Controlling Dimmer Packs with ETC console

[BirdFL]

I have two Light Stream Controls (Elation) T16F Dimmer Packs that came with a foot controller which is connected via 3-pin xlr. I am wanting to control the lights connected to the dimmer packs with an ETC Express so I ran a 3-pin xlr to the console and made a 3to5 cable. When this data line is plug into the console the lights connected to the dimmer packs begin to strobe like they are getting bad dmx single. I check the cables and they are fine. The dimmer packs are set in slave mode and when set in master mode nothing happens. Can I even control these dimmer pack with the Express? And if so any suggestion as to how to solve this would be appreciated. The lights are conventional fixtures

 

[skienblack]

While the spec sheet for these dimmer packs says they can communicate via DMX to each other I don't see any way to adress them besides master/slave. I imagine you are out of luck in terms of trying to control them from a light board.

 

[ccm1495]

Im going to do a little research, but just taking a guess but I think that the foot pedal dose not send out dmx so when you unplugged the peddle and plugged in the etc express the dimmers were confused.

Just a guess. But i also think you are out of luck.

Im Wrong

 

[derekleffew]

This, from the manual.pdf, I think is the key point:

Be sure the Linkup selector is in "Slave" position. Connect this unit with
a DMX controller, this unit will be controlled by the DMX controller. DMX
value 0-9 of DMX channel 1 activates Stand By, DMX value 10-249
leads to any of 7 scenes or 17 chase patterns. When the DMX value of
channel 1 is among 250-255, this unit will act as a 4 channel dimmer
pack and the start channel is the 2nd DMX channel.

So you would address the first pack as 001, [-]and the second as 006[/-]. This would give you
Express Dimmer#: - Use:
001 - Pack#1 control channel
002 - Pack #1, dimmer#1
003 - Pack #1, dimmer#2
004 - Pack #1, dimmer#3
005 - Pack #1, dimmer#4
001 - Pack#2 control channel
002 - Pack #2, dimmer#1
003 - Pack #2, dimmer#2
004 - Pack #2, dimmer#3
005 - Pack #2, dimmer#4
Express's dimmer 1 [-]and 6[/-] would need to be set at Full for proper DMX operation. (I would "park" them at Full.) I've omitted the Express's ability to softpatch dimmers into control channels for clarity.

EDIT:

... I don't see any way to adress them besides master/slave. ...

Upon closer reading of the manual, I think skienblack's answer is partially (the portion quoted) correct. There appears no way to set an address other than 1. You could use both packs, but dimmers on both packs would do the same thing.

Try this and let us know if it works. (As an aside, this is one of the oddest implementations of a dimmer's DMX I've ever heard of. Most MLs have a control channel that does various things, but I've never heard of one for a dimmer pack.)

-----

... and made a 3to5 cable. ...

Hopefully, you made a 5 to 3 cable (adapter, 5-3). On adapters, the MALE END is always specified first.

 

[65535]

PDF

II. DMX mode Be sure the Linkup selector is in "Slave" position. Connect this unit with
a DMX controller, this unit will be controlled by the DMX controller. DMX
value 0-9 of DMX channel 1 activates Stand By, DMX value 10-249
leads to any of 7 scenes or 17 chase patterns. When the DMX value of
channel 1 is among 250-255, this unit will act as a 4 channel dimmer
pack and the start channel is the 2nd DMX channel.

That should help. Amazing what reading the manual will do for you.

The flashing you are seeing is one of the chase modes, hence the flashing.

There's a whole list of them in the PDF.

 

[ccm1495]

OK I did a little looking and I found this pdf
http://www.elationlighting.com/pdffiles/t16f.pdf

I think that this has what you are looking for.
It explains the dmx mode.... Its Kinda weird but it might just work for you.

I have copied Some of the more useful information into this post.

"Product Instructions:
I. Master mode: Slide Linkup selector(3) to "Master", this unit will serve as a Master,
you can use this unit directly or by a foot controller(sold separately).
By linkup function, several unit can be linked together and controlled
by the Master.(There is only a Master in the linkup.)
II. Slave mode: Slide Linkup selector(3) to "Slave", this unit will serve as a Slave, all
function buttons on this unit will be disabled and this unit will be controlled
by the Master unit when available.
II. DMX mode Be sure the Linkup selector is in "Slave" position. Connect this unit with
a DMX controller, this unit will be controlled by the DMX controller. DMX
value 0-9 of DMX channel 1 activates Stand By, DMX value 10-249
leads to any of 7 scenes or 17 chase patterns. When the DMX value of
channel 1 is among 250-255, this unit will act as a 4 channel dimmer
pack and the start channel is the 2nd DMX channel.
IV. Stand By: Tap Stand By button(6) to activate Stand By, its LED flashes indicating
Stand By is active, which will kill all output momentarily. The second
tap of Stand By will deactivate this function.
V. Full On: Keep pressing Pattern and Stand By buttons at a time, Full On will be
activated, all output"(Pg.2 http://www.elationlighting.com/pdffiles/t16f.pdf)

 

[65535]

I beat ccm1495 by 3 minutes, but Derek beat ME by 2.

 

[ccm1495]

I beat ccm1495 by 3 minutes, but Derek beat ME by 2.

I was typing when you posted yours

But you win

 

[BirdFL]

Will this still work if I am running them out of the 2nd DMX universe?

 

[sk8rsdad]

DMX devices are unable to recognize the universe they are in. Stated another way, all they know is their address; they have no idea what street they are on. If you can get it to work at all, it would work in any universe the console supports.