190 replies to this topic

[PAPERDJ]

Well, in my case, this computer is connected to a 46"TV for entertainment and Gaming, and also to a FullHD Projector with a 300" screen, and to a Vertical 24" DELL FullHD Monitor on a corner of the living room to use it as an Arcade machine/Pinball, with the X-Arcade Dual Control, and also it is online running as a server or p2p most of the time.

What I want to say; at least for me, if DOFLinx behavior is supposed to be a background process, it will be greater to be hidden in a regular taskbar icon (which you can show or hide) instead of showing all the time using a taskbar slot when you are using the computer for browsing internet or other tasks. Is it difficult to do? Maybe there's some app to do it by myself?

(I usually end up fullfilling all the taskbar with different apps)

I think this will be a great update, and it will look better.

Tomorrow I'll report back about the Cheap Sainsmart Clone Cross Fingers!


And, as always, thank you for a great job!

Edited by PAPERDJ, 16 September 2017 - 12:29 AM.

[hlr53]

 

The reason is that while switching ON/OFF, there is electromagnetic interference passed through the relay comming from the inductive load stright to the relay board interface chipset.

The solution of the problem is adding simple film capacitor (induction suppression capacitor) in paralell of the load. The purpose of this capacitor is to absorb the high voltages generated by inductive loads, blocking them from the contacts of the relays.

I have purchased 0.68uF (no polarity) but 0.47uF should be OK too.

One more think that works to solve partially this problem is to connect the relay board to an USB Hub, not directly to a Mainboard USB port, and also to put some ferrite (magnetic) rings to the USB Cable.

That solely solves most of the times this problems, (The USB HUB and use of Magnetic Rings in USB cables) but the main solution is to use the simple film capacitors (No Polarity Ones)

In my case, with just the USB Hub and the magnets it's not enough, but it is, most of the times.

So... I guess some other people with Sainsmart Relay boards will have to face this problem at any time.

That's why I want to give this information, so other people can save some time without frustrating so much as I do

If the community feels OK, I Will Try to Open a New Thread to help about this. (A cleaner One)
Something like.... "Setup For DOFLinx with Sainsmart Devices with problems"

To be continued ...

 

 

 

Interesting that you needed to control inductive voltage spikes with the caps and the diodes were not enough?

 

I'm not quite ready to hook up my Sainsmart yet. I bought a 8 ch USB to control eight 12V auto starter solenoids (same type Zeb uses) and I would think the diodes would be enough with a well regulated supply. I will keep this in mind though if I experience freezes. Good info!

 

Gonna use a Teensy for the LEDs. 

[PAPERDJ]

Yes.... now Im really addicted to DOFLinx  

I can't play anymore without the instant feedback of the solenoids and gadgets!


( The MAIN solution of the problems with SAINSMART Relay Board is adding simple film capacitor (induction suppression capacitor) in paralell of the load ) Very Cheap.
Also, this prolonges the lifespan of the relay board.

So, anybody experiencing connectivity issues, should do this on the first place. Also, it is REALLY needed to place the DOFLinx and the Games in the SAME DRIVE to avoid choppiness, stuttering or any kind of lag.


Now, I have purchased a kind of clone of Sainsmart Relay Board, but a little Updated, and for about just 12$ to use more gadgets/lights.
If it is working OK I will report back and post the link (If it is permitted) so we can ADD it to the supported devices list.


Ohhh, and... a question...

Is it normal behavior to stay the DOFLinx app in the taskbar like a normal window?? (But kind of minimiced) with DEBUF off ??
Will be great to stay like a normal Tray Icon app, instead of normal app running.
(Even the ability to enable/disable debug and FakeEmu from the icon will be a great addon)


As always..... Thank you All !!!!

Confirmed. 
 

This cheap kind of clone of Sainsmart Relay Board works very well, and it is detected as a Saintsmart Device in DOFLinx.

Plus, the Relays can be powered with 12V or with 5V, so, theorically it can be powered by and USB port as well, or a spare movile phone charger wich can be convenient in some cases.

 

I can Post the link to the Device or more info about if it is OK.

Edited by PAPERDJ, 25 September 2017 - 05:46 PM.

[Outhere]

Post link please + More info

[DDH69]

Yes, definitely share for others.

[PAPERDJ]

Hello Again! Here comes the cheapest compatible Relay Board to use with DOFLinx.

This is some kind of clone "Sainsmart" Relay board controller, wich it's working pretty well, and I Confirmed it's working with a Spare USB Phone Charger (5V1A) without any problem.
(It has the Option to work either with 12v or 5v) (It has 5v Relays, insthead of the 12v present on the Original Sainsmart) and, of course you can use it to work with 12v or 24v solenoids, or any other toys.
It is recogniced in DOFLinx as a normal Sainsmart Device, and it's working behavior is similar, so, it can be officially added to compatibility devices list.

