Operation of the SEQ5 EL Wire Sequencer

This page explains the use of the sequencer's pushbutton.

The pushbutton switch performs three separate configuration functions: pattern changing, speed changing, and number-of-outputs configuration. All three of these configurations are stored in non-volative memory, so when you turn the sequencer on, it will start up with the last pattern, speed, etc. that you selected.

Pattern Changing

When you first power on your sequencer, it will probably be sequencing its outputs in pattern #1, the Rotate pattern. If you press the switch briefly (for less than about ¼ second), the sequencer will switch to the next pattern. Each time you press the switch briefly, the sequencer will move to the next pattern. When the last pattern is being displayed and you press the switch, the sequencer will cycle back to pattern #1. Note that the pattern actually changes when you release the button, not when you press it, because until you release the button the sequencer does not know whether you are changing the pattern or changing the speed.

The patterns are described here.

Speed Changing

If you press the switch for more than about ¼ second, the sequencer will begin increasing the rate at which the selected pattern is cycled (the rate at which the display changes). It may take a while for you to notice the speed change. After the sequencer reaches the maximum speed, it will start over at the slowest speed.

Selecting the Number of Active Outputs

For some purposes, you may wish to use fewer than five outputs. Leaving some of the outputs disconnected is not sufficient, since the patterns will continue to include those outputs. However, the SEQ5 lets you configure the number of outputs included in the patterns, from two through five.
To enter output configuration mode, turn off the sequencer, hold down the switch, turn on the sequencer, and release the switch. Initially, all five outputs (or however many you have EL wire connected to) should come on. While in configuration mode, no pattern is displayed; the display is constant until you press and release the switch. To change the number of outpouts, press the switch again briefly. Now only two outputs should be on, indicating that in normal operation, the patterns would all end at output 2. If you press the switch again, three outputs will be on, and so on until all outputs are on again. The two-output mode is included mainly so that it will obvious when you have enabled three outputs: if you have only three outputs connected, the three-outputs-enable, four-outputs-enabled, and five-outputs-enabled states will look the same, but you can reliably select three-outputs-enabled by pressing the switch until only two outputs are on, and then pressing it one more time.
To restore normal operation, turn off the sequencer and then turn it on without holding down the switch. The patterns now all include only the outputs that you enabled.

Assembly • Operation • PatternsTroubleshooting
Copyright © 2000-2004 John H. DuBois III