Issue with Xlight or Falcon 16...lights not working correctly

[brownjm74]

Hi guys,

As in the subject, I don't know if I am having a problem with Xlights or if its a Falcon16 problem.  When I set up my arches in Nutcracker my first output of the Falcon16 (Arch 1 ch. 1-117) is not working properly (see video attachment).  Only the first couple of pixels are working then the rest of the strip is changing as one pixel.  I was using the bars effect moving from the right with 6-8 bars moving per arch.    If I switch the light strand over to output 2 (Arch 2 ch 118-235) the work perfectly.  I have no idea on how to fix this issue.  I have been reading the forums and watching videos all day trying to figure out a solution.  Below is my setup.  Thanks

Jeremy Brown
www.brownchristmaslightshow.com

Xlights to a Lynx DMX Dongle flashed with pixelnet then hooked up to my Falcon16.

using WS2811 strip but only 39 of the 50 pixels are used (I cut the strip).

Attachments: 
Screen Shot of Falcon16 Software Setup
Screen Shot of Xlights Setup
Screen Shot of Arches Model Setup
Video of WS2811 Strip

Note:  Attachments will be spread over multiple post

[attachment deleted by admin]

[JonB256]

First thing I'd do is in xLights to use all 512 channels in the universe, not 486.

People who try to use 510 instead of 512 have had odd problems.

[brownjm74]

More Info:

[attachment deleted by admin]

[brownjm74]

Jon,  I changed the channels to 512 and still no luck.  Thanks!

Due to the file size I am not able to attach the video.  Basically...Pixel 1 & 2 (ch 1-6) work fine its Pixel 3-39 that are acting as one.

Jeremy

[JonB256]

You show a single model named Arches, and it is listed as Part of My Display.

Do you have any other models? Even just for testing? Especially if they are checked as Part of My Display, do they conflict with your DMX range for the four arches?

[smeighan]

Jon,  I changed the channels to 512 and still no luck.  Thanks!

Due to the file size I am not able to attach the video.  Basically...Pixel 1 & 2 (ch 1-6) work fine its Pixel 3-39 that are acting as one.

Jeremy

have you used the TEST tab of xlights and tried toggling each channel to see that you can control them as expected. if that doesnt work you need to look to the SETUP tab and your controller cards.

If you would post your xlights_networks.xml  (This has how you setup your system) and your xlights_rgbeffects.xml (This has how you defined models inn the NUTCRACKER tab.

maybe we can see what you did.

Also you said "using WS2811 strip but only 39 of the 50 pixels are used (I cut the strip)."

the 2811 has 150 pixels that are in groups of 3. so 150 pixels are address as 50. So that means your 39 pixels as really 117 pixels right?
Those 117 pixels would be 39 addressable pixels or 117 channels. This matches what you show for your arches.

The starting address on each port is set by the falcon utility program. Can you do a screen shot of that screen for your falcon board?

thanks
sean

[JonB256]

Basically...Pixel 1 & 2 (ch 1-6) work fine its Pixel 3-39 that are acting as one.

Jeremy

This sounds like a Hybrid Mode or Grouping behavior, even though your Falcon 16 configuration doesn't show it that way.
Have you "resent" the Falcon16 config data again to be sure?? Maybe twice?

[David Pitts]

I also noticed you had "Control Channels" selected on your controller. If you do not know what this feature is I would unselect this option for all controllers and reprogram.

[JonB256]

I also noticed you had "Control Channels" selected on your controller. If you do not know what this feature is I would unselect this option for all controllers and reprogram.

That was greyed out and I didn't notice it. Hope that's it.

I looked at my software config and both controllers are set as Standard with Control Channel Mode "unchecked"
The only way to Check it is to Edit the controller, enable Hybrid/Control Mode, then check the Control Channel box.

Likewise, to "uncheck" the box, you have to Edit the controller, enable Hybrid, uncheck, then disable Hybrid.
Then, of course, re-Program the controller.

[David Pitts]

I also noticed you had "Control Channels" selected on your controller. If you do not know what this feature is I would unselect this option for all controllers and reprogram.

That was greyed out and I didn't notice it. Hope that's it.

I did not notice it was greyed out. So the controller may have controller channels disabled.

[brownjm74]

Thanks for all of the hints and replys!  I had to go on the road today to fill in for a sick coworker and when I get back on Wed Night I will work on the different hints and I will let you know what I find out.  Thanks again for the help.

Jeremy

[brownjm74]

Problem Solved!!!   It was "Control Channels" box that was checked on the Falcon16 software.  I never noticed that that one was check for Output 1 and it wasn't checked for any of the others.  The fact that it was "grayed out" obscured it from me noticing and I knew it had to be something so simple that I was just missing.  Thanks again guys for your help!!!!  Now that I have working arches...it's off to reading more forum post and viewing more tutorial videos on integrating my 144ch of LOR and using Nutcracker to program my RGB arches and using Xlights to make it all work.  Thanks again guys!!!

Jeremy Brown

BTW Sean,  Yes I am only using 117 pixels that are addressable to 39.  I am still figuring out all of the "lingo" used in the RGB world!  I guess it goes without saying that I'm a newbie at this stuff but I am really enjoying it!