Brentgi
Active Member
I'll say that I'm mostly an amateur when it comes to lighting and the like. I've had no formal training, no certifications, no degree when it comes to lighting/design. However, I've been around stage & theatrical lighting since I was in high school (and that's around the same time that Google came around), and have always been involved with lighting systems in churches that I have worked/volunteered at.
With the exception of an NSI/Leviton system that was installed at a previous venue (which I hated - the system, not the venue), I've always been at places where either the house lighting was controlled by the console, or it was it's own seperate system all together.
Where the NSI system was concerned, there was a Luma-Net zone controller on the wall (http://www.leviton.com/en/products/n0400-cp0). I remember the programing was done at the switch and it was wired directly to the dimmer pack. Worked well because we could power off the console and if the cleaning person needed into the space, they could use the wall switch.
Well, times have changed...
Currently our venue is using DMX controlled house lighting (LED fixtures). The console must remain on at all times regardless of whether or not it's being used. I have wired a contact closure push-button switch to the outside of the booth door that triggers a macro on EOS Element to turn lights on and off. This is generally is ok, but after reading some other posts and getting a message at 7am saying the lights wouldn't come on (someone had zeroed the GM, which I consequently disabled), I decided to investigate what it would take to set the console free of the burden of controlling the house lights.
So far, the only real idea I have is to try my hand at building some sort of controller with Arduino. However, in my mind, there's got to be a simple piece of equipment that will do what I'm asking. Right? I'm just not sure what that would be.
Your input on the matter is appreciated.
With the exception of an NSI/Leviton system that was installed at a previous venue (which I hated - the system, not the venue), I've always been at places where either the house lighting was controlled by the console, or it was it's own seperate system all together.
Where the NSI system was concerned, there was a Luma-Net zone controller on the wall (http://www.leviton.com/en/products/n0400-cp0). I remember the programing was done at the switch and it was wired directly to the dimmer pack. Worked well because we could power off the console and if the cleaning person needed into the space, they could use the wall switch.
Well, times have changed...
Currently our venue is using DMX controlled house lighting (LED fixtures). The console must remain on at all times regardless of whether or not it's being used. I have wired a contact closure push-button switch to the outside of the booth door that triggers a macro on EOS Element to turn lights on and off. This is generally is ok, but after reading some other posts and getting a message at 7am saying the lights wouldn't come on (someone had zeroed the GM, which I consequently disabled), I decided to investigate what it would take to set the console free of the burden of controlling the house lights.
So far, the only real idea I have is to try my hand at building some sort of controller with Arduino. However, in my mind, there's got to be a simple piece of equipment that will do what I'm asking. Right? I'm just not sure what that would be.
Your input on the matter is appreciated.