DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx MR16 / 16 CH DC Controller => Topic started by: occhristmas on August 15, 2009,
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Ok - I have read all of the posts related to the MR-16 Controller and I still cannot get my MR16 Controller to work with my LOR IDMX. I have checked all of the solder points, I have rechecked that my pic is programmed, the cat5 cable works perfectly with other DMX equipment, and I have a constant 12VDC power source. I have hooked up 6 of wirekat's MR16 to ground 1 through 6 with a common positive wire. When I fire up the power all 6 lights come on - and stay on. In general, what is supposed to happen when an MR16 controller works and is powered up? Am I missing something totally obvious? I was hoping to use the IDMX to power my MR16s with the MR16 controller to free up my other DC boards since the MR16s are channel hogs if you want individual control. Any help is appreciated, please assume that I am a novice at DIY and electronics.
So, my questions:
1. Does the MR16 controller even work with the IDMX from LOR?
2. Do I have to use vixen to give an address to the MR16 controller?
3. Do I need to modify a cable to work from the IDMX to the MR16 controller?
4. Is there any way to test the functionality of the board?
Thanks.
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Greetings,,,
Have you tried switching the two non-ground pins for the cable from Lor's dmx to the dmx input of the MR16?
Keith
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So, would I change both ends of the wire? And if this isn't the last in the universe, would I need to then change the wiring from the mr16 to other dmx units? Specifically, I am building some lynx express units - how would I wire for those? I will update after performing the suggested wire fix from the idmx. So, if this works I will have to start labelling my cat 5e wires huh?
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hi occhristmas,
This page might help
http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Light-O-Rama_Controllers
Rick R.
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Couple of basic questions to focus on the problem. Did you get the Pic on the MR16 programmed for you by someone or did you buy a programmer and do it yourself?
When you say you are using a cable that works with other DMX devices the wiring on the MR16 is cat5 jack so where did you get the dmx to cat5 cable?
can you post some pics of both sides of the pcb to look at?
These will get us started for you.
Yes the MR16 should work with the IDMX but I have not seen one used with it yet.
RJ
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Couple of basic questions to focus on the problem. Did you get the Pic on the MR16 programmed for you by someone or did you buy a programmer and do it yourself?
When you say you are using a cable that works with other DMX devices the wiring on the MR16 is cat5 jack so where did you get the dmx to cat5 cable?
can you post some pics of both sides of the pcb to look at?
These will get us started for you.
Yes the MR16 should work with the IDMX but I have not seen one used with it yet.
RJ
I have a known working MR16 board and have LOR and a IDMX. I will connect them and advise. I really don't see why it won't work. Check your cable wiring from 3-pin on IDMX to RJ45 to MR16
KEN
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Don't forget also that you will need a crossover cable from IDMX to DMX and yes when it isn't crossed over correctly the lights will stay on .... SMILE ... from experience ...
Check out the wiki for the correct pinouts http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Light-O-Rama_Controllers
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For IDMX to lynx the XLR connector needs to be wired like this
http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Image:DLA-RJ45-wiring.jpg
The Idmx out for the dmx is wired standard dmx.
RJ
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Ok - I am hoping that I missing something really simple. I have attached photos of the controller and screenshots of the pickit. I have tried all of the suggestions to no avail...and I am going to bed before I drive myself nuts! Thanks so much for your help....I will hopefully find conclusion to this tomorrow when my mind is clearer!
To answer questions so far -
I have a microchip controller with a sure electronics attachment - I am pretty confident that the chip is prgrammed correctly even if I did it myself...but please look it over and tell me that it is totally wrong and that you know how to fix it!!!
As far as cabeling - I was using a modified XLR to RJ45 cable to run a chauvet colorsplash from the IDMX. I had the orange and orange white and brown/brownwhite connected to the 3 prongs on DMX male that plugs into the IDMX dmx out (it looks a mess, but works) which ran to the DMX device where the RJ45 plugs into an adapter I bought (http://www.bmisupply.com/pdf/BMI.cpoint.XLRJ45.pdf (http://www.bmisupply.com/pdf/BMI.cpoint.XLRJ45.pdf)) called an XLRJ45.
