of it, I have NO idea *WHY* I haven't used a Crystal Ficus plant as some sort of... oh... I don't know... BLUDGEON or some carp like that in one of my videos.  Like, you know, vs. Gravy or LDM or something?  THAT would be funny...

Hmmm... I guess ya never know... :)

But darn it, I SHOULD have thought of that during the France 2010 days.  D'ohhh.  Oh well... I guess Erviana Jones II was already chock full o' stuff...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: GENERAL GRIEVOUS on March 05, 2011, 04:49:21 PM
Don't hit me with that Ficus. ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Oisse on March 05, 2011, 05:14:20 PM
Don't hit me with that Ficus. ;D
*HANDS LDM A CRYSTAL FICUS*
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on March 05, 2011, 11:12:20 PM
*wasssh-wassh*

(leaves noises)

*bonk-bonk*

(trunk noises)

 ;D

time for nova to make a Ficus sound font, isn't it ?  ;)
The posted pic above lack of the details I added later, after I got some sticker sheets from sparkfun. There's a big RTFM on the pot now. To remind me (and everyone) to RTFM. Really. You want it.

LMD has his black mat... I has my ficus. I should really start using it in the videos, nova is right !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Salvatore1971 on March 06, 2011, 01:03:19 AM
Hmmmm... I was wondering: how can I install a Crystal Ficus in my lightsaber?  ???  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: const on March 06, 2011, 10:54:07 AM
Saving a spot while I find a little twig of leaves small enough to fit into my lightsaber hilt.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: eastern57 on March 08, 2011, 06:05:20 AM
*wasssh-wassh*

(leaves noises)

*bonk-bonk*

(trunk noises)

 ;D

time for nova to make a Ficus sound font, isn't it ?  ;)
The posted pic above lack of the details I added later, after I got some sticker sheets from sparkfun. There's a big RTFM on the pot now. To remind me (and everyone) to RTFM. Really. You want it.

LMD has his black mat... I has my ficus. I should really start using it in the videos, nova is right !

aw man... way to spill the beans on my "camoflage" sound font... sheesh...

On second thought: meh, it was going to sound like all the others anyway... :D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: canadian-jedi on March 09, 2011, 03:34:18 PM
im very excited about this board. luxeon is nice but ive always loved led strip, always consistant, and ive always found they use less battery then luxeon. i had a hypersd and blue p4 setup and i couldnt even feed it enough power for both to work. even tried 12v and the led always over run the soundboard and the soundboard would quit after ignition.
worlds best sound card crystal focus and led strip is an awesome idea.

i will def be keeping an eye out for when they are available.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wolf Odan-Urr on March 10, 2011, 04:18:26 AM
This is probably a really dumb question. But will this board be able to make an RGB led strip work? so you can change the colour of the blade manualy? Or would that be to difficult to do?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: const on March 13, 2011, 04:18:12 PM
This is probably a really dumb question. But will this board be able to make an RGB led strip work? so you can change the colour of the blade manualy? Or would that be to difficult to do?
I don't think so but if you build the saber to have a detachable blade you should be able to switch blades.
I am not a subject matter expert, easter57 is the only one I know for certain who has been using multiple string LED strips
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on April 09, 2011, 03:07:23 PM
just wondering if thers any progress on this sound board??

yes i know hes busy and just had a new born etc but no harm in asking....
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on April 10, 2011, 01:59:28 AM
nope,
workshop is a mess right now + family stuff.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: 380zeaiclies on April 26, 2011, 07:01:33 PM
That's awsome erv, can't wait.  Love CF V5

I disagree with LED strips not being as dulable as luxeon.  I have a LED strip of surface mound LED's in a airtight piece of polycarbonite and then suround by a larger piece and it flickers along to different beats of audio.  I have run over it with a car on accident and all the LED still light just fine.  I have also dropped this little DJ light a number of  times also on accident, and noda.  But still if you were say to go just full out and smack a metal rod or something really dence it would cause damage i'm shure.

I wonder how one goes about ordering a makoto blade?  Will Erv CFLS work with Hyperdyne Hyper Blades?

*EDITED BY LUMINARA

Please refrain from double posting ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on April 26, 2011, 07:55:33 PM
You can disagree all you want, but it is fairly well documented ;).  There are many photos of broken LED strip blades out there. 

To order a Makoto blade, you contact Makototsai.  I believe he no longer accepts PayPal however, so you need to make arrangements with him. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Big Boss on April 26, 2011, 08:06:02 PM
yeah i find it unlikely that you ran over a led strip blade with your car so unless you got a video showing it no cookie for you
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Drazhar on April 26, 2011, 08:14:19 PM
He specifically said a string of SMD LEDs, which are of course NOT used in saber blades at all, so it's completely irrelevant to any saber discussion.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: 380zeaiclies on May 23, 2011, 09:03:31 PM
how does one contact Makototsai?

And it's a party DJ light i bought like back in 2008.
 It's pretty tuff.  It has to be lexsan or policarbonite cause it's not glass.

Why would SMD LED's not work for a Light Saber blade.  They are very small, on a single string.

Would an RGB LED String be able to change a blade's color?

The link below link looks  similar to what is in the litte party light

http://www.ledlightsorient.com/silicone-waterproof-flexible-led-strip-p-76.html
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on May 24, 2011, 07:40:23 AM
how does one contact Makototsai?

And it's a party DJ light i bought like back in 2008.
 It's pretty tuff.  It has to be lexsan or policarbonite cause it's not glass.

Why would SMD LED's not work for a Light Saber blade.  They are very small, on a single string.

Would an RGB LED String be able to change a blade's color?

The link below link looks  similar to what is in the litte party light

http://www.ledlightsorient.com/silicone-waterproof-flexible-led-strip-p-76.html

Those LEDs in that strip are too far apart for a saber.
Makototsai and Hyperblades have over 100 LEDs running up the blade very close together and on both sides or at least pointing in both directions.

RGB led strings can change colors. Makoto has color changing string blade sabers for sale. It takes time for them to be built,... but he has them available.

His contact email is: poem1900@yahoo.com.tw

He's really awesome and friendly.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: 380zeaiclies on May 24, 2011, 06:28:14 PM
Awsome and thank you.  I also said it was similar to what would work in a Saber lol
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Novastar on May 25, 2011, 12:25:02 AM
So... this thread has just been pretty badly de-railed, much of which could have been done in private messaging.  Also, I believe there are other threads/posts which are perfectly ready at people's fingertips for blade durability, Mako's stuff, Hyper's stuff, and all that jazz.

I'm not a moderator, so... all I'm saying here is--let's get back to the topic at hand which is CF for LED strips. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on May 25, 2011, 08:53:39 AM
I wonder if the CF for LED strips will work with multiple LED strips? Such as Makoto's V3 or V4 styles?

If so, I think I have a pretty cool idea:

Right now, the V3 (two strips of LEDs) looks awesome with the pulse effect. WHAT IF the pulse effect (movie flicker.. whatever) could work INDEPENDENTLY on the multi-strip?
I'm thinking it would be like a 'Living blade'. Imagine both strips pulsing independently inside the polycarb tube... I think it would be awesome.

Again, I'm not even sure which strips the CF will be compatible with... or if you will just have to assemble your own or let a smith assemble a strip.
From what I know so far... assembling a strip is time-consuming and also involves a lot of small soldering points. Perhaps the CF for LED strips will have multiple pads that you solder onto the multiple pins at the end of a pre-assembled blade so you can get the ramp-up effect, and the ramp down.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: 380zeaiclies on June 01, 2011, 10:28:31 AM
I love Crystal Focus and Version 5 rocks I can't Wait to see the CF5LS
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Matzzn on August 04, 2011, 10:21:27 AM
Dear Erv,

Just enyoing the enormus brightness of a red Makototsai V4 with LEDs of 20 mA,  2.1 V, 7200 mcd to 12000 mcd 626 nm LEDs.

The V4 is a multiple string led blade as Spacewindu mentioned. Do you think the CF5LS will handle also this type?


Best regards

I pray for this...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on August 04, 2011, 10:51:44 AM
The multi-string setup with CF5LS is something I also wondered about - digging for info on the Mokototsai V4, I saw that the strings are in a 'square' cross section - I guess space is very tight in the blade with 4 strings and a diffuser and noticed that Makototsai uses slightly thicker than 1" blades as standard which would allow a bit more space - allowing for these restrictions for a mo, if it were possible to set it up a string blade with a 'central' white string for CoF and 3 coloured strings at 120 degrees to each other surrounding this, that could be epic  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 04, 2011, 11:13:49 AM
I suppose the multiple string means that you have several of those in // => no reason the CF-LS can't power them. However, there's a single driver, 2 strips cannot be controlled individually (not impossible, mainly a matter of size).

However, there's (like on CF luxeon version) the FoC support. I'll demonstrate that as soon as I get my test custom blade made. That's technically a second strip handled aside of the main one, but without the individual segment control.

here's the proto I finished by the end of june. Minor change to do on the hardware. (Cellphone pic, sorry for the quality)

(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/CF-LS/CFV5-LS-PROTO.jpg) (https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/CF-LS/CFV5-LS-PROTO.jpg)

The drive control is very flexible, as you can use (to a certain limit) the board to resistor the segments, or use resistors, or use both to reduce the wattage of the resistor used and save space. Very convenient.
I played with the settings with both a 100% drive (board stays cool) and resistors (which get hot with no surprise),
but you can have the drive set at 40% and still have a very nice control on the intensity of the blade for the visual fx (flicker, shimmer, pulse, ignition).

Also, I'm happy to announce some cool features :

- ignition and rectractation sequences defined in 2 files (on.txt and off.txt). A linear sequencer with 18 stages (6x3) allow to define how the segments behave during the blade ignition / retractation. From the regular up/down thing to crazy animation or silly stuff like knight rider. I didn't put a random there cause that's pretty meaningless and any "bizarre" sequence can be emulated with the 18 stages.

- The last stage of the sequencer is kept during the time the blade is on, which means that if you want a weird looking dash-line blade, it's possible

- for both power on / off, there's a fade parameter to combine luxeon style intensity ramp up with the segmented ignition. Disabled you have MR like ignition (first segment is already at full brightness when the blade ignites) or if it's enabled, segment brightness is progressive with the ignition sequence, and keeps increasing between 2 segments. This can be interesting for long power on sounds (ancient saber) for instance. For a quick power on sequence, it still adds something visually.

- quick on (and quick off) are still there of course, and with a segmented blade, mapping the ignition sequence on the power on sound duration isn't always the best (too long, you perceive the segmentation), so you can define your ignition sequence duration.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on August 04, 2011, 11:29:33 AM
Definately going to have to think about doing a component blade now.  Are the individual segments driven at the same current by default/ makeup of the board?  Or can you individually control the current of each segment in the config file?

EDIT: Nevermind.  "there's a single driver"
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 04, 2011, 11:43:16 AM
Drive is the same for the whole blade (applied to each segment), however, you can adjust the resistors of each segments (or, if using a MR like blade, adjust SMD resistors in the blade) to compensate wire length and ensure blade evenness (aside of binning of course).

The board doesn't any current regulator, that would take way too much space (especially for individual segments). Simple drive also allow to deal with higher power here... easily 3-4 amp.
I'm going to test with a high amp blade asap, I might need to pimp the specs of my output drivers (easy, I can "double" them like I do on the PEx).
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on August 04, 2011, 11:49:50 AM
Erv that's really awesome.

I love the features you mention.

Here's my idea for blaster bolt deflection:

For the second string, where you say it can be FOC, I wonder if a certain segment can flash independently (for future versions of the board)... like for instance on blaster block?
Might be cool to see where the blaster bolt hit the blade for an instant. If you know what i mean.
Like Blaster bolt 1 might hit near the tip of the blade, then Blaster bolt 2 hits in the lower section.
The segments of the blade nearest the blaster strikes could pulse slightly less for that same instant, to enhance the effect of the main 'segment flash'.

Not sure if this could be possible in the future considering you said there won't be individual segment control on this first version.
Perhaps my idea could work on future versions.
I wonder if something like this is possible on the main string for blaster bolts.
Good luck with this, I'm having fun keeping track of this progress.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on August 04, 2011, 11:52:06 AM
there's a single driver, 2 strips cannot be controlled individually (not impossible, mainly a matter of size).However, there's (like on CF luxeon version) the FoC support. I'll demonstrate that as soon as I get my test custom blade made.

That's technically a second strip
handled aside of the main one, but without the individual segment control.

Though that would be sweet, especially if which spot the blaster bolt "hit" varied for each deflection.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 04, 2011, 11:57:52 AM
some seem to be confused by "single driver". A single driver handling 6 segments with a single drive control but ability to turn individual segments on/off.

for the FoC it works just like on a regular CF : a single *circuit* that will control only a single string (all along the blade, no segments).

