K-1000C Pixel LED Controller Tutorial

K-1000C pixel LED controller is the successor of T-1000S pixel LED controller  . It can be called a upgraded version of T-1000S . K-1000C comes with a seven segment display .This controller is a single port pixel LED controller that supports over 30 pixel LED chip types . There are basically three types of signal protocols supported by this controller The NRZ , TTL and RX485 (DMX512) . There is a separate port for RX485 (DMX512) pixel LEDs . This controller comes with the detachable terminals (To make controller swapping easy). The SD card has 256MB of memory . User manual has basic instructions in both Chinese and English languages.

General Specifications

• Input Voltage      : 5V-24V
• Power                 : 8W
• Dimensions        : 5.12 in x 3.94 in x 0.98 in (13.0 cm x 10.0 cm x 2.5 cm) W x L x H
• Weight                : 250g
• MAX Programs  : 16 / 32
• MAX LEDs        : 2048
• Program method : Off-line (SD Card)
• SD card capacity :128MB-32GB

Features of K-1000C Controller

• It supports 32 to 65536 degree software Gray control.
• The controller has single output port, which can support up to 2048 pixels.However ,If you are using DMX lighting It only supports up to 512 pixels.
• You can play content stored in the SD card , the SD card can store up to 32 program Files.
• Selecting the drive chip from the controller allows more accurate results.
• When it comes to DMX type pixels, the controller has a build in write address function. It also supports software ( LedEdit 2016 or later version)  address write(one key address writing) function.
• This controller Supports 4 channel(RGBW) pixel LEDs.
• It supports Enhanced 485 TTL and 485 differential (DMX) signal .   
• The K-1000C controller comes with build in test effects .So you can test your controller without a SD card.

Supported Pixel LED Types

• UCS1903,1909,1912,2903,2904，2909,2912；TM1803,1804,1809,1812；
• SM16703，16709,16712；WS2811，WS2812，WS2813，WS2815,WS2818；
• INK1003；LX3203,1603,1103；GS8205,8206；SK6812（max. Supports pixel LEDs 2048
pixels）    
• SM16716,16726   
• P9813
• LPD6803
• LX1003,1203   
• WS280                 
• LPD1886
• TM1913                  
• TM1914
• P9883,P9823          
• DMX
• DMX 500K
• DMX 250K-CZF
• DMX 250K-CZF  

Difference Between K-1000C and T-1000S

There is not much difference when it comes to specifications .You can basically say K-1000C as T-1000S pixel LED controller with a seven-segment display. Unlike T-1000S , The K-1000C need manual chip selection . The T-1000S detects the chip name from the effect file . Other than that K-1000C pixel LED controller is basically T-1000S . Unlike T-1000S pixel LED controller T-1000C is  expensive (Nearly twice the price) .The benefit of K-1000C controller is that you can see the status of the controller VIA seven segment display. These are the differences between these two controllers .

Selecting the Pixel LED in Controller

As I have mentioned earlier, You need to select the pixel led type from the controller in order to control it .The pixel LED type group is given by a two digit code when the chip selection button pressed (First two digits ). It's called pixel LED chip group. The other four digits in the display will show a pixel LED chip number that in that group . That doesn't mean that it's the only chip that supported by the group . It's just a chip number in the group .So , Don't focus on the chip number .Focus on the chip group number . Same chip can work on multiple groups (Due to common data protocol being used ) . 

Simple Trick : Go through all the chip groups until you get the group that gives the best playback of your effect . Below is a list of chip groups and the chip numbers supported by each group (Can vary manufacturer to manufacturer ).

[ Here is the full list of pixel LED type codes and it's equal pixel LED types ]

Selecting the Pixel LED in Software

You also have to select the controller from the LEDEdit software when creating a new project . However different versions of LEDEdit uses different methods when it comes to selecting the controller .In older versions of LEDEdit , you have to select the controller and the pixel LED type at the same time.But , In the newer versions controller selection and pixel LED type selection is separated tasks. [Click Here to Download] LEDEdit -K 2016 or later versions.

K-1000C Display 

K-1000C Display

The display consists of six seven-segments .The main goal is to display the chip group and chip number in that group when chip selection button pressed . Also it displays the settings values of the pixel LED controller . First two digits shows the chip selection group , Second two digits shows the program number  and the final two digits shows the playback speed .Also , The display will show error codes ( In some controllers ).