So, I am guessing that the adapter was adapting something that I am not accounting for...as I am writing this, I am coming up with new ideas - and unfortunately, all of the tests that I have run need to be rerun.
I think that I have really been confusing myself with the dongle wiring posts - I keep reminding myself that I need to block the dongle out of the picture.
I tried the crossover from the IDMX to the Lynx Mr16 - didn't work for me (but now that I realized that the adapter to my Chauvet might be doing something, I will have to retry this)
Again, thanks for all of your help...snd, I really hope that someone will benefit from our efforts!!!) We will make this work...at this point, brain fried...
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I didn't see it mention but I could of missed it
Did you program the MR16 with a start address?
In the MR16 picture I don't see any cat5 going to it
Rick R.
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a quick thought, could the pin out for the XLRJ45 be Different then the pin out posted on the Wiki?
emoser
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Could you get a high resolution picture for the front and back of the pcb? I tried to zoom in enough to look for issues for you but it is too pixelated to get in close enough.
I can tell you what to start looking for as these are the number one issues on the builds we see time and time again.
1 - is the clock module in correct? the black dot on the shiney silver square should be as close to the white dot on the pcb as it can get.
2 - check each chip to make sure it is facing the correct way. On this pcb the chips do not face all the same way. the notch or dot on the chip should be on the same end the half round notch on the silk screen printing is on the pcb.
3 - Missed or poor solder joints on the back. We all miss one or have one that can be better from time to time and this can get you.
If all this is good, and good pictures will let us look for you as the same person misses the same mistake over and over again but a new person catches it right away, then we look at power to make sure we have good 12volts in the correct direction and 5 volts on the boards correct.
If all that is good then we look at th DMX cables that you are looking at. I base this plan on that you have other DMX stuff working on the idmx device with the same cable so it is the end of the list in my mind since the MR16 is the untested part and I would work the other direction.
RJ
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As far as cabeling - I was using a modified XLR to RJ45 cable to run a chauvet colorsplash from the IDMX. I had the orange and orange white and brown/brownwhite connected to the 3 prongs on DMX male that plugs into the IDMX dmx out (it looks a mess, but works) which ran to the DMX device where the RJ45 plugs into an adapter I bought (http://www.bmisupply.com/pdf/BMI.cpoint.XLRJ45.pdf (http://www.bmisupply.com/pdf/BMI.cpoint.XLRJ45.pdf)) called an XLRJ45.
So, I am guessing that the adapter was adapting something that I am not accounting for...as I am writing this, I am coming up with new ideas - and unfortunately, all of the tests that I have run need to be rerun.
The LOR should be using the blue pair (4/5), but the MR16 wants data on the orange pair (1/2). Try making a crossover cable to cross 4/5 with 2/1. I also crossed over the brown pair even though the MR16 does not use it. I made my crossover this way so it can be used with either a LOR or Lynx source.
| LOR iDMX | | MR16 |
| WH/OR (1) | | WH/Blue (5) |
| Orange (2) | | Blue (4) |
| Blue (4) | | WH/OR (1) |
| WH/Blue (5) | | Orange (2) |
|
| Brown 8 | | Brown/White (7) |
| Brown/White (7) | | Brown 8 |
http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Image:Lynx_to_LOR_converter.jpg (http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Image:Lynx_to_LOR_converter.jpg)
Check page 2 of the DMX-DOC.pdf on the LOR site at http://www.lightorama.com/Documents/DMX-DOC.pdf (http://www.lightorama.com/Documents/DMX-DOC.pdf) to see what I am talking about.
http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Light-O-Rama_Controllers (http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Light-O-Rama_Controllers)
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Guys, I think there is some confusion here. He is not trying to hook a LOR controller to a Lynx as we do all the time. He is hooking a IDMX output to a MR16. The IDMX is a standard DMX pin out unlike the LOR controllers that are on different pairs. a cable working to hook a IDMX to other non LOR devices would be the same as all of the LYNX stuff is pin compatable with the DMX standard.
