PRG DMX Reference Guide 5.4 - Manual (Page 92)

84 DMX512 REFERENCE GUIDE
TROUBLESHOOTING
Overview
Occasionally there are problems when setting up a lighting system. In this section, you will find many common
questions asked about VARI
❋
LITE Series 200/300 equipment under DMX512 control. This section is broken down
into three areas: Console Problems, Fixture Problems, and Hardware Problems. Determine where your problem exists
(careful -- some problems that appear to be fixture related end up being patch related), and read the appropriate
section for an answer to your question. Remember -- there are many questions, and we cannot answer all of them
here, but hopefully we can point you toward a solution.
Console Problems
Console won’t power up.
Ensure that the console is plugged into a working outlet and that the proper voltage is present.
One of the Monitors isn’t working.
Ensure that the monitors are plugged into a working outlet, they are securely plugged into the monitor outlet on the
console and that the console has been properly setup for the number of monitors being used.
My monitor display is scrolling and I can’t understand it.
Ensure that the proper type of monitor (VGA, SVGA, EVGA) is connected to your console.
I’ve programmed my show using an Extended Mode, and during the editing process, it’s really annoying having
to wait for the cue to complete before I can work on the cue.
To "disable" the timing values while updating cues, create a submaster of all the timing channels and run it to full to
override any recorded timing channels. Remember to clear the sub before recording the updated cue.
My patch is good, and my Smart Repeater units are addressed properly, but I can’t control any lights.
Check the DMX512 connection on the back of the console to make sure it is connected to the proper DMX512 output
(or universe). If you are using a splitter in a system with multiple DMX512 universes, make sure it has power is
receiving signal from the proper DMX512 universe. Check Smart Repeater units for the seven-segment display
showing the DMX512 mode setting and the "d" alternating. An "N" is displayed if the DMX512 data has been lost.
Series 300 Fixture Problems
Why do luminaires not move as smoothly on DMX512 as they do on a VARI
❋
LITE console?
A DMX512 control system sends out movement as incremental absolute positions. In other words, when you want a
luminaire to go from 0% position (0 hex value) to an end state of 50% (127 hex value), the luminaire is told to move
incrementally through each hex or per cent value until it reaches the end state. The luminaire is constantly stopping
and starting. This is alleviated by using modes with extended timing channels.
Under VARI
❋
LITE control, the luminaire knows its current position and its ending position. Once the luminaire
receives a cue command from the console, it calculates how far it needs to move, how much time it has to get there,
and goes without starting and stopping between its beginning and end state.
I cannot get full movement from my fixtures.
Make sure that there are no cables hanging down to cause interference with the luminaires.
Why do some of my lights take the wrong path to a focus position (swinging out into the audience, etc.)?
First check that the luminaire is hung with the proper orientation. The pigtails should all face the same direction on the
same hanging position.