ColorRanger Scrollers Help

[domiii]

Just bought six used ColorRanger scrollers with a power supply for $278 including shipping on ebay. I think I got a good buy. They just arrived and to my surprise they threw in one scroller for parts. The gel strings look in good condition.
I searched the forum, found one thread that discussed these scrollers. I have looked on the Morpheus site and downloaded the ColorFader manual.
We are a small community theatre in New Jersey, 110 seats in a converted two room school house. We have an Expression 48/96 with an ETC/LMI 24 circuit 1.2 KW touring rack and 4 Sunn PS 1200. Shortly we will be upgrading to a ETC Sensor 48 rack.
Ok now the questions.
Where is the best place to get the four pin cables I need to connect the scrollers to the power supply?
Or should I make them myself?
If so what kind of cable do I need and where is the best place to buy the cable and connectors?
I have never used scrollers before. I will be using these scrollers with my inventory of old Fresnels and Lekos that we have had donated to us over the years.
Any tips, hints, and advice would be appreciated.
Dominick Abbatiello,
Somerset Valley Players

[Grog12]

You're close enough to NYC...there are any number of places you could purchase it including PRG, Barbizon, and 4 Wall. I'm sure with a little research you could find some smaller supply houses as well. I personly wouldn't make them myself because its a lot of soddering especially if you have no cable to start with. The best place to buy the bare cable and connectors would probably be the same as above with buying a pre-built cable.

[icewolf08]

Any of your local theatre supply houses should carry scroller cable. You can also call places like BMI Supply or Production Advantage, they always can get you what you need.

As for tips, hits and advice, I think you need to be a little more specific about what kind of help you want.

[Charc]

Was this a one time deal or is this something the vendor regularly sells?

[n1ist]

Just remember that the pinout for the ColorRangers is DIFFERENT from most regular scrollers. It expects the data on pins 1 and 2, ground on 3, and power on 4, so the shielded or twisted pair needs to be on 1 and 2, not 2 and 3 like most scrollers. The data is RS485 so it needs 120 ohm cable.

[domiii]

They were used.

Came out of a Casino that was demolished. He had about 10 sets and sold them in a Dutch auction on EBay, you bid on a quantity and with an amount. The lowest bid is what everyone gets the item for.

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

Was this a one time deal or is this something the vendor regularly sells?

[domiii]

Originally Posted by icewolf08

As for tips, hits and advice, I think you need to be a little more specific about what kind of help you want.

Having never worked with scrollers, I am looking for general information as to how to use them, programing tips for my board, anything I should watch out for when using them and any specific information about these particular units.

I know that they are obsolete so any information from somebody that has used these in the past would be greatly appreciated.


Dom III

[gafftaper]

There was some discussion a while back about using Ethernet cable for DMX lines and just soldering a DMX plug on the end. It would be a heck of a lot cheaper. What I don't know is if you can do that with the power in there or if it only works in DMX only lines.

Anybody?

[icewolf08]

I don't think that cat5 is the correct gauge for running the power that the scrollers need.

[domiii]

Just wanted to say that I sent a note to Morpheus today and they sent me a PDF of the manual for the ColorRangers.

They also have cables available.

Kudos to Morpheus tech service!!!!