R48 Battery Life Improved
After looking through the firmware very closely, I figured out a way to reduce power consumption of R48 via firmware tweaking. (Aggressive use of CPU “idle” mode while waiting for PWM pulse to output, etc.)
I managed to reduce the power consumption up to 43%. In my tests the batteries are lasting 50% or more longer!
All R48 will be shipped with the new, improved firmware as of today. If you already have R48, please send in for free upgrade.
How to receive the free firmware upgrade
- Please send your R48 to the address below.
The LED Artist
12A Louis PL
FL 2
Brooklyn, NY 11233 USA - Send only the R48 unit, without batteries or chargers.
- We will pay for the return postage. (Please pay for your postage to send in.)
- Make sure to clearly indicate the return address.
- The upgraded R48 will be sent back via USPS First Class mail.
- Enjoy the longer battery life!
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Aurora 9×18 and 18×18 Firmware Update
I discovered a bug that prevents start up at the power on. The condition is relatively rare, but if your Aurora 9×18 mk2 or Aurora 18×18 is suffering from occasional lookup at the power up, please reprogram the PIC with the updated firmware.
This firmware (version 1.4) is also revised to keep the speed change setting in the EEPROM (note: speed adjustment is only possible via IR remote), so that your set speed will be restored after power off/on.
Please let me know if there are any issues with this updated version.
- Aurora 9xx18 mk2 firmware: aurora9x18mk2-1.4.hex
- Aurora 18×18 firmware: aurora18x18-rev2d-v1.4.hex
Wave JT Firmware Update
A new function has been added to Wave JT. It’s auto-changer or “demo” mode. With this mode activated, Wave JT will change the animation pattern every minute. (Hence the word demo.)
You can activate this new function by holding the button down at the startup (when power is off). After each of eight LEDs has lit once, all LEDs will blink eight times. If you release the button within this period, the demo mode will be activated.
Wave JT only keeps this setting until powered down, so to get out of demo mode, turn off the power, and tap on the button again to turn on the unit.
The kits are now being shipped with this new firmware.
Firmware Updates to the New Auroras
Aurora 9×18 mk2 and Aurora 18×18 firmware has been revised to detect the Audio Interface connection at the start up. The Aurora’s will check to see if the Audio Interface is connected to them, and disable the color organ modes (there are two). Which means you don’t have to go through two empty program modes when pushing the button to change modes without the Audio Interface connected.
The First batch of New Aurora Shipped
Many thanks to your support, the first batch of the new Aurora kits shipped out yesterday. There are a few more orders left to ship, however due to the shortage of a part (sorry I did not expect to run out of parts) the rest of orders will have to ship next Tuesday.
I will be updating my instructables to include new firmware, but meanwhile here are the files you need to program the PICs on the new Aurora’s.
There are also online version of the “Part Placement Guides”.