DMX Controller

[IcePenguin]

Hi Guys,

I need to find a DMX Lighting controller for a High End Systems Trackspot. Can anyone give me tips or suggestions on what kind of controller I can use? I'd also like to be able to control fog machines and perhaps flashpots with the same controller.

Thanks![/url]

[len]

What's your budget?

Basically, anything that is a dmx controller will work. How much you can do with it and how easy it is to program are another story. You could spend a few hundred for http://www.martin.com/product/produc...roduct=freekie or http://www.chauvetlighting.com/syste...res/dmx50.html or you could spend $30K for http://www.highend.com/products/cont.../Wholehog3.asp or http://www.malighting.de/home/products/products.html

[moojoe]

go here, they have a good amount of controllers that are fairly cheep

[SuperCow]

We have five TrakSpots, and we use an ETC Express 125 with WYSIWYG to control them.

[lxdeptnz]

Originally Posted by IcePenguin

I'd also like to be able to control fog machines and perhaps flashpots with the same controller.
Thanks!

Umm, if you're saying you'd like to control pyrotechnics off the lighting board... this isn't a good idea. On DMX, there is no error checking or anything, so there's no way to tell if the pyro has been fired, and no way to prevent the pyro from being fired. Not that I've used many, but most control boxes have a keyswitch to enable firing... for safety. That's all I can come up with off the top of my head... yeah.
No Pyro over DMX please!

As for controllers.... a DMX Lighting board, preferably one that can handle moving lights will do... I'd suggest the Zero88 Frog Series

HTH
David

[Mayhem]

I agree. Here (as I suspect in most countries) pyro controllers must have a double safety mechanism. The most important of these is a key that CANNOT be removed in the ON position. Second can vary, but in most cases it will be an arm switch (often covered). Other features include a fire button that has a shroud around it, so it cannot be accidentally pressed. Others are designed so that it requires both hands to operate.

Remember, the amount of voltage to trigger an electronic fuse is very small. Using a multimeter to check pyro WILL cause them to ignite. As such, this is something that should NEVER be done either.

Also (as pointed out above) there are no address switches on pyro!

One further comment – in my opinion, you should not be using pyro if you do not have a licence to do so. As a licensed pyrotechnician and fireworks operator, there are too many accidents caused by people who do not have sufficient training or experience.

[IcePenguin]

To tell you the truth, it would probably be safer controlling it over DMX.

Our current method of detonation is plugging the flashpot into a surge surpressor and flipping to switch to ON when the cue comes. They're simple flashpots, a box with a short, stubby tube that the explosives go in, and then two bare wires running through the explosives. 8O

That's just the way my high school does it, I guess! :P

[IcePenguin]

One quick question!

Can someone give me a ballpark figure on an ETC Express 125? Will the Express work with our existing ETC L-86 Dimmer rack?

Thanks!

[moojoe]

when i read how your school does pyro, i collapsed and almost cried. im sitting here now rocking back and forth in horror.

[Mayhem]

Originally Posted by IcePenguin

To tell you the truth, it would probably be safer controlling it over DMX.

Our current method of detonation is plugging the flashpot into a surge surpressor and flipping to switch to ON when the cue comes. They're simple flashpots, a box with a short, stubby tube that the explosives go in, and then two bare wires running through the explosives. 8O

That's just the way my high school does it, I guess! :P

First of all there is one simple rule for pyro. SAFETY. In all cases, there must be a clear line of sight of the product being used. Often FOH does not provide such a position. A lot of pyrotechnicians will set themselves at side of stage as it gives you a better perspective of depth of the stage. Especially where sets are complicated or there are actors/dancers on stage. In some cases, a separate safety officer may be required to observe for people getting too close to any product. In this case the safety officer (who should be in communication via a headset to the pyrotechnician that is firing) can call an UNSAFE shot.

If you can not see the product and all safety areas – YOU CAN NOT FIRE IT

Any automated firing system MUST have a manual override.

I do not know if there are any DMX controllable exploders out on the market as it is not something that I would be interested in. If there was, there would still need to be someone there to activate the unit and determine if it is safe to fire. Given this, adding in a DMX trigger only complicates the situation and when you complicate things, that is when accidents are more likely to happen.

Now – onto the way that your school uses pyro.

This is an extremely unsafe method and violates just about every safety precaution that I can think of in regards to the system of firing. There should (must) be no way that the system can be accidentally fired and as I previously stated, this is done with the use of a key switch and one (or maybe more) additional safety systems.

I don’t even want to think about the risks of plugging pyro into 120V AC.

I don’t know the rules and regulation as they apply to the US but given what is legislated over here; I would be surprised if the differences were very dramatic. I also would think that the local Fire Marshal would close you down immediately should they observe this practice.

The other thing that always confuses me is that people say “but they are only flash pots”. Look at the label on them. They will still have an Explosives 1.4 UN sticker on them. People have been seriously burned with flash pots.

Regardless of how small or big the effect or whether it is instantaneous or has a set duration, it should be treated the same as far as safety is concerned.

This is not an attack on you personally but rather a response that I think you need to take back to your school and also to highlight some of the safety concerns that cannot be ignored.