DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Aether => Topic started by: Trike on November 16, 2010,
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Hi, Finally got my first aether put together last night, I flashed the pic without a problem, verified it with the pickit2 and looks good.
When I plug it into the wall, I see a brief flash on all the LED's, the red light comes on. I have tried jumpering the MAN pins with a wire to verify the LED's work, but nothing came on. I've looked for shorts and bridges for about half an hour, and haven't found any yet.
I figured I try to configure the start address first. I have an enttec pro dmx dongle. All my other programs will talk to it (green light flashing). With the express utility, I made sure the comport is set correctly, I downloaded the light list, and just left the curves and everything else at default. I didn't change anything else. I hit program and it says transmitting. But the light on the dongle isn't flashing, no aether shows no data activity.
I have tried using the enttec tool to send data to the aether, the data LED comes on when this happens, but I don't know what the default channel is, so no blinky yet.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
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First are you using the Express utility, not the address utility?
Second you put the correct jumper to program as the silk is small and there is more than one?
Heres how I do it just be careful as it is hot with on a few spots that are clearly marked.
Turn the aether on
start the utility and start sending the data
open the glass front on the Aether
move the jumper and the leds will cycle throught the colors fast (like 1/2 a sec) and stop on white.
put the jumper back to operate and unplug the aether.
Close the glass door
shut the utility down.
plug the aether back in
You should be done. It never fails for me I have program this one on the bench a few hundred times since I built it.
RJ
Follow the RJ and he will not let you down.. ;)
Those are the programming directions for the Aether.
2nd when you change the jumper to PROG (top right jumper) do all the LEDs come on blue when you plug it in? (It does for me I programmed mine a little different than RJ, before these instructions came out but always follow RJ's instructions).
The brief flash of all white is normal and to me lets you know that all the channels are working since it takes all 3 LEDs to make that white.
I would program it listed above and after you hit transmit the LEDs will flash a couple of different colors let you know it took it.
Then try the DMX Test Deck with the channels you programmed and try it out and remember you have 4 channels to try, your start channel that your program is white and then red/green/blue.
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The LE Config Utility is only use to set the start address of the Aether. The steps are in the wiki
Normally RJ's controllers are default to start address 1
the Lynx Dongle is compatible with the enttec pro
I would try RJ's DMX Deck http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2742.0;attach=2704 to do a test of the leds
I don't have a Aether so I can't help with the other problems
Rick R.
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Yeah, those are the directions I followed. No luck. Since it appears the express utility isn't talking to the dongle correctly. The data led on the dongle flashes when there's data being sent out of it. I don't see that happening when I hit program.
And no... i'm not seeing the BLUE leds come on when I change it from Operate to Program. hrmm..
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Do you have a LE?
If so see if you can use the LE config program to set the address on the LE. I am guessing the LE and Aether are close in the way they get the start address
Rick R.
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No I don't, All I have is the Enttec Pro DMX, and a ethcon gateway.
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Ok,
Guess you will have to wait till RJ or Bill gets off work and help you out.
Sorry I can't do more
Rick R.
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Thanks Rick, No problem thanks for trying to help.
To me, it seems like the Enttec isn't handling the serial data that's coming out of express correctly. or something isn't configured right with the enttec. I've tried this on 3 different machines, 2 xp machines, and a win7 x64 machine. All same problem. Only reason I suspect the dongle is the Data led on the aether doesn't come on once I hit program, neither does the dongle itself. But if I send DMX data from another program, the data led's on both the dongle and aether comes on.
It's just weird, since they both use the FTDI chipset, it should work. maybe the firmware on the Enttec is slightly different?
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It may sound simple, but did you verify that all the programs are setup to use the same com port that the dongle is on.
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Yeah, I double checked that. In device manager, the usb serial port is COM3. This is verified with the Pro Utility that Enttec has. I set it to COM3 in Lynx.
In an XP VM, I can verify that data is being sent to the dongle. Once I hit program, the USB activity icon in the tray will light up. but the data lights on the dongle and aether doesn't.
