A DMX Lighting Question.....

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Q

qdupsoundz

New DJ
Apr 9, 2008
393
2
41
South Dakota
I have 8 LED Rain38 par cans that are all DMX controlled. I use 4 different chases and normally set the controller to change scenes using the music trigger. They always work great all night with no glitches when running by themselves.

I also have a few LED fixtures that are non-DMX that I run through a basic 8-switch panel mounted in my rack.

The problem I am having is that when I turn on the non-DMX lights via simple rocker switches, one of my par can lights stops responding to the DMX signal, and stays at whatever scene it was on when I turned on the other lights. (and it isn't always the same light that stops responding, but it only one light!)

It is a crazy problem that I can't figure out and am looking for anyone's advice who knows about DMX.

I have tried re-routing power cables so they aren't intertwined with the DMX cable going to the lights, and even moved the switch panel further away from the DMX controller in the rack, nothing seems to work! :sqmad:

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? All info is much appreciated! :sqbiggrin:
 
Try using the switch panel on a different AC circuit. :)
 
Esoteric said:
I don't have enough information. Non-DMX LEDs? How does that work? What DMX controller are you using? How long are your runs?

Mike
Click to expand...

My apologies!

On one T-bar tripod I have 8 Chauvet LED-Rain38 par cans, all controlled by a Chauvet DMX-40B controller.

On the other T-bar tripod (which is always at the opposite end of my setup as the par can tri-pod) I have two LX5 LED lights, one LX10 LED scanner, and and E-112C Starsphere light. (none of these lights are DMX, only automatic or sound program)

Nomally my DMX lighting tree is no more than 15 - 20' away from the controller.
 
qdupsoundz said:
Meaning power the switch panel with a separate circuit than everything else?

(that question sounds dumb, (even to me! LOL) but I want to make sure I understand!) :sqbiggrin:
Click to expand...

I think what he might be eluding to is that when you run too many things off of one circuit you run the risk of two things.... 1. blowing the circuit (which you haven't done yet) or 2. A power drop significant enough to shut off a light or two on the circuit usually the one furthest from the power source in the chain.

That's just a guess on my part.... but I have experienced sever power drops on extremly long power cord runs with basic 20amp service.

I don't think this is a DMX issue... more of a power issue. I could be wrong however.
 
jokerswild said:
I think what he might be eluding to is that when you run too many things off of one circuit you run the risk of two things.... 1. blowing the circuit (which you haven't done yet) or 2. A power drop significant enough to shut off a light or two on the circuit usually the one furthest from the power source in the chain.

That's just a guess on my part.... but I have experienced sever power drops on extremly long power cord runs with basic 20amp service.

I don't think this is a DMX issue... more of a power issue. I could be wrong however.
Click to expand...

Rob, thanks for the explanation. Although if this is true it really defeats my purpose of trying to buy an entire system to run on one 15amp circuit! LOL :sqerr:
 
qdupsoundz said:
Rob, thanks for the explanation. Although if this is true it really defeats my purpose of trying to buy an entire system to run on one 15amp circuit! LOL :sqerr:
Click to expand...

D'oh! That's true...

But let me put it this way..... I had a staple gun on a 50' extention from a 20amp service point and tried to put another 50' on it in order to reach the end of the hotel I was working in and there wasn't enough juice to drive a staple through butter.
 
jokerswild said:
D'oh! That's true...

But let me put it this way..... I had a staple gun on a 50' extention from a 20amp service point and tried to put another 50' on it in order to reach the end of the hotel I was working in and there wasn't enough juice to drive a staple through butter.
Click to expand...

That is CRAZY!!! What gauge extension cord???
 
If it end up not being power related try a DMX terminator plug on the last DMX par can.
 
So when you hit a cue on your Chauvet controller your DMX lights do funky things? Is anything plugged in together that shouldn't be? What other controller are you using for the DMX units?

Mike
 
Esoteric said:
So when you hit a cue on your Chauvet controller your DMX lights do funky things? Is anything plugged in together that shouldn't be? What other controller are you using for the DMX units?

Mike
Click to expand...

This is maybe hard for me to explain........... :sqerr:

My Par can lights are the only thing run off the DMX controller. They aren't plugged into the 8-switch power distro. in my rack, the power cord I run to them just gets plugged into a power strip on the floor, they are always on. (I use the controller to blackout if I need them off)

Normally when I am playing fast music I have the controller set to run the chases in music trigger mode. (for the DMX lights)

When I flip a switch on my 8-switch power distro to turn on one of the other lights (ie. the LX5's or the LX10's), then one of my par cans will stick on whatever scene it was on, and won't respond to the DMX signal any longer..

Does that clarify what I am asking? Hell, even I'm confused! LOL
 
I suspect that the manually switched load is somehow interfering with the DMX driver. This is why I suggest running them on separate branch circuits to see if it makes a difference. Don't connect them to the same AC outlet.
 
Fred Stewart said:
I suspect that the manually switched load is somehow interfering with the DMX driver. This is why I suggest running them on separate branch circuits to see if it makes a difference. Don't connect them to the same AC outlet.
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Thanks, Fred! I am definitely going to try this next time to see if it makes a difference! (as long as there is another circuit close I suppose! it is hard to come by one reliable circuit half the time, much less two! LOL) :sqwink:
 
Are you using a ground lift plug/adapter ??? I've seen some weird stuff with them. Does this happen when the LED non DMX lights are turned on or just the Starsphere?
 
DJ SVO said:
Are you using a ground lift plug/adapter ??? I've seen some weird stuff with them. Does this happen when the LED non DMX lights are turned on or just the Starsphere?
Click to expand...

Ummmmmm, ok another question: what is a ground lift plug/adapter?? I would suspect since I don't know what it is, that I am maybe not using one?!? :sqerr:

I do believe it happens when anything is turned on from that switch panel, although I am not 100% sure, I know it at least happens every time I turn on one of the non-DMX lights..... Never paid attention I guess when I use the Starsphere, because I always blackout the DMX lights when it is on......
 
http://www.filmtools.com/grliadco41.html

I would check the lights at home plug them into the same circuit and see what happens. If the par malfunctions, then try plugging the other lights into another plug from a different circuit using an extension chord if necessary.
 
So you have some non-DMX DJ lights plugged into the same circuit as your LED PARs and so to kill your DJ lights you have to turn off the switch and to bring them up you have to turn them on? This is when you get the error on the LEDs?

If this is the case I would try separating their circuits first. LEDs don't like being physically dimmed or turned off and on constantly. There might be a power disruption when you turn on the DJ lights that the LEDs don't like.

See if that works first. Occams Razor.

Mike
 
DJ SVO said:
http://www.filmtools.com/grliadco41.html

I would check the lights at home plug them into the same circuit and see what happens. If the par malfunctions, then try plugging the other lights into another plug from a different circuit using an extension chord if necessary.
Click to expand...

OH! Now I know what you were talking about, I always called that adapter a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter! LOL (maybe I should become a bit more educated in my speaking terms! :sqbiggrin:)

Thank you for the suggestions, sir, I shall try them soon and see if splitting up the circuits works! :sqbiggrin:
 
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