DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx SSR4 => Topic started by: zman on November 29, 2010,
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Call it weary at this point, but I have attempted to ID 2 SSR4s and both are not acting like they should. I have attempted to follow the Manual and the post down a ways: http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=3034.0.
So here is my set up. SSR4s for DMX. Wanting to set the ID to 301. No jumpers is on "S" or Terminate. Move Jumper to "C".
I know the dongle is active, I have checked a LE with it.
After trying both ways, moving the jumper with power off, or power on, then using the Lynx Deck to check, nothing on Channel 1. I have attempted this on 2 SSR4s at this point. I am wanting to slave these and make them both ID 301.
I am purty dang sure I programmed the PIC back when I assembled the unit this summer, but I will re-flash it tomorrow just in case.
I know something is happening, cause when I have a light string plugged into CH1, when programming, they light. Maybe I am missing something obvious. See anything?
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Hey Mark....
This might help :D
http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=2676.0
Kyle
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Hi Mark,
Not sure if it makes a difference but use Lynx Address Utility instead of the DMX deck
http://diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Software#Lynx_Software
Cheers
Rick R.
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Sorry guys I was exhausted writing this. Long day yesterday.
I did use the Lynx Utility to attempt to assign the ID (I didn't know there is another way), then attempted to check it with the Lynx Deck.
Oh wait, I just see that there are 2 programs. The Lynx Config Utility and the Lynx Addressing Utility. I just attempted to install the Addressing Util and it bombed trying to load it. "An Error occured attempting to load Lynx Addressing Utility" and then it tosses me out of the install. This was on a Win 7 machine. I can try my XP job in the garage.
What is the difference between the 2?
I will be checking the PICs this morning as well.
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Sorry guys I was exhausted writing this. Long day yesterday.
I did use the Lynx Utility to attempt to assign the ID (I didn't know there is another way), then attempted to check it with the Lynx Deck.
Oh wait, I just see that there are 2 programs. The Lynx Config Utility and the Lynx Addressing Utility. I just attempted to install the Addressing Util and it bombed trying to load it. "An Error occured attempting to load Lynx Addressing Utility" and then it tosses me out of the install. This was on a Win 7 machine. I can try my XP job in the garage.
What is the difference between the 2?
I will be checking the PICs this morning as well.
The Lynx Address Utility is for programming Non Lynx Expresses - lynx controllers (ie: SSR4-DMX, Freestyle, MR-16)
The Lynx Express Configuration Utility is only for Lynx Express and Aether
Both program should install on Win7, you might have a privilege problem - Try right clicking on the setup and choose run as administrator
Rick R.
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Well, no good news.
I have reflashed 2 PICs, and attempted the same proceedure same results. I know the PICS are flashed as that ISP20A has the jumpers all set for the PIC18f1220. I know it is not ID dependent, but I tried 1 and 301.
I am getting a lot of Unhandled exception errors it seems when I disconnect power. The error message is this:
Unhandled exception has occurred in your application. If you click continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue. If you click quit, the application will close immediately.
A device attached to the system is not functioning
This seems to scramble the Comport where I have to unplug it, replug it in and re-assign it in both utilities. I am getting the above error at times in both the Program and Deck it seems. I know the dongle is fucntioning, as I can check it on a LE.
I would say I have a bad SSR somehow, but this is happening on 2 of them. I guess I could go grab a third to try.
Oh I tried to install the util on Win 7 with Admin and am still getting it to fail.
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OK, something is not kosher.
On unit 3. I actually got it to program. Instead of mucking with the slider, just did ID 1. It worked. I then attempted to change the ID to 301, and, bang, nothing. I am now getting the unhandled exception error with unit 3 and can not get it assigned to and ID 1 or otherwise.
The unhandled exception seems to start with the removal of power, this time it was after the 2 assignment to ID 301.
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Further update. On unit 4 I went straight to ID 301. Nothing. So I backed up, undid everything (unplugged dongle, Cat5 to SSR4, power, lights, shutdown Utility). Then programmed unit 4 to ID 1. Bang, it worked. So I undid everything, tried to program it to to ID301, nothing. I undid everything to try to go back to ID 1 and now I am getting the unexpected exception error.
Input on this? I am now completely baffled.
I have 8 SSR4s built. I am only needing 2 this year, and they will be slaved if I can ever get them IDd and working with the wireless.
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How about try a different address
like 250, to see if there is something up with your firmware
Cheers
Rick R.
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New here but saw this on another post hopefully this helps:
http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=2809.msg28125#msg28125
I have no experience with ssr4s but from that post since your Id is over 255 you need to split it up, I think.
Hope that helps!
Rob
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New here but saw this on another post hopefully this helps:
http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=2809.msg28125#msg28125
I have no experience with ssr4s but from that post since your Id is over 255 you need to split it up, I think.