K-1000C Button Functions

Unlike T1000S and other older pixel LED controllers K-1000C pixel LED controller have four buttons .From right side chip selection button , Mode selection button , Speed decrease button and Speed increase button . Here are functions of these buttons. First button is for chip selection once pressed it will change the chip group to next chip group . The second button is for changing the program .By pressing it you can change the program to next one. Also can be used to change the effects (Build-in) when there is no SD card . The third and forth buttons are for playback speed control (Speed + for increasing the speed and Speed - is for decreasing the speed .

 CHIP  - Upon button press ,the pixel LED type code will increase from 00 to 10 [ If you don't know about pixel led type codes Click HERE ] . Once the correct pixel LED type code appear on first two digits of the K-1000C controller , Stop pressing the  CHIP  button .

 MODE  - Press this button to switch through programs . If you want a one program to be played, press and release mode button quickly to skip to the next program .keep tapping on the mode button until you get the program you want to be played.

 SPEED +    - Press this button to increase the speed of the video / animation playback .

 SPEED -     - Press this button to decreases the speed of the video / animation playback .

However , Pressing both  SPEED +   and  SPEED -    buttons at the same time will changes the playback mode (May or may not work).
• Loop mode - The programs in the SD card will play one after another .
• Single Mode - The program selected using   MODE  button will play repeatedly without changing to the next program.    

Pin out of the K-1000C Controller

K-1000C Pixel LED Controller

K-1000C pixel LED controller pin out Definitions

Wiring The K-1000C Controller 

Wiring of the K-1000C controllers can be done in several ways, It depends on your needs . Here are some of the most common wiring methods .If you are planning to drive less than 2048 LEDs , you can use a single controller wiring method . If you have more than 2048 LEDs , you need to use multi-Controller wiring method.

Single K-1000C Controller With 3 Wire Pixel LED Strip / String

Single K-1000C Controller With 3 Wire Pixel LED Strip / String

This method can be used when the amount of pixel LEDs less than or equal to 2048 .Common power supply (5V) used for both the controller and the Pixel LED string . The DAT (Data) terminal of the pixel LED controller connects to the DIN wire of the pixel LED strip or string .The +5 wire of the pixel LED strip or string connects to the +5 output of the power supply .The GND wire of the pixel LED connects to the GND (Data Ground) of the controller .

Multiple K-1000C Controllers With 3 Wire Pixel LED Strip / String

Multiple K-1000C Controllers With 3 Wire Pixel LED

This is how you connect multiple K-1000C controllers in cascade (Network) in order to control more than 2048 pixel LEDs.A common power supply (5V) used for both the controller and the Pixel LED string .You can use multiple power supplies to archive the current requirement [Click Here to know more on How to use Power supplies with Pixel LEDs] . The DAT (Data) terminal of each pixel LED controller connects to the DIN wire of the pixel LED strip or string that controlled by them.The +5 wire of the pixel LED strips or strings connects to the +5 output of the power supply .The GND wire of the pixel LED connects to the GND (Data Ground) of the particular controller .

Single K-1000C Controller With 4 Wire Pixel LED Strip / String

Single K-1000C Controller With 4 Wire Pixel LED

In This wiring diagram a single pixel LED controller is being connected to a four wire pixel LED strip or string that uses I²C communication method.Since , We are only using a single controller this method can be used when the amount of pixel LEDs less than or equal to 2048 .Common power supply (5V) used for both the controller and the Pixel LED string . The DAT (Data) terminal of the pixel LED controller connects to the DIN wire of the pixel LED strip or string . The CLK (Clock) terminal of the K-1000C controller connects to the CLK wire of the pixel LED strip or string . The +5 wire of the pixel LED strip or string connects to the +5 output of the power supply .The GND wire of the pixel LED connects to the GND (Data Ground) of the controller . 

Multiple K-1000C Controllers With 4 Wire Pixel LED Strip / String

Multiple K-1000C Controller With 4 Wire Pixel LED

In this arrangement multiple K-1000C controllers is being used with separate 4 wire pixel LED strings. so that ,It can control more than 2048 pixel LEDs at the same time.A common power supply (5V) used for both the controller and the Pixel LED string . [Click Here to know more on How to use Multiple Power supplies with Pixel LEDs]. The DAT (Data) terminal of each pixel LED controller connects to the DIN wire of the pixel LED strip or string that controlled by them.The CLK (Clock) terminal of the each controller connects to the CLK wires of the pixel LED strips or strings that controlled by them .The +5 wire of the pixel LED strips or strings connects to the +5 output of the power supply .The GND wire of the pixel LED connects to the GND (Data Ground) of the particular controller .