Space W : easy + good idea. I'm going to need another state machine in the code, but I think I can make a random segment to blink on/off during the blaster bolt. This way, you have the drive that is affected (shimmer, applied to the whole blade) AND a sub-blinking operation on a single segment to simulate the impact

and eventually a white FoC (applied all over the blade though)

deal ?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on August 04, 2011, 12:14:12 PM
Oh wow I'm starting to bead sweat in anticipation of this board!
The possibilities here are going to be endless!!

Definitely one of the coolest features of the string blade is the up/down ignition retraction feature.
Makes me giggle and smile when I see this on my Makoto sabers along with the sound effects.
You really feel like the saber is real when you see this.


I have one more (less important) question:

Are you constructing your own string blade(s) to test out your board?
Or are you having it made for you? If this is something you plan to reveal later, simply ignore this question.. lol.  :D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on August 04, 2011, 01:09:24 PM
This is probly the best thread on the fourm right now IMHO. I am so excited for the CF-LS !   I just want to say thanks to Erv for creating all this cool stuff.

lol  Where would the industry be without the CF ? 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on August 04, 2011, 01:25:27 PM
I'm dribbling down myself like a baby in a high chair :D

The features are really matching up to what I'd hoped/imagined as best case scenario... cheers, Erv!

Great for multi-string possibilities that it will be able to put out 3-4A - and I was imagining as you described, controlling the strings in parallel, rather than individual drive/effects/etc

...and I'm sure that, in a multi-string setup with a PEx, with some clever use of the good control available on the main segmented string combined with a FoC white string, some amazing effects could be achieved.

It also struck me that (I think?) the white CoF string in this sort of setup would end up being slightly brighter closer to the hilt, which I think would actually work well.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 04, 2011, 02:14:43 PM
I got a blade Eastern made me. I think I also have a bunch of resistor bridged MR strips as well as a driverless V2 hyperblade left by a customer (needs rework before being usable for demo with the CF-LS).

I also have a couple of ideas for a FoC enabled blade but I need to see if it will work first.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on August 04, 2011, 02:53:32 PM
Erv, earlier I wasn't saying you couldn't flicker one segment at a time, spacewindu was saying only have one segment foc, which you said isn't feasible. 

Now we just need a PCv2-LS.   ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: JediSortek on August 04, 2011, 07:46:12 PM
Quote
Space W : easy + good idea. I'm going to need another state machine in the code, but I think I can make a random segment to blink on/off during the blaster bolt. This way, you have the drive that is affected (shimmer, applied to the whole blade) AND a sub-blinking operation on a single segment to simulate the impact

O.O Wow!!! Definitely a good idea ( kudos space w! ). blaster block effect like that would really add a whole new dimension to the string blades. Now to sit back and have happy CFV5-LS thoughts. :D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on August 04, 2011, 08:28:09 PM
Erv:  I've been following this thread with intense interest because your CF-LS development seems to be in pace with my development of the Supernova Starburst blade, which has 249 remachined model 540 5mm LEDs drawing 6.2 amps for 21 watts in a 34-inch string. We traded a couple of emails a year ago about the fact that your new board appears to be the only one capable of powering this blade.

A few posts back you mentioned that your board drives 18 segments. Does that mean that instead of dividing the LEDs in my blade into the usual 6 segments I need to separate it into 18?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on August 04, 2011, 10:27:10 PM
I took it as 18 stages/steps to the sequence controlling 6 segments for ignition/retraction effects, rather than 18 LED blade segments, but might be wrong...

...and I just found the thread for your Supernova Starburst blade project - which looks very exciting and was a good read - much respect, good luck with it and thanks for sharing the progress  ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 04, 2011, 11:39:23 PM
sehtski is  correct : 6 segments, 18 stages for the ignition sequence.

Sequence works the following way :

- take the ignition duration (more likely overridden by quick on/off in the case of a linear/classic ignition)
- each stage lasts that duration divided by 18
- I took a multiple of 6 so that a classic ignition (ramp up) simply has 3 duplicated state per stage

here's the classic ignition made in the sequencer
Quote from: on.txt
// Blade segments power on scheme
fade=1

s00=000001
s01=000001
s02=000001
s03=000011
s04=000011
s05=000011
s06=000111
s07=000111
s08=000111
s09=001111
s10=001111
s11=001111
s12=011111
s13=011111
s14=011111
s15=111111
s16=111111
s17=111111


on another note, I'm trying to maintain as much as possible

- common code with CFV5 (luxeon version)
- common configuration file

I therefore kept the "led" param keyword in the config file, and it became the string drive (from 0 to 511, like the FoC strength param). Aside of the range that is different, the config file is therefore identical.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on August 05, 2011, 11:10:33 AM
Thanks, Erv!  I'll wire the beast up for six segments.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on August 05, 2011, 11:29:01 AM
I am quietly waiting in intense anticipation for this.

Thank you so much, erv, for continuing work on this!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on August 08, 2011, 03:48:23 PM
In the hope that I am one of the lucky ones who gets to purchase one of your CFV5-LS cards, I'd like to start reading everything I can to be prepared to mate it with my Starburst blade. Will the CFV5-LS manual contain much of the same information as the CFV5.08 manual available on the Plector Labs site? What other manuals do you recommend to get up to speed on these cards.

Please note: I've spent all my time developing driect-drive blades so I have absolutely no experience working with electronic drivers or sound cards.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: IndustrialAction on August 08, 2011, 03:56:59 PM
I cant wait to see this board. I'm hoping to convert my six color changing Starkiller with it. That will be one sick saber!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 08, 2011, 10:43:14 PM
The user's manual will be 90% of the current CF manual. I need to rewrite most of the luxeon stuff and replace it with the led strip context but I don't think it's much work. The only hardware dependent section is about the drive of the segments and the couple of TXT files I've added.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: SithlordFaust on August 08, 2011, 10:47:36 PM
cant wait!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on August 09, 2011, 05:47:33 PM
This whole project brings to life so many ideas.  So it was discussed to have a possible blaster block FOC in certain sections of the blade right?  Will there be a bottom to top / top to bottom pulsing mode as well ?  Kinda like from the force unleashed's   " compressed " crystals  ?  Just curious and if I missed that part then I apologize lol. 

Thanks Erv for continuing your work.                     
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on August 09, 2011, 06:07:33 PM
Nevermind.  Not going to argue with out of context quotes.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: nartules on August 09, 2011, 07:25:18 PM
Quote
Space W : easy + good idea. I'm going to need another state machine in the code, but I think I can make a random segment to blink on/off during the blaster bolt. This way, you have the drive that is affected (shimmer, applied to the whole blade) AND a sub-blinking operation on a single segment to simulate the impact

O.O Wow!!! Definitely a good idea ( kudos space w! ). blaster block effect like that would really add a whole new dimension to the string blades. Now to sit back and have happy CFV5-LS thoughts. :D

This is what erv said...no mention of needing six power extenders and 6 FoC slots on the soundboard...if he makes the portion that randomly blinks it will give the same effect.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 10, 2011, 06:27:19 AM
I might get the up/down pulsing mode done in the next release.

I coded the blaster bolt, all I can say is that it's LOOKING INSANELY GREAT  :D

To avoid some more silly parameter increasing the size of the config file (and destroying user's braincells) :

- duration of the effect is based on the shimmer effect
- it has its own timing, so it's not in phase / synched with the shimmer that is applied on the drive on the rest of the blade

just a single extra parameter called "bolt". Since everybody seem to put (tm) everywhere, let's coin terms and call this one AccuBolt (tm). Thanks again to Space W.

The parameter range is {0-7}. 0 disables the effect, 1-6 defines a constant segment to flicker with a blaster blocking, 7 chooses randomly the location of the bolt impact  :)


I still need to wire up the FoC led strip Blade, and also rewrite the BargraphBlade (tm) feature of iSaber which uses the whole blade as a bargraph when playing an audio track.

[edit] maybe GraphBlade (tm) is better. To be decide later => back to code
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on August 10, 2011, 06:31:45 AM
Just for my own sanity, the FoC will be the whole blade right?  not individually controlled FoC segments? 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on August 10, 2011, 06:48:17 AM
Accubolt? Heheehee! ;D

Glad it's looking good - sorry - LOOKING INSANELY GREAT - can't wait to see it in action. Exciting!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Juansith on August 10, 2011, 07:05:32 AM
just a single extra parameter called "bolt". Since everybody seem to put (tm) everywhere, let's coin terms and call this one AccuBolt (tm).

Omg lol, i wonder when is this planet going to learn?.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 10, 2011, 07:06:25 AM
thanks !

Just for my own sanity, the FoC will be the whole blade right?  not individually controlled FoC segments? 

answered in post #129
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on August 10, 2011, 07:08:05 AM
Thank you.  *facepalm*

not as confused as i thought. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 10, 2011, 09:21:40 AM
listening to "Killing the name" on iSaber right now. Pulsing blade on the beat of the music is so cool. Not bragging, just looking back on my shoulder and it's really bad I've been so busy and that I haven't got the time to work on the CF-LS earlier.
But good things take good time !

final assembly of my blade is scheduled on monday, I'll post a fully detailed video of the board.

Don't expect to see the board in a hilt too soon as I'm busy with CF production and the basement / shop is being reworked. Still, I'll make a bench demo with the accent leds, switches and everything. However, that will not be very convenient to swing the board but since it's working just as good as CF for the gesture detection, the demo will focus on the blade and the visual effects.

I believe some are occurring above 25 fps, so I hope the video will do justice. We will see.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on August 10, 2011, 09:40:31 AM
So exciting!

Very happy Erv has gotten so far with this.

Will be incredible to see it in action once the string blade is complete!
The number '7' setting sounds awesome! Having random bolt strikes sounds very neat.

It's amazing how light-weight modern string setups have become... I think a lot of people are going to be pleasantly surprised.
If you believe it... the dual string blade Makoto made for me is lighter than the polycarb empty blade tube I'm using in a single LED saber.
There is a definite difference from my past experience using a heavier string system.


Gonna drink lots of liquids in anticipation of Erv's upcoming demo video... so I have enough drool to last for the entire thing!  :D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on August 10, 2011, 12:06:05 PM
Quote
Gonna drink lots of liquids in anticipation of Erv's upcoming demo video... so I have enough drool to last for the entire thing!   
 
 
 

HAHA   I second that for sure.  Im bringing and extra pair of undies, Cause Im pretty sure there could be an accident haha  ACCIDENT OF AWESOMENESS !     : )   
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: IndustrialAction on August 10, 2011, 12:13:24 PM
Don't expect to see the board in a hilt too soon as I'm busy with CF production

I'm sorry, I wasn't able to focus much beyond this point  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 16, 2011, 06:25:22 AM
FoC addon wiring in progress. Will take some time  :P
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on August 16, 2011, 06:27:38 AM
It would be cool to see just the middle 4 segments with FoC as an experiment.  It would look more realistic if it was hit in the middle, but if it was impacted on the very top or bottom too much it wouldn't look that great.   It would work great for staged combat though. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 17, 2011, 08:15:07 AM
camera is charging.

I spent quite some time today experimenting with different settings for the blade. I have one segment with a complete FoC, on the rest of the blade it's one FoC led for 2 blade LEDs (1 LED space between each).  You see the dots then but it doesn't wash out the main color too much.

For best results, you need of course white FoC LEDs all along with just a small drive or a bigger resistor, this way the Flash whitens just a bit the main color and also leaves the bold impact visible.

I now need to film and also test with a H-Blade.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on August 17, 2011, 08:28:15 AM
Ooh, can't wait to see this work in progress.  Be sure to show the isaber feature with the scrolling blade
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on August 17, 2011, 08:40:43 AM
what about a 2nd segment of different colour leds for that middle section next to the main led strip
imagin a blue blade with amber foc in the center that would be so cool
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on August 17, 2011, 08:47:25 AM
Yeah, my ledengin saber has yellow foc, and it is so cool.  That would be as simple as having white foc, just use amber instead of white leds for the middle string
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on August 18, 2011, 08:32:45 PM
I've read several posts about the board flashing a separate LED or second substring imbedded in the prime string to create the FoC effect. The purpose being to enable a different color to flash, like the yellow flashes in the original movie. This capability is great, but will the board also have a standard FoC that momentarily overdrives the main string to create a flash?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 18, 2011, 10:46:35 PM
I never overdrive but rather remove brightness during the clash.
Wilson : what you refer to is called the "shimmer" on the CF, and it's there of course, on both versions. It creates a brightness perturbation during the clash, blaster or lockup, a sort of exaggerated flicker that highlights the event.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: const on August 21, 2011, 06:53:21 AM
Just curious, as I've been reading up I've seen some really neat things posted like the connectors for detachable blades.  What I am curious about is when you finally get some CFV-LSs on the website if you'll also sell supplies like appropriate LEDs to use and connectors to facilitate building a string blade.  If not on your website could you convince Tim at TCSS to stock such supplies instead.  Or at the very least post some links for supplies at Mouser, but I wouldn't mind a small mark up to benefit the community.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 21, 2011, 12:01:16 PM
Just curious, as I've been reading up I've seen some really neat things posted like the connectors for detachable blades.  What I am curious about is when you finally get some CFV-LSs on the website if you'll also sell supplies like appropriate LEDs to use and connectors to facilitate building a string blade.  If not on your website could you convince Tim at TCSS to stock such supplies instead.  Or at the very least post some links for supplies at Mouser, but I wouldn't mind a small mark up to benefit the community.

