I have 6 design spot 250 hybrids and i am having a few problems with them:

on 2 of them: the screen dont come on and they dont respond

the other 2:the color wheel wont stop spinning

the last 2: work fine for about 20 min then reset over and over and over and stop about 20 min later!

i need help!! i need the lights by the 18th!!! what can i do??

you should call tech support.

Gabe,
it could be a couple different things causing these problems. If you feel comfortable enough to open up your fixture you can go ahead and check the fixture and maybe help us troublshoot. I'd suggest calling our customer support dept and contacting Ramiro for instance or one of our other support agents for assistance. You can contact Elation Support at 866.245.6726 (8AM - 4:30PM PST) We'll be more than happy to assist you.

Welcome back RC!!!

Are you using a DMX terminator? Wacky things happen if you don't. Are you using DMX or mic cable. Mic cable can sometimes do weird stuff, DMX isn't rated for use with mic cables.

im definently disagreeing with you.. every lighting system ive installed we have used very cheap install mic cable usually no more than 100 ft though.. and it works great.. even without terminating! ive never had an issue

i agree mic cable can be used and have it work ok but why take that chance and then have to go out and buy new cables. using DMX cables the first time just eliminates the possibility is all we are saying. sincerely,

And I have to disagree. I have used as little as 10' XLR and had problems. I even tried different XLRs with still no success. When it was replaced with 110 ohm cable, it was just fine. Mic cable seems to pick up on interference more then regular 110 ohm DMX.

The thing people fall to realize is since DMX was never expanded to use the two extra pins in 5 pin, the DJ world said let's use 3 pins instead of 5. The reasoning, save money on cable. And while 3 pin works, it is not DMX 512A standard. The standard is 5 pin, 5 wire, 110 ohm per cable. This insures that it will work up to lengths of 1000' feet with out interference issues as long as you terminate.

I would agree and disagree..
Mic cables do work..I've seen them work, and I even had a customer try and tell me that he's been using Mic cables all his life and they work fine.

Yet, I have been to many of installs where the problem lies in the cable. And while mic cable may work, Is it worth the problems.

I've also known installs that get done with Mic cable and initially they work fine.. but after some time they begin to start giving lighting problems.

A true light guy will avoid mic cables at any expense to leave his customer with a solid lighting install.

I only recommend Mic cables in the extreme emergency, where you don't have any more DMX cable and the show must go on.. then do what you have to.

But I see using Mic cable for lighting like using a wire hanger for an Antenna.. does it work?

Best regards,

I would just like to add that all my design 36 LED units came complete with a Mic cable to use for a DMX so it seems that the manufacture would indorse mic line as well. Odd

I don't think so.. the cables that come with DLED 36 and design spots are digital cables. But I just don't like them.
They're free bee cables and do work. But they are not mic cables.

quote:

Yet, I have been to many of installs where the problem lies in the cable. And while mic cable may work, Is it worth the problems.

All my DLED's came with DMX cable. To a novice they may look like a mic cable but they are indeed a DMX.

and I agree- these are CHEAP CHEAP DMX cables that ship with the lights..
one or two spirited tugs and the connectors pull right off.

I order a spool of DMX wire and a case of switchcraft ends for each install.

I guess I was just going by the label that say that they are Newtech audio/video HI-FI cable, and does not mention digital,(unless hifi is the new digital) Rs485, DMX, AWG,or even ohm rating. I will now gladly retract my statement about them being mic cable as it is now clear that they are not Mic cable and are audio/video hifi cable.

Instead of technicalities lets just call them cheap DMX cables that may or may not give you problems for real production events or installations where your company reputation is on the line, or when you are having DMX connection problems.