PRE-SALE: Flex Expansion Board System with AlphaPix Evolution or HinksPix Pro CPU - E1.31 Modular Lighting Controller System (Ships Jan to Jul 2025)

[Product Description Page]

This is a PRE-SALE item and ships between January and July 2025 - for immediate shipping, purchase the in-stock product instead.

Overview of the AlphaPix Flex System

What's in the boxes

Product Features

General Information
- The AlphaPix Flex controller is the fourth generation of the tried and true AlphaPix controller line. This controller has been designed to be highly flexible so that you can build displays with the exact output types you need for your display.
- The system is based on the CPU board which can drive up to three expansion boards
- Available in Ready2Run Assembled controllers with complete custom assembly
- All boards stack vertically to utilize the most space in the enclosure, allowing the following configurations in the following enclosures:
  - HC-2500
    - 3 Expansion Boards (SPI, Long Range) for up to 48 SPI outputs
  - CG-1500
    - 2 Expansion Boards (SPI, Long Range) for up to 32 SPI outputs
- The lowest cost multi-expansion board based system on the market today
- Supports all major lighting applications
  - Light-o-Rama Advanced (S3/S4/S5)
  - xLights (all)
  - Madrix
  - Any applications that supports sCAN / e1.31 protocols
Overall Board Dimensions
- Dimensions
  - 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): .185 pounds
  - SPI Expansion board
    - Width: 7.4 Inches / 188mm
    - Length: 4.09 Inches / 104mm
    - Height (thickness / height): .79 Inches / 19.9mm
    - Weight (board only): .4 pounds
  - Long Range Differential Expansion board
    - Width: 6.22 Inches / 158mm
    - Length: 1.92 Inches / 48.8mm
    - Height (thickness / height): .64 Inches / 16.2mm
    - Weight (board only): .13 pounds
  - Long Range Differential Receiver board
    - Width: 3.2 Inches / 81mm
    - Length: 2.45 Inches / 61.7mm
    - Height (thickness / height): .86 Inches / 21.8mm
    - Weight (board only): .12 pounds
  - CAD (.DXF) Drawings available upon request for board and hole locations
- Waterproof Enclosures and Mounting Kits Available for DIY Installations
Board Information
- CPU Board
  - Hardware Features
    - Built-in network switch allows daisy chaining controllers without external network switches
    - 4 Line OLED back-lit display allows you to monitor and configure settings when not using the web page interface. Additionally, it is possible to trigger the built-in test sequences right from the OLED interface without requiring sequencing or other software which is useful for testing and demo applications.
    - Five push buttons for control of the OLED on-screen functions
    - Temperature sensor
    - 32-Bit CPU
    - Automated fan control using a standard CPU cooler fan (not typically required)
    - PWM (CPU Style) Fan Controller (configurable via web-page for temperature trigger) (80f / 26c to 135f / 57c)
    - Two RS485 Ports (DMX 1990 / E1.11)
      - RS485 ports do not "use up" SPI outputs / not shared with SPI outputs
      - Each output features euro style plugs for easy assembly and removal
      - Board is clearly marked with Positive, Negative and Ground wire connections
      - See our Knowledge Base for information on wiring and connecting with LOR controllers
    - CPU powered from expansion board #1
    - Data Input
    - Number of different protocols supported simultaneously - One
    - Supported pixel protocols:
      - 2811 Family - 3 Wire (All HolidayCoro pixels are 2811 / 1903)
        
        WS2811 / WS2812 / WS2813 / WS2812B
        
        INK1003
        
        TM1803 / TM1804 / TM1809 / TM1812
        
        UCS1903 / UCS1909 / UCS1912 / UCS2903 / UCS2909 / UCS2912
      - 2801 Family - 4 Wire
        
        WS2801 / WS2803
      - 6803 Family - 4 Wire
        
        LPD6803 / LPD1101
        
        D705
        
        UCS6909 / UCS6912
      - 3001
        
        TLS3001 / TLS3002<
        
        CY3005
      - 8806
        
        LPD8803 / LPD8806
      - 9813
        
        P9813
      - Does not support "GECE"
  - Software Features
    - Supports three expansion boards
      - Max pixel per CPU board with all three expansion boards connected: 16,320 (5,440 pixels per expansion board)
    - Firmware setting adjustments - Most settings via LCD interface, all settings via standard web browser on most devices
    - Firmware updates - PC (web browser) - no charge (see firmware page for updates)
    - Null/Ghost pixels (start of string) - Allows longer runs of data (25+ feet)
    - Reverse DMX addressing (start DMX addressing at end of string instead of at start)
    - Zig-Zag / Matrix Addressing
    - Color Order (RGB, BGR,GRB, etc) - adjustable per output
    - Test / Sample Pattern outputs (RGB) - 22 Variations / Selectable via LCD+Buttons+Web Interface
    - Password protection for web interface (optional)
    - Adjustable brightness for LCD via web interface
    - Fan (optional, not usually required, not included) can be configured to turn on a selected temperatures (80f / 26c to 135f / 57c)
    - Built-in temperature monitor can display board temperature and can shut down controller output when user selected temperature is reached to prevent possible dangerous over-heating situations (CPU and SPI boards)
    - Displays input voltage on web-page and LCD to aid in diagnosing problems and to ensure adequate power is provided to lights.
- SPI Expansion Board
  - Maximum of 5,440 Pixels or 32 Universes / 16,384 DMX Channels
  - Per Output - Up to 340 pixels / 2 DMX universes (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 dedicate 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
- Long Range Differential Expansion Board (Expansion Board)
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 AlphaPix 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 AlphaPix controller:
  - 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 AlphaPix to a Windows PC
  - Basic configuration of sequencing applications
  - Basic configuration of output to the RS485 output ports
  - Complex networking environments
- HolidayCoro does not support the following with respect to the AlphaPix controller:
  - Sending data over wireless networks
  - 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 (+70)
County of Origin / Assembly
- China (from globally sourced components)
Country of Design
- USA / China