Control/Dimming - ETC Sensor Rolling Racks

[nmccoart5]

This past summer i worked a show and the dimmers chosen by the LD was an ETC Sensor 98. So i thought i would share a story to see if anyone has encountered the same problem that we did. We rigged our whole show and connected all of the cables to the dimmer. The board was connected and everything seemed to be ok. However when we went to check eveything (patches and lamps) nothing went on! We then spent countless hours trying to figure out what was going on between the board and dimmer. All of the breakers were on, power was getting to the dimmer, all dmx cables we going to their correct places, the master slider was up, and on and on.......... FINALLY, after contacting the rental company, we had found our problem. Because the sensor racks have slide out removable dimmers, each and every dimmer had come out of position during transport, so we didn't notice. I found this to be hilarious because such a simple thing had caused us such a big problem. I think that ETC should consider some kind of locking mechinism for the sensor series to avoid this problem. Now of course we know to make sure all of the dimmers were pushed in all of the way before we start!
I just wanted to share this story so anyone who has used this rack and possibly experianced a similar problem, might now be able to fix it, and to let you know of this in case you run into a similar problem.

[derekleffew]

I bet you $11ty-bazillion it WASN'T an ETC Sensor 98 dimmer rack, nor did the LD have much authority in its selection. ETC dimmers are what good lighting shops have. Period. "Industry-standard" and all that other marketing hokum.

ETC Touring Racks since (1996?) HAVE had a mechanical locking feature as you describe, but it's wise practice nonetheless to make ensure ANY/Every piece of portable pull-out gear is correctly seated before applying power. Vibration from bouncing around in the back of a truck takes its toll on all gear.

Next time, rather than "spending countless hours" troubleshooting, due do diligence. Then, if the problem still exists,

call ETC at 1-800-688-4116,

24/7/365. Tech support doesn't mind stupid questions, it actually gives them a break from the more difficult problems, and both parties are left with a feeling of satisfaction. Unlike with some/most other manufacturers, you won't be told to first call the place where you rented or purchased the ill-behaved device, unless it needs something more than phone service.

Thanks for the tip, nmccoart5. It's a good one, solving a problem that has bitten me, more than once. Remembering to push in all the modules is a small price to pay for the privilege of using the best dimmer on the market.

[Van]

This is one of those issues that, growing up with EDI packs, doesn't sound all that big of an issue and as Derek mentioned would normally be one of the first things I would check. I'm not belittling or make light of your post, I think it points out something that could happen to a lot of younger techs. In the OLD Days, you always had to go to dimmer beach and either pull each dimmer out and shove it back in , or at least wiggle it to make sure it was seated properly. The old packs usually had brass pins , similar to the pins on a stage plug, that were notorious for needing a good spreading and were constantly getting arc traced or corroded. I think a lot of us old timers would start at the dims first, wiggling each one to make sure the contact was good, and then proceed to data issues etc.
Good Post!

[SteveB]

Derek has covered the issue already, but I have some peeves.

"This past summer i worked a show and the dimmer chosen by the LD was an ETC Sensor 98"

One of the things that will separate you from the lesser folks is going to be your ability to get the specifics of the gear correct, especially if describing it on a forum dedicated to the technical entertaiment industry. It's a Sensor 96, not 98. It's the most common dimming system, probably in the world.

It has multiple dimmer"s", plural, that's why it's called a 96. Not Dimmer, singular.

As Derek has mentioned, and hopefully this is something you will retain, as well as a thanks for taking the time to bring it up, as it's one of those things everyone learns and forgets to pass along, is that Sensor dimmers get knocked out of contact in shipment. This is something every roadie and house electrician is aware of and has learned the hard way, and the very first thing I do on a touring rack, prior to connecting ANY cables, is open the door and re-seat the dimmer modules. Plural.

Sorry if I sound cranky, I am.

Steve B.

[soundman]

Originally Posted by SteveB

the very first thing I do on a touring rack, prior to connecting ANY cables, is open the door and re-seat the dimmer modules.

Steve B.

Not just the dimmers but don't forget to reseat the CEM. I was teching a rack and the CEM was giving an error about the C phase not working. The phase C neon on the rear of the rack was not lit as well yet metering between any phase and C would give 208V and between neutral would give 120V. Turns out the CEM was not seated all the way and that connection was not made. The neon on the back was just plain burned out.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by SteveB

... It has multiple "dimmers," plural, that's why it's called a 96. Not Dimmer, singular. ...

Thank you SteveB for your anality. See everyone, it's not solely me! Other people care about how you express yourself in public and weather [watch those homonyms] you use standard terms and correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. Now I'm not saying you're gonna get jumped upon for tranpsosed letters, or for using a double quote (") where an apostrophe (') should have been, but, as has been said, "Here at ControlBooth, we aspire to a higher standard."

Now SteveB, I've never called the item in question a "96", or even "Sensor 96." I have used the terms: "Sensor dimmer rack," "Sensor rack," "Sensor 96x2.4" "Sensor TR-48," "Sensor 96-way," and the same terms without the "Sensor" part. I have heard it referred to as a "dimmer," by professionals, who were probably just too lazy to add the word "rack."

I have a feeling I'd get decked if an Upstaging Crew Chief said, "Take that dimmer to stage right" and I replied "Which dimmer? Don't you want them all over there?"

At least the OP didn't say "an ETC Senser 98". Kudos for using "an" instead of "a" before "ETC," nmccoart5.

I have to go focuss the Kleigal leicos on the psyche now.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by soundman

...just plane burned out.

What am I, an Entertainment Technician or an English teacher?

[Van]

An English Teacher, An English teacher........... Hmm, shades of Bye, Bye, Birdie.....

[SHARYNF]

YIKES we certainly jump all over someone... I'd rather have a dumb question or maybe even one that is slightly inaccurate than totally scare off people.

It is interesting that if you go to

Used sensor 98 etc :: For Sale - Solaris

you will see that solarisnetwork is all sold out of sensor 98!!!!!!!
So not just young controlbooth folks make the mistake ;-)))

Sharyn

[derekleffew]

Must be counting the spare module(s) that live in the rack. Does any other manufacturer provide convenient spares storage?