Nativity Scene Lighting Controller with NANO R4

The controller drives up to six 12 volt LED lighting loads, with a total current across the outputs of 6 A. The supplied ready-made sketch handles five of the six available outputs: sun, stars, comet, flickering fire and house lights. The length of the lighting phases (dawn, day, dusk and night) can be set with trimmers.

The sixth output is provided in hardware and can be customised by editing the pre-loaded firmware to suit your own requirements. A seventh output is also available for driving NeoPixel strips.

The system is highly customisable. As well as running continuously, it can be fitted with optional sensors that start it according to ambient conditions. A dusk sensor, for example, switches it on when it gets dark, while a motion sensor starts it only when someone is there. Both sensors can be combined for even finer control.

PLEASE NOTE: The MP3 module, the power supply, the loudspeaker, the PIR sensor, the dusk sensor and the USB cable are not included and are sold separately.

• Configurable sixth output: it can be enabled by editing the firmware in order to control
• NeoPixel strip output: not handled by the firmware as loaded, but usable by customising the firmware with the FastLed library, which can be downloaded at the foot of this page.
• Adjustable lighting phases: the transitions between dawn, day, dusk and night are easy to set thanks to the handy on-board trimmers.
• Extra inputs: dedicated terminals are provided for connecting a PIR sensor and a dusk switch (both optional), for maximum flexibility in automating the lighting.
• Audio expansion:the optional addition of an MP3 module lets you synchronise the lighting with sound effects or Christmas music. The controller comes with a selection of ready-to-use MP3 files, and you can load your own tracks as well, to suit your taste.

• The kit is supplied assembled and tested, fitted with the NANO R4 board, already programmed. User manual included.

PLEASE NOTE: The MP3 module, the power supply, the loudspeaker, the PIR sensor, the dusk sensor and the USB cable are not included and are sold separately. The MP3 module needs its 10-way pin strip to be soldered before it can be plugged into the main board.