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1. Features:

● 5V to 24V Power Supply Input Range
○ 12V Automotive Optimized
○ Auto-Shutdown
○ Ultra low power in sleep mode
● 2 Internal 5V Power Supply Outputs
○ Up to 4A per Output
● 8 Voltage Input Triggers
○ Assign functions in software
● Up to 6 LED Output Data Channels
○ Control up to 6 Separate LED
strings. ~1000 LEDs / Channel
● Audio Line-Level Input
○ LEDs triggered from music
● Compatible with many addressable LED
standards
○ WS2811/WS2812/WS2813, etc
○ SPI RGB
● External Connectivity
○ WIFI
○ CANBus
● 2 Differential Data Range Extender
○ RS-422 (DMX)
● Automotive Rated Components
● Compact Robust Enclosure:
○ Water-Resistant IP67 Rated
○ 5.26" x 4.58" x 1.43"
● Designed, Assembled & Tested in USA

3. Description:

The GlowCraft LED controller by Current Electric Labs is a versatile and powerful device
for creating stunning addressable LED creations.
GlowCraft is a compact and robust device that can natively control up to about 6000
addressable LED pixels. With 6 separate data output channels, your system can mix and match
any of the popular standards, such as WS2811/WS2812/WS2813/etc. The 8 user assignable
5-24V input channels can be used to interface with standard automotive triggers like Brake,
Turn Signal, Reverse, etc or buttons and switches for real time interactive functionality. Trigger
functionality can be extended by using the built-in CANBus interface.
The GlowCraft controller uses automotive standard DTM connectors and has a wide
input voltage range of 5V to 24V, making it suitable for various power sources, specifically
(R2) Current Electric Labs
GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual

2. Applications:

● Automotive Lighting
● Outdoor LED Displays
● Multi-Channel Interactive Art Installation
www.current-la.com/labs
info@current-la.com
page 1

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Summary of Contents for Current GlowCraft LED Controller

  • Page 1: Features

    ● Designed, Assembled & Tested in USA 3. Description: The GlowCraft LED controller by Current Electric Labs is a versatile and powerful device for creating stunning addressable LED creations. GlowCraft is a compact and robust device that can natively control up to about 6000 addressable LED pixels.
  • Page 2: Cautions And Warnings

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual targeting 12V automotive systems. The ultra low current during sleep mode of only 0.4mA won’t drain your battery, and the internal 12V supply monitor can alert you if your battery is getting low. GlowCraft has two built in switchable 5V power supply outputs that can drive up to 4A per output to conveniently provide regulated 5V LED power without any other external power supplies.
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    6.3.1 Finding the Controller IP Address in WIFI Device Mode 6.4 Power-Off Time Delay 6.5 Enabling the PSU1 and PSU1 5V Power Supply Outputs 6.5.1 Over-Current Fault on the PSU1 and PSU1 Outputs 6.5.2 Over-Current Troubleshooting: 6.6 Factory Reset 7. Properly Sizing Power and Wiring Components: 7.1.
  • Page 4 GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 10. Mechanical: 11. Document Revisions: (R2) Current Electric Labs www.current-la.com/labs info@current-la.com page 4...
  • Page 5: Connections

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 5. Connections: 5.1 Connector Pinout Main Connector = DTM13-12PA-12PB-R008 Pin # Name Type Direction Description PSU1Gnd Power Output LED Power Supply 2 Ground PSU1Gnd Power Output LED Power Supply 1 Ground D4 Signal Output...
  • Page 6: Differential Data Channel Configuration Pinout

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual LLAudio Signal Input Line-Level Audio Input CANH Signal CANBus High CANL Signal CANBus Low SigGnd Signal Signal Ground Notes: 1) User Input functions are set through software configuration. 2) For best signal integrity, use shielded three conductor cabling with ground and a twisted pair for CANH/CANL.
  • Page 7: Connector Accessories

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 5.3 Connector Accessories Type Description Size Part Number Wedgelock Pin Retainer WM-12S Pins Crimp 14-16 AWG 1062-20-062 Pins Crimp 16-22 AWG 1062-20-0222 Notes: 1) One Wedgelock required per connector mate 2) Select pins based on wire gauge used (Signal vs Power). Total of 24 pins required for both mates.
  • Page 8: Getting Started

    No one wants to find that they can’t start their vehicle because their lights have drained the battery. The GlowCraft LED Controller is designed to limit power draw on your battery system, especially when your system is off. To facilitate this, in addition to applying +12V and ground to the power supply inputs, at least one of the User Input Signals (IN1-IN8) must be pulled high to initially enable the controller.
  • Page 9: Connecting Over Wifi - Access Point (Ap) Mode

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 6.2 Connecting Over Wifi - Access Point (AP) Mode Once the GlowCraft Controller is powered up, have your device (laptop, desktop, tablet, mobile) scan for new wireless networks. A new network with an SSID name resembling “GlowCraft 0000aabbccddeeff”...
  • Page 10: Finding The Controller Ip Address In Wifi Device Mode

