Test Light-O-Rama Controller

Light controllers are a critical element of any animated Christmas display. Each year I make sure to check my controllers just in case something is wrong I have time to get the problem fixed or get a replacement controller.

I setup a simple test rig with 16 sets of lights. I drop the controller in and plug in all the lights. Next I connect the controller to the PC and power up the controller.

The first thing I check is to make sure the red LED on the controller board comes on.

Next I start the Light-O-Rama Hardware Utility and connect to the controller.

From here there are two ways I like to test.

1. If I'm just testing one controller I'll usually press the Console button and test it manually. I like moving all the levers around.

2. But if I'm testing all the controllers I'll just use the default window on the hardware utility.

I check the following:

* First, I've already checked that the red LED came on with the power.

* I've also already checked that I can connect to the controller.

* I check that all the lights come on.

* I set all the lights to shimmer and twinkle, then all back on.

* I check that the lights can handle a slow fade.

* I then do a chase sequence.

When I'm done I unplug everything and hook up the next controller.