Support Forum

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

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

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

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

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

cumpr

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

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

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!

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

Onge wrote: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