Sean Meighan
Welcome => Do You Need Help? Post it here => Topic started by: teamflash44 on December 23, 2017, 07:56:50 AM
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I have been trying to get the lights to work properly with Xlights for 3 full days now. I have a E682 controller running just 7 outputs. I was told to update the firmware and that would fix it, no good. I have made all universes 510 in size and went through and assigned every string of the Mega tree to channels and outputs, no good. I had one short sequence in Vixen and ran that just to rule out the computer/network. The sequence on Vixen worked fine. Everything lit properly in the proper place. Ran a sequence on Xlights and the images on the tree are all broken up and arch is not lighting on the first 2 feet of first arch. Every change I make in XLights has no effect on the display. Something strange is going on. I have included screen shots of setup, layout, and controller's setup. Maybe someone can see something I can't? I'm wondering if I need to remove and reinstall Xlights? Maybe remove all the models and controller and set it up again then copy in the sequence and resave? I am at a total loss. Christmas is two days away and I have a display that only runs on the controller's test pattern. I got a lot of help from the Facebook support page but I have not heard anymore so I'm thinking they are out of ideas? THank you in advance for any help.
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First its a bad idea to start a completely new thread for the same problem. You never replied to the other post where I tried to help yesterday and now you post a new thread which lacks a lot of information.
The main thing is you have not properly described how you physically have the strings connected to the E682. How many pixels are actually wired to output 1-1? You don't have the megatree selected in the screenshot so I can't see what settings you have in xLights for it. If it's the same as yesterday its a 12x50 tree. If so then I don't believe you have 170 pixels on output 1-1 because that would end in the middle of a strip.
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Gil you are right with what little information here My guess 170 should be 150 each output is running 3 strands. If in Xlights he is saying 4 strings with 3 strands per string of 150 then there is no need to tell the controller to zig zag.
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The mega tree is 12 X 50, starts at string 1, connected to output #1 on bottom left Goes up, string 2 goes down, string 3 goes up, string 4 is on output #2 and goes up, string 5 goes down, string 6 goes up, string 7 is on output #3 and goes up, string 8 goes down, string 9 goes up, string 10 is on output #4 and goes up, string 11 goes down, string 12 goes up. strings not connected to the controller are connect to the previous string. The star on the top is on output #5 has 50 nodes. Arches are 75 nodes each, connected (75 nodes then 75 nodes) they are on output #6. The spiral trees are 75 nodes each connected and are on output #7. If you look at the E682 controller, I have each output at 1 universe and 510 channels, the first 4 (tree outputs) are zig-zag. They are listed at 170 pixels to fill the universes (was told this had to be done on Sandevice E682 controllers to keep it from pushing into the next output). I originally had this set to 450 channels with 150 pixels since that is physically what is there but that didn't work either. So string 1 through 3 is on universe 1 and all channels fit within that one universe. Strings 4-6 should be to the right, all are on output 2 and all within universe 2 and so on for strings 3 and 4. I don't believe it is a problem with the controller and how it is set up since the sequence run from Vixen works properly. I ran a similar sequence (using the same audio and same image file) from Xlights and it mixes the strings up and the image looks like a puzzle spread out across the tree and the first few pixels of the arch do not light. When I run the test pattern on the controller web service support everything lights up correctly and the chase feature works correctly. It is not a wiring issue I believe. In xlights I tried giving each string an output and channel, that made no difference. I ran the "Check Sequence" per the video instructions on the website and it returned no overlap errors. The only error was something about asking if I was sure I wanted the IP address to be 169.254.74.73 which is the address for the controller on the Ethernet of my laptop. I have no idea what is going on. Nothing I change in Xlights seems to make any difference on the display. I included an image of the set up with the megatree selected.