You can find it on a trusted AliExpress Seller:

https://www.aliexpre...2634490402.html

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MY SETUP: (All of this, but the Sainsmart Relay Board is Fitted Inside my X-Arcade Dual Stick Controller) Belive it or not, it fits (Some modded needed)


I found in AliExpress this cheap "Film Capacitors" (No polarity) wich totally ends with the induction problems in the Sainsmart device with the Solenoids and Rumble Motors. 
Totally Recommended. Just need to attach in parallel with the output of the relays to supress induction charges.

https://www.aliexpre...2379289675.html

I also found on eBay this cheap Solenoids, wich works pretty well with my actual Setup, and are very easy to attach:

Bought 3 of this for Bumpers/Slingshot/etc (Very Strong Hit) Fat Ones.
http://www.ebay.es/i...2V/263174297147

Bought 2 of this for Flippers (Lighter Hit but with very noticiable de-connection Feedback wich is good for Flippers) (and it has less reaction time than fat ones)
http://www.ebay.es/i...T6/282493358294

 

Bought 2 of this motors for some Kind of Rumble (Used One) (Low Pitch Rumble, Kind Of Fat)
http://www.ebay.es/i...el/252996271148

Bought 2 of this motors for other Kind of Rumble (Used One) (High Pitch Rumble, Kind Of Bee) (For Tilt action "Warning" among other things)
http://www.ebay.es/i...T5/262702329380

Bought 5 (One Pack) of this mini Led Strip Controller for Flashers (You can configure it to make any led strip to strobe or flash in any cadence between several modes) (Really good Strobe effect)

http://www.ebay.es/i...bs/331954946057

Im gonna use RGB Strips and White Colour Strips for Strobe with the second Sainsmart Device (Not as a true RGB controller, but you can play a lot with it)


If you need more info about the setup or Pics I'll try to upload it.

Happy Gaming!!!

Edited by PAPERDJ, 27 September 2017 - 11:20 AM.

[PAPERDJ]

Hello Again. 

I have news about the "Sainsmart USB 8 Relay Board" concerning an annoying problem I start to have when it is connected permanently to the PC.

The PC CAN'T go to SLEEP or HIBERNATE when the Sainsmart is plugged in to an USB Port.


In my case, this is going me nuts, because I usually make use of the Hibernation/sleep feature, so I start to check all the options in my device list concerning about the power management of the HID devices, because usually some HID devices cause this behavior. (The PC Goes to Sleep and a second after or so, goes Power ON Again) This is caused generally by some Mouse or Keyboards and the sollution is as easy as deactivating the Wake Up function on this devices.

The problem with the Sainsmart Devices is that you can't deactivate this function by default (You can't check/uncheck this option in the drivers)

The sollution is to PROGRAM the Sainsmart device with a little programming app called "FT_Prog" wich you can find here:

http://www.ftdichip....ies.htm#FT_PROG

ALSO, with this utility you can program/flash another SERIAL number you want for the devices, so you can use multiple devices with DOFLinx in a desired order you want.

That's It! Now my PC goes to Sleep state as before without any problem!

Edited by PAPERDJ, 29 September 2017 - 02:45 PM.

[PAPERDJ]

Hello friends!!

I have detected a little problem or specific behavior trying to config my flashers with a secondary Sainsmart device.

(As you know, I have One for Solenoids and Rumble Motors, and another One for Lights) (Sainsmart Devices)

I can Only Specify this items to ports 1 to 6

# FLOL = Flasher outer left

# FLIL = Flasher Inner Left

# FLCN = Flasher Centre

# FLOR = Flasher Outer Right

# FLIR = Flasher Inner Right

I get a DOFLinx Critical Error Message that any of this items need to be in the range of 1-6 ports

Is it my fault?

Im trying to Otput 2 of this items to ports 7 and 8


Ohhh, and thank you so much for the last Updates!!!

This is a beautifull and great community!!

Thank you!

[DDH69]

@PAPERDJ, as I understand it you have 2 x Sainsmart USB 8 Relay Board setup - please correct me if I am wrong.  As such, your devices in DOFLinx should 101-108 and 201-208.

 

Having said that, do we know if the DOF framework itself is detecting the full 8 outputs?  The easy way to tell is to look in the DOFLinx.log.  It will report your device, and the number of ports that the SainSmart and DOF software returns, ie

28-Oct-17 08:35:13.946 - DOFLinx device:1 Pinscape setup with 24 outputs
28-Oct-17 08:35:14.086 - 0 LEDWiz device(s) found
28-Oct-17 08:35:14.383 - 0 FTDI (Sainsmart) device(s) found
28-Oct-17 08:35:14.477 - 0 Ultimate IO device(s) found

Let me know what is reported in your system.

[PAPERDJ]

Hello!!! 

Correct, my devices in DOFLinx are 101-108 and 201-208.

And the log is showing this correctly.

Indeed, all the outputs are working OK with all the items except the FLASHERS items.

 

Just showing this fatal error trying to asign ports 7, 8 with this items:
 

I can Only Specify this items to ports 1 to 6

# FLOL = Flasher outer left

# FLIL = Flasher Inner Left

# FLCN = Flasher Centre

# FLOR = Flasher Outer Right

# FLIR = Flasher Inner Right

 

Any ideas?