I might stock them or at the very least share the supplier's links. Those are no secret : that's DIN-8 connectors I'm using right now. Not 100% sure but that possibly what the hyperblades are using (don't know for sure,  the one I was given didn't have connectors).

Next step will be to have blade mounts that will accept a female (screw-in) DIN-8 plug.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 22, 2011, 04:07:17 AM
Finally, the 2 demos. Please excuse the crappy sound of the camera. I think I'm going to resell this one, the mike saturates A LOT, the old DV one was far better.

My blue blade is a "franken blade", I had some repairs to do on it (and many mods and tests), and not having replacement for the makoto LEDs, so I ended up using some spare 70° HB leds which aren't matching (at all) the rest of the blade.

Only the top (6th) segment is intact, very even and bright. It also has the FoC fully wired (1 white led per blue led). On the rest of the blade, since I didn't have enough white leds I placed 1 white for 2 blue and the result, while still acceptable (the FoC is temporary and flickers so the eyes doesn't see the details), you see the dots, to I really recommend a full FoC strip for better results. This Blue + White FoC blade fits in a stock MR foam diffuser and inner tube. The outside tube is an ultrablade.

The hyperblade was tested without HW modification aside of rewiring the strip end. The hyperblade (at least the one I have) uses 7 segments, the first one is very tiny (5 cm) and was grouped with the next one. It doesn't change anything visually, especially with the fade option of the ignition sequence (segment sequence + progressive drive).
The blade uses current limitation resistors in the blade (10 ohm), so you need to push the board to 10-ish volts to get the max amps at which brightness tests have been made in the past. Reducing those resistors to 5 or 2 ohm might allow to obtain the same result with a 2 cell li-ion pack (7.4V), just fine tune the drive (in the configuration file) to make sure the current remains under the limit.

I'm working on a green blade with FoC, this one I'll try to finalize with a sealed connector, in order to build a saber (when the shop is functional again)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIREs7fhT4o (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIREs7fhT4o)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxeFVTiTP5E (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxeFVTiTP5E)

Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth Xusia on August 22, 2011, 04:27:14 AM
Lookin' good Erv!  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on August 22, 2011, 08:52:28 PM
Thanks for the videos, Erv! They helped clarify what everyone's been discussing.

It's been mentioned that one option for the FoC is to have a completely separate LED string for just the FoC. Won't this string block some of the light from the main string and create a shadow or dark line along the diffuser?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on August 22, 2011, 10:18:22 PM
At the end of video number 2, are you demonstrating full-power? Meaning both strips acting as one?

I wonder if that looks in person like 'ice blue' if it's blue and white or 'viridian' green if there is green and white.



Thanks, the demo is awesome and everything looks very customizable.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 23, 2011, 05:28:29 AM
Won't this string block some of the light from the main string and create a shadow or dark line along the diffuser?

not the way I've installed the white leds  ;)

@SpW : yes. No FoC in the hyperblade. The colors are overall pretty well respected except that you don't see the white core in person (over exposure). When I do the close-up on the 6th segment, the white core disappears and you see how the blade looks like for real (ice blue, very ANH luke-ish). At full power, the Hblade is also very light green.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on August 23, 2011, 07:11:35 AM
Looking great, nice work! I'm really pleased that the white FoC leds don't show as a 'shadow' in the blade when they're not lit, as this was one of my worries, too.  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on August 23, 2011, 01:01:35 PM
it will really rely on how people will make their blades but it's definitely doable.
Using a totally separated strip will cause shadow. I put the white slightly interlaced with the blue ones, the whole thing remains a single strip. Isolating the negative of the FoC strip isn't easy but in my case clear tape worked just fine.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on August 23, 2011, 01:10:08 PM
Cheers, good to know. It'd be great to see some pics of this as and when  ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on August 23, 2011, 04:27:28 PM
Thanks for the vids Erv !  I love the bolt sections of the blaster blocks !   So cool   

This is literally the BEST thing since Sliced Bread !!!   

                                                                                                                                                            Link
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on August 23, 2011, 10:07:16 PM
It's occurred to me that the 7 LED per inch linear density of the SUPERNOVA blade architecture has some interesting possibilities for FoC. A blade could be constructed with yellow LEDs interlaced with the dominant color LEDs such that there is a higher density of the yellow LEDs near the center of the blade. This would create an oval shaped flash similar to what was shown in the movies. Keeping all the LEDs in a single string eliminates any shadow problems with two parallel strings.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: const on August 24, 2011, 05:23:35 PM
iI put the white slightly interlaced with the blue ones, the whole thing remains a single strip.
Would love to see pictures of this
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on September 02, 2011, 11:25:55 AM
Erv,

My computer hiccuped when I tried sending you my reply to your message. In case it didn't get through to you here it is again:


Thank you very much for the wiring recommendation. It makes sense to reduce the current load wherever possible. Wiring a string as you indicated wouldn't be that much trouble and might even permit me to reduce the wire size. For the prototype STARBURST blade I'm using 18-gauge wire, which is thick enough to create shadows. Since this new string architecture doesn't use a diffuser this may be a problem.

After 60 hours of work on the new string I'm happy to report that I've completed the first 15-inches. Preliminary tests indicate it's going to work even better than I'd hoped. It gives the appearance of being at least five times brighter than the original SUPERNOVA string. Sadly, because making a STARBURST string is so labor intensive I seriously doubt that anyone else will ever want to make one.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on September 02, 2011, 03:32:15 PM
excellent new for the proto.

2 boards have been sent for beta testing, results will be posted !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Gil Gamesh on September 02, 2011, 06:26:50 PM
It's occurred to me that the 7 LED per inch linear density of the SUPERNOVA blade architecture has some interesting possibilities for FoC. A blade could be constructed with yellow LEDs interlaced with the dominant color LEDs such that there is a higher density of the yellow LEDs near the center of the blade. This would create an oval shaped flash similar to what was shown in the movies. Keeping all the LEDs in a single string eliminates any shadow problems with two parallel strings.

This

Awesome.  If it could be linked to different clash sounds, I wonder if you could get sectional FoC's?  I thought of this a while back but my thought involved those rgb leds.  Wire up say all the blues for the main color, and then use the R and G in different sections of the blade for the FoC effect.  If the R and G could be alternated depending on the clash sound used you could get the Grn to Foc in like the upper section, or the R to Foc in the lower, or do something in the middle.

Definitely like that idea.

I just suck at making strings. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Skottsaber on September 03, 2011, 03:08:31 AM
I must say, I wasn't really interested in string blades until I started following this thread. Their versatility when combined with such an awesome board is mindblowing!  :o
I'm sensing that soon the challenge will be fitting the tech in the blade and not in the hilt  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on September 03, 2011, 03:31:24 AM
2 boards have been sent for beta testing, results will be posted !

Look forward to seeing who the 2 beta testers are when they 'reveal themselves to the forum' and what their findings after some testing.

...and which is the master and which the apprentice (not so seriously, but no harm in encouraging people to excel with a bit of friendly competition lol)  ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Gil Gamesh on September 03, 2011, 09:18:05 AM
2 boards have been sent for beta testing, results will be posted !

Look forward to seeing who the 2 beta testers are when they 'reveal themselves to the forum' and what their findings after some testing.

...and which is the master and which the apprentice (not so seriously, but no harm in encouraging people to excel with a bit of friendly competition lol)  ;)

 ???  why do the testers matter?  testers are just that, testing out the features and looking for bugs.  There's no master/apprentice, and no competition.  They're helping Erv complete what he is completing for you (not anyone in particular, just the reader).   Plus, looking at it like a competition can lead one to try and rush things to be done first and in doing so may miss an important flaw.  The most thorough, not the quickest, would get my vote if there was a vote to be voted.

Personally I wouldn't reveal myself if I was the tester.  Nobody's business unless the creator asked me to make it known for some reason.

I'd imagine the results would be posted by Erv after hearing back from the testers.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on September 03, 2011, 09:37:50 AM
Gil - with respect, I found some of that a bit finger-wagging and patronising. The 'reveal themselves to the forum'/'master/apprentice' thing was a jokey reference to the 'always there are two', 'soon we will reveal ourselves', etc. I'm sorry you didn't appreciate that  ::)

As for whom the testers are - I agree, it's totally up to them if they want to keep that to themselves or not, or if Erv would rather they didn't in the beta testing phase, I respect this, and fair enough, 'if' would have been more apt and I could have put that better...

...but as to whether it's relevant or of interest - I think very much so, because myself and a lot of people have followed with interest, enthusiasm and encouragement the work of people who have put time into experimenting with their particular approach to led strings and come up with really exciting results - like Wilson, Eastern57 - and because I'd think that the way the string is made involves more in-depth and significant input on the part of the maker and variables to the final result than choosing which in-hilt LED to use.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on September 06, 2011, 05:24:54 PM
Dear Erv,

In your post (#124) you said, "The drive control is very flexible, as you can use (to a certain limit) the board to resistor the segments, or use resistors, or use both to reduce the wattage of the resistor used and save space. Very convenient. I played with the settings with both a 100% drive (board stays cool) and resistors (which get hot with no surprise),
but you can have the drive set at 40% and still have a very nice control on the intensity of the blade for the visual fx (flicker, shimmer, pulse, ignition).
"

Mentioning resistors in this context sounds like the primary or base power level to the LED segments is controlled by the resistors, in other words a direct drive system rather than a buck puck based system. Is this correct? If so, then brightness will decrease as battery power drains away during use. This isn't a complaint. I'm just trying to understand how the brightness to the segments is controlled.

As for my STARBURST string development, which I hope to power with one of these boards, the test string is complete. It has 246 LEDs in a 34.25-inch string for 7.2 LEDs per inch (2.8 LEDs per centimeter.) I've started thermal testing and discovered that the maximum continuous current that can be run through it in a foam-diffuser blade is 13 ma per LED. After 6 minutes at that current the LEDs reach thermal equilibrium at 175-degrees F (80-degrees C), dangerously close to the 185-degree limit. The point of all this is that in the past I've mentioned that this blade is going to be a power-eating monster. In fact, it looks like it'll only be drawing around 10-watts. Since STARBURST doesn't use a foam diffuser the constant current may be able to be increased a little. I'm getting ready to run that test tonight.

Sorry to drift a bit off topic.


Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sunrider on September 06, 2011, 05:46:45 PM
 You could always put a fan in it, to blow air out the end of the blade.  :D

 Above 10 or 12 watts seems to be the point where active cooling is needed for single leds.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on September 06, 2011, 09:07:40 PM
I just finished running the same test on the STARBURST test string as I reported earlier for the SUPERNOVA string. I'm happy to report that it ran for 14 minutes at an average of 36 ma per LED and only reached a core temperature of 144 F.

What this means for the CF-LS card is that in the blade's present configuration it'll require 3.34 volts at 8.1 amps for a total power load of 27 amps. That comes out to 1.35 amps per segment, well within the card's specifications. If a similar blade is constructed in the recommended series-parallel configuration it comes out to 6.8 volts (I threw in a little extra for Ohmic losses in the wires) and 0.68 amps per segment.

Are those numbers okay, Erv? 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on September 07, 2011, 12:42:49 AM
totally correct. That's pretty much what I tested on the hyperblade (4A total). Warm-but-not-hot board, only the blade emits heat.
should work !  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on October 04, 2011, 03:26:28 PM
Erv:  I've decided SUPERNOVA and STARBURST type blades are both far to difficult and time consuming to make. I've come up with a completely different string architecture, sort of a 1-string and 3-string hybrid, on which construction will begin this weekend. I'll be wiring it to be driven by your board. Before I commit to soldering over 300 LEDs together I need to clarify a few points to ensure the blade is compatible with your board.

1. The string I'm making will be easier to make if it is driven at 9.0 to 9.4 volts. Will your board be able to handle the input of 11.1 volts from three 18650s in series to deliver this voltage?

2. What is the maximum voltage and current the board will be able to deliver to the FoC string?

3. Does your board require current limiting resistors to be wired into the LED string?

4. As I understand it, during FoC, the main string is dimmed as the FoC string lights up. Is that correct? When one flashes off the other flashes on?

