PicoDrive (163)¶
Getting Started¶
To configure the device or upload sounds you must connect to the device with one of our apps. If you aren't sure how to do this please see Getting Started.
Power Input¶
The PicoDrive can run on 9 to 24 VDC. The two PWR -/+ terminals and the barrel connector are internally connected together. You can power the unit from either location, or you can power using a barrel connector and borrow that power for a sensor using the screws.
If you are driving a motor, running power through the two relays to power various loads, or borrowing from the power supply to power sensors, you must make sure your power supply has enough for those loads too. Please see this page for details on how to correctly choose your power supply.
Input Wiring¶
The PicoDrive has two optically-isolated inputs that can be connected in any polarity making them compatible with a huge variety of sensors.
If you only have one just ignore the wires for the second button.
The motion sensor must be 12 VDC, not one made for outdoor floodlights.
There may also be a mode wire to select normally on/off behavior - see sensor manual.
There may also be a mode wire to select normally on/off behavior - see sensor manual.
Wire colors may vary by manufacturer. Compare with legend.
For even more input wiring diagrams please see Wiring Diagrams.
Output Wiring¶
The PicoDrive has a motor output and two mechanical relay outputs. The motor output can be setup to control the speed and direction of a motor, the brightness of a light, or to control two DC devices. See the Scene Settings for info on selecting the output mode.
The two relay outputs are very flexible as they can be used to control DC loads like solenoids and small motors, or AC loads like high voltage lights. When turned on, these outputs connect the C (common) terminal to the NO (normally-open) terminal. When off, C is connected to NC (normally-closed). Each relay output can handle 5 or 10 amps depending on the voltage being switched (see Specifications).
Make sure the device voltage matches your power supply voltage.
Both devices share the same relay output and power supply.
Recording Animation¶
Important
If you are using the Motor Park function then you should record animation using the knob on the unit. Real-Time programming using the app is not supported at this time. You can however edit the animation in the Timeline after programming. This will be addressed in a future update.
Animation can be recorded using a phone, computer, or the buttons and knob on the unit. Instructions below are for recording manually using controls on the device. For information on recording using the apps or cloud please see here.
Recording with the Knob and Buttons¶
- Tap REC, the REC LED should turn red.
- Rotate the knob or use the 1-4 buttons to control the outputs.
- Tap REC to stop recording.
- Tap 4 to preview your recording.
Triggering after Recording¶
The trigger inputs are disabled temporarily while you are recording or previewing animation. This is done to prevent a connected sensor from triggering the scene while you are making changes. The trigger inputs will re-arm after 1 minute, or after you press 4 to preview the scene and let it play to the end. If you try to trigger the scene while the inputs are disabled you'll see the Status LED flash yellow.
Layering Outputs¶
- To record only one output at a time hold REC until the output LEDs turn on.
- Quickly tap one of the four output buttons to toggle that output on or off for recording. If outputs 1/2 are in one of the motor/light modes then either of those buttons will disable that output.
- Let go of REC when you're done enabling / disabling outputs.
- Tap REC to record, only the outputs that had output LEDs ON will record, the other ones will play back.
Selecting Record Scene¶
- Hold REC until the output LEDs turn on, keep holding a few more seconds until one or more input LEDs turn on.
- Quickly tap 1, 2, or 3 to select the scene you want to record. The selected scene is indicated on the input LEDs.
- Let go of REC when you're done.
| Button | Scene | Input LEDs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Input 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Input 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Idle | 1 & 2 |
Shortening the Scene¶
If all outputs are enabled for recording the scene length will always equal the recording length. If you do NOT want to shorten the scene then be sure to have only one of the outputs enabled for recording at any given time.
Show Settings¶
Show Settings for any product can be found in the Configuration tab for that product in the app or on the cloud interface.
If your controller has audio, this is where you can adjust the master volume. More audio adjustments will be available in the future.
Amplifier¶
If your controller has an amplifier, this is where you can adjust the Amplifier volume and Max Amplifier Volume.
Inputs¶
Label¶
If you are using multiple inputs you can label the inputs here for clarity in the future. Labels like Reset Button, Start Button, etc., could be useful.
Inverted¶
If the device connected to the input is outputting a signal that is the opposite of what you need you can invert it. For example, you may be using a limit switch or beam sensor that is keeping the controller's input ON and only turning it OFF when the sensor is triggered. This would cause the controller to loop unless the sensor is kept active.
Usually this can be resolved by using a different sensor output or by connecting a mode wire to + or -. That is the better approach if that's available. If not, enable this option.
Type¶
Here you can specify the type of sensor connected to the input. With this information the controller can more accurately estimate patron counts and ignore some sensors at start-up as they warm up.
- Auto-Detect: If the input is on at startup the controller will assume a motion sensor is connected. It will wait for up to 1 minute for it to warm up before it allows triggering. This mode will ignore the trigger input for a minimum of 5 seconds at startup as it tries to determine the sensor type.
- On/Off: This mode will allow triggering or looping at startup.
- Motion Sensor: In this mode the input will be ignored at startup. The controller will arm the input once it sees the input state turn off.
