LockIT 50-Channel Lock & LED Controller Board - 12V-24V RS485 with Digital Addressing

Specifications

• Operating Voltage: 12V to 24V DC (Input voltage dictates the output voltage for both the locks and the lights)

• Output Channels: 50 x Lock Outputs (White JST), 50 x LED Light Outputs (Red JST)

• Communication Protocol: RS485 (Hexadecimal command structure)

• Addressing: Digital configuration via 2-digit 7-segment display (01 to 99)

• Auxiliary Output: 1 x Onboard Relay (Normally Open, Normally Closed, Common)

• Power Interface: Dual ATX-style Molex connectors for extreme high-current input

Downloads: 

• LockIt Control Board - RS485 Communication Protocol Manual
  

Key Applications and Projects

• Illuminated Parcel Lockers: Building premium apartment complex delivery systems where the specific locker interior lights up when the user scans their barcode, drawing their eye directly to their package.

• Automated Retail Displays: Creating glass-front vending cabinets where products are kept in the dark until a customer pays, at which point the lock pops and the product bay illuminates brilliantly.

• Escape Room Sequences: Triggering physical doors to open while simultaneously turning on hidden LED lighting effects in the newly revealed compartment.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution)

• Extreme Power Automation: Because you are driving 50 physical solenoids AND 50 LED light strips, power management is critical. Pair this massive board with a heavy-duty 24V 30A or 40A Switched-Mode Power Supply and distribute the load across both ATX power inputs to prevent brownouts during busy operating hours.

Package Includes:

• 1 x LockIT 50CH Lock & LED Controller Board (RS485)
• 1 x 4-Wire Communication Cable (Black/Red/Yellow/Green)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What makes this board different from a standard lock controller? This board features dual synchronized outputs. It not only actuates 50 electronic locks but also provides 50 dedicated outputs to power LED lighting inside those specific cabinets simultaneously.

2. How does the lighting feature work? When the RS485 command is sent to open a specific channel, the board sends a burst of power to the white connector to pop the lock, and automatically turns on the power to the corresponding red connector to light up the cabinet.

3. What are the red and white connectors for? The white JST connectors are for your electronic solenoid locks, and the red JST connectors are for your LED cabinet lights.

4. What is the operating voltage? The board requires a 12V to 24V DC power supply.

5. Can I use 12V locks but 24V lights? No. The entire board shares the same voltage rail from your main power supply. If you input 12V power, you must use 12V locks and 12V LED strips.

6. Where is the DIP switch for addressing? This upgraded board eliminates the physical DIP switch. Instead, it uses a 2-digit digital display and physical buttons (SET, UP, DOWN) to easily assign the RS485 address.

7. How many of these boards can I chain together? The 2-digit display allows you to set addresses from 01 to 99, allowing you to daisy-chain up to 99 boards together on a single RS485 network.

8. What communication protocol does it use? It uses standard RS485 serial communication, making it highly reliable over long distances and noisy electrical environments.

9. What is the included 4-wire cable used for? The included Black/Red/Yellow/Green pigtail cable plugs into the onboard headers to easily route your RS485 data lines (A and B) and logic power to your host controller.

10. What is the NO / NC / COM block on the right side? That is an onboard auxiliary relay. You can program this relay via software to trigger external devices, like a master alarm siren or a cabinet cooling fan.

11. What is the small RESET button for? It manually hard-resets the onboard microcontroller without needing to completely disconnect the massive ATX power lines.

12. Why are there two large white ATX connectors on the left? These are heavy-duty power inputs. Because driving 50 locks and 50 LED strips draws a massive amount of current, utilizing multiple ATX inputs ensures the circuit traces don't overheat under heavy load.

13. Do I need an Arduino or PC to use this? Yes, the board is a "slave" device. It requires a "master" host (like a PC, Raspberry Pi, or Arduino) to send it the proper RS485 hexadecimal commands to operate.

14. Can I plug this directly into my computer's USB port? No, standard USB does not output RS485 signals. You must use a USB-to-RS485 hardware adapter.

15. Does this board tell me if the door is physically open or closed? No, these specific 2-pin outputs only provide power to pop the lock and turn on the light. Door state feedback requires locks with extra sensor wires and a separate digital input board.

16. Can I open all 50 locks at the exact same time? It is strictly prohibited. Firing 50 solenoids and 50 LED strips simultaneously will cause a massive current spike that will trip your power supply or damage the board. You must program a slight delay (e.g., 100ms) between actuations in your host software.

17. What do the large silver cylinders do? Those are heavy-duty filtering capacitors (470uF 35V). They smooth out the aggressive voltage spikes caused by the solenoid coils, ensuring the onboard logic processor remains perfectly stable.

18. What is the default baud rate? You will need to check the specific manufacturer's datasheet for the hex protocol, but these RS485 boards typically default to 9600 bps.

19. Does the board come with the 100 wiring harnesses for the locks and lights? No, this listing is for the controller board and the single 4-wire comms cable. You will need to acquire or crimp your own JST-style mating connectors for your specific locks and LEDs.

20. Is there built-in reverse polarity protection? While there is some onboard regulation, wiring a massive high-current power supply backwards into the ATX headers will likely destroy the board instantly. Always double-check your polarity before applying power!