Control/Dimming 0-10v ADJ DP20-A

[Grimley]

I have (2) ADJ DP-20A dimmers. I'm looking to control them. I'm thinking about buying the dmx to 0-10v decoder below and using a cheap dmx controller. According to the pinouts, I'm thinking about wiring channels 1-4 from one pack and 1-4 from a 2nd pack to make 1-8 on the converter. Then I wire both to the signal ground. It appears that the dimmers have an option to communicate to each other through the center pin with 20v. But if I don't wire the packs to each other it should work no?

 

[RonHebbard]

I have (2) ADJ DP-20A dimmers. I'm looking to control them. I'm thinking about buying the dmx to 0-10v decoder below and using a cheap dmx controller. According to the pinouts, I'm thinking about wiring channels 1-4 from one pack and 1-4 from a 2nd pack to make 1-8 on the converter. Then I wire both to the signal ground. It appears that the dimmers have an option to communicate to each other through the center pin with 20v. But if I don't wire the packs to each other it should work no?

@Grimley Short answer: Yes. Longer answer: I read your post soon after you posted, not being familiar with your dimmer packs (coupled with being nearly blind) I kept an eye on your post hoping someone with hands on experience with your exact packs would post. So far no one else appears to have posted. I've put a few minutes into squinting at your links and I'll brazenly offer a few comments. Odds are this'll open the flood gates and a multitude of other posters will leap in to critique my comments.
My comments in no particular order.
- I'm assuming you already have a lighting console or computer and dongle to provide at least 8 channels of DMX512A to your decoder.
- I'm assuming you'll address your decoder's input address to 1.
- I'm assuming you'll use the decoder's DMX 120 ohm termination switch to terminate your DMX source's output.
- I'm assuming you'll connect your decoder's non grounded signal output common terminal to the common analogue input terminals on BOTH of your two four dimmer packs.
- I'm assuming you'll connect your decoder's output terminals 1 < 4 to analogue input terminals 1 < 4 on the first of your two dimmer packs.
- I'm assuming you'll connect your decoder's output terminals 5 < 8 to analogue input terminals 1 < 4 on the second of your two dimmer packs.
- I'm assuming you'll leave the center pins disconnected. I'd suspect this center pin is provided NOT for packs to communicate with each other but instead to provide low voltage DC to potentially power a very basic NON DMX lighting controller.
My closing assumptions:
- I'm assuming you'll carefully check ALL of your connections, connect suitably rated loads to the 8 outputs of your dimmers, input power of the correct voltage and frequency to your lighting board (or computer), your decoder, both of your dimmer packs, no foul odors, or blinding flashes will occur, everything will work to your satisfaction, you'll be deliriously happy and you'll post back telling everyone of your success within the next few days.
With all best wishes @Grimley
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard [Who HATES to assume!] (And places evil spells and hexes on posters who post for information, receive GRATIS advice, and then vaporize back into the ether NEVER to be heard from again.)
Welcome to Control Booth @Grimley

 

[jds10011]

I suspect what you have in mind will work. However, do you know for sure that these dimmers are entirely functional? Have you tested the analog input to see if it does what you think it does, either with an analog controller or the good old 9V battery between the common and each channel (at your own risk, obviously)? Do you have an appropriate cable/connector to mate with these analog input jacks? Are you sure that the dimmers will not exhibit interesting behavior when controlled with the northlight board?

I think it would be less headache and not much more expensive to just get more modern dimmers. For example, the American DJ DP-415R model seems to be on eBay for $100 each right now. (Not that I like ADJ that much, but that's where you began.) I say this as the proud owner of plenty of analog dimmers...

 

[Grimley]

@Grimley Short answer: Yes. Longer answer: I read your post soon after you posted, not being familiar with your dimmer packs (coupled with being nearly blind) I kept an eye on your post hoping someone with hands on experience with your exact packs would post. So far no one else appears to have posted. I've put a few minutes into squinting at your links and I'll brazenly offer a few comments. Odds are this'll open the flood gates and a multitude of other posters will leap in to critique my comments.
My comments in no particular order.
- I'm assuming you already have a lighting console or computer and dongle to provide at least 8 channels of DMX512A to your decoder.
- I'm assuming you'll address your decoder's input address to 1.
- I'm assuming you'll use the decoder's DMX 120 ohm termination switch to terminate your DMX source's output.
- I'm assuming you'll connect your decoder's non grounded signal output common terminal to the common analogue input terminals on BOTH of your two four dimmer packs.
- I'm assuming you'll connect your decoder's output terminals 1 < 4 to analogue input terminals 1 < 4 on the first of your two dimmer packs.
- I'm assuming you'll connect your decoder's output terminals 5 < 8 to analogue input terminals 1 < 4 on the second of your two dimmer packs.
- I'm assuming you'll leave the center pins disconnected. I'd suspect this center pin is provided NOT for packs to communicate with each other but instead to provide low voltage DC to potentially power a very basic NON DMX lighting controller.
My closing assumptions:
- I'm assuming you'll carefully check ALL of your connections, connect suitably rated loads to the 8 outputs of your dimmers, input power of the correct voltage and frequency to your lighting board (or computer), your decoder, both of your dimmer packs, no foul odors, or blinding flashes will occur, everything will work to your satisfaction, you'll be deliriously happy and you'll post back telling everyone of your success within the next few days.
With all best wishes @Grimley
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard [Who HATES to assume!] (And places evil spells and hexes on posters who post for information, receive GRATIS advice, and then vaporize back into the ether NEVER to be heard from again.)
Welcome to Control Booth @Grimley

You assume correctly

 

[techieman33]

I agree with jds, just cut your losses and buy dmx packs. You can pick up 4 channel packs for under $100 all day long. If you had a lot of analog dimming then adapting could be worth the effort. But for 8 channels I wouldn't want to bring on the extra headaches the adapter could cause. This is especially true if your not sure that your current packs are in good condition. Buying DMX packs brings other benefits too. You'll be able to easily expand the system in the future if you need to for starters. Parts to fix them or outright replacing them will be much simpler. And they'll maintain some resale value into the future if you expand beyond 4 channel packs, or no longer need them.