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baah. I at least may have found out why it's not coming on with channel one and jumpering MAN.
With all the diode orientation discussion, it's getting confusing and or i'm just stupid (most likely stupid). I thought there was an error either with the silkscreen or what RJ had mentioned in the video. The sticky by castortiu mentions that the line is supposed to face the squared off side and shows a picture of it. I thought this was correct.
Then I somehow missed RJ's post right below saying it's the opposite.
I'll flip them when I get home, that should at least get it lighting with the default 1-4 channels and hopefully when jumpering MAN. I'll go from there. that may solve everything. Still odd that the dongle and aether doesn't register any data when using the lynx deck and lynx express config.
baah. I'm just frustrated at myself for screwing that up and made dumb assumptions, when I specifically spent time trying to make sure it was right. >:(
Ok i'm done beating myself up. I'll get the diodes switched around and report back.
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Before you change it. If you go to MickPat's post at http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=3676.0. He has a very clear picture of the diodes. When you enlarge it you can still see which way they go.
-Jeff
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Yes this was my mistake, in the video I misspoke even through I was doing it correct. I said right and I meant left. The line is to the side on the pcb printing that is not Squared off. Cas's english, as he says is his second language and forgetting this I did not answer him clear enough and made him misunderstand me.
RJ
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RJ, no biggy. I was just mad at myself for missing it.
I flipped the diodes and the initial flash on power on is brighter. Jumpering MAN still doesn't turn on the lights. Moving the jumper to PROG does turn all the LEDS to BLUE.
I still can't program the start address. If the start channel is 1 by default, I can't get it to respond at all on channel 1-4. The Data LED on the aether is on though, when i'm sending it data through enttecs simple channel control.
I've wiped the pic, did a blank check, re-flashed the pic and verified it. Still no luck.
I've re-seated the RS485 chip and verifying proper orientation.
Is something wrong with the aether itself, since jumpering MAN doesn't turn it on to full white?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks!
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No as it occured to me in the other thread the firmware I posted to fix the issue did not have the start address set or curves loaded. I will post one that does tommorrow night.
RJ
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Cool, Thanks RJ. hopefully it'll maybe let me change the start address. but if not, hopefully you can add it onto your bug list to take a look at later.
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Trike the manual switch bug doesnt effect the ability to change the start address. I was able to program my channels and then the manual switch works.
Have you tried both DMX in ports to see if one is not soldered properly (or bridged someplace).
I know mine is a little picky have you unplugged your dongle from the usb fire up the LE Utility 1.0 and then plug it in. Set the comport after a couple of seconds and then change the start address and hit transmit?
Just a couple thoughts I had as the new firmware will let you test the lights to white and give you a start channel of 1 to mess with, but I dont foresee it helping you with the programming aspect.
-JS
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Yeah, I've tried both DMX ports. They both act the same. I'll try firing up le first then plugging in the dongle.
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Trike the manual switch bug doesnt effect the ability to change the start address. I was able to program my channels and then the manual switch works.
Have you tried both DMX in ports to see if one is not soldered properly (or bridged someplace).
I know mine is a little picky have you unplugged your dongle from the usb fire up the LE Utility 1.0 and then plug it in. Set the comport after a couple of seconds and then change the start address and hit transmit?
Just a couple thoughts I had as the new firmware will let you test the lights to white and give you a start channel of 1 to mess with, but I dont foresee it helping you with the programming aspect.
-JS
In the pass when there was no default start address (1) in the firmware it was very difficult to set one. So a updated firmware might help Trike's problem. I am not sure if Trike has a software or hardware issue but it will work.
Cheers
Rick R.
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Yeah, I'm not totally sure if it's a hardware issue with the aether.
But I think there's a software issue with the lynx programs talking to the enttec dongle. The lynx deck and LE config doesn't show any data activity on the dongle when using it. All my other DMX programs works. freestyler, vixen, showcad, and the enttec pro utility.
