Automated Fixtures Please help: Using moving heads with Strand 300

[nicsim]

Hi, I am having problems opening the Iris/shutter on the FutureLight MH860 using my school's Strand 300 board.

Our hook up is: Strand 300 board > Network switch via CAT 5 cable > SN102 Network Node on our second fly-bar > Moving Head 1 via DMX > Moving Head 2. I've patched the moving head 1 to DMX 200 and the other to DMX 220.

Although I was able to change colors, gobo, pan it Horizontally and Vertically using the board. I tested the Demo modes 1 & 2 on the Moving head and it works the shutter was able to open and run.

 

[thommyboy]

It looks like the FutureLight is set to have the Iris on channel 13. If you look in the patch does it list the iris on DMX outputs 213 and 233? If not there may be an issue with the fixture profile.

 

[icewolf08]

I don't know anything about the particular fixture that you are using, but often the shutter channel is grouped in with the reset or control channel. So sometimes in order to open the shutter you have to set attribute 20 to the lever that would make the shutter open. Also, as thommyboy mentioned, you might need to check your profile and make sure that it is setup correctly. I don't know what the attribute order is for the fixture, so i can't tell you how the profiles should be. The shutter attribute should be attribute 68.

 

[nicsim]

Is it possible if you could send me a copy of the fixture profile? As I think mine is corrupted.

 

[icewolf08]

I could make you a fixture profile, but I don't know the channel order for your fixture, so if you have the manual or could direct me to a PDF of it online that would help. Or, if you could just tell me what the manual says the attribute order is, then I could do it.

 

[thommyboy]

Fixture User Manuals

 

[propmonkey]

i dont have any actually experience with movers on the 300 but i have patched stuff in my time of learning. if i recall correctly you can patch each fixture with a different mode. i know with the macs there were, i think, 3 modes. some with finer pan and tilt control.

 

[icewolf08]

Ask and ye shall receive. Below is how I would write the profile for this fixture. With this profile, lamp strike and fan speed are controlled by attribute 20. The manual will tell you where you have to set that channel to strike the lamps. Also, this profile is for 16-bit operation, so make sure that your fixture is set to 16-bit mode.

To install the profile, you will need to open the fixture library on your console. You will need a keyboard attached to your console. Just pick any fixture from the library that you don't use, and over-write that profile with this one. CB doesn't always display profiles in the proper format, so know that between each number and comma there is a TAB. Also, you will need to replace the number in the brackets ([]) with the number of the profile that you are replacing in the library or you will confuse the Console. Once you type in the new profile make sure that you save the fixture library. YOu will need to delete any channels that you already have patched for these fixtures and completely repatch using the new profile. If you need more info on how to install/use/patch with profiles, just let me know. Here it is:

[1][MH-860]
3, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
4, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
x3, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
x4 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
17, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
20, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
2, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
44, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
7, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
8, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
9, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
23, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
5, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
6, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
68, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0
1, 0, 0, 255, 0, 0

 

[nicsim]

Thank You for all the help, and advice. And especially to thommyboy for the fixture manual and icewolf08 for the fixture personality.
Finally got it working, and found that the fixture personality on the board was inputted with the wrong data.
Just one more thing, how do I off the Lamp via DMX on the Strand 300?

 

[icewolf08]

That is what we are here for!

 

[icewolf08]

Just one more thing, how do I off the Lamp via DMX on the Strand 300?

Set the control attribute (attribute 20) to whatever level the manual says for lamp off.

 

[thommyboy]

Glad to be able to help.

 

[nicsim]

Hi guys, just want to ask a quick question, how do I switch the net online, on the console?

As for the pass few weeks it has been working fine. Until this week when I wondered why the moving head wasn't responding to the commands. I ran the diagnostics i found the net offline.

And... is it possible to run other means of ethernet communication modes other than ShowNet, on the Strand 300. eg. ArtNet

Thanks

 

[icewolf08]

You can get to the network controls like this:
[REPORT]{ADV. SETUP}{CONSL SETUP}
The Network setting should be in the top right of your display. If you can't turn network back on from there, then you will need to call strand support (which is hit or miss) as your console may have some corrupt data files on it if networker was working before.

As for other communication protocols, sorry, ShowNet is it.

 

[nicsim]

I thought you'd say that. I tried changing the values in the console setup but all the values were in yellow. I just called my local strand dealer yesterday and was told me the contact person was in Hong Kong for a business trip.

Is there any other ways to over come this?

and also...

What are the common problems other than this, facing the Strand 300 that I should know about?

thanks

 

[icewolf08]

I have heard from multiple people that the Strand 300 that the Solid State Drive (yup there is no HD in there!) likes to just up and die sometimes. Other than that, I haven't had too many issues with the 300. You might try booting up in DOS mode and running the 220Clean program. This may help you and it is really the only built in diagnostic tool on the Strand Consoles.

 

[nicsim]

How do I change the Console Security Number?

 

[icewolf08]

How do I change the Console Security Number?

Do you mean you need a password to long in? Or do you mean something else? To change the password to log in you have to boot up in DOS mode and open one of the settings files (which I can't remember the name of off-hand). Then you just find the line items for user name and password. Change and save then reboot.

 

[nicsim]

Well, I tried and ran the 220clean this morning. Restarted the board and ended up with 50/50 channels instead of the 125/125 channels i was supposed to have. And whats more the net wouldn't turn on, I also noticed the software installed, GENPRO COMPRO TRK REP and is missing the NET.

I tried loading the 32bit password but the Console Security numbers doesnt match, which is odd as my strand dealer had recently gone to hong kong to get a new password.

Could you advice me on what to do next?

 

[icewolf08]

I hate to say it, but you are probably SOL until you can reach your dealer or Strand directly. It sounds like you have some serious data corruption on your system. You might try reinstalling the software, but this may not help you with your channel count issue. However, if you have the password, it may work if you do a clean install of the OS.

Unfortunately the Strand 300 serious is infamous for dumping it's brains sometimes. If you feel comfortable reinstalling the OS yourself, you should try that. Otherwise get in touch with your dealer or Strand.