Hope that helps!
Rob
That is correct if you are using Vixen to send the start address. One channel can only go up to 255.
Lynx Address Utility takes care of that for you.
Zman
I would suggest to reflash the pics (get the firmware from the wiki). In the past after so many tries the pic would get corrupted. I reflash it and it worked just fine.
You can't use the Lynx Express Configure Utility on the SSR4-DMX. It sends a different code and won't program it
If you can't get the Lynx Address program to install, Try my StartPattern program in the wiki
Or use Vixen
Create a new sequence
Set Channel one to 255
Set Channel two to 46
Make sure you are in Level mode and not percentage mode
Hope that helps
RIck R.
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Mark,
I had the same thing happen to me last night while attempting to program an SSR4xDMX. I am using XP though, What I found out was that if Vixen was up and running that I would have issues every onece in awhile with the programming. I finally shut vixen off completely, rebooted PC. Unplugged Dongle, plugged dongle back in and then everything worked okay. Don't know if this will help but it did for me. I have 2 spare SS4xDMX if you get in a pinch and need them ASAP.
Freebird
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In the worst case let me know you can manually set it with a pickit. You read the chip and edit two memory location to store the hex value of the addresses and then write it back out. Does the same thing the address program mode does.
RJ
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I am outside on other things while Mother Nature is giving me a break in the weather. I HAVE to get my roof buttoned up before a deluge tomorrow.
I will work on this tonight.
I did use the Lynx Address Utility today after I saw that. So all efforts today were with the Address Utility. I also DID re-flash 2 of the PICS, and the problem persisted. I will however try these suggestions. Thanks.
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Hey Mark,
Give me a call when you come inside, I'll be up all night. I have had addressing issues with a couple SSR4s in the past and might have an idea.
Kyle
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I am still not sure what was the issue was, but I have 3 SSR4s ID'd
1. Reflashed PICs (again after yesterdays efforts)
2. All SSR4s programmed to ID 201 (did not want to mess any higher than 255)
- 3 attempts were made to get 2 of the SSR4s to finally take the programming 4 attempts on the last SSR4
- Did not get any crashes from the Address Utility this time
3. The last SSR4 was very difficult to get to program. I finally resorted to pulling the jumper on/off several times on the last attempt. It seemed to work.
I am not convinced that there is not a problem with address over 255, but that is a test for another day. Thanks for all your input.
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Hi zman
I'll try the 301 address on a spare ssr4 tonight and let you know if I see anything
xmen out
oops
Cheers
Rick (not a xman) R.
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Man, I know lots have used Lynx equipment with little hassles. I gotta say, that the LEs have been pretty bullet proof, but these SSR4s have been a PIA. WHat was working is now not. I attempt to re-ID these things and it does not work take or work.
Part of this frustration is pressure to get lit up tonight, but I have been mucking with these things now for a week to get to function properly. I had 3 working. Then one, then 2, so I figured forget 3, and put connections between the 2 items to light. Now 2 does not work only after literally plugging in cords.
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Sorry you are having problems
Just so you do know. I have SSR4s working solid for 2 yrs now. In fact the basic design has been around for many years.
I know its not very helpful but maybe "light" at end of the tunnel
Cheers
Rick R.
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Zman,
While I was setting up my display, I had an issue with two of my SSR4/DMX units (out of 20). One of them stayed on all the time with all four channels, the other one stayed off all the time on all four channels. All I did was unplug the DMX IN to each of them (and the corresponding DMX OUT that it was daisy chained to) and it all worked again. It could just be something that simple. Not sure if you are having the same problem with SSR$ #2, but I thought it might be worth a try. Good luck.
Steve
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Man,
I thought you had these working.
I would have to hook one up and look but you can manually set the address with your pickit. The program is in memory but long after the program ends is a few bytes set that if you convert them from Hex to Decimal add up to your start address.
You can read the memory with the pickit then edit in the pickit utility window and write it out to set the address manually and override it all.
I feel your rush I am trying to get our show running and took the day off to do so but feel I am no where near yet.
RJ
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Guys,
Part of that post was frustration. Yes there have been a few issues. I scrambled and worked around them. As soon as I get some decompression time in the next week or so, I will look at this in more detail. I did not want to sound grumbling, I was at a stress limit. With a display my size, late, and still having hardware problems (that I was partly my fault, not doing a full LIVE test) and wanting to Light Up tonight, I was maxed out. KyleC and I talked a bit tonight and will be coordinating a few things in the next several days.
I will post and or update as I can. I am still working on getting things finalized here at my display.
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I don't anyone took you bad we were just trying to ome up with some way to help.
The Man,
Part was likely misunderstood now that I look at it. I meant like
Man that sucks,
I thought you had them working.
RJ