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Just tried the new firmware. The default start channels 1-4 are working for me. <la.. I haven't tried jumpering MAN yet, but sounds like it'll work now. However, the LE config or lynx deck still doesn't work for me. I'm still unable to program the start channel. Pretty sure it's a software issue talking to the enttec now.
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Just tried the new firmware. The default start channels 1-4 are working for me. <la.. I haven't tried jumpering MAN yet, but sounds like it'll work now. However, the LE config or lynx deck still doesn't work for me. I'm still unable to program the start channel. Pretty sure it's a software issue talking to the enttec now.
At least you know it works :D. That was a great feeling on mine also and then the overwhelming blindness set in with those nice color dots in my eyes when I turned it off happened. 20 minutes later I was able to see again.
I cant help with the entec to DMX deck, but where are you located at? Might see if another user lives near you to help you program them so you can atleast get them up and running for this years show.
-JS
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Are you sure it is a Enttec Pro and not one of there other units?
Do you have the Virtual com port driver loaded or are you using only the D2xx drivers.
Does a com port show up for it and have you set the comport in the setting on the utilities so they find it?
The Enttec pro protocol is what the Lynx dongle uses so anything that the Lynx works with should work with the Enttec "PRO" as long as it is using the Virtual com port.
In fact the posts about my dongle being a clone of the Enttec are in fact completely incorrect since not one part of the Lynx dongle is inside a Enttec. The only thing simular is what they are expecting from the computer on the com port and what they send out and that was just to save the software guys from having to make new plugins for the Lynx Dongle.
RJ
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Yup, I'm 100% sure it's an Enttec pro (http://enttec.com/index.php?main_menu=Products&pn=70304&show=description&name=dmxusbpro (http://enttec.com/index.php?main_menu=Products&pn=70304&show=description&name=dmxusbpro))
I have their latest firmware on it (1.44).
I have the current FTDI drivers loaded and use the Virtual Com Port that it creates.
In the Lynx programs, they all show the com port that the Enttec is on. I select that and update it. But the data activity indicators don't light up when using it. All the other programs I use, I do the same. I select the Com Port and off I go. I can control the Aether on the default start address no problem with all the other programs I've tried so far.
Anyone else here have a Enttec Pro they can try the Lynx programs with?
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I dont but check your private messages.
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When I can I will dig out my old one (Enttec Pro) and test it. It's hard right now because I am trying to have a show also this year and I am so late starting I am sequencing at this point.
It is hard this time of year cause this is when some people test their stuff and need help.
RJ
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I just tried my true Enttec Pro. If using vixen everything works as expected. When using LE config utility or the DMX Deck get no response on known working Aether or lynx Express. I also tried it going Enttec Pro to wireless still vixen fine, no response with LE config utility or the DMX Deck. Switch only the Enttec Pro to a lynx dongle all worked fine.
-Jeff
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Ok thanks that is helpful. I will look into it when I can. I am sorry this is just being found so late. I can program my aether to the channels you need and send the exported firmware to you so you can load them and use them since vixen does work with the Enttec if that helps.
RJ
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I can program my aether to the channels you need and send the exported firmware to you so you can load them and use them since vixen does work with the Enttec if that helps.
RJ
LOL that was what I PM'd him with, thinking along the same lines. RJ I know you are busy with the new toys and im doing set up now. I can take this and do them for him if he wants them to make it easier on you so you can go back to mega tree heck ;D.
-JS
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I can program my aether to the channels you need and send the exported firmware to you so you can load them and use them since vixen does work with the Enttec if that helps.
RJ
LOL that was what I PM'd him with, thinking along the same lines. RJ I know you are busy with the new toys and im doing set up now. I can take this and do them for him if he wants them to make it easier on you so you can go back to mega tree heck ;D.
-JS
Great!
As long as he gets what he needs. I do not think I have time to look at the Enttec issue in time for him. But we will fix it once I get my show up.
RJ