Minimum On Time¶
Set a minimum on time if you need to filter out brief input pulses that are too short to be legitimate input signals. Common use cases include:
- Bouncy Buttons: Buttons or relays with noisy or bouncy contacts can send short trigger pulses when the button is released. These pulses are usually less than a few milliseconds. If you wanted to filter for legitimate button presses you could set this value to a quarter second.
- Interference: Wires act like antennas, picking up electrical energy flying through the air. Devices with coils like Maglocks, solenoids, relays, and motors are prime generators of this kind of noise. In some conditions this noise induces enough of a voltage to trigger an input. This noise is always very short, so adding a very short minimum on time will usually filter it out.
Output 1-2 Mode¶
Mode¶
Outputs 1 & 2 are driven by a powerful H-Bridge chip designed primarily to drive DC motors. If you'd rather use it to dim DC lighting or control DC loads like solenoids that is also possible by changing the output's mode.
- Motor: The 1/2 terminals will output a PWM signal with either +/- or -/+ polarity to control the direction of a motor. Speed is controlled by varying the duty cycle of the output using PWM.
- Motor with Park: Designed for certain wiper motors that have a park signal output. Same as above but ensures the motor moves to the park position when animation is finished playing.
- Dimmable Light: Only output 1 works in this mode. It will output postive-polarity PWM controlled signal designed to dim LEDs or small DC bulbs.
- Two On/Off Outputs: Outputs 1/2 will output a positive signal when turned on. The knob is disabled in this mode, use the 1/2 buttons to control the outputs.
Default Park Direction¶
By default, the PicoVolt will park the motor by allowing it to continue moving at the same speed and direction it was moving in at the end of the scene. This is why it's best to end the recording with the motor on the way to the park position, so you can choose the direction and speed of travel of the park movement. At startup, or if the motor is not already moving, the PicoDrive will move the motor in the default direction to get it back to park. Depending on the mechanics of the setup, that could cause a collision.
- Forward: The motor will start rotating in the default direction, slowly accelerating until it reaches park.
- Reverse: Opposite of above.
Solid-State Outputs¶
Label¶
If you have a lot of outputs it can be helpful to label them. These labels will show up in the real-time recording Keypad or in the Timeline Editor so you don't have to guess what output is what before animating. These can also be helpful if you need to troubleshoot remotely and you can't see what device is connected to which output.
Inverted¶
If you'd like the device to stay on by default and have it turn off when you activate the output during recording you can use this option. This would most often be used for lights you want on most of the time and just need to flicker off once in a while.
If you are trying to invert the position of a pneumatic cylinder it's usually best to do that by swapping the air lines connected to the A/B ports on the solenoid. Inverting it here would keep the solenoid energized all the time, causing it and the output in the controller to heat up and waste power for no reason.
Mode¶
By default the output will turn on when it's activated, off when it's not. If you need the output to strobe quickly to simulate a strobe light or machine gun effect you can choose one of the Strobe modes. If a strobe mode is selected, the output will strobe off and on at the selected rate whenever the output is activated.
Relay Outputs¶
Relay outputs don't currently have any options other than the output label. These labels will show up in the real-time recording Keypad or in the Timeline Editor so you don't have to guess what output is what before animating. These can also be helpful if you need to troubleshoot remotely and you can't see what device is connected to which output.
Label¶
If you have a lot of outputs it can be helpful to label them. These labels will show up in the real-time recording Keypad or in the Timeline Editor so you don't have to guess what output is what before animating. These can also be helpful if you need to troubleshoot remotely and you can't see what device is connected to which output.
Write Protection¶
You can enable write-protection by toggling the Protect Scenes toggle at the bottom of the configuration tab (see above). This will disable the record button on the unit and even prevent animation / sound changes in the app.
This is currently the one setting that can also be toggled with the buttons on the unit. To toggle write-protection on the unit itself:
- Power up holding the 2 button.
- After a second or two the status LED will turn solid (see below).
- Let go of button 2.
| LED | Color | Protection State |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Disabled (Recording OK) | |
| Green | Enabled (Recording Blocked) |
Scene Settings¶
Configuration options for each scene can be found inside the scene menu. Select a scene then look for the Scene Behavior Options.
Idle Scene¶
Interruptible By Input X¶
If you do NOT want an input to be able to trigger a scene when the controller is Idle then disable that input here. A common use case for this would be if you needed to enforce a sequence. Maybe only Input 1 is enabled in Idle, then Input 2 must be triggered from Input 1.
Input Scenes¶
Interruptible By Input X¶
By default, an input scene is not interruptible by the other input.
Momentary¶
By default a scene will play to completion once it's been started. If you'd like the scene to only play for as long as the input is active, enable this option. This can give an operator the ability to choose when a scene starts AND stops with a single input.
Persist Outputs¶
If you need an output to stay on after a scene ends you can enable this option and keep that output on at the end of the scene. Any output that is on at the very last frame of the scene will stay on until another scene is triggered.
This won't work if Idle animation exists because the Idle animation will control the outputs after the scene.
No Looping¶
By default a scene will loop if the input that triggered it is still on when the scene finishes. If you'd like to prevent looping enable this option.