Single K-1000C Controller With DMX Pixel LED Strip / String

Single K-1000C Controller With DMX Pixel LED

In This wiring diagram a single pixel LED controller is being connected to a four wire  pixel LED strip or string that uses DMX512 communication method.Since , We are only using a single controller this method can only be used when the amount of pixel LEDs less than or equal to 2048 .Common power supply (5V) used for both the controller and the Pixel LED string . The "A" terminal of the K-1000C pixel LED controller connects to the "DMX+" , "D+" or "A" wire of the pixel LED strip or string . The B terminal of the K-1000C controller connects to the "DMX-" , "D-" or "B" wire of the pixel LED strip or string . The +5 wire of the pixel LED strip or string connects to the +5 output of the power supply and the GND wire of the pixel LED connects to the GND (Data Ground) of the controller . 

[Click Here to Learn more About DMX512 Pixel LED wiring ]

Multiple K-1000C Controllers With DMX Pixel LED Strip / String

Multiple K-1000C Controllers With DMX Pixel LED

In this wiring diagram multiple K-1000C controllers is being used with separate 4 wire pixel LED strings that uses DMX512 protocol.A common power supply (5V) used for both the controller and the Pixel LED string . [Click Here to know more on How to use Multiple Power supplies with Pixel LEDs]  . The "A" (DMX+) terminal of each pixel LED controller connects to the "DMX+" , "D+" or "A" wire of the pixel LED strip or string that controlled by them.The "B" (DMX-) terminal of the each controller connects to the "DMX-" ,"D-" or "B" wires of the pixel LED strips or strings that controlled by them .The +5 wire of the pixel LED strips or strings connects to the +5 output of the power supply .The GND wire of the pixel LED connects to the GND (Data Ground) of the particular controller .

Programming K-1000C

Programming this controller is same as programming T-1000C pixel LED controller .Except this controller can only be programmed by LEDEdit-K versions. The controller version matters when selecting the LEDEdit-K software version . Most of the time proper software version can be found inside the SD card . If not , Try different versions of LEDEdit-K software until you find the proper version that will work with your pixel LED controller . Here is the list of LEDEdit software versions [Download Links] . 

Controller Selection (Old Versions) -  In the "New project creation" window . You need to select the correct pixel LED controller . The different versions of LEDEdit software have different ways and different labels when it comes to selecting the pixel LED controller . 

 

• In New project creation window if you cant see K-1000C controller listed , Click on "Select Controller" button . 

 

• In the "Controller Type" window expand any item that have K-1000C label on it . 

 

• Then select the item have the label K-1000C .Finally , Click on "Add to >>"  button to add that item to the main list . Click on "OK"

• Back in "New project window" you will see the new controller in the list .Select it and change the settings in the right side as you wish .  Once done changing these settings  , Click on "OK" to create the new project . 

 

Controller Selection (New Versions) - Newer versions of LEDEdit-K software have limited amount of supported controllers . The K-1000C pixel LED controller is one of them .It's listed in the new project window. However, there are three or four types of K-1000C controllers  listed . To select  the correct controller you may have to try them all until you find the correct one . 

 

Even though , Your controller model is K-1000C .There is no guarantee that your controller will be supported by the new LEDEdit-K software versions . It depends on your controller version .The controller version and year is printed on the PCB inside the controller . Higher the number better the chances that your controller will be support by the newer version of LEDEdit-K software.

 

•  In the LEDEdit click on File and select New to create a new project .

K-1000C pixel LED controller selection in LEDEdit

• In the New Project window .Select K-1000RGB (For pixel LED types that supports only R,G,B channels ), K-1000RGBW (For pixel LED types that supports R,G,B and W channels ) , K-1000RGBWYA (For pixel LED types that supports R,G,B,W,Y and A  channels ) or K-1000W (For pixel LED types that supports only a single channel ) . 

The programming of the controller can be done as usual . Follow This tutorial on how to program Pixel LED on LEDEdit-K .

The SD Card 

Your controller will comes with a 256 or 128 MB SD card. However , K-1000C can support SD cards up to 32GB . Some SD cards may have problems with the controller . If a certain SD card doesn't  works , Replace it with a different brand SD card . You may also use Adapters (such as micro SD to SD adapter) if you cant find a SD card.

Formatting The SD card - The SD card should be formatted with Fat32 Format. You can use windows explorer to format your SD card or use a 3rd party software such as HP format tool.Here is how to do it in windows. 

Lock and unlock states of SD card

• Unlock The SD card by sliding the plstic lock toward up .This will allow the card to be format and write data .

