Introduction: EL Wire - Arduino Mini Pro - Relay Controller Module 6 Channels
Searching in others Instructables I found many ways to control EL Wire with arduino but not all were like I wanted, so I decided to create my own version, maybe is not perfect but works.
This EL Wire Module controlling 10 mts of EL Wire in two sections, 1 section for 5 mts and section 2 for the other 5 mts, You will need two EL Wire pocket inverters 3v, and need make a little modify to get it working with the module.
Here are the materials you need to build the EL Wire Module.
1. Arduino Mini Pro X 1
2. Relay 5v - 5 Pins X 6
3. Resistor 10k Ohm X 6
4. Diode 1N4004 x6
5. Cable all you need
6.Soldering all you need
7. PC Board Connector X 8
8. Transistor KSP 2222A X 6
9. PC Board Prototyping 11x7 cm
10. Push Button Switches X 1
11. Soldering Iron
12. EL Wire pocket Inverter 3v X 2
13. EL Wire max 5mts per section X 2
14. PCB Pins
15. PCB Headers
16. Usb to TTL Arduino Controller
Step 1: Prepare the PC Board
Cut the PC board to your desire size, in this case is 11 x 7 cm, this PC Board has 42 holes on the 11cm and 26 holes on the 7cm, Whole PC Board 1092 holes.
Step 2: Prepare the Relays to Soldering to PC Board
The 5v Relay has 5 pins and one of the pin is in the middle of no-where, so it is difficult to soldering to a standard board because that pin does not fit at all. So I figure out how to solve this problem soldering to each relay pin one PCB Pin. So you need to cut every pin apart total 5 pins for each relay, and soldering PCB pin to the central pin of the relay in right side to fit on the PC Board, and the other pins on the different Relay pins in the same way for the largest part of the PCB pin.
Once you have all relays soldering with PCB pins, you can soldering the relays to the PC Board.
I soldered In two sections, three Relays each section with no space, and give a little space between each sections.
You can soldering as you like to save space or follow this model..
Step 3: Soldering the Transistor, Resistor and Diode
This is a very important part of the project, because this components will protect your arduino´s pins from any malicious charge from Relay magnetism. I followed the steps from this site to get working the relay with arduino, the site is on spanish Controlling Relay with Arduino you should test first on a Proto Board, or just soldering like this project.
Step 4: Soldering Your Arduino to PC Board
In this case I did not solder the arduino directly to PC Board. I soldered PCB Headers to PC Board, to avoid soldering the arduino directly, If I wanted to use the arduino on other project I could remove easily.
So you need to cut to PCB headers with 12 pins each, you will lose 1 pin with the cut.
Once you soldered the PCB Header you can connect your arduino easily!!!
Check in the pictures the way I connect the arduino to the PC Board.
Step 5: Connecting All Together - WARNING HIGH VOLTAGE
I know you can do a better job, or if you want you can design and print a circuit board, and just soldering components, to avoid all this.
WARNING after you connect the EL wire inverter you could shock with High Voltage, because inverter convert 3v in to 110v, so be careful. Work first with out connecting to 5v and 110v, and when you testing be careful do not touch any component.!!!!
I will made step by step soon because I will need other 4 modules likes this. meanwhile check the Pictures with description. I will upload the schematics too very soon.
Step 6: Finally
Finally, you will need 2 PC Board Connectors To feed in from EL wire Inverter 110v, and 6 to power the EL wire one for each Relay.. check pictures.
Additional if you want you can start the program with a push button switch, just connect to any free arduino pin and ground, I will leave the code for the button.
Also you can add some led to check when Relays are working, but the sound of the relay will tell you if is working or not.
:::::::::::CODE FOR TEST SECTION ONE USING ONE INVERTER:::::::::::::::
int jump = 0;
void setup(){
pinMode(8, OUTPUT); //Optional LED
pinMode(7, INPUT_PULLUP); // Pushbutton
pinMode(2, OUTPUT);
pinMode(3, OUTPUT);
pinMode(4, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
if (digitalRead(7)) {
digitalWrite(2, LOW);
delay(400);
digitalWrite(2, HIGH);
delay(400);
}
else {
jump++;
if (jump>2){jump=0;} }
if(jump==0) { secuencia1(); }
if(jump==1) { secuencia2(); }
}
void secuencia1() {
digitalWrite(6, LOW);
delay(400);
digitalWrite(6, HIGH);
delay(400);
}
void secuencia2() {
digitalWrite(2, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(3, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(4, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(4, LOW);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(3, LOW);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(2, LOW);
delay(1000);
}
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Step 7: Check a Short Video Testing One Section
The code used for this video:
:::::::::::CODE:::::::::::::
void setup() {
pinMode(2, OUTPUT);
pinMode(3, OUTPUT);
pinMode(4, OUTPUT); }
// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
digitalWrite(2, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(3, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(4, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(4, LOW);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(3, LOW);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(2, LOW);
delay(1000);
}
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Step 8: Important Step With EL Wire Pocket Inverter 3v
If you have a pocket inverter like of the picture you must modify the inverter to get working with this module.
What is the problem with the pocket inverter 3v?
Well this inverter has a round button in the from of the inverter, this button controls the functions of the inverter like, turn on, blink, blink fast, and turn off. so if you are controlling the power of the inverter from this module and relays, the inverter will star to change automatically to blink and blink fast every time and all effects won't work perfectly.
"So, this is important, if you decide to modify your inverter, check if is the same, and I´m not responsible for the damage it could cause when you are trying to make it works, this works for me, I don´t really know if it could works for you, so Continue under your now risk"
So, to avoid all that problem with the push button. You have to simulate like you are pressing the button with out release, so this will invalidate all orders from the chip that controls the blinks... maybe this does not have sense, and if some one have a better idea, I would like to hear it, I would change this if is necessary... So connect a little wire making a jump wire. check the picture for more details!!! This Jump wire, will turn on all time your inverter, if you want, you can add a switch to turn it off!!!
I´m not an expert I´m just a beginner who wants to share this experience, so if something is wrong, please let me know!!!
Thank you all for your kind attention!!!
Step 9: UPDATE
There is a problem in the project, we need 5v to handle all the relays in the project, all works perfectly when we use the usb power supply, but when we use the RAW pin to feed the project, there is a little problem between the regulator of the Raw Pin and all the 6 relays mah, the problem is that the regulator can´t handle the mah of the Relays and reset the arduino periodically as described in this Intructable, and the solution is using the VCC input, but you have to be sure you are using a regulated 5v, because you can fried the arduino if you use more than 5v with VCC.
If you use 4 Relays the project will work with out problem feeding via RAW, the problem start with extra relays.