Post Delay¶
If you'd like to prevent a prop from activating too often you can enable a Post Delay. The Post Delay starts when the scene finishes and stops when the selected time expires. When active, the REC LED will flash yellow and trigger inputs are ignored.
After Scene Goto¶
By default, when a triggered scene completes the controller will return to the Idle state and start looping the Idle scene if one exists. If you would prefer the controller to jump to another scene instead, you can select that scene here.
Pressure Lockout¶
Pressure lockout allows you to disable pneumatic-based props if system pressure is beneath a certain threshold. See the PicoLink page for a video and information on how to set this up.
Pressure Channel¶
Large systems may have multiple pressure sensors. Each pressure sensor must publish its pressure to a dedicated channel. Any number of devices can tune in to a particular pressure sensor by subscribing to its channel.
Pressure Threshold¶
The prop will ignore its inputs below this pressure.
Fail Mode¶
If for some reason the controller is no longer receiving pressure data from the sensor what should it do?
- Fail Run: Assume pressure is good and run anyway.
- Fail Safe: Disable the inputs. Only allow triggering if we have confirmation pressure is above our threshold.
Show Storage¶
Internal Memory¶
Internal memory is used automatically if a microSD card is not inserted. This internal memory can store about 10MB. That's enough for over 9 minutes of animation and sound when using 128kbps MP3 files.
Internal memory is preferred over an SD card for the following reasons:
- SD cards add extra cost
- SD cards can become corrupt over time
- SD cards can be removed and misplaced
- SD cards rely on a socket vs internal memory being soldered
That said, if you need to store more than 10MB of memory, you may have no choice.
microSD Card¶
If you need more than 10MB you can use any microSD card up to 32GB in size. It must be FAT32 formatted which is the format they come in when purchased.
As soon as a card is inserted the unit will reboot and use that for the show storage, ignoring the internal memory completely.
Transferring a Show¶
If you need to transfer an existing show from internal memory to the SD card use the Download Show and Upload Show buttons at the bottom of the Scenes tab in the app. You would first download the show to your computer, then insert the SD card, then upload it back.
WiFi¶
Connecting to WiFi¶
Connecting to WiFi happens during the adoption process. Please see Getting Started.
Changing WiFi Networks¶
Follow the adoption steps to connect the device to a WiFi network, ignoring the final step where you click the Adopt button. The device will not show up for adoption because it's already adopted by you, but it will change WiFi networks.
Disconnecting from WiFi¶
Hold the two outside buttons on the controller (or only button if it's a PicoLink). The Status LED will turn yellow , then purple , then start flashing purple (Forget WiFi). Let go when its flashing purple. This will tell the device to forget the WiFi credentials so it no longer attempts to connect to WiFi. This process will not unadopt the device so that it can be adopted by another user. If you need to unadopt it that must be done in the app.
Status LED¶
The status LED's state indicates the device's current state. In some states the LED will blink a few times, pause, then repeat.
| State | Color | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| off | Idle - Not connected to the cloud | |
| 1 blink | Connecting to Access Point | |
| 2 blinks | Connected to WiFi, getting IP | |
| 3 blinks | Received IP, connecting to cloud | |
| steady | Idle - Connected to cloud | |
| steady | Bluetooth provision mode for WiFi setup | |
| steady | WiFi access point mode for direct connection | |
| steady | Playing a triggered scene | |
| steady | Recording | |
| 2 blinks | Trigger post-delay | |
| 3 blinks | Low pressure lockout |
Factory Reset¶
Factory resetting the unit will erase all settings, animation, and WiFi information. Next time it connects to WiFi it will be removed from the account and need to be re-adopted.
- Unplug the unit.
- Hold the REC button while powering up the unit.
- Status LED should turn RED.
- Let go of REC, the Status LED will begin to flash red.
- The device will flash the Status LED as it erases the internal memory. It will reboot automatically.
Specifications¶
Part Number
163
Voltage
Ideal: 12 or 24 VDC
Max Range: 9–26 VDC
Power
At 12 volts:
0.6 watts (outputs off, amplifier off)
2 watts (relay outputs on, amplifier off)
12 watts (outputs on, amplifier moderate)
32 watts (outputs on, amplifier max)
At 24 volts:
0.6 watts (amplifier off)
2 watts (outputs on, amplifier off)
12 watts (amplifier moderate)
62 watts (amplifier max)
Trigger inputs
Voltage Range: 5–24 VDC
Current Draw: 2mA @ 5V, 5mA @ 12V, 11mA @ 24V
Motor Output Voltage: Same as Power Input Current: 7.5A Steady, 10A Max for short periods
Relay Outputs
Max 5A @ 240VAC or ANY DCV
Max 10A @ 120VAC
Audio amplifier
2×30W into 8Ω @ 24V
2×8W into 8Ω @ 12V
2×15W into 4Ω @ 12V
Memory
Internal: 10MB Flash
External: microSD Card (32GB Max)
Troubleshooting¶
Choose the topic that best matches your problem:
If you don't see your issue here, or the troubleshooting steps don't fix it, contact support@showmatic.io and include:
- Product model
- What you expected vs. what happened
- Power and Status LED behavior