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Lights go from bright to dim multiple times when fading

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e-bum
Knows how to turn Lights ON
Posts: 2
Joined: 29 Sep 2010, 13:57
FreeStyler Version: 3.3.2
I Use FreeStyler for: Stage Show

Lights go from bright to dim multiple times when fading

Post by e-bum »

My PAR cans get brighter as you fade up until around 127, then they dim down some and go bright and repeat that a few times before 255 is reached on the fader. EXAMPLE - If I program a smooth fade from 0-255 the light slowly gets brighter until 127 then it almost does a slow strobe up to 255 but it never turn off, just dims about half way.
I'm guessing there is a setting somewhere to adjust the DMX output so the dimmer doesn't keep dimming back down. I've searched on here and tried adjusting the refresh rate but nothing has worked so far. I need to use these lights this weekend so I was hoping someone here could help me out.

I'm new to freestyler and have mostly been working with the visualizer. I didn't have access to the actual lights until this week and now that it's crunch time I'm running into issues.

I'm using Elation dimmer packs (don't remember the model - just a standard 4 channel dimmer) with standard par cans (38, 56, 64). Output is via an Enttec USB PRO current setting: 40 - 9 - 1 I'm also running a few Venue LED Par64, these seem to work without issue.


Mavi
LJ
Posts: 267
Joined: 30 Mar 2010, 01:19
FreeStyler Version: 3.2.8
I Use FreeStyler for: Just for the Fun of it.

Re: Lights go from bright to dim multiple times when fading

Post by Mavi »

Knowing wich dimmer exaclty you use could be helpfull. Sometimes you can adjust values in the dimmerpacks wich override the dmx input. For example at our dimmerbars there is a "pre heat" set up so every par can will light up at 1% even if DMX value is 0. Perhaps there is a setting in your dimmer pack wich only dimmes on values 0 to 127 and then supports some special features with values above?
I know, my english is not the best. If you have any problem to understand you are welcome to give me englisch lessons
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dmxlighting
FS is my life
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Re: Lights go from bright to dim multiple times when fading

Post by dmxlighting »

At first I thought you had this problem with LED cans but I see that you are usings packs.
As Mavi says its probably the packs that are causing this. I use packs sometimes and have never had a problem like this so I can see no reason why FS would be the problem.
I have looked for a manual, is this what you have?
dp-dmx-20-l.pdf
I can't see an obvious thing that needs to be done, just make sure that the channels are setup as dim and not switch. This is probably not the answer but worth a try.
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e-bum
Knows how to turn Lights ON
Posts: 2
Joined: 29 Sep 2010, 13:57
FreeStyler Version: 3.3.2
I Use FreeStyler for: Stage Show

Re: Lights go from bright to dim multiple times when fading

Post by e-bum »

I grabbed the dimmer pack to check the model. It is an Elation DP-DMX4B. According to the manual it should extend the full 512 channels via the settings on the 10 dip switches. Doesn't say anything about any special features. Works correctly using my controller (Elation DMX Operator). The lights respond to the correct channels but do the weird dimming around 127 on the fader.

I got the dimmer pack during my lunch break and I've hooked it up here at work. It seems to work just fine here but last night on a different computer it was doing the screwy stuff. At home it runs on XP and I have Windows 7 at work. All drivers and software are the same and up to date.

Any other thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. If any other information would be helpful, let me know.

Thanks!
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