Remote Tractor Control
Back in February 2018, while setting up lighting for a tractor launch for Deutz Fahr, the client wanted to show off the lighting on one of the tractors - without anybody in the cabin. After a bit of research, I decided the best way to do this was with a Visual Productions IOcore.
The IoCore2 is like the Swiss Army knife of interface modules for controlling lights and signals. It has GPI ports that can handle both digital and analog inputs, and GPO ports with relay switches for output. And it's not limited to physical IO – it also supports RS-232, DMX-512 and network protocols including OSC, TCP, UDP, Art-Net and sACN.
So with the help of one of their friendly technicians, we were able to wire in the IOcore into the fusebox of the tractor and run a single network cable to the tractor for control from the lighting console. This gave us not only independent controls of all six lighting options - headlights, side lights, indicators etc. - but also the ability to remotely turn on the ignition and also start and rev the engine - with the tractor in neutral to ensure it didn't run away on us!