Thank you!

Edited by PAPERDJ, 30 October 2017 - 05:14 PM.

[PAPERDJ]

Hello Again.

 

I manage to avoid the problem connecting the White LED Stripes to ports 1 to 5 in the second Sainsmart device, 
so I can get basic flashers working (Cold White Flashers Behind My Monitor)

Seems that anyway Im doing something wrong trying to get flashers working because they are working OK connected 

to the Sainsmart Device, but Once In-Game they do not act the relays of the SainsMart device, maybe because they are not sending just ON/OFF messages but RGB Ones???
 

Any ideas how can I Addres that problem?

 

Is the DOF Config Tool needed for anything about DOFLinx??

Thank you!

Edited by PAPERDJ, 30 October 2017 - 07:05 PM.

[DDH69]

Flashers are RGB devices and require PWM (Pulse Width Modulated - essentially graduated) outputs, relays are just on or off, so you can't run flashers via relays, you need a LEDWiz, PacLED64 or PinScape (with the right boosters / drivers).

 

Given that flashers are RGB, they need 3 ports - red, green and blue.  So if a valid output devices has 8 ports, the last usable port is 6, so that you get Red = 6, Green = 7 and Blue =8.  FOr RGB devices you are specifying the base Red port.  This is why you are getting the fatal error.  Of course, even if you only use upto port 6, RGB flshers still will not work via relays.

[PAPERDJ]

Ok.... then...There is a way to just get the flashers messages to be ON or OFF with some paremeters?

This way, I Will get White Flashers working with the pinball tables and it will be great.

I guess this should be easy, as the only thing to do is to get the flashers signal and convert it to normal toy messages (All of this is via software so...) 

 

This way even will be possible to use a RGB Strip individual primary colours for some more custom control.
Like all goes RED for Tilt/Fault action. 

Thank you!!!

[DDH69]

Ok.... then...There is a way to just get the flashers messages to be ON or OFF with some paremeters?

 

 

No, there is not.  Flashers are RGB devices.

 

Technically you could convert a number of on / off devices to be used instead of flashers for FP and FX2 in DOFLinx, but you would have to edit all of your FX2 files and FP tables - not a long term solution as every update to table information would override this.

 

To get flashers to turn devices on / off only for SainSmart devices you would need to make a custom DOF build (quite possible, source is freely available).  You would need to make any value above 0 turn the relay on and 0 turn it off for output devices.  I can only comment on this in theory as I've never changed anything in the framework, just used it.

[PAPERDJ]

OK. Thank you for the info.

At the moment, I have asigned some white flashers to bumpers and and slingshots wich gives interesting Feedback/FX
Then I'll try to check the framework.

And... about the Last Update of DOFLinx 5.22 (Great Work!!! Thank you!)

 

Now it doesn't appear in the taskbar wich is ok, but it will be great a tray icon to check it is working and ease access to LOG/Config or close it. It will be super

(I have to use the task manager to access the log window using maximice window (Via Taskbar DOFLinx Tree) even with debug=1)
I don't know why this behavior, but still the same with older versions. 

Edited by PAPERDJ, 06 November 2017 - 10:43 PM.

[DDH69]

To get DOFLinx from running to DEBUG you should be able to use DOFLinxmsg (or send a message via vb script - example provided in the zip).  Just use

 

DOFLinxMsg DEBUG=1

 

If DOFLinx doesn't appear on screen after this, then you likely have some corrupted screen parameters in the DOFLinx registry key - feel free to delete the DOFLinx branch of the registry to fix that.

[Chaffee1921]

This may be a rookie question, but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere. If my cabinet currently has no "toys" built in, can I still download and setup DOFLinx on my system in order to play the (DOFLinx) MODDED games or will I be messing up my system by installing in with no "toys" to control?

[DDH69]

This may be a rookie question, but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere. If my cabinet currently has no "toys" built in, can I still download and setup DOFLinx on my system in order to play the (DOFLinx) MODDED games or will I be messing up my system by installing in with no "toys" to control?

 

I'm presuming this is a FP question, so yes.  Just install the DOFLinx.vbs into FP\scripts and all will be well.

[mrkai]

I have a potentially..interesting problem. I have created a DOF driver for an OutputController that is mapped as a LEDWizEquivilent, however, your software does not detect it. The controller works fine in the standard DOF environment. 

Is this the expected behavior, that the software literally only works with the four devices it looks for and not a mapped equivalent?

Thanks in advance

Edited by mrkai, 28 March 2018 - 07:02 AM.

[DDH69]

Yes only the listed devices are supported in DOFLinx.  DOFLinx connects directly with the devices via DOF R3 (now R3++).  So a LEDWiz equivalent device will not be recognised unless it actually emulates a LEDWiz like a Pinscape can.  (although PinScape is also supported natively).

 

If you add your device to the DOF R3 framework then I can look at adding support for it.  I've done this before with people adding output devices.