The Adapter he is using to adapt from the IDMX XLR to connect to the RJ45 should be correct and require no other adaption just a striaght through network patch cable.
I have a couple of the adapters coming from a company to test myself so can't swear it is correct but since we use the DMX standard it should be.
RJ
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But, the IDMX with the LOR DMX-RJ45 adapter is using pins 4,5,6 by default. Wouldn't you still need to get the data to pins 1,2 to talk to Lynx stuff?
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But, the IDMX with the LOR DMX-RJ45 adapter is using pins 4,5,6 by default. Wouldn't you still need to get the data to pins 1,2 to talk to Lynx stuff?
Ok so you are saying he is using a LOR adapter not a regular adapter? then yes this is a issue. I thought he was using a regulare adapter as he said he is running other than LOR equipment on it OK. OCC are we understand you on the adapter? is it one to run LOR controllers off of a IDMX or is it a standard DMX adapter for other devices. This would make a difference. In the end you need the pins from the IDMX xlr to connect as we show in the wiki but the adapter might be swap stuff around on you. Check it with a ohm meter to see where they are really ending up.
RJ
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I think this is definitely on the right path. When I power up my MR16 controllers without the presence of DMX, they act in exactly this fashion. That is to say that all MR16s attached power on for approximately 30 seconds or so then go off. If the DMX signal is present then there may be a slight flash if anything. So it would appear you MR16 controller is acting normally.
Leon
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OK, exact setup from the computer. I have an LOR usb 485 to the idmx - from here I have modified the cable from the IDMX so that it is a 3 prong male plug to go from the IDMX to the DMX device - I have Orange to xlr pin 2, white orange to pin 3 and brown/brownwhite to pin 1 (this is the male dmx out from the IDMX) and then a standard cat5 plugged into the xlrj45. This setup works a Chauvet Colorsplash using the IDMX. However, I need to know what to do to make this work with the lynx.
RJ is trying to be the voice of reason - and I have been so confused with the documentation out there because it is using a lynx dongle which requires different cable modification.
So it is just straight up IDMX with xlr cable from IDMX to the lynx mr16 controller...
I am working on pictures right now.
Thanks guys!!!
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OK, Cable should be like the one marked for the Lynx equipment not for the LOR:
The output of the enttec pro is the same as the Idmx output.
http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Enttec_Pro_Connections
the 3 pin xlr are the same pin out as the five pins.
XLR pin 2 to the orange wire which hooks to pin 2 of the RJ45 male.
XLR pin 3 to the white/orange which hooks to pin 1 of the RJ45 male.
Hang in there we will get you going I do not think we have had anyone we could not get lynx equipment going for yet.
RJ
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HOLY manure!!!! We did it!!!!!! Thanks so much for your help! I have a working MR16 with the IDMX. And, the wirekat mr16s are so much smoother with the MR16 controller...the lights begin to come on at about 18 intensity - so for me, 18 is the magic number. Woohoo!
So, the problem I had was incorrect wiring. A modified rj45 (standard rj45 from modified dmx male) through the IDMX using the light o rama test console hardware utility.
I am so happy...thanks for talking me off of the ledge. You guys are super helpful and supportive.
Edited by RJ for language.
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So, now that I have done the happy dance - I want to report specifically what had to happen in my situation to get the MR16 controller to work for the wirekat mr16 led spots using the idmx interface from lor (i am not using lor boards or a lynx dongle or lynx express or an entec open dmx or pro). I am running the LOR hardware utility through the USB485 from LOR to the IDMX (I use D-light boards and I am guessing that the D-light adapter will work as well, but I was not testing for this at this point). From the IDMX, I modified a standard rj45 cable so that pin 1 = brown/brown white, pin 2 = Orange, pin 3 = Orange/White. No modification had to be done to the rj45 going into the Lynx MR16 controller. I have 2 red spots on channel 1, 1 green spot on channel 2, 1 blue spot on channel 3. I have built pvc "bars" or "strips" so that this resembles the Chauvet colorstrip. I have 3 sets of these that will uplight the front of the house. The middle "strip" only has 3 channels (2 R, 1 G, 1 B).
