DMX Moving Head not responding

[trikidiki]

Hi,

I posted the query below on the tail end of my previous post about DMX cabling. Unfortunately I have not had any response so thought I would post it as a topic in its own right in case it has been overlooked.

Thanks.

I've received the F8-B controller now. I've installed FPP V3.2.

I set it up with a 50 node string on Port 1 and it works fine from XLights (once I'd overcome a few mistakes on my part).

I'm now trying to set up the LED Moving Head but having no success. Originally tried it with the LED string configured but have since removed them and reset all the settings back to default.

Xlights Setup

E131 / 192.168.1.206 / Universe: 1 / Num Channels: 512 / Active: Yes / Desc: FPP-DMX / Cont: FPP F8-B (4 serial)

Xlights Layout

Channels setup to match Moving Head controls.
Controller: FPP-DMX
Controller Connection: Port 1 (tried 17 too) / Protocol: DMX / dmx Channel: 1

Sequence: Pan 0-100, Brightness 0-100, Red 0-100

FPP
Bridge Mode

Channel Inputs
Line #: 1 / Active: tick / Description: deeMx / FPP Start: 1 / Uni #: 1/ Uni Count: 1 / Uni Size: 512 / Uni Type: E1.31 Unicast

Channel Outputs

Serial Type: DMX / Num Channels: 512
Start Channel #1: 1

Cat5 cable plugged into the 17-20 RJ45 port. I have tried each of the pairs and swapped the polarity on each.

I can see packets arriving on the FPP status page but get nothing on the Moving Head.

I hope someone can help, my head is beginning to hurt. Please let me know if you need any further information.

[trikidiki]

Do you have any differential pixel receivers to at least test if the differential chips are working?   

Try turning on debug log for "Channel Outputs", restart FPPD, and make sure it's picking up the right information for the DMX outputs.

Finally, login via the command line (ssh,   username fpp, password falcon ) and make sure the /tmp dir contains a FalconSerial.bin, FalconPRUSerial.i, and SerialPinConfiguration.hp files.

The above was posted on another topic, I believe in response to me commenting that  could not get DMX working. Sorry for the delay replying but real work took over.


I do not have any differential pixel receivers but cannot see any signal on any of the DMX outputs.

fppd.log with 'Channel Outputs' enabled

2019-11-13 14:11:44 (3760) log.c:220:=========================================
2019-11-13 14:11:44 (3760) log.c:221:FPP 3.2
2019-11-13 14:11:44 (3760) log.c:222:Branch: v3.2
2019-11-13 14:11:44 (3760) log.c:223:=========================================
2019-11-13 14:11:44 (3762) channeloutput/serialutil.c:171:Using custom baud rate of 250000
2019-11-13 14:11:44 (3762) channeloutput/channeloutput.c:311:USBDMX 0:  Determined range needed 0 - 511
2019-11-13 14:11:45 (3762) channeloutput/BBB48String.cpp:296:No pixels configured in any string
2019-11-13 14:11:45 (3762) channeloutput/channeloutput.c:314:ERROR Opening BBB48String Channel Output
2019-11-13 14:11:45 (3762) channeloutput/BBB48String.cpp:296:No pixels configured in any string
2019-11-13 14:11:45 (3762) channeloutput/channeloutput.c:314:ERROR Opening BBBSerial Channel Output
2019-11-13 14:11:45 (3762) channeloutput/channeloutput.c:348:Determined range needed 0 - 511

The only tmp directory I can find is media/tmp and it does not contain the files: 
FalconSerial.bin, FalconPRUSerial.i, and SerialPinConfiguration.hp

Thanks

[dkulp]

Do a Backup and attach the backup here or send it to me.   I can try and reproduce.  The "ERROR Opening BBBSerial Channel Output" error says the dmx stuff wasn't started so I'd need to see the config.

You also have the USB DMX configured.   You have a USB dongle attached to that?  Does that drive the heads?

[trikidiki]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jkk016xyapz3prh/FPP_all-backup_v2_20191113170712.json?dl=0


I tried the USB dongle before your controller arrived but couldn't get it to work, it appears the dongle/driver (uDMX) is not supported. I have had the dongle driving the heads from Freestyler.

Thanks

[dkulp]

There seems to be a bug where you HAVE to have a pixel string defined in order for the DMX stuff to work.  Thus, if you configure one of the strings above it to have 1 pixel, I believe everything should work.      I'll get this fixed for 3.5.2 though.

[trikidiki]

Thanks. 

I'll give it a go in the morning.

[trikidiki]

Just made the silly mistake of trying it now. Looks like it will be a late night playing. Just as well I'm not working tomorrow.

Thanks for that, I have it working from 'Display Testing' on FPP. Now to play with XLights.

Cheers

[trikidiki]

Just as an aside....

When I set the Cape Type to F8-B (4 Serial)  V3.x

The V3.x reverts to V1.x after a reboot despite being saved.

[dkulp]

That was fixed in FPP 3.4 I think.   I believe you are still on 3.2.

[trikidiki]

OK.

Thanks