Upgrading 35 year old Strand AMX192 system

digital1 said:

We make a TRIAC , SCR DMX512 firing board
MD400-DMX 4 channel Triac or SCR trigger controlled by DMX. $ 160.00
http://digitallighting.com/animationfolder/specs/manuals/MD400 DMX Manual 2016.pdf

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I am interested to know how this device will solve the poster's problems.

microstar said:

I am interested to know how this device will solve the poster's problems.

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It could turn the existing dimming cabinet into a DMX512 controllable one.

digital1 said:

It could turn the existing dimming cabinet into a DMX512 controllable one.

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You might want to research the Strand CD80 dimmer rack; doubtful that the labor cost of re-engineering the entire rack (including controlling the fans), mounting the firing card in each module, and sending DMX to 46 dimmer modules would be the most desirable answer when the CD2000/3000 solution uses plug-in connections to simply replace the card cage.

A retrofit with individual firing boards would not designed and tested to meet safety standards. A dimming rack has the short circuit current potential for arc flash, and the level of inherent danger needs to be respected.

The CD-80 is a well proven dimming rack that can be given new life and many more years of service life with the Johnson Systems card cage. In my opinion, it's a good way to go.

My problem is I have 2 full racks of amx CD80 plus 2 racks of 0-10 volt (10 6k dimmers) for the houslights along with work light relays in same cabinets. Completed in 1986 it’s a combo analog house/digital stage lighting system. I feel half on sea and half on land.
Would be happy to do Johnson system upgrade for the cd80s, but there seems to be no easy fix/update for the houselights.

venuetech said:

My problem is I have 2 full racks of amx CD80 plus 2 racks of 0-10 volt (10 6k dimmers) for the houslights along with work light relays in same cabinets. Completed in 1986 it’s a combo analog house/digital stage lighting system. I feel half on sea and half on land.
Would be happy to do Johnson system upgrade for the cd80s, but there seems to be no easy fix/update for the houselights.

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Try calling Johnson Systems. They recommended the CD-2000 system for our combination house lights and stage lights. Shaun was very nice and helpful!

Are the 6kw houselights racks a Strand product as well? Model?

The nice thing about 0-10v is how easy it is to interface to.
I'm fairly certain there are ready made DMX to 10V decoder boards.

venuetech said:

My problem is I have 2 full racks of amx CD80 plus 2 racks of 0-10 volt (10 6k dimmers) for the houslights along with work light relays in same cabinets. Completed in 1986 it’s a combo analog house/digital stage lighting system. I feel half on sea and half on land.
Would be happy to do Johnson system upgrade for the cd80s, but there seems to be no easy fix/update for the houselights.

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The Johnson CD-2000 has both analog (0-10V) and DMX inputs, so it should interface with your house light and work light system easily.

On the other hand, the house light system is closer to the end of its life every day. It shouldn't be that hard to change it to to DMX. If the cabling between stations is in conduit, it should be possible to pull new cable for a modern system.

EdSavoie said:

The nice thing about 0-10v is how easy it is to interface to.
I'm fairly certain there are ready made DMX to 10V decoder boards.

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Yeah 0-10 & DMX was solved decades ago. ETC, DFD, and Pathway all make converters with various features and configurations. Those are just the ones off the top of my head!