Support Forum

Im new at posting here. I have a quick question about a Big Dipper k-200, 40mw green laser. Its 7 Channel and when I hook it up to my manual controller everything works. When I hook it up to Freestyler using the Enttec Open interface, it sends the wrong address. Out of 7 channels only three get sent, and they are in the wrong spot. The other channels appear to be empty. I have multiple other fixtures. I wrote fixture files for all of them, and everything is working great, except for the laser. I have looked everywhere on the internet and cant seem to find whats wrong. Any help would be hugely appreciated.

Please guys. I really need help here. If I got the enttec pro do you think it would solve the problem? how bout a terminator? I have one coming. Does it have something to do with 16 or 8 bit? I dont know anyone that runs Dmx and i have taught myself everything up until this point. I really need some help on this one. Is the laser just junk because its Chinese and a little old?

Some cheap Chinese fixtures have crap DMX modules and don't respond we'll to the signal from some dongles. They often only work reasonably well if the start address is one. Try adjusting the DMX output of the Enttec via the FS set up window (where you select the type if interface).

Hey thanks for replying. Im out working on an oil rig right now but I think I tried that. Its the output refresh rate right? I tried it on 1, 25, 50, and 100. Still no luck. I ran Freestyler with just the one laser hooked up to the first start address and it still didnt work. Do you think if I got a better dongle it might solve the problem? I would sure like to spend the money on more lighting but if I have too ill upgrade the interface first. Its just quite a bit of money to spend on a maybe. Im really on my last legs here. I think iv read every post on this site and google trying to figure out the problem, and I just cant seem to figure it out.

My gut feeling is that it isnt the dongle. But...having said that, having a second dongle is always a good idea as I've had a Enttec pro fail on me just before a show. Having a spare (the open) would have made my life a lot more easier.

Before you do anything, just check to make sure the fixture profile is correct. Easiest way to do that is to use another 7 channel profile (like the DL-55). The channel allocations will not match but its a quick and easy experiment to eliminate the fixture profile as a factor.

Other than that, you could always just run the laser off your manual controller with everything else on FS.

Again thanks. Thats a good idea using another 7 channel profile to check. Ill definitely try that as soon as I get home. I really wanted to use them with FS and wright sequences using everything I had. Im so close and its really exciting. Ill keep you posted as to how it turns out. Might just have to get a couple new lasers. Been looking at some RGB full spectrum's.

Another user has had a similar problem. The issue was resolved by reinstalling the drivers for the dmx dongle using the manufacturers drivers instead if windows generic ones.

Ill try that as well. I think I might of downloaded the manufactures drivers but maybe I didn't install them right. Ill try it again. Might be a while before I get home again but ill post an update as soon as I can.

I tried using the DL-55 preset and got the same thing. I tried re installing the FTDI driver and still have bad control. I dont know what else to do here. its real frustrating.

It sounds like the laser is the problem. Do you have any other intelligent (ie DMX controlled) fixtures and how are they currently responding?

I have five other fixtures (I wrote fixture files for all of them) and everything else is running great. I ordered a DMXKing Ultra dmx micro so ill see if switching out the dongle works. I really dont know what else to do other then to buy new lasers. I really wish I could get these working though. I wanna move on to writing sequences and playing with the new android app.

if everything else is running great but the lasers aren't then the laser sound like they need binning or it could be the cable you are using! Damaged cables produce erratic behavior...