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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: tocheeba on January 15, 2016, 07:56:54 pm

Title: Ultimarc U-Trak LED controller
Post by: tocheeba on January 15, 2016, 07:56:54 pm

I have a stupid question - I'm doing my first big build, and I bought the U-Track trackball and LED lights addon. However, I didn't buy anything to power it. Do I need to buy the PAC64 LED controller? I know it says I can tap into a 5V power source (no idea how to do that), but even if I can figure out how to power it, there is no way for me to control what it lights up as right? Do I need the PAC64 to program certain lights for it?

I can't really find much documentation on it. I suck with electrical work (knowing what to splice and how to power it, etc). Any suggestions? Spending another $60 for a board just to power it seems kinda stupid. I guess I should have looked into it before I bought it - figured it was powered via USB or something.

Title: Re: Ultimarc U-Trak LED controller
Post by: Slippyblade on January 15, 2016, 08:07:08 pm

Totally depends on what you bought.  Single color or RGB?

When they say tap a 5 volt source, they usually mean on of the connectors from your computer power supply.  Just use an unused plug from inside the computer.  Use the red plug and one of the black plugs.

(http://media.bestofmicro.com/Power-Supply-Fundamentals,8-E-312638-13.jpg)

Title: Re: Ultimarc U-Trak LED controller
Post by: tocheeba on January 15, 2016, 09:05:46 pm

I bought the clear ball with the RGB kit - about half way down on this page:
https://www.ultimarc.com/trackball.html (https://www.ultimarc.com/trackball.html)

Title: Re: Ultimarc U-Trak LED controller
Post by: Slippyblade on January 15, 2016, 09:28:34 pm

If you want color changing or any color other than Red, Green, or Blue then yeah, you'll need a controller board. 

You can do a single permanent color (Red, Blue, Green) by wiring up one of the inputs to power.