What is Cheap-Fi
Cheap-Fi is probably smallest Wireless DMX (DMX512) or Stand-alone LED controller available on market. It is designed to be small, cheap, versatile and very easy to use regardless if you are Halloween light DIY-er or entertainment lighting professional. Main goal is to deliver affordable practical solution for various illuminating purposes.
Cheap-Fi is proudly 100% designed and manufactured in EU to be able achieve short lead time and maintain high quality level.
To be simple-to-use as much as possible, Cheap-Fi has micro USB connector for power up and setup. This gives you ability to use widely used power banks to power up your wireless things.
Cheap-Fi output is by default equipped with 3pin JST connector to connect individualy addressable "SPI-called" LEDs. That might be very popular flexible LED strips (WS2811, WS2812 and others..) , LED pixels or even various shaped rigid PCBs
What is Cheap-Fi used for
Cheap-Fi is used mainly for wireless and DMX controlable illuminating of various objects and for its versatility can be used almost everywhere. To kick start your imagination few examples are:
-event or party effect lighting eg. for mobile DJ performance
-theatre effect lighting
-architectural effect lighting e.g. on buildings
-scenography lighting
-decoration lighting
-light show
-illuminating of boxes, glasses, bottles, farniture..
-wearable light suits
-showcase
-entertainment lighting
-artist performance
-special effects e.g. in movies
-effect illumination of vehicles
-home decoration
and many other fancy stuff ! Using Cheap-Fi you can build your own lighting fixtures very fast and low cost.
As there is stand alone mode you can use it for example for simple illuminate your 19" rack and power it up from USB port or phone charger!
Huge advantage of Cheap-Fi is extremely quick setup time in compare to many other light fixtures.
How does Cheap-Fi work
Simple answer to “HOW DOES IT WORK” question is: It works well!
To be more detailed…
Cheap-Fi supports 2 basic operation modes: Static (stand-alone) mode and DMX mode.
In Static mode you can simply set color you wish (1 of 16million) and this color will be applied to output when Cheap-Fi is powered. This mode is used to simple illuminate various object without further color changing by remote controller.
In DMX mode you get all pros of Cheap-Fi. You can generate DMX signal by your preferred way (DMX console, media server, PC, tablet or even mobile phone…) and transmit DMX signal into air using DMX Transmitter. Then you just need to set Cheap-Fi by programming cable using Fi-setup application, connect LEDs to output, connect power and you are done.
Setting is very intuitive and fast. You just need to set count of connected pixels, color order to have standard RGB order, wireless ID corresponding to your DMX transmitter, Pixel repeat (in case you no need individual LED controlling) and DMX address. Once all settings are set simply write it to Cheap-Fi and all settings are applied and stored.
This is how configuration utility looks like:
Cheap-Fi specification
Key Cheap-Fi parameters which you should to know are:
POWER
Power input connector is micro B USB female connector same as on many mobile phones. Voltage rating is 5V, 1.5A max, maximum consumption depends on total count of connected LED pixels on Cheap-Fi output. Cheap-Fi consumption itself is just 0.035A. Power input on Cheap-Fi is protected from over-current, over-voltage and reverse-voltage. This protection is applied to output connector to protect your LED pixels.
SIGNAL OUTPUT
Signal output connector is 3-pin JST female connector. Signal output is TTL level output to direct drive PWM chips such as WS2811, WS2812, TM180x. Total signal drive capability is 105pcs RGB LED pixels
WIRELESS
Cheap-Fi is designed to receive DMX signal on 2.4GHz band. Wireless range depends on many factors, but few hundreds meters (330+ feet) can be normally achieved.
OPERATING ENVIROMENT
Temperature -20°C to +70°C (-4°F to +155°F)
Humidity (non-condensing) 90%
DIMENSIONS&WEIGHT
Dimensions: 40x21x18mm = 1.6″x0.8″x0.7″ Weight: approx. 11g
Cheap-Fi Pricing & Ordering
As Mentioned Above and in Cheap-Fi name itself, price of this awesome device is low. As low as 39€ excl. VAT
Don't think about it too long and write us right now!
And one more thing..
One more thing is better.