• Insert the SD card to the card reader slot of your PC (Use a USB card reader if you dont have one in the PC).

• In the windows Explorer right click on the SD card drive and select format.

Formatting the SD card

• In the format window select the settings as above image and click on "Start" button .Wait until the formatting process completed.

Program File placement

The program file placement inside the SD card depends on the controller usage.

Single Controller 

Pixel LED effects file placement for single controller

If you are using a single K-1000C controller or multi K-1000C controllers (without networking them , In this case every controller has a individual SD card ), The file placement for each controller SD card should be like this. The first two digits stands for the program number (00 to 32) ,Since we use single SD card for each controller The last digit should be always "1" .This numbering is used so that you can keep track of which effect represents by the program number displayed on the controller.If you don't care about the order you can use any name . But , Make sure to name them as ".led" files.

Multiple Controllers (Networked)

Pixel LED effects file placement for multiple controllers

If you are using multiple K-1000C controllers in network you need to name your effects files as described in above image .The first two digits represents the effects  file number (00 - 32) and the last number represents the controller number in the network. Then , Place these files in a SD card and insert it to the first controller in the network.

E.g -

• Controller 1 program files - 00_1.led ,01_1.led,02_1.led,03_1.led,04_1.led 

• Controller 2 program files - 00_2.led ,01_2.led,02_2.led,03_2.led,04_2.led  

• Controller 3 program files - 00_3.led ,01_3.led,02_3.led,03_3.led,04_3.led 

• Controller 4 program files - 00_4.led ,01_4.led,02_4.led,03_4.led,04_4.led  

 

However,For some controllers the naming of files is not a priority .

Troubleshooting K-1000C Controller  

Problem - Error LED flashing , No display
 

This may due to few reasons -

• Controller cant detect the SD card - Damaged SD card,Unsupported SD card ,Unsupported file format.
fix - Check whether the SD cad is supported type ,Insert it to the card reader and format it using the windows format tool as mentioned previously in this tutorial .replace the files and try again .

• Oxidized card pins or controller pins - remove the card and check the gold plating of the pins .If they where damaged and gold plate is gone, replace the card .If the controller port is damaged or gold plating is gone , you have to replace the port .

• Unknown file type or no file - The file type should be ".led" other file types may cause error light to flash.please recheck the files.

• Different controller Type.

Problem - K-1000C controller Displays FFFF

 

K-1000C pixel LED controller FFFF Error

This is a error code "FFFF" .This error code may appear due to few reasons .However , Not all K-1000C controllers uses seven-segment display to show the errors. Instead they use the error LED as in the T-1000S controller .

• Different controller Type -If you selected a different controller in the LEDEdit software you may get this message .Make sure  to select K-1000-RGB , K-1000-RGBW , K-1000-W or K-1000RGBWYA (depending on the pixel LED that using) . 

 

• Wrong controller data - Each ".led" effect file contains controller data .If the controller data header is wrong this message  may appear. Download and install a different version of LEDEdit software.Then , Try again.

 

• SD data read failed - This error may also can appear due to controller being failed to read the data inside the SD card. Make sure the SD card is properly formatted . Try a different brand SD card with a different capacity .

 

• Controller Fault - If above solutions doesn't work , The error may due to bad controller main chip. Return the controller and buy a new one.

Warnings 

• Never ever Pullout / Remove the SD card from the controller while the power is ON .This will damage your SD card permanently. If you are lucky you can getaway with only files being lost or Damaged . Always power off the controller and wait for a second and remove the card .

• Never ever reverse the polarity .Reverse polarity protection may or may not in your controller or LED String .If there is no protection , It will damage the controller and Pixel LED Driver IC .Use a multi-meter to check the polarity of the power supply output before wiring .

• Since ,There are thousands of  different manufacturers , Wire colors may change with the manufacturer. Please contact the seller or the manufacturer before wiring ,If not may cause damage to the Driver chip .

Check the Feedback of the sellers before buying online .There are many fake or damaged controllers and Pixel LED strings are available on the internet .(beware of scammers )

• Limit the amount of time you insert and remove the SD card to the controller , Because , Every time you doing this , will cause the gold plated pins to scratch, which will lead to oxidizing of the pins .Thus , preventing contact between port and the SD card.

• Environmental conditions may cause damage to your led string and the LED controller ,These controllers are not designed for outdoor use, It's for indoor use only .If you are putting the LED string out-door please make sure to use the water sealed LED strings or strips. But , even the water sealed led strings may damage due to hash environmental conditions .

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