DIY (build your own) DMX lighting components and resources

Build your own 8-ch DMX dimmer pack

with these plans from http://www.hoelscher-hi.de/hendrik/english/dimmer.htm.

Plans by Hendrik Hoelscher.

This single phase diy dimmer pack was designed for small size and maximum stability. Though it is quite cheap because of its few parts, it has a firing table for power linearization and a 'switch mode' option for each channel integrated. An internal heat control prevents failures in the power units.

Included on the site are full details for the DIYer - schematic, parts list, pcb layout, as well as the firmware code for the AVR microcontroller, (ATmega8515-16PU).

Other pages include plans for a DMX LED-Matrix, a 2 axis stepper controller, and a DMX servo & LED controller.

The 'Open RDM' page includes a download link for Windows Software you can configure and supervise RDM-enabled, (an extension of the DMX512 protocol), fixtures. A USB-Interface based on the FT232R (FTDI) is used for DMX communication. A simple schematic is included for the openRDM-Dongle, but not the pcb layout.

Wow! That's about everything you need except for the actual PC, light bulbs and motors.  OK, you need cases and mounting hardware too.

A list of DMX project lnks from DIYC - DMX Projects List