Mixing 3-Pin & 5-Pin DMX

[jmac]

We have a control console, shoebox dimmer and two scroller power supplies, all of which are 5-pin DMX. Rental company is bringing in an additional (8) dimmer packs, some of which are 5-pin, but some apparently will be 3-pin.

What is best way to combine these all together? Can they all be on a single 5-pin DMX string with in and out "adapters" at the 3-pin devices? Or is it more complicated than that?? Thanks.

 

[cdub260]

What is best way to combine these all together? Can they all be on a single 5-pin DMX string with in and out "adapters" at the 3-pin devices? Or is it more complicated than that?? Thanks.

Yes, it really is that simple unless you choose to make it more complicated by throwing DMX splitting and/or combining units, which based on your post, you probably don't need.

Of course, the specific equipment you're using may change this answer.

Edit: If your DMX controlled equipment is spread all over the theatre, a DMX splitter may simplify your setup and allow you to use less cable.

 

[jmac]

Yes, it really is that simple unless you choose to make it more complicated by throwing DMX splitting and/or combining units, which based on your post, you probably don't need.

Of course, the specific equipment you're using may change this answer.

Edit: If your DMX controlled equipment is spread all over the theatre, a DMX splitter may simplify your setup and allow you to use less cable.

Thanks. This is a fairly small theater and setup. 100' cable gets us from console to FOH pipe. All remaining stops are 25' or less each, total about 300' length.

 

[len]

You should be able to get 3/5 adapters in your rental. And get terminators for each run. It should save you some aggravation.

 

[lieperjp]

You should be able to get 3/5 adapters in your rental. And get terminators for each run. It should save you some aggravation.

:agree:

And If you do need the splitter, the Elation 4-1 splitter has both 5 and 3 pin outs.

 

[mnfreelancer]

Slight hi-jack but on the same thread, has anyone had any experience with Elation RGB LED PARs and 3 pin DMX adapters? My company bought ten of them about a year ago from a major production company that was upgrading, and the ME for that company claimed that the elations didn't play well with others, specifically when chaining them in the middle of 5 pin DMX chain when all they have is 3 pin. I haven't had any problems with them but haven't had time to exhaustively test them in a number of scenarios so it could be true or it might not be.

 

[len]

It depends. I've had various issues with older Elation and especially ADJ products, but they were a few years old. Their newer products seem more robust.

 

[paradoxism]

Rather than adapt each individual unit it is probably easier to put the 3-pin dimmers together in the chain if possible and just adapt the first and last unit to 5-pin.

I'm regularly forced to mix 3 and 5-pin equipment (isn't it nice that we have the DMX 'standard' now!) and the only issue I've ever come across is different manufacturers tendancies to swap the 3-pin pinouts for the hot and cold data streams. If the 3-pin dimmers are all the same brand this shouldn't be an issue, and even if it is you just need phase invertors to correct it.

 

[Anvilx]

Rather than adapt each individual unit it is probably easier to put the 3-pin dimmers together in the chain if possible and just adapt the first and last unit to 5-pin.

I definitely agree. That's how I roll.