Thank you.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 05, 2011, 11:04:46 AM
I might be able to detail my answer if you explain us how you reach 9V.
Right now, the seriallel wiring I've mentioned is the best to go. 3 cells isn't impossible with minor mod but I strongly advice not to go that rough though.

the FoC delivers the battery voltage (well, it switches the load to the batt voltage, resistor required)

with the right seriallel wiring no current limiting resistor should be required.

both FoC and blade have shimmering effect during clash/lockup, based on dimming the blade (not increasing brightness)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on October 05, 2011, 12:16:28 PM
Three, 3-volt LEDs in series require 9 volts. I should have explained that the series/parallel string I'm working on is not the same as the design you sent me. From your comments I believe it would be better to change my design to keep the voltage requirement down around 6.

So, when FoC activates it connects the FoC string directly to the batteries. If the batteries deliver too much voltage then the FoC string could be overloaded to the point where it burns out. But, if the FoC string's voltage requirement is the same as the battery pack delivers under load then no resistor is required. Is that correct?

Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 05, 2011, 12:55:58 PM
From your comments I believe it would be better to change my design to keep the voltage requirement down around 6.

correct, at least for now  :)

Quote
So, when FoC activates it connects the FoC string directly to the batteries. If the batteries deliver too much voltage then the FoC string could be overloaded to the point where it burns out. But, if the FoC string's voltage requirement is the same as the battery pack delivers under load then no resistor is required. Is that correct?

to limit the current, heat and power in general, FoC string can be seriallelized (tm) also. To limit the current into the FoC string, a resistor can / must be added, but on CF, you can also adapt the drive (the overage voltage sent to the FoC string). It's not power efficient, but as it's for a short time, it's not a problem.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on October 05, 2011, 04:49:52 PM
Thank you!

How is the beta testing going?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 06, 2011, 09:02:45 AM
beta testers busy.... assembling their strips  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Wilson McDermot on October 06, 2011, 09:38:20 AM
That explains it. I thought all they'd do is plug the boards into strips they already had.  Did they have a assemble new ones to accommodate the series/parallel architecture your boards prefer?

I just received notice that the LEDs for the strip I'll be making for your board, if I'm lucky enough to purchase one, shipped yesterday. Assembly should start Saturday. It's going to be green with yellow FoC.

Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 06, 2011, 11:55:13 AM
can't wait ! *thumbs up*
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 25, 2011, 06:26:18 AM
currently porting recent changes of CF 5.10 to CF-LS, in order to synch up the led strip version.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on October 25, 2011, 08:22:07 PM
This is great. I love reading the updates on this thread. I cant wait to see a fully finished saber with this outfit. ..... So exciting !   Great stuff Erv !  Keep fighting the good fight. :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Vektor on December 09, 2011, 12:39:20 AM
Sorry to lift this up, but I had almost forgotten this thing was in the works! Any news from testers?

Also, sorry about really stupid question, but after watching the videos again and again I began wondering: does the final board have that massive capacitor/transistor/resistor/red drum thingy on it? I'm asking because I'm trying to figure how much space inside this setup will take... :-[
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 09, 2011, 01:45:47 AM
still WIP
final board will for sure not have a big part like that on-board.

one beta tester has played with it but he still has to make the final version of the blade with the proposed wiring.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on February 18, 2012, 06:47:02 PM
Anything new ?  Just wondering  : )   
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Machinimax on February 18, 2012, 07:29:13 PM
Anything new ?  Just wondering  : )   

Follow Slothfurnace's build log for his Obi-Wan ANH Reveal Saber. He's testing out the first CF-LS unit for this project.

http://www.slothfurnace.com/sabers/ANHObiReveal_01.html
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: nartules on February 18, 2012, 08:10:33 PM
It takes longer for a test of this type of board, because it takes awhile to assemble the string blades.  I'm sure sloth will run it through the ringer though  :P
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Machinimax on February 18, 2012, 08:50:43 PM
Of course.  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: const on February 19, 2012, 05:45:40 AM
I had a crazy idea for advanced choreography and flash on clash after spending some time with the NCSCS video.  Later on down the line when we get R.I.C.E integration with the LS-CF, would it be possible to have a set sequence for the flashing segments of the blade?  The set sequence would match up the FoC for where the sabers hit.  I figure this is the next best thing to having sensors in the blade to detect impacts for FoC.  With R.I.C.E the sequence could be updated quickly enough to adjust for sequences.  It would need a reset feature of course to begin the sequence from the beginning.  I realize this would be waaaay later on down the line, but just throwing it out there for consideration.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on February 19, 2012, 05:52:54 AM
You would need 6 FoC pads on the board for that.  There is only 1 on the board.  It has been discussed that there is only 1 FoC pad on the board before. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 19, 2012, 05:55:13 AM
it would work using AccuBolt™
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: const on February 19, 2012, 07:13:30 AM
You would need 6 FoC pads on the board for that.  There is only 1 on the board.  It has been discussed that there is only 1 FoC pad on the board before. 

I understand about this version, I was referring to this feature in a much later version of the board. 

Erv: What is Accubolt? 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: QUI-GON JINN on February 19, 2012, 10:15:01 AM
If memory serves, Accubolt flashes a section of the blade where the blaster bolt would have struck the blade,  not the entire blade itself.

EDIT:
Erv discusses the effect in the videos linked in this post:
http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=26464.msg435220#msg435220
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on March 28, 2012, 12:43:24 PM
Anything new?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on April 02, 2012, 12:09:00 AM
not much,
a CF-ls was returned to me by one beta tester (no time), and it's still WIP for the other beta tester. In the meanwhile I'm working on other things. I have to work on my own project, a vader ep III. So little time.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on April 02, 2012, 07:13:40 AM
This is disappointing news. I've just about finished my hyperblade string and I was really looking forward to working with one of these for my next project.  :(  But I guess there are only so many hours in a day and with the big push to get out all of those CF's recently it's perfectly understandable.
As and when development does restart though do bear me in mind as a potential beta tester.  ;) I know i'm quite new on the scene and you probably prefer people you know and trust but I have no issues with signing a confidentiality agreement, ( in blood if necessary.)  :)
In the meantime though at least we have Sloths epic WIP to salivate over.
 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on April 02, 2012, 10:42:00 AM
Ah shucks, definitely want to see this come out.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on April 02, 2012, 11:27:49 AM
In the meantime though at least we have Sloths epic WIP to salivate over.

lol, like all of us  ;D
Ah shucks, definitely want to see this come out.

don't worry, me too. I need to include myself (again) into beta testing. My vader project should boost this but indeed, I'm stuck with production, I had some blaster core to deal with (still need to ship some) and the lawgiver run with SD studios. Add upcoming solidworks classes to take, as well as other R&D,  that's quite a lot but I'm moving forward.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Lord Xeno on April 02, 2012, 06:58:58 PM
Glad to hear that this is still in motion and will someday be a reality.  I am really really looking forward to a completed CF-LS product.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on April 02, 2012, 07:10:35 PM
Mee too !   This is / will be one of the most exciting things to come out !   Thanks Erv for the update and we look forward to hearing more !!!!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on April 12, 2012, 03:40:24 PM
Just curious... Will there be a removable blade option with this ???  That and if there is a option like R.I.C.E. but include soundfont swaping on the go..... would literally be the Ultimate B A NESS  of sabers !!! 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on April 12, 2012, 03:44:34 PM
Just curious... Will there be a removable blade option with this ???  That and if there is a option like R.I.C.E. but include soundfont swaping on the go..... would literally be the Ultimate B A NESS  of sabers !!! 

removable blade would be up to the builder.  they would just need to incorporate some kind of plug into the blade that had enough pins for all of the segments plus FoC.  I believe (don't quote me though) that makoto blades are usually removable. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on April 12, 2012, 03:50:08 PM
That makes sence. I guess that would also mean a lot of extra work for the installer. It would be awesome though.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: knobe on April 12, 2012, 05:15:20 PM
I have two sabers Makoto Plus V3. You can remove the blades, but the LED strip is fixed to the hilt. I mean that the wiring goes directly to the board without connectors to release the LED. One could even try to put a connector, but did not want to tamper with the good work of Makoto. And the board is sealed in a sort of Heat Shrink Tubing along with the wiring.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on April 12, 2012, 05:21:57 PM
I see.  I swear i remembered someone telling me he used connectors.  There are many multi pin plugs that one could use to make the blade removable. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: knobe on April 12, 2012, 05:37:15 PM
Oi Alex, there may even be, but I still do not feel safe to dismantle the package  :-\. It may be that it has a connector. I really thought of doing a between the plate and led strep, I'm studying it.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on April 12, 2012, 06:09:35 PM
The removable blade is perfectly doable. The only negatives with it are that it takes up a little more space in your hilt and that soldering up dinn connectors is hair pullingly annoying, (well for me anyway :) )
As for font swapping via RICE i'm guessing if it were possible the PC 2.0 would already have it. Maybe it's not possible to transfer that much data quickly or reliably over the current interface?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on April 12, 2012, 06:21:25 PM
Quote
As for font swapping via RICE i'm guessing if it were possible the PC 2.0 would already have it. Maybe it's not possible to transfer that much data quickly or reliably over the current interface?

Actually I was reading and I know its something Erv wants to do  (  @ Erv or anyone else - Please correct me if im wrong )    If I were a betting man.... and I am..    I would say he wanted it for the PC 2.0 but didnt get to it and is possibly going to try and impliment it in the next CF version.  Or something along those lines.

It would only make sence being as the discussion about PC always having different abilities than CF.  PC 2.0 is AMAZING ! right ???  Well, CF is still the "Butterd Toast"  & the "Butterd Toast"  IMHO should have the Best features & that would definately be one of them.  I mean  CF-LS is coming out right ???  NOT PC LS lol  although would be cool.  haha, oh man did I just realize what I said.  sigh..... to much awesomeness for the domepiece to handle. :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on April 26, 2012, 09:00:08 AM
Erv is it possible for the cf-ls to drive a single Luxeon led too? Or should I say is it possible or even intended that this would the one CF? Both led drivers in one board?

Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on April 26, 2012, 10:10:42 AM
short answer is no  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on May 15, 2012, 11:22:01 AM
Well, I am here to say the CF-LS is pretty freaking sweet.

Still testing, still working out the design of the removable blade, but here's a quick shot of my LED string blade vs a stock Obi AOTC/TPM Hasbro Force FX with fresh batteries.

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2FANHObiReveal%2F072.jpg&hash=93380915b344a091f267a1731baeda4afcb4d050) (http://www.slothfurnace.com/images/ANHObiReveal/072.jpg)

Less than half power, it rivals the brightness of my other previous string blades.

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2FANHObiReveal%2F073.jpg&hash=abfda79c7fb19f0c06c9be8598ee5609cf729056) (http://www.slothfurnace.com/images/ANHObiReveal/073.jpg)

This is about an 1/8 second exposure of a stock Hasbro/MR Obi AOTC Force FX saber with fresh Energizer batteries.

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2FANHObiReveal%2F074.jpg&hash=a4bf6964406b6cb1a013e88234503c17e33cef2d) (http://www.slothfurnace.com/images/ANHObiReveal/074.jpg)

This is the same exposure, with the CF-LS on just over 2/3 power. The camera doesn't quite do it justice, it's slightly painful to look at the CFLS blade in my office at night. In real life, you almost can't tell the Hasbro/MR Obi is even on.

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2FANHObiReveal%2F075.jpg&hash=210410b06438518a883f55961d0bd990c721e994) (http://www.slothfurnace.com/images/ANHObiReveal/075.jpg)

This pic is closer to what my eye actually sees when I look at the CFLS. The Hasbro is not as bright to my eye in this pic,  (it looks more like the previous pic) but you can really tell the difference in the two blades by looking at the reflection underneath them. The REFLECTION of the CFLS blade on the leather couch is as almost as bright as the BLADE of the hasbro.

Once I get some more test equipment in, I will push the brightness up to full strength.  My gut says my string can handle the full power, but before I do that  I want to make sure.

More info on the build at http://www.slothfurnace.com/sabers/ANHObiReveal_01.html
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on May 15, 2012, 11:38:34 AM
Ok... I seriously want to build with this. I have everything sitting here waiting on a CF-LS. ^_^

Awesome work Brad! Can't wait to see it done!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth_Dadderall on May 15, 2012, 12:36:49 PM
Unf. Unf unf unf. PLEASE tell me that the release candidate of the CFLS will be based off the CF6 architecture and have real-time colormixing via R.I.C.E.?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Jagged Fel on May 15, 2012, 12:44:02 PM
That is awsome! I can only imagine what the future holds for string blades,it would be amazing to see future runs with a CFV5-LS.It looks rather time consuming to build the blades but would be worth it for the ignition and retraction effect :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on May 15, 2012, 01:02:05 PM
"My gut says my string can handle the full power, but before I do that  I want to make sure."

Don't you have the string resistored so it can't exceed the max current rating of your leds or are you relying on the boards regulator?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on May 15, 2012, 01:04:01 PM
That is awsome! I can only imagine what the future holds for string blades,it would be amazing to see future runs with a CFV5-LS.It looks rather time consuming to build the blades but would be worth it for the ignition and retraction effect :)

It takes me about an hour to do one segment of 14 LEDs.

