Product Features
General Information
The Flex Expansion system allows you to combine any combination of CPU and expansion boards to build the exact controller that meets your project requires and budget
Available in Ready2Run Assembled controllers with or custom assembly
The AlphaPix Evolution and HinksPix Pro CPU board and Flex Expansion Boards stack vertically to utilize the most space in the enclosure, allowing the following configurations in the following enclosures:
HC-2500
3 Flex Expansion Boards (SPI, Long Range) for up to 48 SPI outputs
Note: A maximum of two SPI and one long range or three long range boards
CG-1500
2 Flex Expansion Boards (SPI, Long Range) for up to 32 SPI outputs
Note: A maximum of one SPI and one long range board or two long range boards
The lowest cost multi-expansion board based system on the market today
Overall Board Dimensions
Dimensions
AlphaPix Evolution CPU board
Width: 6.22 Inches / 158mm
Length: 2.32 Inches / 59mm (includes protruding CAT5 jacks)
Height (thickness / height): .85 Inches / 21.6mm (includes OLED and button daughter board)
Weight (board only): .2 pounds
HinksPix Pro CPU board
Width: 7.7 Inches / 195mm
Length: 2.7 Inches / 70mm (includes protruding WiFi antenna)
Height (thickness / height): .85 Inches / 21.6mm (includes OLED and button daughter board)
Weight (board only): .185 pounds
Flex Expansion Board - SPI (Both Euro Plug and Push to Connect)
Width: 7.4 Inches / 188mm
Length: 4.09 Inches / 104mm
Height (thickness / height): .79 Inches / 19.9mm
Weight (board only): .4 pounds
Flex Expansion Board - Long Range Differential
Width: 6.22 Inches / 158mm
Length: 1.92 Inches / 48.8mm
Height (thickness / height): .64 Inches / 16.2mm
Weight (board only): .13 pounds
Flex Expansion Board - Long Range Differential Receiver
Width: 3.2 Inches / 81mm
Length: 2.45 Inches / 61.7mm
Height (thickness / height): .86 Inches / 21.8mm
Weight (board only): .12 pounds
Flex Expansion Board - 16 Output AC Board
Only for purchase in Ready2Run Assembled
CAD (.DXF) Drawings available upon request for board and hole locations
Waterproof Enclosures and Mounting Kits Available for DIY Installations
Board Information
CPU Comparison by Feature
Flex SPI Expansion Board (4 Wire Euro Plugs)
Video:
VIDEO
Per Output - Up to 340 pixels on AlphaPix CPU or 680 pixels on HinksPix CPU / (exclusive of power, see chart below)
Each output features euro style plugs for easy assembly and removal
Each output is clearly marked on both sides of the connector with the output number so it is always easy to find the output.
Each output is marked with + / - / Data / Clock order to make assembly easier and error free
Blown fuse indicators (Red LED light will go out when fuse is blown)
Each SPI board has a dedicated temp and voltage sensor visible from the screen or web interface
Included accessories:
Ribbon Data Cable (good for any position from 1-3, see video on how to customize length)
6 Brass 30mm / 1.18 Inch Spacers with screws and nuts
6 Brass 40mm / 1.58 Inch Spacers with screws and nuts
Power Output
5 Amps Maximum (mini fused blade) per output
Wattage per output
5 Volts: 25 Watts
12 Volts: 60 Watts
Note that the number of amps per output (5A) over 16 outputs is 80 amps and this requires a duty cycle of 20% - see "Power Input" above
Power Input
Heavy duty screw down connections that support spade terminals (four total, two per bank)
60 Amps Normal / (30 Amps per bank / two individual bank inputs
Wattage per bank (1-8 and 9-16)
5 Volts: 150 Watts
12 Volts: 360 Watts
Wattage per controller (1 - 16)
5 Volts: 300 Watts
12 Volts: 720 Watts
80 Amps with 20% Duty Cycle + Automated output shut down enabled
Wattage per bank (1-8 and 9-16)
5 Volts: 200 Watts
12 Volts: 480 Watts
Wattage per controller (1 - 16)
5 Volts: 400 Watts
12 Volts: 960 Watts
Voltage Range: 5 to 24v DC (two separate voltages can be run on each bank of 1-8 and 9-16)
Up to 10 AWG wire (we recommend a minimum of 16 AWG for power inputs - see our website )
Controller is powered by power input on bank 1 - no separate power connection is required
Polarity reversal input protection
Note that many customers run controllers at levels below 100% using the output limiting function in the firmware settings
Flex SPI Expansion Board (3 Wire Push-To-Connect Connectors)
Video:
Video coming soonPer Output - Up to 340 pixels on AlphaPix CPU or 680 pixels on HinksPix CPU / (exclusive of power, see chart below)
Does not work with 4 wire pixels that require a Clock wire (HolidayCoro sells only 3 wire pixels)
Each output features color coded (red = Positive, black = Negative, yellow = Data) push-to-connect inputs for pre-stripped and tinned wires
Each output is clearly marked with the output number so it is always easy to find the output.
