Main Board working fine, Expansion not so much

[michaelc]

My main board channels are working correctly but the 2 expansion boards I have are having issues:  On the 1st expansion,  all 4 ports only light up the 1st pixel on the port.  It lights up correctly but rest of strings are off.   Similar issue on 2nd expansion except 1 port of the 4 is actually working.

ANy idea how to troubleshoot/fix this?  

[tbone321]

You need to supply way more information than this for any of us to help you.  What board are you using and what exactly do you mean by expansion boards.  Are you actually using an expansion board or are you referring to a differential receiver?  How are you driving these boards.  In most of these cases, it is a configuration issue but until we know exactly what you are working with, we have no way to help you debug it.

[michaelc]

Let me start by saying I've been running this setup for several years. I have an F16V2R with a ribbon connection to an F16V2 Differential Expansion Board.   From that board, I'm running 2 lines out to Differential Receivers.  Each Receiver has 4 string ports. The 1st Receiver is using ports 1,3,4 but only port 1 appears to be working.   The 2nd Receiver is using Ports 1,2,4 and none of them seem to be working.  The first pixel on each port lights up correctly but all others are not lit.   I've verified that the props do work.  I've also checked my connections (they were all working for halloween).

I am taking XL and show configuration out of the equation and just trying to use the built in F16 Test mode.  using that and the attached setups, I get the results described above.    Also to note channels 1through 20 are working fine (Main Board).

[k6ccc]

Note:  All my experience with F16 controllers is with the F16v3, so my answers are all based on the newer hardware.  I am going to assume that your v2 will at least be similar.

First of all something here does not make sense.

Also to note channels 1through 20 are working fine (Main Board).

Since the F16 only has 16 ports (and it only appears that you are using the first 13 of those), what are you thinking is 17 - 20?


The four outputs on the differential Expansion board will be ports 17-20, 21-24, 25-28, and lastly 29-32.  Based on your config, it appears that you are using ports 2 & 3 since you you are using ports 21 and 23 - 27.  However from your description it appears that you are using ports 1 & 2 on the Diff. Exp. Board.

You appear to be using Universe 501 as you "not being used" assignment, but that is also assigned as your Mini Mega 1.  Since you are not plugged into the ports that you think you are, most of your expansion props are on the "idle channel" Universe 501 channel 1 - which is really the first pixel of Mini Mega 1.

For what it's worth, I use Universe 999 as the "not used" assignment, and the show player is not sending any data to that universe.

[michaelc]

Thank you for that other set of eyes.  I was going crazy.  My config has been working for years, but I was 'encouraged' to change the mappings to the new 'xlights controlle" instead of the old start channel with universe and channel.  Id didnt' even notice the 4 port shift. Something must have shifted between Halloween and Christmas show.   I'm re-rendering everything and will let you know how it goes.  THANK YOU!

[Poporacer]

but I was 'encouraged' to change the mappings to the new 'xlights controlle" instead of the old start channel with universe and channel.

The new mapping method eliminates a ton of problems, but if you assign models to the wrong ports, it really can't help you... LOL

[michaelc]

several of my props are using Renard gear so I have them all on Universe 1 that can't use the new controller method.  Also using a bunch of espixelsticks.   The only DDP I have turned on are the FPP, and an FPP remote that runs a projector

[k6ccc]

Thank you for that other set of eyes.  I was going crazy.  My config has been working for years, but I was 'encouraged' to change the mappings to the new 'xlights controlle" instead of the old start channel with universe and channel.  Id didnt' even notice the 4 port shift. Something must have shifted between Halloween and Christmas show.  I'm re-rendering everything and will let you know how it goes.  THANK YOU!

Good luck.  Hope it goes well.

As my signature says, I don't use xLights so having xLights auto config my controllers is not an option for me.  With that said, however I am very certain even if I was using xLights, I would NOT use that option.  I want to know what's going on and control it.  Just my opinion...

[michaelc]

I want to know what's going on and control it.  Just my opinion..

I'm old school the same way and was resistant to the change.  The old it's not broke why fix it fall back, but I do see how the new way is easier.  I just don't know that a hybrid approach plays nice with each other.  I rendered everthing after moving the ports around last night.  I'll see what testing shows today.  Fingers crossed.