Fixture Behringer LD6230 Dimmer

[vinzalex]

Good evening all,

I have just received the LD6230 Dimmer and I would like to use it with FreeStyler
So, I made this fixture (you will find enclosed).

But I don't find how can I put 3 channel in dimmer (0 to 250) to control the intensity of "amber light" and 3 channel in switch ( 0 or 1) to control "Black Night"
I made just a dimmer pack with 6 dimmers. But is it possible to change 3 channel in switch or I need to create an other fixture ?

Thank you for your answer.

Best regards

Vincent

[LJ_krede.dk]

in fixture creator click file-->export and save the pff file (Packed Fixture File), an attach this to the topic in stead of a zip file.

Attach also the manual for the dimmer, then people can help you easier and quicker

[vinzalex]

Hi,

So find enclosed the LD6230.pff file and the manual for the dimmer.

Reminder, If it's possible, I would like to have :
1 to 3 in dimmer
4 to 6 in switch

But I don't know how can I have 3 channel in switch (0 or 1)

The site is : http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/LD6230.aspx

Thanks by advance.

Vincent

[LJ_krede.dk]

personally I never use a dimmer fixture in freestyler, and I know lots of people don't. They just add a par can fixture to the specific address.

if you want a fixture with macros you have to select "other" instead of "dimmer when you want to make a new fixture. in the macro fan you can specify macros that do what you want. for your purpose, you want a ON button and a OFF button with the values 0 and 255, right? you specify this in the macro fan and select some proper images. when you have saved the fixture file and select the fixture in freestyler, you can open the macro window and use the buttons.

the channels would still act like dimmers uf you slide the faders at the right, but now you have some buttons to select the values 0 and 255 instantly.

[remco_k]

I deleted the attachment (.zip) in your first post, please upload the exported fixture file only. (*.pff)

Hi,
Reminder, If it's possible, I would like to have :
1 to 3 in dimmer
4 to 6 in switch

The LD6230 is a (Triac) Dimmer, not a switch. Very big difference. So channels 1 to 6 are dimmers, always, regardless of how you configure FreeStyler or other (software) consoles.

However, you can make some "switch alike" functionality. But not by adapting the fixture file.
If you want channel 4 to 6 to act somewhat like a switch, just make a 1 step sequence in FreeStyler, setting the DMX value of that channel to 255 instantaniously, with "snap" and not "fade". You can then add that sequence (for example) to an override button, press that button and you'll see that the dimmer channel goes on at once, as if it is a switch.

But please keep in mind, There is a big technical difference between a dimmer and a real switch. Even when the dimmer is running 100% intensity.
NEVER connect a device to your dimmer output(s) that is not made to be dimmed. As the power output of dimmers is almost never a nice sine, even when they running at 100% intensity.

Some figures, source: http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/apr97/a ... ngery2.htm

This is how a power sine should look like, if dimmed "properly", or at full intensity (100%):

But, just about all DMX dimmers, like yours, is a Triac dimmer so this above sine is not what comes out of that.

This is what comes out (almost) all DMX dimmers. Becuase they are Triac dimmers wich actually don't dim, but just cut of a side of the sine:
100% intensity:

As you see, not a nice sine anymore.

50% intensity:

As you see again, there's not sine left, at all. But a normal light bulb, will burn about 50% intensity.

If you connect a device other than a normal light bulb to an triac dimmer output, even when it is running 100% intensity, you might injure it.

For the people here that are doing audio as well; notice the sharp edges, those edges make noise, A LOT of noise. These edges tend to disturb audio devices as well, thats where that annoying sound of (triac) dimmers is coming from...

[LJ_krede.dk]

The LD6230 is a (Triac) Dimmer, not a switch. Very big difference. So channels 1 to 6 are dimmers, always, regardless of how you configure FreeStyler or other (software) consoles.

you can configure the dimmer as a switch in the menu of the dimmer. does that have any effect on the output (100%)?

