PhoneBox¶
Overview¶
The PhoneBox is a wireless rolling practical containing multiple LED fixtures and two Gantom spots. It runs on a 24V system (two 12V lead acid batteries in series), stepped down to 12V via a Victron Orion isolated DC-DC converter. The CRMX signal is received by an Electric Foundry combo unit which handles both dimming for the interior LED strips and DMX output to the upper section of the box.
The upper section houses an LTECH LT-916-OLED decoder/dimmer driving the lightbox LEDs, with DMX passed through to two Gantom M510 spots.
Fixture Breakdown¶
The PhoneBox contains four separate lighting elements, each serving a different purpose:
Lightbox (Top Panel)¶
The main illuminated panel at the top of the phonebox — the classic red/white glowing sign. This is RGBW LED tape split across 3 cells, driven by the LTECH LT-916-OLED decoder. It provides the primary colour wash visible from the front and sides. This is the fixture that changes colour throughout the show (red, blue, white etc.).
Interior LED Strips¶
RGBW LED tape running inside the body of the phonebox, providing the internal glow visible through the glass panels. These are powered and dimmed directly by the Electric Foundry unit's 4-channel RGBW output — no separate decoder needed.
Bulkhead¶
A small RGBW LED fixture inside the phonebox acting as an interior ceiling light. Adds to the internal illumination and helps sell the practical as a real phonebox.
Dome Light¶
The dome on top of the phonebox. Adds the finishing touch to the overall look of the practical.
Gantom Spots (×2)¶
Two Gantom 7 M510 LED spots mounted in the upper section of the phonebox. These are narrow-beam spots used for focused lighting effects. They receive DMX via daisy-chain from the LTECH decoder's DMX thru output, and are powered from the same 10A fuse branch.
Channels & Addressing¶
- Gantom Spots
- Channels: 781–782
- Fixture Type: Gantom 7 M510
- Addresses:
- Ch 781: 14/101–107
- Ch 782: 14/108–114
- Parameters: 7 channel mode (per Gantom M510 profile)
- Lightbox
- Channel: 791
- Fixture Type: LED RGBW 16B (Generic)
- Addresses: 14/29–36, 14/37–44, 14/45–52 (3 cells)
- Parameters: Intensity, Red, Green, Blue, White (RGBW 16-bit) × 3 cells
- Interior LED Strip
- Channel: 792
- Fixture Type: LED RGBW 16B (Generic)
- Universe/Address: 14/21–28
- Parameters: Intensity, Red, Green, Blue, White (RGBW 16-bit)
- Bulkhead
- Channel: 793
- Fixture Type: LED RGBW 16B (Generic)
- Universe/Address: 14/53–60
- Parameters: Intensity, Red, Green, Blue, White (RGBW 16-bit)
Power & Control¶
| Power Source | 2× 12V 22Ah Lead Acid Batteries (24V system, in series) |
| DC-DC Converter | Victron Orion Isolated DC-DC Converter (24→12V) |
| Circuit Protection | 6-way blade fuse box (12V side) |
| Dimmer / CRMX Receiver | Electric Foundry CRMX 4ch Dimmer & Receiver (lower section) |
| DMX Decoder | LTECH LT-916-OLED (upper section) |
| DMX Source | CRMX Stardust Transmitter |
| Charger | Victron Blue Smart IP65 Charger 24V 8A (in-built 13A tail) |
Charger Warning
This Victron charger is a 24V 8A unit — it is not interchangeable with the 12V chargers used on other practicals (Sofa, Standard Lamp). Using the wrong charger will damage the batteries.
Charging Access
Charging tail and power switch are inside the bottom panel, accessed through a lid. Must be switched off and plugged up before flying out at the interval change.
Wiring¶
Power Flow¶
Power is supplied by two 12V 22Ah lead acid batteries wired in series to create a 24V supply. After the power cut-off switch (inside the base panel), the 24V feeds into a Victron Orion isolated DC-DC converter which steps it down to 12V.
The 12V output feeds into a 6-way blade fuse box for distribution:
- 10A fuse → Electric Foundry CRMX receiver & dimmer → powers and dims the interior LED strips, lightbox, and bulkhead
- 10A fuse → LTECH LT-916-OLED decoder & two Gantom M510 spots (in the upper section)
DMX¶
DMX is received wirelessly by the Electric Foundry unit via CRMX from the Stardust. The unit serves two roles:
- Direct dimming — the 4-channel RGBW dimmer output drives the interior LED strips
- DMX output — a 3-pin phoenix connector on the side passes DMX to the upper section
In the upper section, the DMX feeds into the LTECH LT-916-OLED decoder which drives the lightbox LEDs. DMX is then daisy-chained through to the two Gantom M510 spots.
Images¶
Key Views¶
All Reference Photos (click to expand)
Components List¶
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Batteries | 2× 12V 22Ah Lead Acid (in series = 24V) |
| DC-DC Converter | Victron Orion Isolated DC-DC (24→12V) |
| CRMX Receiver / Dimmer | Electric Foundry combo unit (4ch RGBW + DMX out) |
| DMX Decoder | LTECH LT-916-OLED |
| Gantom Spots | 2× Gantom 7 M510 |
| Fuse Box | 6-way blade fuse box |
| Charger | Victron Blue Smart IP65 24V 8A |
Usage¶
The PhoneBox is used throughout the show in multiple scenes.
Troubleshooting¶
- No lights at all:
- Check power switch inside base panel
- Check battery charge — charge overnight with the 24V charger
- Check fuse box for blown fuses
- Interior LEDs not working but Gantoms are fine:
- Check Electric Foundry unit — is it powered and receiving CRMX?
- Check 10A fuse on the EF branch
- Gantoms not working but interior LEDs are fine:
- Check 10A fuse on the LTECH branch
- Check DMX phoenix connector from EF unit to upper section
- Check LTECH decoder is powered and receiving DMX
- Lightbox colours wrong:
- Check LTECH decoder DMX address
- Check DMX cable between EF unit and LTECH