Renard Plus 32 & FPP?

[XmasLightGuy]

Hello all, I have some questions getting Renard/FPP working/talking to each other. (which so far no luck)
First, for hardware I have the following:
Renard Plus 32 controller (2 actually, but only 1 is setup, the other I'm not quite done with)
A USB-RS485 Dongle
A Pi B+ running FPP (I let it upgrade to v1.9 Friday)

-----------
As far as I know the Renard works (I've followed the instructions for programming its IC & everything said it was successful there. I get a power LED & blinking status LED)

----------
For FPP
I believe I am doing things right, but I'm not sure 'it' is working as it should..
I log into the Pi/FPP,
then select "Input/Output Setup" -> "Channel Outputs"
then scroll down to "Other Outputs"
On my main computer (older desktop with Windows/FireFox) if I click "Add" *nothing* happens -- I'm assuming this is a bug in its 'website' that prevents FPP from working with some FireFox's?
On my laptop (still Windows,  but newer, and PaleMoon(a FireFox variant)browser)  "Add" works giving a line to select a type... fo for the rest of this we'll go with thelaptop.
I select 'Renard', click "Active" put "Start Ch" as 1 (or should this be 0?), "Channel Count" to 32, "Port" to ttyUSB0, "Speed" I leave at 57600, and 8N1.
then I click "Save", it says it saves, but I'm not sure it actually does?
it says restart required so I click "Restart FPPD", here too it says FPPD restarted & the restart required line disappears.

Next I go to "Status/Control" -> "Display Testing"
Then set start channel to 1, end channel to 32 (and everything else as default)
then click "Enable Test Mode" and.... nothing
Should I atleast get something?
Anything on the Pi like a flashing green?
A RX/TX on the Renard?

If I go back to "Input/Output Setup" -> "Channel Outputs"
what I added there is gone 
shouldn't it save?

Anyone have any ideas? or maybe this is answered somewhere already?

[AAH]

I'm not sure about the FPP configuration side of things but confirm that you have the right pins in use on the data lines. The 2 common usb-485 dongles are the LOR one and the more common ESTA dmx one. Both of these use different data pins to what Renard does.
See https://auschristmaslighting.com/wiki/DMX_Adapter_Leads#RJ45_.26_XLR_Pin_Chart for pins that are used for the 3 types.

[XmasLightGuy]

Thanks AAH,

I'm not sure what type of  USB - 485 dongle mine is (I just assumed they were a standardized thing )
I don't know how to tell or even test for it, but its same as this one: ebay.com/itm/371785593982

Once/if I can figure it out, seeing the diagrams on your link I should be able to make an adapter easy enough, if needed ..

[AAH]

That will be a standard usb-485 with ESTA pins in use. You'll just need to make up a crossover from ESTA to Renard.

[Ebuechner]

I use a couple of Renard Plus 32 controllers but I programmed mine for DMX. I believe the pins are number 4 and 5 that they use and the data + and - is reversed from Lor if that helps. It also depends on which Jack you plug into as well J1 RX. When you have a good data signal the rx/tx LED will flash rapidly almost looking solid.

[XmasLightGuy]

Thanks guys. Looks like before further testing I have a simple little 'project' to build this weekend :lol: (or maybe even just some evening)

[XmasLightGuy]

Making that little crossover/adapter did the trick as far as communication goes
I got lights using FPP's test mode.

The other issues I have with FPP are something that can wait for later .lol.

[AAH]

Excellent

Making that little crossover/adapter did the trick as far as communication goes
I got lights using FPP's test mode.

The other issues I have with FPP are something that can wait for later .lol.