[dmxlighting]

you can configure the dimmer as a switch in the menu of the dimmer. does that have any effect on the output (100%)?

Most dimmer pack that allow a channel to be set as dim or switch will (when in switch state) need the dmx channel to reach a certain value (example it could be around 100) then the channel will open at maximum (100%) intensity. Is this what you mean ?

Also better quality dimmers (the more expensive ones) will have a much smoother dimming curve than shown in Remco's diagrams.
For example my Pulsar packs have a really smooth fade compared to cheap alteratives. (however I have never put a scope on the output to see it!)

[remco_k]

The LD6230 is a (Triac) Dimmer, not a switch. Very big difference. So channels 1 to 6 are dimmers, always, regardless of how you configure FreeStyler or other (software) consoles.

you can configure the dimmer as a switch in the menu of the dimmer. does that have any effect on the output (100%)?

I missed that part.
Both the manual and the site (and google) does not tell me that if the LD6230 is configured as switch, that it uses a relay to turn on the power, instead of an triac.
It might be (you should hear a click at the moment you turn on that channel), then there's nothing wrong with it and you can just switch on/off any electronical device.
It might not, then see my previous posting what happens.

For the fixture file it does not matter, you can't configure a DMX channel as switch mode but can name it as 'Switch 4', for example. In FreeStyler just use DMX value 0 for off and 255 for on. Thats the way it goes for all DMX equipment.

Also better quality dimmers (the more expensive ones) will have a much smoother dimming curve than shown in Remco's diagrams.
For example my Pulsar packs have a really smooth fade compared to cheap alteratives. (however I have never put a scope on the output to see it!)

That does not tell if the dimmer is a triac dimmer or not. In fact, you can't see it on anything from the outside, except by hooking up a scope to the output.
There is a simpler way, just listen to your dimmer carefully when it is loaded with some lights and all with intensity of about 50%.
If you hear it (how you say that in english?) crackle?? at 50 Hz (or 60 Hz, depends on your country), it is most likely (say 99,99%) a triac dimmer.
Because the crackle you hear, is the sharp cutted edge of the sine.
If it does not crackle, then it stil might be a (ultra silent) triac dimmer. So don't assume that without actually hooking up a scope to really see that the sine is kept intact and just lowered like the first figure in my post.

[vinzalex]

Good evening all,

Thank you for your answer,

So, Directly on my LD6230, I'm configuring :
1 to 3 : Dimmer
4 to 6 : Switch

But with my fixture, when I created it I could just do 6 dimmers.
Ok, I can change the names of the 3 last as Switch but when I have to use it, I see "6 dimmers" from 0 to 250 in FreeStyler

What I would like it's to have 3 Dimmers to use the "ambers lights" Sorry, I don't know the name in English It's like a Light on the floor for mood lighting
And 3 Switch (on or off) like 3 buttons to use black nights, a fan ...

I don't know if I can use a dimmer with black night ? I don't know if you see what I mean.

Thank you

Vincent

[LJ_krede.dk]

So, Directly on my LD6230, I'm configuring :
1 to 3 : Dimmer
4 to 6 : Switch

You cant do that!! either all channels are set to dimmer mode or all channels are set to switch mode.

you can use macros to make switch buttons as I said before:

if you want a fixture with macros you have to select "other" instead of "dimmer when you want to make a new fixture. in the macro fan you can specify macros that do what you want. for your purpose, you want a ON button and a OFF button with the values 0 and 255, right? you specify this in the macro fan and select some proper images. when you have saved the fixture file and select the fixture in freestyler, you can open the macro window and use the buttons.

LD6230 Dimmer.pff

[vinzalex]

Thanks a lot LJ_krede.dk

I tried with the profile : Parscan, Dimmer
That's why I couldn't find how to do it.

So now, I have to plug all system to my lights and then test them.

Thanks again.

Vincent