Two Sections. Two Channels.
Most traditional Christmas light strings hide two LED sections on one pair of wires. Xmas Dimmer gives each section its own DMX channel, so odd and even LEDs fade independently for richer effects.
Anti-Parallel LEDs
One pair of wires, two LED sections
In these strings the LEDs are wired anti-parallel: the odd section lights when current flows one way, the even section when it flows the other way. The original blink-mode controller uses exactly this to create its patterns.
Xmas Dimmer drives each output as a full H-bridge. Every PWM period is split into two halves: the output's first DMX channel sets how long the positive polarity is on, the second channel sets the negative polarity.
- First channel: positive polarity (pin 1 +, pin 2 −)
- Second channel: negative polarity (pin 1 −, pin 2 +)
- Each LED section fades in 256 steps
- Any mix, for example 33 % / 66 % or 100 % / 0 %
CCT Bulbs
The same principle for CCT LED bulbs
CCT LED bulbs with anti-parallel LEDs, such as Edison CCT bulbs, connect the same way, with one output and its two channels per bulb or group. Limits per output are on 8 Independent Outputs.
- Christmas light strings with odd and even sections
- CCT LED bulbs with anti-parallel LEDs
Channel List
DMX channels of Xmas Dimmer
Channels count from the DMX address set on the DIP switch: CH 1 is the address itself.
FAQ
Dual-polarity questions
Because the string has two LED sections on the same two wires. One channel controls the section that lights with positive polarity, the other the section that lights with negative polarity.
Only the LED section of that polarity lights up; the other section stays dark.
Above on this page, and in the Xmas Dimmer user manual.
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