Stair Illusion Electronics

Many of Scott & Muriel’s Illusions contain electronics, usually doing similar tasks; controlling lights, relays, motors and servos, based on DMX- and user inputs, from 12VDC or 14.4V batteries.

To make a more unified solution, and replace some of their older electronics, I designed something that should be able to do anything they need:

It includes:
– Battery management, including switching to a spare, and signaling a warning one is out.
– A (Wireless) DMX input, with the full universe available to the firmware.
– 8 Debounced and protected button, analog or 12V inputs
– 4 High side switched outputs, fused at 5A
– 4 Low side switched outputs, fused at 5A
– 6 Servo outputs (on three selectable voltages)
– Two stepper motor outputs
– NRF24L01+ and RFM95 wireless communication options
– 4 General purpose LED outputs
– 1 Goat

I made a base framework for the firmware, the rest is all done by Scott. The first place it’s been installed is in the stairs shown in the picture. Here’s a video of the act: