What model are the rotators, we can help you better with that info. Here is a general guide though
For patching the rotator:
If a
DMX rotator:
A. And you are taking the data cable out of your last
dimmer and into your first rotator:
Take the
DMX cable out of the last
dimmer and into your first rotator. Take the
DMX cable out of your first rotator and put it into your second rotator. Go to the first rotator and set the
DMX address. This is either by a set of dip switches or an
LCD screen on the back with up/down buttons. Set the number to one number greater then your last
dimmer. Go to the second rotator and set that number to one greater then the last number.
Here is a little online guide to how to set the rotators dip switch
Plug in the rotators of course.
Go patch whatever numbers you set the rotators as into whatever
channel you want. If you need help with this, just ask, well help with that as well.
B. A
dmx rotator with data coming out of port 2 of the
console
run data from the
console to the first rotator, then to the second rotator. Same as above, set the dip switches to one greater then your last
dimmer number for the first rotator, and two greater then the last
dimmer number for the second rotator.
turn on, of course.
Go to the
console and press [setup] then
DMX settings, or
DMX ports or something of that nature. I forget what its called and which option it is, and I don't have the offline editor on my new
mac yet. Scroll to the second port and set the starting
DMX channel to be whatever the last first rotator was set to. (by default this number will be 513).
Go into your patch settings, and patch whatever number you set the rotators at into whatever
channel you wish. Again, we can help if you need help with this step.
If its not a dmx rotator
Plug in. turn light on and off at leisure. There is no way to control it from far away, short of plugging it in and unplugging.
DO NOT, do not, DO NOT try to control the speed by putting it on a
dimmer and turn the
dimmer up and down. That will fry the motor and do lots of bad things (such as causing zombies to walk free on their quest for brains).
I assume you know how the rotator goes into the
fixture and such, I assume they came with directions and such.
Remember, they are an
effect, and not at all necessary. If their stressing you out and you can't get them to work, don't use them. You can put them in the next show. I could give several good reasons to whoever is in charge on why they would not be right I could also give several good reasons why they should be used, but thats not the
point. If they don't work, don't worry about it. No one in the audience will think "well, ya know, they should have had
gobo rotators, the show is ruined for lack of a
gobo rotator".
They will however sit and say why the entire focus of the show is on two lights that can spin a piece of metal. So, don't do what we all do, get so worried about one tiny aspect we forget about the show as a whole.
No worries my friend, and let us know if there's anything else we can do to help.
Zac