@
schwei22
Sorry you are having an issue with your new MXR2s. I'd like to help you figure out just what is causing the issue. Under normal circumstances, the strings should not twitch or pulse as you are seeing.
Apollo scrollers do not have a
gel saving mode, so once they
settle in to their destination, they should not move again until they receive a new signal. That brings me to the first possible cause. If they are not getting a good and steady
DMX signal without any noise, they may move a little erratically. You said you are using an
Ion, so I am not concerned about a bad or noisy
DMX signal coming from the
console. However, the issue could lie in the nodes you are using and/or the
ethernet cable you are using to connect the nodes. If the nodes are not high quality, they could be outputting bad
DMX or putting noise on the
line. If the
ethernet cable isn't the right type, it could be introducing noise to the
line. Another possibility has to do with
RDM. If the nodes are
RDM capable, it could be a termination issue. It sounds like you don't have any other devices between the
node and the
PSU. Is that correct? I would recommend putting a
DMX terminator on the output of the last device.
DMX reflections are crazy and can
effect different devices differently.
I also want to clarify your
hookup. I'm not exactly sure where you got that you can only have 3 MXR2s in a loop. The
MXR2 manual does not say that. On
page 3, it says, "Five MXR 2’s can be run from a Smart
Power 200W; ten MXR 2’s can be run from a Smart
Power 400W, and fifteen MXR 2’s can be run from a Smart
Power 600W. Each MXR 2 requires 43 watts of
power." The
Smart Power spec sheet clarifies it a little more, stating that you can have up to 5 MXR2s per
circuit. Note that each
circuit has two outputs and two returns. That is for convenience, so you can have two loops per
circuit if needed. However, you cannot exceed 200w per
circuit. It is recommended that the
return line is run for two reasons. First, it terminates the data through built in terminators on the returns on the
PSU. Second, it closes the
power circuit, providing a stable 24vDC across the
line, minimizing
power drops and unwanted resets. However, having too many units on a
circuit may still cause undesired operation. It really isn't a waste of cable.
Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions. Thanks.