Apollo SmartColor

[ericnush]

Hey guys,

Quick question about my SmartColors, (using the SmartPower 400)

The issue I am having is that some of the scrollers (about 3 on each side) keep reseting every time we change the color. We are far from being past the max DMX run length, and we only have 10 scollers hooked up (out of a max of 12).

Whenever we change the DMX value to change the gel, some of the scrollers scroll all the way to the front, all the way to the end, all the way to the front again, and then to the color we want. As you can imagine, this doesn't work very well for us. They are set to the fast speed, and if we change them to slow they work fine, but I don't have 30 seconds between cue changes to wait for them to get to their gel.

Does anyone else have the same issues? We have tried troubleshooting by changing out the individual scrollers, but if we swap them, the ones in "that spot" always reset. I'm starting to think it's the power supply....

any ideas?

[icewolf08]

Have you looped your data runs through the scrollers and back to the PSU? If not, I would be willing to bet that is your problem. In order to keep the voltage up in the line you need to always have a return run from the last scroller back to the PSU.

Out of curiosity, how long are your cable runs, and where is the PSU in relation to the scrollers?

[Sony]

As icewolf08 said, did you loop the data cables back to the return? You have to make a complete loop otherwise you can have serious problems. The return loop keeps the voltage level constant across all of the scrollers and prevents a voltage drop. Voltage drops are the main cause of what you are experiencing. We use 12 Scrollers at my college on the 400w PSU with no issues so the problem is most likely NOT the PSU if you aren't using the return loop. If you are using the return loop then it probably is the PSU.

[Kelite]

Originally Posted by icewolf08

Have you looped your data runs through the scrollers and back to the PSU? If not, I would be willing to bet that is your problem. In order to keep the voltage up in the line you need to always have a return run from the last scroller back to the PSU.

Out of curiosity, how long are your cable runs, and where is the PSU in relation to the scrollers?

Hi Eric,

Yes, it sounds as though there is no return line from the last scroller to the PSU. You may be dropping power by not having the return line connected.....

[ericnush]

Posted via Mobile Device

Hey guys,
Sorry I forgot to specify... I do have the return line hooked up on both sides. We didn't originally, and figured that was the problem, so we bought one for each side and installed them. Still had the same problem.

Any other ideas?

Also, the PSU is in the middle of the scrollers with 5 scrollers per side, each side on it's own output from the PSU. The cabel run of the daisychained scrollers and then the return are under 50 ft on each side, so total run is under 100 feet, well under the max.

[VegasLites]

Do you have a spare PSU...just for troubleshooting purposes, I would change it out and see if the problem follows.

[Kelite]

Good afternoon Eric,
If possible, could you please call me at Apollo @ (800)288-4626 so I may assist in finding the solution to this issue? I'd really like to help you, and while typing is alot of fun- conversation is always a bit better.

[VegasLites]

AMEN!

[soundman]

From your wording it sounds like these are kind of a fixed thing. Changing units and the problem staying in the location makes me think that the cable is the issue. Odd that it would work fine at a low speed and not at the high speed though.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by soundman

Changing units and the problem staying in the location makes me think that the cable is the issue.

I had a similar issue with my forerunners awhile back and it turned out to be a broken pin in my cable.