DMX signal issues Vision scans & SD3

Well, bypassing the snake was a good thing. You should use DMX cabling all the way through. The terminator is nice though. At least you're trying to make the right efforts.

How long did you test before bolting them to the wall? Are they on the same circuit? I'm sorry, I don't know the fixture draw so I can't say if you're drawing too much or too little power. It definately isn't a DMX polarity issue.

Does this show up right away? After a while? Do these lights have adequate ventilation?

Start with 1 fixture using DMX cable only.

There's still multiple things that could be going on. Couple be the console, could be power, could be your cabling, could be something on the power line inducing noise into it. Start with 1 fixture at a time. Add until you narrow it down. When you find it, change your orders around a bit and see what happens.

gfuller,

check the default settings.. for example.
these lights have a setting that when they lose DMX signal they go into sound active mode.
I hate that mode, because if you are using Mic cable it will tend to send signal back to other fixtures and....... bad stuff.

set all fixtures not to go to stand alone. I forget how but there is a way that when they lose signal.. they just don't do anything. that's how you want to set them.

Sounds like a good reason to stock up on some durable Accucable DMX cable!

Well,
I isolated the bad Unit....
The problem was that I had multiple issues at once,making it tough to figure out....

1) The SD3 does not seem to send enough DMX signal to make it thru the snake, canbles etc,
when I switched to a SD1 ,half the issues with signal went away.Shouldn't the SD3 have enough juice?
I would like to be able to use it, should I get a DMX amplifier of some type?

2) Using a DMX splitter I was able to change polarity 250's one way, 575s another....isn't it unusual for them
Not to all be the same?

3) My biggest problem, One of the 575s does have some type of issue, It wont recognize DMX, although I got it to stop blinking,
it really wasn't reponding...I tried multple cables and Terminator,direct into 3 consoles....What could that be?
I hate to ship it back and forth from NY....any options?

Thanks

GARY

1: You shouldn't be sending your DMX down an audio snake. DMX should be on a DMX line. Runnng DMX down an audio cable run is part of what's contributing to your problem.

2: What do you mean? Were have the 250's incorrect and half the 575's also incorrect? It's not unheard of for all fixtures of a certain type ot be reversed.

As far as not enough "signal strength", again, please try DMX cable. Also, I recommend all users have an OptoBranch/4 or a MultiBranch/4 splitter/distro/isolator. This will also amplify up weak signals(say, from the MyDMX hardware) to a more robust signal strength, thus helping with reliability.

Divide and conquer. Only way to do it. Congratulations, but too bad you did find a problem still. At least it's found now.

All my core wiring for my live production rig is based on 200-feet. My main DMX reel is 200-feet long of AccuCable. My Cat5's that connect my Aviom system together(and a spare) are 200' as well. My main 56-pair whip is also 200-feet long. My DMX is front ended at the FOH end with MyDMX(soon to be an SD+ interface full time) and then into the Elation OptoBranch/4 before being sent to the stage and the various other split locations. I might get a second OptoBranch/4 unit, I really like these a lot!

Thanks for the help ,I agree with your comments. I guess running Mic cable thru DMX over the past 10 years with and without Audio Snake....with Little or no issues has mis-led me dispite all I have read to support your comments.It's Time! However, the one unit seems to have issues regardless....Even tried Good DMX cable direct....No dice...I'll work on that while waiting for cable & a better Splitter to come in....I have had an Opti-branch in the past which I loved.....time for another.....Johns suggestion about turning off Audio mode (If its on) may help a ton as well...Thanks again...GF