I have the ultimate dilemma. In wanting to move to DMX, I have no known working devices to narrow the search. I built a new dongle and also a Freestyle. Programmed the pics, plugged everything together, created a test sequence in Vixen using all 512 channels and nothing happens. The green light on the dongle is lit solid and doesn't seem to blink at all even when running the StartPattern utility. I suspect that isn't right so I am starting here. Any help is appreciated.
Gene.
Gene,
If right now all you have is a dongle and a Freestyle, you're lacking a couple of things to make Blinky Flashy. The Freestyle is the master controller for SSRs (SSR4 base version or SSR4+DMX in SSR mode) which put the "AC switching" circuitry on a small remote unit that has it's own power cord and is connected by Cat5 Cables back to the Freestyle which has the "DMX and Controller" ciruitry on. This is in contrast to a Lynx Express where these two functions are on the same PCB. To test the Freestyle you would need to have a completed SSR or build a Freestyle Tester.
Here is a schematic sketch of what I'm talking about and some pics of a couple of the Freestyle testers I built on some protoboard.
Remember that on a Freestyle the controller switches the Ground side of the circuit so on the tester the Positive or Anode side of the LEDs are hooked together to Pin 7 of the RJ 45 Jack. To test you use a regular Cat 5 cable to connect the tester to each of the RJ-45 jacks on the Freestyle. You'll need to have a sequence with at least 128 channels and have it loop or use the DMX deck and just cycle up through the channels.
I also made one of the two LED "DMX Testers" mentioned above. Both testers have come in handy for me as I have 4 Freestyles with a mix of SSR4s and DCSSRs (different forum).
Hope this helps.
Alan T
Thanks for the reply. I omitted that part. Sorry. I do have those proven parts. I have SSRs that I used with a Grinch that, as I understand it, are supposed to work with the FS. I also have a test set of LEDs tied to an rj45 connector that I used to test the Grinch ports and none of those will light when testing either.
The SSRs are built from PCBs bought from WJOHN called SSROZ 2.5e several years ago and worked great with the Grinch. I will compare the circuit to what you showed to make sure it is switching the correct side. My understanding, or misunderstanding as may well be the case, is that the FS was designed to replace the Grinch and provide dimming while still using the SSRs.
My apologies as well. I didn't want to be too elementary but with all the buzz on LEs and Smart Strings the Freestyle and SSRs have taken a bit of a back seat role so I wasn't sure of your familiariity with them. Sounds like you have the SSR thing down.
You mentioned the SSR OZs. My DC SSRs are from wjohn as well. It is my understanding that the SSR OZs should work with a Freestyle. I believe RJ designed his SSR4 with that kind of compatibility in mind (I believe he was the designer of the Grinch). I hope you get it all working.
Alan T