PRG Controlling VARI-LITE Equipment Using DMX 512 - Manual (Page 103)

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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.
If the luminaire is hung properly, you may have a "flipped focus." In order to avoid a "flipped focus"
(when one or more fixtures move differently from others in the system), begin all preset focuses (a
group of channels representing the pan and tilt values for a particular stage position) from zero position
or "50/50" (pan and tilt values at 50%). This "50/50" can be stored as a group, and can be recalled
before recording any other fixture’s focus information.
Also remember that the luminaires will take the shortest path from one position to the next; in
DMX512, this is the path described by the change in value per channel from one position to the next.
In order to ensure consistent movement from luminaire to luminaire in the cueing structure, tilt each
fixture first before moving the pan channel. In most cases, it is best when luminaires pan less than 180°
from one focus position to another, allowing for smoother and more consistent transitions between
cues.
Why do my VL6 color wheels get stuck during playback?
Allow a cue to complete before advancing to the next cue. Rushing or "stepping on" cues sends a
confusing update of DMX512 information to the luminaire.
I can control the VL5 luminaire but not the dimmer.
Ensure that the remote dimmer is patched to the proper control channel for the luminaire. If there is an
SPC-36 controlling C3 dimmers, check its power, thumbwheel address and all cables between it and
each SixPack chassis. Also, ensure that the SPC-36 controller and dimmer are seeing a proper
DMX512 signal.
My lights are flickering or moving erratically.
Make sure that the DMX512 lines from the console are not bundled with or run next to your feeder or
other high voltage cable. If the DMX512 line must cross power cable, make sure it crosses at a 90°
angle to the power cable for the best performance.