Chuck each one up in the lathe, drill out the top to spread the light to the sides instead of out the top
Fold Leads out to the side
Fold Leads over on my jig
Assemble armpitbuddies, crimp and solder, trim excess
Wire the anode for the specific way the CF-LS works

Once the segments are done, it takes another hour or two to get them all connected, the cathode wires threaded through the ladder structure and then encased in heatshrink and inserted into the foam diffuser.

In all, I think I spent 8 or 9 hours on the blade alone.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on May 15, 2012, 01:05:48 PM
"Wire the anode for the specific way the CF-LS works"  which i'm guessing you're not allowed to discuss yet? ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Jagged Fel on May 15, 2012, 01:25:45 PM
8-9 hours on the blade,Wow!That would bump up the cost if there was ever a run of sabers built this way,it would be a full time job just building blades.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: wickachu on May 15, 2012, 01:32:39 PM
sloth the blade is very nice, but that switch design is CRAZY awesome....  8)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on May 15, 2012, 02:43:59 PM
sloth that blade looks awesome and reminds me of when i built my hyperblades...
these looks awesomely bright i cant wait to have a saber with this set up, i can see me upgrading some of my mr sabers with this
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on May 15, 2012, 06:50:55 PM
New Vid!

d=1

This is at 80% of full power, volume of 2 out of 4.

I really don't think I need to make it any brighter.  My camera SERIOUSLY hates it, it auto dims to black almost.  I have no idea if I can lock the exposure for a truly good recording, but you can see how bright it is on ignition.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on May 15, 2012, 07:00:47 PM
Looking incredibly bright - looks great the way the brightness of the blade appears to flare up on ignition before the camera adjusts...

...and your work on the hilt is looking fantastic, too, a pleasure to gawp over  ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on May 15, 2012, 10:35:58 PM
Unf. Unf unf unf. PLEASE tell me that the release candidate of the CFLS will be based off the CF6 architecture and have real-time colormixing via R.I.C.E.?

planned. I'll probably do that just after the first batch of CFv6, I really want all my boards to have the exact same architecture.
No "color mixing" per say but at least the FoC as it is now and also another FoC mode I yet have to finish. For now, I'm gathering the first impressions and needs of sloth, this saber is bringing new questions and config tweaking that will end being new features, for the benefits of everyone.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth_Dadderall on May 18, 2012, 01:15:57 PM
Hrm. I'll be interested to see how the FoC works out on this thing. I'm guessing no purple LED string blades for the first run then?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on May 19, 2012, 02:01:35 AM
I would say that purple is possible.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Holt on May 19, 2012, 03:24:55 AM
is the blade removeable on the CF string board?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on May 19, 2012, 04:12:31 AM
why won't it be ? check the pics in earlier posts
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on May 19, 2012, 05:14:53 AM
My plan for my next build was always going to be a Starkiller preferably powered with the CF-LS. The idea was to use common cathode tricolour red/blue leds to have a switchable red or blue blade with a purple FoC. I have found some decent leds that should do the job but I don't want to go ahead and start on it only to have it not be compatible.
Other options for FoC are obviously multiple strings, ( don't like this idea so much,) or interweaving a second colour into a single string, ( not sure if this will compromise the eveness of the illumination.)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on May 19, 2012, 07:54:40 AM
flash on clash on cfv5ls should look awesome
iv already got a saber in mind for this
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on May 19, 2012, 11:43:47 AM
I have to say my favorite feature is the Acu Bolt. Blaster bolts hiting certain sections of the blade. That is super realistic !!!   This is going to be awesome !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on May 19, 2012, 01:29:49 PM
My plan for my next build was always going to be a Starkiller preferably powered with the CF-LS. The idea was to use common cathode tricolour red/blue leds to have a switchable red or blue blade with a purple FoC. I have found some decent leds that should do the job but I don't want to go ahead and start on it only to have it not be compatible.
Other options for FoC are obviously multiple strings, ( don't like this idea so much,) or interweaving a second colour into a single string, ( not sure if this will compromise the eveness of the illumination.)

Switching between red/blue on the same blade would in fact be very impractical. 7 way switching in hilt? Is there a way?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on May 19, 2012, 01:32:15 PM
Quote
Is there a way?

Makoto did it.  Im sure theres a way but it may not be something that is implimented on the CF-LS. :/
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on May 19, 2012, 01:36:39 PM
I think Makoto just used a variable resistor pot with rgb leds. If erv says purple is possible then that must mean rgb will be ok  - so that is one way to get a multicolour blade but it wouldn't work with my tricolour led set up.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: eastern57 on May 19, 2012, 04:11:32 PM
Yes, LED strings are RGB'able.  I've done it.  But it's probably about twice as much work and time for an RGB string, becase instead of bending and soldering 2 leads, you have 4 per LED. 

SlothNorris could do it, but he has that crazy attention-to-detail. 

SlothNorris was once commissioned by Rolex to create matching his/hers watches for the king and queen of an Ant Colony.  The watches told time, and as a bonus, served as the colony security system and included Judge, Jury, and Round-house-kicker-to-the-face.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Link on May 19, 2012, 04:44:05 PM
Quote
SlothNorris was once commissioned by Rolex to create matching his/hers watches for the king and queen of an Ant Colony.  The watches told time, and as a bonus, served as the colony security system and included Judge, Jury, and Round-house-kicker-to-the-face.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!!    Thats the funniest thing ive heard all DAY !!!   Awesome !!   ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on June 22, 2012, 04:58:10 PM
so now that all the single LED stuff is out... where's this at? Announced any day right?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on June 23, 2012, 01:29:37 AM
still in the back burner, but sloth's most recent project should be the catalyst. I also have 2 vader episode III to build with ledstrips, so...

overall little time for my own props unfortunately.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on June 23, 2012, 06:37:53 AM
I guess my new Larbel obi is going to to be sitting in the drawer a while yet then.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on June 23, 2012, 06:55:28 AM
I guess I'll take more Do-Nut-KKare pills to stay immune to guilt trips  ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on June 23, 2012, 07:12:39 AM
I guess I'll take more Do-Nut-KKare pills to stay immune to guilt trips  ;)

How about I post a picture of my puppy dog eyes? Surely even on those pills you couldn't resist that?  ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on June 23, 2012, 09:55:53 AM
give it a try, but I've already resisted to my wife when she does the eyes of Puss in Boots. Not just the pills, but years of training  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on June 27, 2012, 02:53:39 PM
Let me just say, the CF-LS is the single best thing ever, please let this be a catalyst!

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2FANHObiReveal%2F105.jpg&hash=eaf40eac2b0af846e20bae6615d548d13df53677) (http://www.slothfurnace.com/images/ANHObiReveal/105.jpg)

It is beautiful.  It is powerful.  Erv is the shiny golden god of electrons.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on June 27, 2012, 02:57:20 PM
Annnnnd there it is. DO EEET! I so NEED to have a CF-LS to build with.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on June 27, 2012, 03:35:09 PM
Let me just say, the CF-LS is the single best thing ever, please let this be a catalyst!

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2FANHObiReveal%2F105.jpg&hash=eaf40eac2b0af846e20bae6615d548d13df53677) (http://www.slothfurnace.com/images/ANHObiReveal/105.jpg)

It is beautiful.  It is powerful.  Erv is the shiny golden god of electrons.

As catalysts go it beats my puppy dog eyes hands down  :D

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1166.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq604%2Fsubvirtua%2FIMG_20120627_232226.jpg&hash=f48641ff1ffeef1c9b996672c605de627a87d09a)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on June 30, 2012, 03:21:13 PM
And some real vids!



This vid showing the open crystal chamber, with iSaber at the beginning, and normal operation at the end. Also my menu sounds and operation.

Main blade vid coming soon.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FTn6...ailpage#t=116s

iSaber on the crystal chamber with imperial march... Too cool!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Jedi Tarazed on June 30, 2012, 03:58:41 PM
Nice crisp video slothfurnace . Top quality saber.  How many sound banks on that weapon?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on June 30, 2012, 06:20:17 PM
Nice crisp video slothfurnace . Top quality saber.  How many sound banks on that weapon?

Six banks, plus iSaber.

- iSaber bargraph mode on the LED string blade of the Obi CF-LS Reveal - with normal saber operation at end of video.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Clark Kent on June 30, 2012, 06:23:14 PM
so cool, i love it, love the songs, so cool, hehehehe.   ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on June 30, 2012, 08:31:38 PM
Dude dude dude... I need one of these boards... I will bake you star wars cookies Erv.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on July 10, 2012, 10:30:23 AM
CF-LS (and my darling daughter) has gone viral - and now is on MSNBC - http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/48135774#48135774
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on July 10, 2012, 10:35:58 AM
Haha. Awesome. I still love the look on her face when you fire it up.  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on July 31, 2012, 07:05:22 AM
CF-LS (and my darling daughter) has gone viral - and now is on MSNBC - http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/48135774#48135774

Adorable!

And the news anchor lady even said 'padawan!'

lol
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth Ikielu on August 02, 2012, 03:49:26 PM
I want this so bad, but I just KNOW I'm gonna have to wait until later for it... my luck funds will keep me from purchasing or my click-fu simply won't be quick enough :\
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on August 02, 2012, 04:15:11 PM
Every time I see an update to this tread I'm praying it's Erv making THE announcement.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on September 25, 2012, 07:16:11 AM
quick note, I'm ordering 30 PCBs of the CF-LS for a pre series.

I've checked my code size and I should be able to port most of the RICE features to the LS with the current processor, which means no processor change and no code to tweak / port / update.

I'll also add the 4 boots of the regular CFv6.1. Slothfurnace has a couple of things he would like to get in the firmware.
The PCBs should be there in 10 days, assembly will be real quick. I'll just have to work a bit on the firmware for a week or two and make the RICE app.
What will take me longer will be the user's manual (dirty copy / paste from the CFv5.10)

Expect something for xmas
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on September 25, 2012, 07:17:30 AM
quick note, I'm ordering 30 PCBs of the CF-LS for a pre series.

I've checked my code size and I should be able to port most of the RICE features to the LS with the current processor, which means no processor change and no code to tweak / port / update.

I'll also add the 4 boots of the regular CFv6.1. Slothfurnace has a couple of things he would like to get in the firmware.
The PCBs should be there in 10 days, assembly will be real quick. I'll just have to work a bit on the firmware for a week or two and make the RICE app.
What will take me longer will be the user's manual (dirty copy / paste from the CFv5.10)

Expect something for xmas

Xmas comes early!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on September 25, 2012, 07:25:22 AM
Dude. I'm totally all over this! Taking pre orders???

Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on September 25, 2012, 10:30:03 AM
Well this is the big one... Unicorn ahoy  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: C-3P0 on September 25, 2012, 04:53:40 PM
Amazing news Erv'! Can't wait :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: JGZinv on October 02, 2012, 11:24:35 PM
Ok where do I send the money?   ;)

No seriously...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 03, 2012, 12:07:52 AM
I've been sent the shipping notification of the PCBs, they should be there today. Now I need a time frame to assemble them and finalize the firmware. That might force me to work on my vader ep III sabers.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 15, 2012, 01:18:31 AM
PCBs are there, I have ordered some missing parts for the design, and some more today, they should be there this week. Assembly should go fast. I tend to speed up firmware dev once I have working protos in hand
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Darth_Dadderall on October 15, 2012, 05:21:33 AM
I keep throwing money at the screen but NOTHING'S HAPPENING!


Srsly though, super-stoked for this.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on October 25, 2012, 06:02:44 AM
officially working on the assembly of 20 CF-LS. Will start working on the new firmware addons when I have a couple of boards in hands
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 09, 2012, 11:53:04 PM
First CF-LS of the latest PCB batch was assembled a while ago, I've started tinkering with the code again this WE. In progress. I'm trying to cram many of the V6 features on the older processor.
The idea is to have RICE mostly covered. I won't have the room to include RICE for the accent LED sequences, but you can always use the RICE-LED app to build up the sequence then export it in a text file and put it back in the CF-LS.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on December 10, 2012, 06:42:23 AM
Can't wait till its done need this for my saber staff for my shadow guard
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on December 10, 2012, 06:58:58 AM
This will be great.  Can't wait to see/hear one of these in person - should be amazing!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on December 10, 2012, 10:28:56 AM
Time to ask JQ if they can bore out my Larbels emitter I think  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on December 10, 2012, 11:34:58 AM
This will be great.  Can't wait to see/hear one of these in person - should be amazing!

i agree space i cant wait to see one of these
im very fond of the ramping effect of the blade and its sorley missed with my lux sabers its a spectacular effect in person
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 11, 2012, 10:44:30 AM
so... almost there. Most of the code has been crammed in but no room for any of the new features proposed by slothfurnace.

My current dilemma is either to port the code to the same chip as CFv6 (which is the plan in a very near future) or satisfy customer's winter-ledstrip-hunger.