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 6.3.1 Finding the Controller IP Address in WIFI Device Mode If your controller successfully connected to your home WIFI network. Here is a list of methods to identify the IP address it was assigned. Unfortunately based on system and...
  • Page 11: Enabling The Psu1 And Psu1 5V Power Supply Outputs

    In the condition that more than 4A is drawn from one of the power supply outputs, an over-current fault condition will exist and the controller will automatically protect itself by disabling that power supply output. The “Fault Status” will be listed on the “Status” page of the software interface.
  • Page 12: Over-Current Troubleshooting

    This means that with a total of 4A, the PSU1/PSU1 outputs can each power about 74 WS2813A LEDs at worst case full brightness white color. Significantly more than that would cause an over-current fault and would need to be powered by an external power supply.
  • Page 13: Properly Sizing Power And Wiring Components

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 7. Properly Sizing Power and Wiring Components: 7.1. Selecting Power Supplies for your LED systems: Current Rating Voltage Rating Protection (Fusing, etc) Switching: Disable when off 7.2. Selecting Cables/Wiring for your LED systems: Data Cables for LEDs...
  • Page 14: System Wiring Examples

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 8. System Wiring Examples: Every system is different, but these basic wiring examples should make a good starting point. Automotive electrical systems, in particular, pose some interesting problems. While the chassis is often used as a system-wide ground, this is non-ideal for applications that have to carry large amounts of high speed data such as this.
  • Page 15: Canbus Connections

    Either power supply, and any Data Channel can be used together. As long as the total current draw is not exceeded, the PSU1 and PSU1 outputs can power multiple LED strips each, and also can be run in parallel for almost 8A together to power one thing.
  • Page 16: Led Strip 5V: Switched External 5V Supply

    LED controller. Ground wire and data wire to the LED strips are run together. 2) The WS2813 data sheets list a Quiescent Current of 0.6mA per LED. That means even when they are doing nothing, 1000 of these LEDs will constantly pull 0.6A from your battery.
  • Page 17: Led Strip 12V: Switched External 12V Supply

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 8.4 LED Strip 12V: Switched External 12V Supply: In this configuration an LED strip which operates directly from 12V is being used. Due to the LEDs continuing to draw power even when they are off, an external 12V relay is again used so the GlowCraft controller can switch the power to the strip to prevent battery drain when the system is not active.
  • Page 18: Long 5V Strips: Re-Powered / Power Injection

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 8.5 Long 5V Strips: Re-Powered / Power Injection: In this configuration a very long strip of 5V LEDs is being used. Because the flexible strip backer that the LEDs are connected to is also acting like the power and ground wires for every LED on the strip and because the thickness of those wires is not very large, longer runs of LEDs will experience a drop in voltage as you go down the strip.
  • Page 19: Differential Data Link: Data Reliability Over Long Cables

    Much like the CANBus system, optimum data integrity requires quality shielded twisted pair wiring for this differential data link. If you think you are having data reliability issues due to longer cables, contact Current Labs for more information about implementing this differential data mode.
  • Page 20: Line Level Audio Input

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 8.7 Line Level Audio Input: The GlowCraft LED controller includes an input for Line-Level Audio signals. You can connect this interface directly to compatible signal sources such as car stereo systems and other music players. The voltage range is about 1.2V peak-peak. Once connected, LED effects can be added to animations that modulate the LEDs based on the music.
  • Page 21: Electrical Specifications

    Power Supply Input Voltage (PS+ to PSGnd) Signal Input Voltage (IN1 … IN8) LED Power Supply Output Current (PSU1OUT, PSU1OUT) Notes: 1) Total 5V PSU current output may be limited at elevated power supply input voltages. (R2) Current Electric Labs www.current-la.com/labs info@current-la.com page 21...
  • Page 22: Hardware Circuit Interfacing

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 9.3 Hardware Circuit Interfacing: 9.3.1 Voltage Input Triggers (IN1 to IN8): Notes: 1) Contact factory for input pull-up options 9.3.2 Data Outputs: Notes: 1) Outputs are short circuit protected 2) Default One-Wire single-ended configuration shown here.
  • Page 23: Differential Data Outputs

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 9.3.3 Differential Data Outputs: Notes: 1) RS422 Driver 2) Outputs are short circuit protected 9.3.4 Line Level Audio Interface: Notes: 1) +/-1.2Vpp Signal Amplitude 2) AC Capacitor Coupled (R2) Current Electric Labs www.current-la.com/labs info@current-la.com...
  • Page 24 GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 10. Mechanical: All dimensions in Inches. (R2) Current Electric Labs www.current-la.com/labs info@current-la.com page 24...
  • Page 25: Document Revisions

    GlowCraft LED Controller - Reference Manual 11. Document Revisions: Date Revision Notes June 26, 2024 Initial Revision July 5, 2024 Getting Started section (R2) Current Electric Labs www.current-la.com/labs info@current-la.com page 25...

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