[SML] Building Custom DMX Relay Box

[Lschreib]

  I have    built numerous enclosures for automation projects, requiring dozens holes for each. I recommend you invest in a set of panel punches, which will work for steel, aluminium, and plastic. The manual ones are not that expensive, and they produce high quality holes. Square, D-sub, round—all sorts of punches are available. McMaster, DIgikey, Mouser, Grainger were my sources. Alternatively, a set of step drills works pretty well for simple round holes in thin sheet metal and plastic.
  

  
~Loren
  
  
  
  
Loren Philip Schreiber, Professor Emeritus     

  
School of Theatre, Television, and Film
  
San Diego State University
  
  
  
  
  

  
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>  Today's Topics: 1. Building custom DMX relay box (Joe) 2. Re: Building custom DMX relay box (Jerry Durand) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2026 07:33:53 +0000 (UTC) From: Joe  <jdunfee12 at yahoo.com>  To: Stagecraft Mailing List  <stagecraft at theatrical.net>  Subject: [SML] Building custom DMX relay box Message-ID:  <1571268821.3883020.1769931233464 at mail.yahoo.com>  Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" I am working to make a custom DMX to Relay box.? The circuit board has Relays installed, and the power connections and DMX connections are all screw terminals.The reason I am not simply using a dimmer pack set to serve as on/off only mode, is that I have both 120v and 12vDC voltages. The 12vDC will be to trigger sprinkler valves that are part of two air-cannons. The 120v will be to power a miniature xenon strobe.? ?Though, perhaps I can use a standard dimmer pack, and just plug 12vDC power supplies for the two channels I need the DC control.? I am a little concerned that the inductive relays on the water valves may not play well with my 12v wall warts.? I suppose some diodes at the solenoid may solve that. Note that the DMX, 3-channel Relay module I have, has screw terminals for all in/outputs. When I have made a similar custom pack in the past. I obtained some XLR Panel connectors.? But, drilling the holes in the box was both frustrating and  not really good enough, even if I got it to function.? I looked for, but didn't find any generic pre-punched panels to attach the two XLR connectors. Though, I did find ones with 4 or 8 locations.Also, the box has to provide for the 120vAC, and 12vDC in/out.? In the past, I just used cut extension cords, with a strain relief. The 12v was easy, just a circular panel mount outlet. I feel I am somehow not finding the right stuff to do this easily, and professional looking. As I wright this, I think I am convincing myself to just use a standard DMX dimmer pack.? But, decided to go ahead and post, in case anyone has anything to suggest. Are there any 4-channel dimmer or relay packs that are for lower wattage, and so are packaged without the weight/size of the higher wattage units?? Perhaps in the form factor of a power strip? I know heavy-weight often means rugged. But there is also a kind of ruggedness that comes with things that are small and light weight. -Joe ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer _______________________________________________ Stagecraft mailing list Stagecraft at theatrical.net https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://theatrical.net/mailman/listinfo/stagecraft_theatrical.net__;!!H7yp__TR!fZqkoKdf4ObqUmWRweW2niCfbAC0ZsURRSZBf4xLfzSV56bvh5HxinBwjszZUsHTUttt_LY20M2RuYXJjXhOjiSvKzGjxTM$ ------------------------------ End of Stagecraft Digest, Vol 138, Issue 1 ******************************************  
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