Yes, you can set the dip switches for a 6-second activation period. (It does not fully “reset” after that– it just goes idle to wait for the next trigger.)
The Art Controller has an on-board voltage regulator, and is designed that you can run it straight from 12 V (using the yellow (+12 V) and black (0 V) wires from a PC power supply. If you would prefer to drive it directly from 5 V (using the red wire (+5 V) and black (0 V) from a PC power supply), you can do that, but a little care is required. See our instructions about “omitting the voltage regulator” on this page: http://wiki.evilmadscientist.com/Art_Controller_Hardware_Variations
