Automated Fixtures - MAC 500 DMX termination/wheel hall sensor

[joeboo46]

Would anyone happen to know if Mac 500's require a DMX terminator at the end of a line of fixtures???

I searched forums but couldn't find anything.

Thanks.

[Esoteric]

I have never teminated any MAC units.

Mike

[CavezziMagnum]

I can tell you with 100% confidence that they do not require termination. At least on their own, or with only MAC units in line. This may change with color scrollers, gobo rotators, etc.

Good Luck!

[adude23]

Mac's don't need termination as most of them have their own!
Although as others have said if you're using other items in your chain such as foggers, strobes or any other lighting fixture you will have to terminate!
As a rule of thumb i terminate all chains anyway,
~Adude~

[icewolf08]

ALL DMX CHAINS REQUIRE TERMINATION! It is just that it usually works without it so many people don't bother. However, termination is in the specification. In fact, it has been the conclusion on CB of late that the only fixture that we can think of that is self terminating is the ETC Source Four Revolution, and I can prove that.

Here is the instructions from page 8 of the MAC 500 Manual:
3. Insert a male 120 Ω XLR termination plug in the output of the last fixture on the link.

[BillESC]

Agreed, temination is always required. Why not, it's only a couple of bucks and just might save the day.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by CavezziMagnum

I can tell you with 100% confidence that they do not require termination. ...

Originally Posted by adude23

Mac's don't need termination as most of them have their own! ...

See this thread: http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/l...tml#post105377.

The ETC Revolution is the only documented fixture that has built-in auto-termination, done via a special Neutrik female receptacle with an integral micro-switch.

The above being said, I terminate only IF I have a problem, or with certain pre-known fixtures. MACs in particular seem not to mind, in my experience. But with any hint of problem, it's the first thing I do.

[len]

It's required based on the standard. But termination is one of those things where 90% of the time you can get away without it. But the other 10% of the time it's a real killer, and usually the fixtures start being goofy when you have no time to deal with it.

Someone once said "If you don't have the time to do it right the first time, how will you have the time to do it over?"

[joeboo46]

OK I do under stand DMX should always be terminated . . . . Thank you for the answers. I am trying to trace down a problem I am having with a MAC 500 at the end of a 6 fixture line. This problem began occurring about 2 weeks ago (the fixture always has had a terminator in it) However I am trying to find out if it is an absolute need to be terminated situation or if the fixtures were self terminating i'm pretty sure there are more self terminating fixtures than the REVOLUTION. I have swapped the fixture now twice with replacements from the shop and am still having the same problem (also swapped the data cable and tried swapping back to an older version of the show to make sure it wasn't some funky programming thing) but have not tried a new terminator it would have been my last guess and now is.
I guess the way I should have asked the question is: "Is the Maritin MAC 500 a DMX self terminating fixture? But this question has already been answered.
Thanks for all your answers.
I guess I'll go haul my self into the truss and change the terminator now and see if it makes it through the show tonite.

[derekleffew]

I once had a similar issue (with VL1000s) and eventually found the problem to be a bad cable between fixtures 4 & 5, but #6 was the only one that acted up. I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear.

See also this thread: http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/l...mx-issues.html.