I selected option #2 and I'll be making about 30 boards asap, once it's been tested then work on a upgrade sometime next year. Please note that no firmware update will be available. Right now, time is tight to do everything with several products in the pipe and production and I know some people really want to get started with led strip.

The current version will have SOME of the V6 features, but for instance no the anti power off delay protection (off-delay) as it doesn't fit. I'm literally at a few 100 bytes from bag end (fire in the hobbit hole !)
I gave the priority to RICE so that people can enjoy tweaking the board in real time with the computer. It will also allow to the board to "be started" with the led strip wiring I'll propose (which slothfurnace used with succes), then move from here.

News soon
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on December 11, 2012, 11:42:46 AM
Aweee

Some!

THIS is the revolution in saberland I have been waiting for. LEDstrip beats ALL!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EyeoftheRaven on December 11, 2012, 02:04:42 PM
Man, I can't wait for a Makoto v4+ removable blade saber with Crystal Focus soundboard!!!  This is going to be amazing.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Sethski on December 11, 2012, 05:51:17 PM
Exciting that this is close!

In relation to running multi-string blades like the Makoto V4 - will the max current be the same as CF5 at 2A? I'm curious as was looking at Makoto's set up for the V4 when he was prototyping it, and he commented that he used 2 x 18650s in a parallel set up, with a current of about 4.8A - so thinking ahead and of possible workarounds, in the (hopeful but unlikely) event I have the time and money to pursue that as a build at some point.

(TCSS thread is here, was referring to post #6 http://bit.ly/USLdFl (http://bit.ly/USLdFl))
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on December 11, 2012, 05:55:39 PM
Would this card run a Makoto v4+ removable blade? If so were can I buy one?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on December 11, 2012, 06:34:16 PM
I'd be happy with a v3+ or whatever is the next step down but will makoto blades work on this board?  If they will i'll be getting one for sure.  I thought they had backwards orientation to the cf polarity.  I'd love a real led string saber but i don't really want to make the blade myself.  I know that's an incredibly daunting task and can easily be messed up or "done wrong". 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 11, 2012, 10:42:43 PM
The CF-LS should be able to take 2A per segment. It would be a good idea if Makoto, as a blade  / led-string supplier, was also proposing the wiring I'll suggest to have the best efficiency.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on December 12, 2012, 11:22:53 AM
Is there a guide to making a led saber blade that shows how to set up the resistors to make the power up and power down effect?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: JGZinv on December 12, 2012, 11:36:07 AM
There's this here - http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=13487.0
http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=13567.0

Hopefully all of us that need these can get our end of year projects done.  ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on December 18, 2012, 07:27:07 PM
so... almost there. Most of the code has been crammed in but no room for any of the new features proposed by slothfurnace.

http://nooooooooooooooo.com/
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on December 18, 2012, 09:01:51 PM
lol

Either way I'll be happy to just be able to have real retracting blades.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 19, 2012, 08:45:07 AM
LOL sloth  ;D

RICE tested for the most part, I have to make a final test of the led strip sequence, a power test and I'm good to go. Migration to the new chip and more updates (including most of the slothnorris features request) early next year, probably after voice core 3.

I have all the parts and about 30 boards total, I'll probably keep one or 2 for current projects, so expect 25+ for that first run.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 21, 2012, 06:33:29 AM
panels assembled and baked. Now I have to test a blade with it and check a few things, and this mutated release should be good to go !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: pandatrooper on December 22, 2012, 02:39:42 PM
Looking forward to these!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on December 25, 2012, 02:24:02 PM
Save one for me. I'm almost done with the staff.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 28, 2012, 10:23:57 AM
almost done with my red blade (90 leds) + white FoC. I still have to machine a plug/connector holder and finalize the install in the blade itself, but I'm getting close to the final test. Thank you for your patience.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on December 28, 2012, 11:21:16 AM
You wouldn't be willing to make the led blades for the new card as well would you?
I suck at soldering.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: JGZinv on December 28, 2012, 12:03:54 PM
Well also the question is, how does the wiring for your blade differ from a makoto if at all?
A lot of people are going to want to convert from makoto blades on over... myself included.

If I might also ask, what battery is this supposed to be used with?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: JANGO FETT on December 28, 2012, 12:26:54 PM
Well also the question is, how does the wiring for your blade differ from a makoto if at all?
A lot of people are going to want to convert from makoto blades on over... myself included.

If I might also ask, what battery is this supposed to be used with?
1st demo
http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=26464.165 (http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=26464.165)
The main difference is in how the blade is wired as a mixture of parallel and serial wiring. This eliminates the need for resistors and keeps the blade bright and even.

Li-ions are standard for CF now. A 7.4v 2x14650/18500/18650 would probably be best.

You wouldn't be willing to make the led blades for the new card as well would you?
Last info available was: No. DIY on the blade making. That could change or someone may see an opportunity and set up shop making them.

Quote
I suck at soldering.
  ??? there is some soldering involved besides the blade making part...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on December 28, 2012, 11:38:13 PM
late... darn time zones  ;D
what jango said  :)

for the batteries, my effort in the blade wiring (which not specially innovative, just re-purposing the ohm's law) limits the current use of the blade. Full brightness should be obtained at 1200 mA (overdriving the leds at 40mA) for the reds and 1700 mA for green/blue/white.
14500 might be too small for this, 14650 or 16500 (or of course 18650) are a preferred choice.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 11, 2013, 02:13:36 AM
adding the item (but not the STOCK) to the website today, 19 units ready to ship or almost, final testing during the WE, blade assembled, I just need to make a user's manual now (will be updated while the boards are shipping). The RICE app is finished, I need to make the mac version today, I'll upload that to the website as well !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 21, 2013, 04:09:23 AM
the CF- LS is available  ;D
still working on the manual though !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on January 21, 2013, 07:55:07 AM
I got my order in but had a weird message that the invoice was already paid.

Erv, can you see if my order went through??
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Alec Skirata on January 21, 2013, 09:43:57 AM
I have the same mystery like scottjua.

PayPal say, that the bill was already paid.

Can you enlighten me  ???

Help my Erv you're me only hope  :-\
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 21, 2013, 09:55:45 AM
crap. Website updates are never smooth. I'll try to fix that tonight, I believe I'll have to delete a few orders then let you start over.
sorry
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on January 21, 2013, 10:10:43 AM
That's cool. I see I have duplicate orders now.

As long as I don't miss out on what I ordered. ;)

I got one cfls and one blaster 4
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 21, 2013, 10:14:31 AM
orders removed, can somebody try again, to see if I've fixed the issue in the PHP code ?
sorry about that  :'(
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on January 21, 2013, 10:28:39 AM
Looks like it worked. Got it..

Can you confirm?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 21, 2013, 10:31:26 AM
payment arrives but notification can't reach the website, stock isn't decremented. xxx. Your orders are good it seems.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Iggy on January 21, 2013, 10:36:56 AM
Just an FYI - Pricing seems to have been limited to Euro as well. Not a problem, just different than it used to be.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Alec Skirata on January 21, 2013, 10:37:49 AM
I made my Order twice, too...
From my Site it looks good.
I have paid normal.

The Status at your Site is "Preparing [PayPal IPN]"
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 21, 2013, 10:41:47 AM
I think that the confirmation mod I made wasn't correct. I keep trying, I'm going to place an order myself to try.
I've manually validated your orders.
thank you for your patience !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 21, 2013, 10:55:40 AM
Just an FYI - Pricing seems to have been limited to Euro as well. Not a problem, just different than it used to be.

required for the new invoice system. Could not find how to get € forced in the invoice system automatically, plus currency update isn't automatic (so USD prices are most of the time slightly off).
I yet have to find a proper way to do that without hurting the whole system (ahem). I'm currently working (slowly) on a better website for both documentation and webshop.

seems fixed. I had to refund myself  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on January 21, 2013, 01:10:22 PM
My order seemed to go through alright. I hope so anyways. Nearly fell off my chair when the push notification came through. I've been checking at 6am every Sunday for months. Monday release was a shock :D. This is going to be be AWESOME...
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: pandatrooper on January 21, 2013, 10:54:11 PM
Order went through fine for me, and the counter on the website went from 8 to 7. Looking forward to this!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 25, 2013, 03:03:34 AM
I've been very sick, so I apologize for the lack of update, I'm processing orders today, shipping them hopefully this afternoon !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on January 25, 2013, 05:15:10 AM
I've been very sick, so I apologize for the lack of update, I'm processing orders today, shipping them hopefully this afternoon !

Get better soon, my friend!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 28, 2013, 01:00:54 AM
thanks, better today, not 100% operational but working on it !
most orders placed before the WE are going to the PO today
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on January 29, 2013, 12:44:02 PM
How many LEDs can it run and are all the bugs worked out on the site?

Can't wait to order one if these!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: lonewolf on January 29, 2013, 01:42:27 PM
That kinda depends on what the mA requirements of the LEDs you're running are.

From the product page:

"Compatibility : Common anode (+) led strips, Seriallel wiring advised. 2A per segment x 6 segments"

So if your LEDs are 50mA each, you can have 40 per segment, 6 segments, so 240 total. I'd probably be a little more conservative and go with 35 per, or 210 total, just so you aren't maxing out the drivers. Of course, you'll have to fit that many in the blade, too, so....

As far as the site goes, I'll let Erv respond to that. I'm curious about that as well.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 30, 2013, 07:46:35 AM
depending on the type of color (warm / cold) and the associated Vf of each led, you'll use seriallel class II or III (manual ALMOST FINISHED).

For that I've wired, or seen wired (slothfurnace), that can use 12 to 15 leds per segment, with 40 mA a LED, you reach 240 mA per segment for a green/blue blade and 200 mA / segment for a red blade,

which is WAY behind what each segment driver can take (I like safety factors)

my test red blade is 90 leds, sloth has used 84 IIRC.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 30, 2013, 09:44:25 PM
As far as the site goes, I'll let Erv respond to that. I'm curious about that as well.

oh I'm sorry I forgot to answser to that part. Website is working just fine, I fixed it in real time while people were placing the first orders, some PHP to tweak and correct. 100% working now, I kept getting orders with no issues.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on January 31, 2013, 05:35:07 AM
Must....stop....checking....mailbox...like a kid at Christmas.  ;D
Will you be posting a reveal thread of your new Vader soon then Erv?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on January 31, 2013, 09:27:54 PM
I will eventually post it here or in the gallery !  :)
Still have to machine a blade holder for the led strip blade, things are going too slow at the moment but this will happen  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on February 01, 2013, 05:20:46 AM
It has arrived and it is a thing of beauty.  :)  Thanks so much for taking the time out of your hectic schedule to get these done. Let the testing begin! ( I can feel a sick day from work coming on, "Ah...,Ah...,Ah... chooo! ";)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 01, 2013, 05:35:45 AM
you need indeed a few "sick days" to get your blade done :-)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on February 02, 2013, 08:25:45 AM
Just paid for mine. Will need all the help I can get in the wiring. So if anyone is working on there's please post photos and pictures. I've never been good at electronics 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 02, 2013, 11:50:01 PM
user's manual will be posted today !  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on February 03, 2013, 07:44:43 AM
Mine came! Thanks
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on February 03, 2013, 09:08:32 PM
Didn't see the manual post yet.

I'm now looking for all the extras ill need for my staff all of witch have to fit in a 1" pipe.
Need speaker
Need battery that has the power to run a 2' led chain and one accent led.
Need quick connects
Bright red LEDs
Kill switch
Charger
Charging port.
Main switch.
Need a way to hold the card in place inside 1" tube.


Will I need extra switches to activate the other sounds like force push and blaster deflection?

Please anyone point me in the right direction. Lol will be asking for help a lot but its the only way to learn.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on February 03, 2013, 09:42:59 PM
Yes you will need an additional momentary switch to activate blaster/lockup. If you are in the US then everything you need except the LEDs and chassis are available at TCSS. The usual method is to use a smaller diameter pvc pipe to make a chassis although i'm trying out forming my own with some Polymorph this time around.  
Finding the best LEDs will require some digging. Rapid Online have some very sweet looking Ultrabright reds atm but they are a UK based company. Avoid any with to wide or narrow viewing angle 45 to 60 degrees is preferable.  

* Just noticed - manual might not be up yet but CF-LS specific RICE is.  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 04, 2013, 02:32:13 AM
correct, I've uploaded the CF-LS RICE app some time ago !  :)

here's the manual, thank you for your patience. I realized that I didn't take any picture of the back of the CF-LS, so the RICE port connection / wiring is a straight copy/paste from the CF v6 manual. It's identical, it's just that the board back isn't exactly the same, I'll fix that tonight when I go home.

https://www.plecterlabs.com/catalog/article_info.php?articles_id=111&language=en (https://www.plecterlabs.com/catalog/article_info.php?articles_id=111&language=en)

if you have any questions about the seriallel wiring, please post here, I'll do my best to answer your question, even if I'm not Mr LED strip (at all). Making my blade was just consuming, not difficult, I just followed makoto and eastern57 tutorials. The method / wiring I detail in the manual is very simple too, and fits well a stock MR foam tube.

