Very Basic question

[BillDavidson]

OK, I'm on deadline here. Help GREATLY appreciated!

I have inherited a bunch of VERY BASIC dimmer modules in a small theater. They are analog or DMX, and I want to convert to DMX. I'm having a heck of a time configuring this very simple system. I want to create 1 device of 4 channels, then be able to address them individually. These are very simple dimmer packs designed to handle 2.4KW/channel.

Each dimmer has 4 Stagepin channels with 2 plugs each (10kw or so total each pack). Base address set via switches. I know how to do this, and have 1 pack limping along, I have about 20 of the silly things. I need to make a 4 port dimmer for each one (all the same with different names & base addresses), then configure base plus 3 (4 total) ports. I can't seem to get to this model. Am I really talking about 4 individual instruments for each unit in FreeStyler terms, or 1 instrument with 4 totally independent ports??????

I can't seem to create a simple fixture that has 4 independent dimmers that I can assign name & to the DMX400 ap. No concept of pan, tilt, etc. with these - We pan & tilt the fixtures with wrenches & leather gloves. No rotating gel wheels - we get out knives & real honest to goodness gels. I MUST be missing something very simple. If it helps, the dimmers are 4 addresses (base, +1, +2 and +3) rated at 2.4kw/channel (max), and the channels are unrelated in their use. I think what I'm missing is: is this each an instance of this as 1 fixture or 4? (When all running, do I have 20x4 = 80 fixtures or 20 fixtures with 4 ports each?)

-Bill

[horstefan]

i guess setting up the dimmers shouldnt be a problem...
if a dimmer has 4 channels, you set the first one to address 1,, the next one to address 5 etc... (this is the start address)
the dip switches are valued like this...

dip1 = 1
dip2 = 2
dip3 = 4
dip4 = 8
dip5 = 16
dip6 = 32

soo channel 1 would be on, off, off, off, off etc (1)
channel 5 would be on, off, on, off, off, etc (1 + 4)

now in freestyler, dont try to add a dimmerpack, add the channels as par lamps.. (under the par64 category)
this will allow the use in dmx400

[BillDavidson]

I understand addressing. The Freestyler SW won't let me assign them to DMX400 channels - I'm sure I'm missing some basic step. DMX400 assignment attempt reports "no dimable channels" or something like that, and I can't see how to create a simple fixture with 4 dimmers.

I just downloaded someone's fixture file - might solve it. Still like to know how to do one from scratch.

-b

[BillDavidson]

More Info: I downloaded the "Generic" 4 channel file. Works just like mine.

When I try to assign it to the DMX400 I get "This fixture hasn't got an intensity channel and is not an RGB fixture." as an error message.

I'm trying to do something really simple here - HELP would be really appreciated!!!!! We open next week.

-Bill

[aquas]

DMX400 is only for the RGB par ou other equipment that is RGB, not for the tradicional PRA64.

cumpr

[lj_raph]

The DMX400 can be used for RGB fixtures and PAR fixtures.

The fixtures must have a configured intensity channel or RGB channels.

[dmxlighting]

You can also use the DMX400 to run shutter chases on scans, heads, etc hat have a shutter/dimmer that is assigned as 'intensity'.
Can be useful!

[aquas]

thanks...and i'm sorry... because happen to me the same! i said that because when i use RGB Par it works. If has " a intensity channel " works great!! thanks again.

cumpr

[dmxlighting]

I am assuming you cannot have multiple PAR Cans (differeing addresses) for each channel on the DMX400.
I tried to select muliple fixtures but it only used the one that was right clicked.
So does that mean the max of 12 channels (fixtures) for DMX400 ?

Andre

you are right, you can only have 12 individual fixtures (max). 1 per dmx400 channel, multiselect does not work.


Lee