F16V5 DMX Output Issue with LOR AC Controllers

[trains+lights]

Hi All,
I have an F16V5 and two LOR AC controllers (LOR1602Wg3) connected with DMX (daisy-chained). I am using the network port on the F16 to control it with my PC via the web interface. The DMX output port is plugged into the first AC controller (and the three jumpers are aligned for "DMX"). The AC controllers are set to "d001" and "d017", meaning channels 1-16 on the first box and 17-32 on the second box.

However, when using the alternating test on the web UI (with DMX port selected and test enabled), the AC controllers do not output anything. Furthermore, they blink between their LOR and DMX addresses (whereas when they see DMX they only show their DMX address).

I used the Falcon F-Test module to confirm that the F16 is outputting DMX alternating addresses. I then confirmed that the F-Test module can send alternating DMX addresses and turn on channels on the AC controllers, which it can.

So why can't the F16 DMX commands produce an output on the AC controllers?

[JonD]

However, when using the alternating test on the web UI

The Falcon test button is a great tool in the toolbox, but not a reliable test.  If the Falcon test button is not working, it could be that the test function is broken and your controller is working fine.

So why can't the F16 DMX commands produce an output on the AC controllers?

Are you having problems other than when using the Falcon test button?

[JerryPlak]

some info for you   https://www1.lightorama.com/Documents/DMX-DOC.pdf

[trains+lights]

However, when using the alternating test on the web UI

The Falcon test button is a great tool in the toolbox, but not a reliable test.  If the Falcon test button is not working, it could be that the test function is broken and your controller is working fine.

So why can't the F16 DMX commands produce an output on the AC controllers?

Are you having problems other than when using the Falcon test button?

I tried both the web UI test mode (and saw the LED indicator change and OLED display "test") and I also tried the button on the PCB. In both cases I can see alternating addresses turn on when plugging the F-Tester into the F16 DMX port which makes me think the test mode is working.

Since this is my first time connecting everything, I haven't tried uploading an fseq to the Falcon yet (which is why I'm using the test mode or the F-Test box). I'm trying to build the system one step at a time so that I can catch issues as integrate each piece.

[trains+lights]

some info for you  https://www1.lightorama.com/Documents/DMX-DOC.pdf

Thanks! I read this one and the LOR manual already. At first I was confused my their working of base address to actual address for DMX. However, I figured out that the address displayed on the box screen is just the first channel and the box is 16 consecutive channel. I confirmed this using the F-Tester and lighting up one channel at a time. Regardless though, I should see every channel alternate with the Falcon test mode (as I do with the F-Tester alternate test mode). There should be no pinout issues since I'm plugged into the DMX output port, jumpers are set to DMX, and into the LOR RJ45 port.

[tbone321]

Make sure that your 3 jumpers are set at the LOR position.  That is not a protocol indicator but sets the pinout correctly for the LOR controllers.

[JonD]

Typically the LOR controller would default to a LOR pinout, but it looks like the "d001" and "d017" settings converts the input to DMX.  Assuming the LOR-AC controller input is set to DMX, you would want the Falcon output to match, and I would think that it should be set to DMX as well. 

Could you be sending the controller LOR data instead of DMX data?  The last LOR-AC box in the chain would need to be terminated to keep the RS485 signal from reflecting back creating additional problems, but that is probably not the issue.

Can you post print screens of the Falcon settings?

[trains+lights]

I'd like to use DMX instead of LOR since I have other DMX props (snow machines) and want them all daisy chained from the Falcon. The AC boxes stop flashing a not connected message when the F-Tester outputs DMX addresses/values to them. At that point, they display their DMX address only (d001 or d017).

But when the Falcon does it's test mode, the AC boxes flash between LOR and DMX addresses, indicating they haven't received either network.

I don't have a termination on the last box, but I do have the jumpers set for DMX on the Falcon (which it's my understanding that's the only setting required). I'll post screenshots later tonight of my Web UI!

[tbone321]

Once again, I don't believe that the LOR boxes use the standard pinouts as many DMX devices use because DMX was added later to their devices that prior to that, had their own LOR protocol AND WIRING which are both different than standard DMX.  Those jumpers on the F16 DO NOT change the output protocol, they simply change the pinout configuration of the RJ45 to match what the LOR devices use for input.  If you want to daisy other DMX devices past the LOR controllers, you will most likely need to create a custom cable between the last LOR controller and the first DMX device to get the pinout back to the standard DMX configuration.  But hey, it's easy to check out.  I don't own any LOR dimmers but IIRC, setting them to DMX is a configuration setting and once set, they no longer respond to LOR commands.  I do know that the F16 serial output is also a configuration setting in the serial outputs menu and once set, that's all it will output on that jack regardless of the external jumper settings.  Just set the jumpers from DMX to LOR on the F16 and see if it start working.  If so, then you are good to go.  Keep in mind that the F-Tester is configured for standard DMX and Pixel output so it will not function properly if the jumpers are set for LOR because the data is not being sent on the expected pins, even if it is DMX.

[trains+lights]

This cleared it up for me, thank you so much! You're 100% right, I tested by changing the Falcon jumpers to LOR and it worked as expected. So like you said, I'll need to make a custom crossover cable in order to output on DMX pins and still use LOR AC boxes. I'd like to use DMX for other accessories so this will be the fix. That will also allow me to use the F-Tester as needed since everyone will be talking DMX.

Really appreciate your and everyone else's input!

[JonD]

I don't have a termination on the last box, but I do have the jumpers set for DMX on the Falcon (which it's my understanding that's the only setting required).

If your lights are playing okay... you don't need to worry about termination.  If you have random lights that are not playing at all, lights that are flickering when they are not supposed to be, or other random issues you can not explain, it could be a termination issue.  Termination just absorbs all the remaining energy in the data line and prevents it from reflecting backwards causing ghosting problems.  Ghosting will happen with DMX and LOR both. 

Some LOR devices can be adjusted to use standard dmx wiring, but if they can't be adjusted on the LOR side you would need to do it somewhere else.