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RC4 FAQ
Need to use a DC motor?

When using RC4 S3 devices, you have two options for DC motor control. In both cases, you need a small relay to reverse the polarity of the motor wires. This relay is operated from a non-dim RC4 dimmer.

 

The simplest configuration is to use two DMX channels and two RC4 dimmer outputs. One is configured for linear dimming at the lowest PWM frequency (77Hz); this provides motor speed control.  The second DMX channel controls a non-dim dimmer to flip the relay, which sets the motor direction.  When using this method, avoid switching direction while the motor speed level is up, since this puts tremendous strain on all components in the system.
The second option is wired exactly the same way and uses the same dimmer outputs. But it allows you to control the motor from a single DMX channel. In this case, the center level of the channel is zero, motor off. Lowering the level will set the speed in one direction; raising the level will set the speed in the other direction. Around the center point there is a small dead zone within which the system flips the direction relay.  The method is selected by using the DC Motor curve, which takes control of two sequential dimmers on an RC4 devices.
Regardless of which control configuration you use, be sure that the motor draw does not exceed the power handling capability of the dimmer you choose to use. You should have a fuse in-line with the motor to provide protection in the event of an over-current event like a motor stall condition.
It is easiest to set up either method using RC4 Commander software.
If you choose to use the DC Motor curve, please ensure the RC4 dimmer device has the latest firmware installed, or at least a version that is later (higher) than r127 (sometimes identified as either 2.127 or 4.127).
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