I am using a 300W computer power supply modified as instructed by the posts in this forum.
Also, the rj45 top connectors are out of stock at Mouser, so I used some that I had already and they work nicely.
With patience and group support, I hope that my pain is helpful to others who are attempting to mix nonDIY with DIY equipment. I also have 5 Lynx Express boards coming, so I am looking forward to adding these to the display as well.
One last thing - you will know that you have a working MR16 controller when you send a signal to the board in Program mode and the LED spots kind of shimmer. Once you see this, you can do the happy dance as well. Swapping the jumper back to the operate mode will be a happy time for you as well...I had thought I was going to throw bang that jumper in the floor if I did the swapperoo and didn't have dimming lights!!! But, you guys helped out. The key is the cable...basically, don't get confused by the dongle documentation. I think this info can also be updated in the wiki for those looking to run the mr16 controller with the IDMX.
Again, I appreciate your support!
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Glad to see that it is working.
Bill
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Remember, if you use non-Lynx hardware after the MR-16, you will need to crossover the blue and orange pairs again before the input of the next device.
http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Enttec_Pro_Connections (http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Enttec_Pro_Connections)
The following are the pinouts, assuming TIA-568B for the RJ45 end.
* For the Lnyx Equipment
o XLR Pin 1 (GND) ----> N/C
o XLR Pin 2 (-ve) ----> RJ45 Pin 2 (Orange)
o XLR Pin 3 (+ve) ----> RJ45 Pin 1 (White/Orange)
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Great!
The trick to the above statement is that the IDMX is not a LOR device. It might come from lor but it's output is real DMX like the Lynx equipment.
RJ
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Great!
The trick to the above statement is that the IDMX is not a LOR device. It might come from lor but it's output is real DMX like the Lynx equipment.
RJ
Yes, but I wasn't really looking at it that deeply. I was only looking at it strictly from a data line point of view, ie blue vs orange crossed over.
Either way, it is working.
I'll throw a note in the LOR section of the WIKI.
http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Using_a_LOR_iDMX_adapter_to_drive_Lynx_equipment. (http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Using_a_LOR_iDMX_adapter_to_drive_Lynx_equipment.)
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My point is that you are correct in that if we can get people to not think of the IDMX as a lor device the rule of thumb works great! Anytime you change from a lynx to lor or lor to lynx you use a modified cable the rest of the time you use a striaght through one. Lynx to other DMX devices is also striaght through. LOR is the odd man out.
RJ
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So, now that I have done the happy dance
So happy to hear you got it working.
Now the only thing to do following tour show this season is make a post at PC while the LOR demand is still hot. ;)
Just think how many channels you can get here from the money you get for your LOR stuff over there. ;D
Just kidding. Always glad to hear the success stories of this nature. Appreciate the follow-up as well.
Leon
P.S. - If you don't mind, would like it if you could share (Pics) what you are using for MR16 spot enclosures. Always interested in what others have come up with. :)
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Hey, I added a graphical representation in color for each of the connection types. It is pretty basic, not super pretty.
Can you take a look at it and see if it makes sense to anyone else but me?
http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=General_Information_on_Dongle_Connections (http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=General_Information_on_Dongle_Connections)
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Great job on the WIKI addition... even I can understand it..
Hey, I added a graphical representation in color for each of the connection types. It is pretty basic, not super pretty.
Can you take a look at it and see if it makes sense to anyone else but me?
http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=General_Information_on_Dongle_Connections (http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=General_Information_on_Dongle_Connections)
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That is Awesume thanks I think that will help everyone when going from one to the other.
RJ
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I am sharing how I will be washing the house. As you can tell, it is about as simple as it gets. I created a "strip" of lights out of pvc that will allow me to angle the lights at the best angle during setup. I have also drilled holes in the pvc that will allow for secuing the pvc spot light strips. Each strip contains RGB and will be controlled with the MR16 controller. Since I was going for simple, the strip unscrews from the base - this also allows for the angle adjustment. These will be hidden by the bushes and will shine up on the house from the porch. I took bits and pieces from the wirekite site and modified it to work best for me.
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Greetings,,,
Looks good.
Keith