I recently energized my newly constructed monoblocks, each with three channels of Anthony Holton's amplifier modules. Each module has a dedicated Joshua Tree attenuator, configured for balanced I/O. So far, so good. The attenuators are working great. I have each box tethered to a separate Volumite via Cat-6 cable; this works.
I seem to be stuck configuring my system down to a single Volumite. I know this can be done, because the website says "Multiple relay drivers can be used if more channels of control are required".
I have tried the obvious stuff, like just shorting the grounds, SLA, and SLC pins from both driver cards together and trying to set one of the DIP addressing lines to 1 instead of 0 on the other side. All of my experiments have resulted in non-operational attenuators.
I am sure this is an easy fix; can one of you experienced folks give me a hint to get past this hurdle?
I seem to be stuck configuring my system down to a single Volumite. I know this can be done, because the website says "Multiple relay drivers can be used if more channels of control are required".
I have tried the obvious stuff, like just shorting the grounds, SLA, and SLC pins from both driver cards together and trying to set one of the DIP addressing lines to 1 instead of 0 on the other side. All of my experiments have resulted in non-operational attenuators.
I am sure this is an easy fix; can one of you experienced folks give me a hint to get past this hurdle?
You can just daisy chain three relay boards, driving them all from a single controller (and one Volumite)
Cool, thanks for the reply Brian.
But I actually have *6* relay boards (for balanced signals) distributed among two physical boxes; I need two controllers for both reasons (6 boards and two chassis). Three relay boards per box are already daisy chained (and that works great there).
I really need one Volumite to send the same commands to both driver boards.
But I actually have *6* relay boards (for balanced signals) distributed among two physical boxes; I need two controllers for both reasons (6 boards and two chassis). Three relay boards per box are already daisy chained (and that works great there).
I really need one Volumite to send the same commands to both driver boards.
Another simple approach is to use a single pot to control two Volumites. You would just need to share the ground and wiper pads of the two Volumites, and use the V+ pad from one of them.
The cleanest, but less simple, approach would be to edit the firmware to communicate with two I2C addresses at the same time. I will try to look into that.
The cleanest, but less simple, approach would be to edit the firmware to communicate with two I2C addresses at the same time. I will try to look into that.
It looks like it's a simple change to the code to allow the Volumite to drive up to eight Relay Driver boards (address select via DIP switches).
I am going to be moving the JT code to GitHub and open-source it. Hopefully later tonight depending on how my work day goes 🙂.
I am going to be moving the JT code to GitHub and open-source it. Hopefully later tonight depending on how my work day goes 🙂.
Cool; my GitHub handle is JohnGalbraith.
I don't have the gear to program my parts, though. I either have to gear up or buy more chips from you. It might be better to burn the parts myself, in case we have to go through an iteration or two. Do you have a suggestion for equipment for this, hopefully gear that works with Linux?
I don't have the gear to program my parts, though. I either have to gear up or buy more chips from you. It might be better to burn the parts myself, in case we have to go through an iteration or two. Do you have a suggestion for equipment for this, hopefully gear that works with Linux?
I am planning on doing a few iterations here and test with multiple relay controllers. Moving it to GitHub might have to wait until I get over the flu 🙁.
I2C Command Set
Brian,
I was wondering if I could get enough information about the serial protocol to create a new master to substitute for the Volumite.
I think the JT boards themselves are working great for me, but between the need to control multiple well separated boxes, cable distance, and failing Volumite hardware, I need to figure out a different master controller.
The JT boards are so perfect for my setup; I get six channels of balanced passive attenuation that sounds great and is uniquely suited this application. So I want to keep using those. My plan is to use Arduino hardware (or whatever) to write I2C commands to my JT boards.
So to make this work, I think all I need is documentation about the software command set. I can probably also glean this information from the Volumite firmware if you make that available to me.
Got an hints?
Brian,
I was wondering if I could get enough information about the serial protocol to create a new master to substitute for the Volumite.
I think the JT boards themselves are working great for me, but between the need to control multiple well separated boxes, cable distance, and failing Volumite hardware, I need to figure out a different master controller.
The JT boards are so perfect for my setup; I get six channels of balanced passive attenuation that sounds great and is uniquely suited this application. So I want to keep using those. My plan is to use Arduino hardware (or whatever) to write I2C commands to my JT boards.
So to make this work, I think all I need is documentation about the software command set. I can probably also glean this information from the Volumite firmware if you make that available to me.
Got an hints?
Hi Brian,
to connect 2 volumite together, can I use a single potentiometer (pin 1 to GND, pin 3 to VCC) and connect its wiper to the 2 volumite boards ?
Please see the attached picture.
Thanks
Attachments
Yes. You will also want to connect the grounds so the voltage has the same reference.
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