Also note that the MR white plastic insert / diffuser fits PERFECTLY the Custom Saber Shop transwhite blade !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on February 04, 2013, 10:22:48 AM
If people don't want to make their own string blades, you may be able to use a Makoto super string V3 plus.
I'm not sure about this but I'm going to try it when I get my Makoto blade. It will probably be a while before I get to try this, but I think a Super Plus V3 might be able to be used with one string for FOC and one for main blade (there are two inside a super plus blade).
Makoto can make them in one-inch diameter sizes to fit MHS Custom Saber Shop emitters.

One cool thing is that Makoto sabers use a 3.7 Li-Ion pack so I already know the power requirements are not that high. If the CFLS is like the CF5, you can use a 3.7 power source.
I might use a 7.4 but put resistors... I'm still not sure what I'll do.

I have asked Makoto to build me a green blade with a yellow FOC strip as well, so in a few months I'll know what happens.
If anyone does it sooner, please post some info and pics so we can see what happens  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Scorpion on February 04, 2013, 11:11:34 AM
space that sounds awesome id like to see that a green blade with a full yellow foc would be awesome... i just hope you get the shaddowing issue nailed, as i recall an ultraedge blade worked incredibly well when i was building hyperblades many moon ago
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on February 04, 2013, 11:53:59 AM
space that sounds awesome id like to see that a green blade with a full yellow foc would be awesome... i just hope you get the shaddowing issue nailed, as i recall an ultraedge blade worked incredibly well when i was building hyperblades many moon ago

Yeah, actually,... what I'm trying to do is hopefully going to be pretty awesome...
I asked Makoto to build me a blade with 2 V3 Super plus strings AND one yellow/amber string in there.

SO... I'll have a choice of either blending the colors together for a lime-ish green blade or (more likely) a true dual-string fully-lit very bright green Super Plus blade for the main blade and amber (should appear lime) segmented AccuboltTM (is the term accubolt correct? IIRC it is) FOC!!  :D
Should be really sweet if it comes out right... and hopefully it will be so bright you will forget all about corn cobs  ;D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on February 04, 2013, 12:07:03 PM
As far as I know Makoto blades are not compatible with CFLS as the wiring is essentially backwards ;).
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on February 04, 2013, 12:47:16 PM
As far as I know Makoto blades are not compatible with CFLS as the wiring is essentially backwards ;).

I hope that, for the first time, you are wrong  :D
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on February 04, 2013, 02:20:25 PM
Given that the last two build posts i've seen of Makotos have been straight blade swaps running from MR boards you might be lucky  ;)

Soo.. anyways. Manual well and truly read, ( well the string configs anyhow,). This is going to require a bit of a rethink as the FoC doesn't operate the way I was imagining it would, (shared negative with the main segments and a separate positive). That rules out using bicolour LEDs for the FoC as common anode ones are devilishly hard to source and it also means that the whole blade will flash on clash , and more importantly during Accubolt.
These aren't complaints Erv just observations as I'm sure that there must be a very good reason that you've made it this way.  
I could try the separate string method for FoC but I worry about shadows in the blade or maybe RGB is the way to go?

Google is my friend. Purple FoC is a go! Not strictly canon for an Obi but hey....  ;D

http://www.unique-leds.com/images/datasheets/CG/D5009R1B2SBDC.pdf (http://www.unique-leds.com/images/datasheets/CG/D5009R1B2SBDC.pdf)

Not the brightest or the perfect viewing angle but worth a try I think.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: s2jesse on February 04, 2013, 04:35:46 PM
Erv, Do you have an updated link for the plug / adapter in your ls 6 manual? Im interested in getting teh male and female plug but the link does not seem to work.
Thanks!

Jesse
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on February 04, 2013, 05:01:43 PM
Makoto blades are wired opposite to CFLS requirements.  They are common cathode.  CFLS drives common anode blades.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on February 04, 2013, 11:04:57 PM
perhaps makoto would switch it around for a commissioned blade?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: DarthSithWalker on February 05, 2013, 03:15:29 AM
Re: Purple Blades
Fender Bender on TCSS forum suggested
http://www.ledsupply.com/5mm-leds.php that they use
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: DarthSithWalker on February 05, 2013, 04:12:56 AM
Some more interesting LEDs found
http://www.ledsales.com.au/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=148_152_154
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: eastern57 on February 05, 2013, 01:37:17 PM
CFLS won't work on a single Li-ion, it's not enough to power.  The board is optimized with the 7.4v + seriallel blade.  Single parallel strips are "less" recommended, because they generate excess heat, even with the proper resistor - but they still work.

Makoto blades are okay, but you may have to switch the common side if you want to use them.  BUT if you're going to do that, you may as well modify into a seriallel blade.  It's actually a pretty good candidate for it.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: pandatrooper on February 05, 2013, 10:30:44 PM
Got my card yesterday, thanks Erv! Looking forward to seeing build threads for inspiration!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 08, 2013, 12:30:16 AM
This is going to require a bit of a rethink as the FoC doesn't operate the way I was imagining it would, (shared negative with the main segments and a separate positive).

that could be a typo in the manual but the FoC works like on the regular CF : it shares the positive, and has its own neg that is controlled by the PEx. It's like an extra segment, at the end.

Erv, Do you have an updated link for the plug / adapter in your ls 6 manual? Im interested in getting teh male and female plug but the link does not seem to work.

I've just checked the links straight from the PDF and it works

CFLS won't work on a single Li-ion, it's not enough to power.  The board is optimized with the 7.4v + seriallel blade.  Single parallel strips are "less" recommended, because they generate excess heat, even with the proper resistor - but they still work.

Makoto blades are okay, but you may have to switch the common side if you want to use them.  BUT if you're going to do that, you may as well modify into a seriallel blade.  It's actually a pretty good candidate for it.

good summary ! For the single vs double cell, the design was originally though to have the same loudness (and pretty much the same everything) as the regular CF.
It's actually VERY easy to modify a Makoto blade, just chopping it in several parallel chunks that you serialize and pack in the heatshrink. Note however that Makoto's blade I've seen (ok, long ago, don't know much about the recent V3 and V4) have less LED density, reason why slothfurnace and I have tried with our own led strips, to maximize the brightness and evenness.

I believe that recent makoto blades are common cathode, but earlier version are common anode (V1-V2). Don't know why things have been switched, as most popular led strip designs use common anode, but at least I'm sure makoto can do both !  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on February 08, 2013, 09:16:14 AM
This is going to require a bit of a rethink as the FoC doesn't operate the way I was imagining it would, (shared negative with the main segments and a separate positive).

that could be a typo in the manual but the FoC works like on the regular CF : it shares the positive, and has its own neg that is controlled by the PEx. It's like an extra segment, at the end.

There's no issues with the manual, that's how I read it. I just imagined prior to reading it that the FoC might share the same neg so it could be segmented like the main blade.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 08, 2013, 09:24:58 AM
the segments are controlled by the negative side (the dark side lol ?) with a common positive and so is the FoC "segment"
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on February 08, 2013, 09:35:10 AM
How did i manage to quote myself lol.  Yes I understand what you mean. The FoC string is effectively run as the "seventh segment". I was just concerned that with FoC affecting the whole blade that it would diminish the effect of the Accubolt feature, ( a feature I am quite excited about :) ,) although I guess there is no reason the FoC string needs to actually run the whole length of the blade..... hmmm...cogs turning ;) It would be nice to see youe white FoC in action before commiting on a structure for mine lol.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 08, 2013, 09:43:24 AM
I'll try to video that asap  :)
The combination of FoC + accubolt looks very nice IMO, as while you dim one segment, you reinforce visually the impact of the whole blade with a white flash. That being said, ideally, I would have a segmented FoC with 12 segments total, which is totally doable...  if I loose the accent LEDs  :-\  :'(
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on February 08, 2013, 09:48:29 AM
Hehe.I could live without accent leds.  ;D. I look forward to watching the video.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 08, 2013, 10:50:28 AM
Hehe.I could live without accent leds

 ;D  ;)
I was expecting this sentence ! there's for sure room for improvement for the CF LS. I've actually started porting the code to the new chip to add Slothfurnace suggestion and finalize the merge with the CFv6 code. Things are moving !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on February 08, 2013, 10:55:41 AM
Noooo!  Accent LEDs cannot be lost :'(. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on February 08, 2013, 12:52:08 PM
If anyone had videos of the wiring process please post them.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on February 08, 2013, 10:32:19 PM
 For the FoC I have to get the power xtender right?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on February 09, 2013, 06:52:51 AM
Yes. You will need a PEx to run a FoC strip.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on February 10, 2013, 10:26:46 AM
Been working on my parts list for tha saber pike. Got a few more items to buy. Like the way you have the blade connected got to add that to my list now. Looking at 300. More in parts.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on February 11, 2013, 12:41:20 PM
What size hear shrink did you use?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 12, 2013, 04:29:25 AM
I don't have it on hands as I'm at work, but something in the range of 1.5-2 cm width (measured on flat heatshrink

the LEDs are 5mm, with the wiring you have something like 7mm OD. Perimeter is about 2.2cm which leads to about 1.1cm. Shrinkage factor is generally 2, so measurement above make sense.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on February 13, 2013, 10:14:32 PM
Ordered the power extender and kill key now to order the LEDs  anyone know we're I could pick up 200 of the brightest LEDs I can find?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 14, 2013, 12:02:13 AM
I used makoto leds and was very pleased with them. I ordered directly by email with him.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on February 14, 2013, 08:24:11 PM
Say hello to my little friends!  The only two ANH Obi CFLS sabers (for now anyway)

Last minute work before the weekend...

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2FANHObiFX%2F123.jpg&hash=c2f37a94e484330758b3469e06967744717a7cf5)

I still need to fab up the recharge port nut to match my saber, and the R.I.C.E. port plug to match the front transistor greeblie.

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2FANHObiFX%2F124.jpg&hash=0e79b3b475663e3c3e5805fb22bc977f64eab86b)

And tweak a few settings to get matching brightness to my saber...

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2FANHObiFX%2F125.jpg&hash=a65b2316250b3d49cd2567c855c122116694d3b4)

Almost done, not too long now.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on February 14, 2013, 09:20:36 PM
Oh my crap... I will see these Saturday evening (wedding to shoot). I will be there late... like 7-ish, so wait up!

I have my first CF-LS, so as soon as Russ gets around to getting the run done, I'll have one too!

Those are EPIC
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on February 15, 2013, 12:15:19 AM
thanks a lot for posting, sloth ! those are awesome !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: slothfurnace on February 21, 2013, 09:27:14 AM
thanks a lot for posting, sloth ! those are awesome !

You're very welcome, Erv!

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2Fanhobifx%2Fbio1.jpg&hash=72bce5f10260ea550e628a321f60966a227f6c04)

Last night I completely disassembled it to machine out the grenade further to accept a dual 14560 pack, and a new TCSS blade tube (thanks Tim!) and clean up my wiring some.

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2Fanhobifx%2Fbio2.jpg&hash=bd90951454d16ab56ac083fd7a74388421a74d46)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: EXAR KUN on February 21, 2013, 11:58:39 AM
thanks a lot for posting, sloth ! those are awesome !

You're very welcome, Erv!

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2Fanhobifx%2Fbio1.jpg&hash=72bce5f10260ea550e628a321f60966a227f6c04)

Last night I completely disassembled it to machine out the grenade further to accept a dual 14560 pack, and a new TCSS blade tube (thanks Tim!) and clean up my wiring some.

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slothfurnace.com%2Fimages%2Fanhobifx%2Fbio2.jpg&hash=bd90951454d16ab56ac083fd7a74388421a74d46)

Oh my lord, sloth... that statue is amazingly realistic!
And the saber looks crazy, too!

Wish I could 'live' Star Wars as much as you. I come close, but my job isn't SW related  :'(
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on March 02, 2013, 08:19:20 PM
Just ordered my LEDs. Talking with a guy that's got a 3d printer about remaking my saber pike.  This should be a fun project.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on March 15, 2013, 03:32:51 PM
I need help with setting up the seriallel type 3.
I've wired up 10 sets of LEDs that have have 6 LEDs per set.  This will give me a blade with 60 LEDs that's 2' long.

I bent the LEDs using the guide that was recommended in the instructions.
Just need a better idea of how to connect them in seriallel type 3

Dose anyone have any photos of how it looks? Or can see one draw it out for me? I'm struggling with this.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Subvirtua on March 15, 2013, 05:08:44 PM
Wiring diagram is as seriallel type 2 in manual but with a third subsection added in series.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: erv on March 15, 2013, 11:39:13 PM
I need help with setting up the seriallel type 3.
I've wired up 10 sets of LEDs that have have 6 LEDs per set.  This will give me a blade with 60 LEDs that's 2' long.

I bent the LEDs using the guide that was recommended in the instructions.
Just need a better idea of how to connect them in seriallel type 3
Dose anyone have any photos of how it looks? Or can see one draw it out for me? I'm struggling with this.

CF-LS drives 6 segments. I'm not sure how those 10 sets combine 3 by 3 can match that ??

for the wiring, you have details page 26-27 in the PDF. Take 3 sets and wire them in series. Positive of the first remain the main positive of the blade (common anode), the neg of the first segment goes to the positive of the second segment, neg of the second segment goes to the positive of the third segment, neg of the third segment goes to the segment control to the CF (small gage wire runs down to the plug at the bottom of the blade.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: Reed8866 on March 16, 2013, 04:29:49 PM
The way I got it right now is 5 LEDs soldered together. I then hook up 3 sets of the 5 to one of the open negative point on the card for the LEDs. I do this for 4 of the 6 negative.
If I do it this way I add my resistor to the negative wires the LED segment to the card right?

This should give me the 2'

Next on my list will be seeing about setting up the power up and power down effect for the blade
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: erv on April 12, 2013, 02:21:06 AM
it's been a while since I've posted some updates  :-[

So, I have about 30 boards on the table, almost finalized. Firmware is finished of a while now, I shipped one board for beta test of the new features, the board now has like everything the regular CF has, up to 16 clashes / 16 swings, multiple boot sounds, off delay (anti power off - A-POP variant), complete RICE support for real time configuratio, RICE for accent LEDs (use the same as the CF RICE for accent leds App, 100% compatible). You also now have PLI and glyph support during the vocal menu, along with motion enabled vocal menu (and iSaber) browsing.

I've added a few suggestions from slothfurnace ( :) ). They concern the improvement of the blade dynamic behavior when not using a Flash on Clashâ„¢ strip (which remains, indeed not easy to implement)

- SwingBrightâ„¢ : SwingBright adds brightness to the blade based on the movement measured by the board, and in real time. It provides a vivid and organic effect highly connected to the saber moves. Percentage will be added to the blade drive. Use with caution to avoid overdriving your led stripe. Can be combined with regular flicker and pulse effects.

- Brightness increase specifics for Flash on Clash and Blaster blocking. 2 additional parameters (% also) will add brightness by increasing the drive of the specified %, which emphasize the saber effect.

I've uploaded the new user's manual on the website, along with the updated RICE app for the LS version, now v1.2. The new version is backward compatible with the first generation of the first boards, it will just save additional parameters the board gen #1 doesn't know (brights, maxfoc, maxbolt). Version 1.1 is still on the server if needed.

Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: Subvirtua on April 12, 2013, 06:39:28 AM
Sounds like some cool new features. Should make for a very animated saber.
Still waiting on the video demo of your Vader.  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: scottjua on April 23, 2013, 07:28:25 PM
When do you expect the new boards will be available?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: erv on April 23, 2013, 11:07:36 PM
no accurate ETA, I am (patiently) waiting for some beta testing results of the new version and new features. Boards are ready and test (on my desk), just need a green light :-)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: erv on May 03, 2013, 11:54:48 PM
The CF-LS 6.50 is in stock !
(and with a discount, today only)
I wanted to add the stock yesterday evening, and forgot  :-\
sorry about that, and happy May the 4th day !
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS
Post by: scottjua on May 09, 2013, 12:35:51 PM
I need help with setting up the seriallel type 3.
I've wired up 10 sets of LEDs that have have 6 LEDs per set.  This will give me a blade with 60 LEDs that's 2' long.

I bent the LEDs using the guide that was recommended in the instructions.
Just need a better idea of how to connect them in seriallel type 3
Dose anyone have any photos of how it looks? Or can see one draw it out for me? I'm struggling with this.

CF-LS drives 6 segments. I'm not sure how those 10 sets combine 3 by 3 can match that ??

for the wiring, you have details page 26-27 in the PDF. Take 3 sets and wire them in series. Positive of the first remain the main positive of the blade (common anode), the neg of the first segment goes to the positive of the second segment, neg of the second segment goes to the positive of the third segment, neg of the third segment goes to the segment control to the CF (small gage wire runs down to the plug at the bottom of the blade.

For the love of God I have read the manual and these post over and over and don't get it. I'm visual and the manual schematic doesn't jive with my brain.

I'm getting makoto to make me some v3+ blades as I don't have time to do it, but he doesn't have time to learn the serielelle setup for greens and blues.

So I figured I could modify them when they come.

But for the life of me I can't get my head around the wiring.

So segment 1 has an A and B segment... Segment A's + goes to the negative on B, and then... Oh gosh I'm lost already 

Can anyone make a simple easy to read diagram/picture????

Will it being two led strips for v3+ make things any harder or will they just be joined and wired the same????
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: erv on May 09, 2013, 10:38:30 PM


I'm getting makoto to make me some v3+ blades as I don't have time to do it, but he doesn't have time to learn the serielelle setup for greens and blues.

sounds like nobody as time for nothing...  ???

Quote
Will it being two led strips for v3+ make things any harder or will they just be joined and wired the same????

I see 2 option :

** chop each segment of each strip in 2 or 3 depending on the color. Then run each segment of each strip in parallel
Segment 1 of strip A will be cut in 2 for blue/green leds and wired in seriallel. Same for segment 1 of strip B. Finally both segments will be wired in parallel.


** solution you described, use each segment of each strip as a seriallel element. Segment 1 of strip A and segment 1 of strip B should have a common negative returning to the segment control. Cut there. They also share the positive, find the connection point and cut. Now take the neg of segment 1A and wire it to the positive of segment 1B. Segment 1B negative goes to the segment control pin on the board.
This solution is harder to implement as it will require an isolated wire that climbs up from 1A neg to 1B pos.

side note and my 2 cents :
- to me, it's a non sense to modify the wiring afterward. You'll loose on rigidity as you'll have to re cut led leads. No talking about the re wiring nightmare.
- from what I remember, makoto led density on the strip he wires is less that what eastern or I have wired. Almost half density (I'm referring to his former tutorial and things might have changed on his new blades though). So, having 2 strips will add nothing IMO, in terms of brightness.

making the proper blade  takes like 4 hours max and work can be split in making a few sub chunks day by day.
"measure twice, cut once"
 :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: Padawan23 on May 25, 2013, 05:33:35 PM
Edit: ignore my post, my calculations were off and i just realised
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: Padawan23 on May 26, 2013, 10:22:59 AM
Can i get some confirmation please.

I am wiring my blade seriallel II.
1 segment has 9 leds in parallel, serially connected to another 9 leds in parallel.
Each led takes 100ma, 9x0.1=0.9A or 900 ma.

0.9amps x 6 (6segments)= 5.4 amps.

So the drain on my bettery would be 5.4amps just for the blade? Is this correct?
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: erv on May 26, 2013, 11:51:14 PM
calculation sounds correct
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: Padawan23 on May 27, 2013, 04:30:43 AM
Awesome! Thanks Erv, needed to be sure as the cells I'm choosing must accomodate this and is a critical choice in the build. Thanks again!

Have a good holiday everyone!!  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: erv on June 20, 2013, 12:31:46 AM
I've updated the manual on the website, with a few corrections on the drive calculation (was using 511 instead of 1023) and I've added slothfurnace seriallel tutorial and pictures (thanks a lot sloth  :) )!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on July 10, 2013, 10:57:39 AM
as we discussed via email, the way the accent pad #1 settings function during poweron and poweroff could use some perfecting.  I cannot remember if the issue existed on CFv6 or CFv5, but I do know that the luxeon mirror setting is interrupted by ignition and retraction animations of the accent leds on CFv6 LS.  I seem to recall it working fine on the CFv6 regular version, but I'd have to ask Darth Smorgis, as his obi tpm has the same crystal configuration.

@ DS, if you see this, check in will ya? 

Also, another general question about CFLS, how do you prevent (or reduce) the shadowing of the negative wires blocking the light?  I can't imagine being able to pack the wires all the way across (7 wires wide x 1 wire thick) and I definitely noticed some shadowing on my blade.  The only solution I could think of is to use a dual string with the negative wires going through the middle of the strands.  I doubt I'd be able to pack 2 full strings plus my flash string into the MR foam though. 

(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1099.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg384%2Fagordon117%2FIMG-20130710-WA0002_zps77d3da9a.jpg&hash=5e0f8e72aab31072f807ccc782eaef2bcc653d29) (http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/agordon117/media/IMG-20130710-WA0002_zps77d3da9a.jpg.html)

this is my string blade next to a single rebel green (from a color mixing saber).  the camera isn't doing it justice though.  the luxeon blade is much dimmer in comparison.  Just wanted to show it off here as well. 

Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: erv on July 10, 2013, 09:05:33 PM
that's BRIGHT  8)

you might be right (I have to test on a V6 too), accent pad function might be reset only at the end of the power off sequence only, hence allowing a smooth power off mirroring the blade. Added to the bug list / todo list anyway.

for the shadowing, as the seriallel wiring doesn't use too much current I'm using some *white* ultra thin wire (gage between 28 and 30). The wire color and size produce like no shadow at all
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on July 10, 2013, 10:22:47 PM
the lux meter on my phone gets 6000 lux average on a full battery, 5500 on a low battery.  I'm actually thinking the flash strip will decrease the shadowing by catching the light more in the right spots, but I won't know for sure till tomorrow when I make my flash strip. 

I also am losing some diffusion by using a 7/8" blade instead of a 1" with an extra diffuser layer.  hoping to get my saber totally wrapped up tomorrow so I can give some actual feedback for the board.  so far I 100% love it. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: Link on July 10, 2013, 10:26:58 PM
I'll be looking forward to that feedback ! I just bought one of those boards and have plans for it !! :)  Very bright stuff !!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: scottjua on August 08, 2013, 01:39:06 PM
Super stumped....

I don't understand HOW to change the ignition and retraction speed of the segments at all..

I also have the first run firmware board in front of me and the drive parameter was at 130

Is this first firmware on the same parameters as the 6.5??? If I set it to 1023... is this still valid for the first CFLS release?

Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: erv on August 08, 2013, 07:39:58 PM
ignition speed is defined by quick on and quick off parameters (in ms). Then you add on top of that the ignition SEQUENCE which is something else.

first run max drive is 511, second run (6.5) with new hardware (similar to regular CFv6) max drive is 1023.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: scottjua on August 08, 2013, 11:10:23 PM
Thanks ERV!

Got it...

What I had trouble getting was the parameter. In the manual it says a number of 200-400 was a good starting point for quick power on/off. But I had to enter it as "0400".

It's awesome!!!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: scottjua on August 09, 2013, 12:05:52 PM
Is there a way to delay the retraction sequence. Having it fast is good but its too fast for the sound. I'd like to have it wait a little it before retracting.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on August 09, 2013, 12:15:30 PM
as far as I know there has yet to be a delay parameter for either the.poweron or poweroff.  maybe that's why I couldn't find a faster setting than 750ms that I liked. 
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: Jedi_Corellian on August 10, 2013, 06:47:32 PM
Hey, just wondering about this new sound board...Is the CF v6.5 only designed for LED strips or can it also be used for the other LED's or is that only reserved for the CF v6.1?  :o
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: Forgetful Jedi Knight on August 10, 2013, 06:58:35 PM
Hey, just wondering about this new sound board...Is the CF v6.5 only designed for LED strips or can it also be used for the other LED's or is that only reserved for the CF v6.1?  :o

Ones that are marked LS are specifically for LED strips, the others like CF v6.5 are for "other LED's" but that board isn't listed in the store at the moment, so I am guessing he has temporarily sold out of those.  8)
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: Jedi_Corellian on August 10, 2013, 07:59:04 PM


Ones that are marked LS are specifically for LED strips, the others like CF v6.5 are for "other LED's" but that board isn't listed in the store at the moment, so I am guessing he has temporarily sold out of those.  8)

Ah, I see....I was wondering about that too. Thanks for the insight, it's much appreciated!
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: Sethski on November 23, 2013, 09:27:54 AM
I'm getting the bits and stuff ordered for making a string blade. I read earlier in a post from Erv that, with the relatively low current, white gauge 28 or 30 wire is OK in the blade itself to help to minimise any shadows from the wiring.

Is it better to use stranded, rather than solid core, wire (or vice versa)? I guess at these gauges the solid core wire will be pretty flexible as it's so thin, so wanted to check before ordering if it makes any odds or one or the other is recommended, and any other points to consider when buying. Thanks.
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: erv on November 23, 2013, 10:09:34 AM
that's indeed what I've used, 0.05mm2 wire, standed
Title: Re: Crystal Focus for Led Strips / CFV5-LS [NOW CFv6.50-LS]
Post by: Sethski on November 23, 2013, 10:29:39 AM
Cheers, Erv, I'll get me some of that, then ;)