Each output is marked with + / - / Data order to make assembly easier and error free
Blown fuse indicators (Red LED light will go out when fuse is blown)
Each SPI board has a dedicated temp and voltage sensor visible from the screen or web interface
Included accessories:
Ribbon Data Cable (good for any position from 1-3, see video on how to customize length)
6 Brass 30mm / 1.18 Inch Spacers with screws and nuts
6 Brass 40mm / 1.58 Inch Spacers with screws and nuts
Power Output
5 Amps Maximum (mini fused blade) per output
Wattage per output
5 Volts: 25 Watts
12 Volts: 60 Watts
Note that the number of amps per output (5A) over 16 outputs is 80 amps and this requires a duty cycle of 20% - see "Power Input" above
Power Input
Heavy duty screw down connections that support spade terminals (four total, two per bank)
60 Amps Normal / (30 Amps per bank / two individual bank inputs
Wattage per bank (1-8 and 9-16)
5 Volts: 150 Watts
12 Volts: 360 Watts
Wattage per controller (1 - 16)
5 Volts: 300 Watts
12 Volts: 720 Watts
80 Amps with 20% Duty Cycle + Automated output shut down enabled
Wattage per bank (1-8 and 9-16)
5 Volts: 200 Watts
12 Volts: 480 Watts
Wattage per controller (1 - 16)
5 Volts: 400 Watts
12 Volts: 960 Watts
Voltage Range: 5 to 24v DC (two separate voltages can be run on each bank of 1-8 and 9-16)
Up to 10 AWG wire (we recommend a minimum of 16 AWG for power inputs - see our website )
Controller is powered by power input on bank 1 - no separate power connection is required
Polarity reversal input protection
Note that many customers run controllers at levels below 100% using the output limiting function in the firmware settings
Flex Long Range Differential Expansion Board (Expansion Board)
Video:
VIDEO
Maximum of 5,440 Pixels or 32 Universes / 16,384 DMX Channels (Up to Four Long Range Differential Receiver Boards per Expansion Board)
Per Port / CAT5 Output - Up to 1,360 pixels
Supports only pixels that have data wire - this includes support for all HolidayCoro 2811/1903 pixels (no clock wire is present)
300 Feet / 91 meters or greater from expansion board output to receiver input using stand CAT5 network cable
Note: Receiver boards must only be used with data input from the Long Range Differential Expansion Board - they cannot be used with DMX 1.11/1990 or E1.31 directly
Included accessories:
Ribbon Data Cable (good for any position from 1-3, see video on how to customize length)
4 Brass 30mm / 1.18 Inch Spacers with screws
Long Range Differential Receiver Board (up to 4 per Expansion Board) - Required for operation
Bare Board
Assembled Ready2Run
Video:
VIDEO
Blown fuse indicators (Red LED light will go out when fuse is blown)
CAT5 Data Input (requires Long Range Differential Expansion Board for operation, will not work with E1.31 or E1.11 signals)
Power indicator light
Standard Cable Guard TA-200 mounting hole pattern (3 screw terminals)
Power Input
20 Amps
Voltage Range: 5 to 24v DC
Heavy duty screw down connections that support spade terminals
Positive and negative clearly marked on board
Power Output
5 Amps Maximum (mini fused blade) per output
Wattage per output
5 Volts: 25 Watts
12 Volts: 60 Watts
Up to 10 AWG wire (we recommend a minimum of 18 AWG for power inputs - see our website )
Polarity reversal input protection
Voltage Range: 5 to 24v DC
Warranty
1 Year Warranty on CPU and Expansion Boards
Excludes:
CPU Board / Ethernet Port damage as a result of connection to an LOR network or any other non-Ethernet connection
Board damage due to improper mounting including to non-conductive surfaces, carpet or other static bearing surfaces
Environmental damage (water, snow, etc)
Physical damage (broken connectors)
Fuse replacements
Improper hookup or operation (over current, shorting, wrong voltage ranges)
Support
The majority of our setup and troubleshooting information and videos can be found on our setup page
Support options:
Normal Support - Email / Phone where required, no additional cost
Priority Support - Dedicate phone number / Remote Control to PC / Email where required, additional cost
HolidayCoro offers support in the following areas with the this controller system:
General wiring and troubleshooting
Testing of pixels (some non-HolidayCoro pixels may have limited support)
General setup of the networking needed to support the connection of the CPU to a Windows PC
Basic configuration of sequencing applications
Basic configuration of output to the RS485 output ports
HolidayCoro does not support the following with respect to the Flex Expansion System:
Controllers mounted in an enclosure that does not include static dissipative materials. This includes such mounting enclosures such as:
Gun ammo boxes (polypropylene)
Food containers (polypropylene)
See this website for information about static electricity
All power supplies must be grounded feeding the controller system
Power injection
Sending data over wireless networks
Controller to control sync on HinksPix Pro is supported
Access to controller via built-in wireless interface on HinksPix Pro is supported
Use of third-party or extended data ribbon cables used with expansion boards
Homemade CAT5 cables for Ethernet or RS485 long range connections
Configuration of some applications (due to the huge number of applications, we may refer you to your application vendor for instructions on setting up their application)
Configuration or troubleshooting of individual sequences - please contact your vendor for application specific questions
Physical
Operating Temperatures - Negative 4f (-20c) to 158f (+70c)
County of Origin / Assembly
China (from globally sourced components)
Country of Design
How to build a Flex Expansion based system from scratch:
VIDEO
How to install and trim expansion board cables:
VIDEO