I am sorry I made a new thread. I was not getting any response from the forum and wanted to move the thread back to the top.The Facebook support was helping but they seem to have run out of ideas as they stopped replying. I have been pulling my hair out for 3 full days trying everything I can to make it work with Xlights. I spent 3 weeks sequencing 3 songs in Xlights and that makes up the majority of my show so I really need Xlights to work with my display. I like the program and it has a lot of effects I'm looking for, that is why I went with Xlights over Vixen. The problem I have is Xlights is not working correctly with my controller.
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Well, it is a little confusing because I am getting conflicting information. I had the controller set up at 150 pixels and 450 channels since that is what is physically there. I did not have the zig zag selected originally. I was told I needed to set each output to 510 channels and 170 pixels to fill each output with one universe.
If the zig zag is not selected, won't it think the stings are just connected end to end and every other string will be upside down? What I'm getting is sections of the image are sliced up and spread out over the tree and the last 8-10 pixels of some of the strings (random) do not light ... just black. I have tried to get a picture of it with an image but I can't catch it in the camera. The one sequence I'm using to test with is the PPAP sequence that was shared. It has an image of an apple, a pineapple and a pen. Very simple images so big and blocky to look at. The apple should come down the center and the pen should come down the center into the apple. What I'm getting for Xlights is part of the apple coming down the left, part coming down the right, part sitting at the top center, pen coming down the right and center. It is all mixed up.
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your xlights setup looks good. its the controller
1-1 unv1 channel 1
1-2 unv1 channel 451
1-3 unv2 channel 391
1-4 unv2 channel 231
per out put you are only 450 channels the other 60 just don't go away as you told it your using 510
the controller does not care where the LED is as Xlights has already assigned a color to each bulb. so you
don't need the zig zag
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Lets fix the megatree. Its easiest to just define it exactly like you wired it by using "# strings" to represent # of outputs. So make # strings = 4, nodes per string 150, and strands per string 3 like the attache image. Then in the controller make outputs 1-1 through 1-4 be 150 nodes and remove the zig-zag since my settings will do it in xLights.
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think this way 1800 channels in your tree divide by 510 that's 3 1/2 unv your using. xlights is sending the channels out in order you cant skip channels in a model.
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Easiest way to fix the start channels is just let each new output be the previous output end channel +1. Since you have 3 strips thats 150 nodes or 450 channels per output so 1-2 will start at univ 1 channel 451.
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Thank you guys. I have set the tree up per your instructions Gil. I will shut the zig zag off. I'm thinking this was the whole problem all along? Yesterday you had me change the controller to 510 channels per output because you said it wouldn't know that it had 450 channels in universe 1. It didn't make any difference when it was change but just confused at where I should set the controller.
Should it be:
1-1 - 150 pixels, starting unv1 channel 1
1-2 - 150 pixels, starting unv1 channel 451
1-3 - 150 pixels, starting unv 2 channel 391
1-4 - 150 pixels, starting unv 3 channel 331
2-1 - 50 pixels, starting unv 4 channel 271 (star)
2-2 - 150 pixels, staring unv 5 channel 151 (arches)
2-3 - 150 pixels, staring unv 6 channel 451 (spiral trees)
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What Gil was referring to was the setup in xlights. There you need to tell it there are 510 channels per universe.for that controller. Now your tree looks good but you need to match your other models start channels. The controller needs to be the same as xlights. You can skip channels between models.
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You could jump into Zoom and get some help. Folks in there right now. Link on XLights home page.
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Thanks everyone. Gils recommendations worked. The tree now displays images correctly and all strings on the tree light properly. The arches are still not working and the spiral trees are not working. When I run a test from within Xlights, everything works and all lights work. When running from xscheduler not all effects are working. I'm wondering if it is something with the sequences? Some of the sequences were imported and I'm thinking I did something wrong. I have gone back and watched the import video again and tomorrow I'm going to try and make new sequences following the import video.
Step in the right direction, still have to work out some kinks.
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Did you make any changes in the lay out page of Xlights? If so then you will need to open each of your sequences re render them then save them.
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Yeah post updated screenshots for the items not working. As recommended you need to re-render sequences and save if you made channel or layout changes in xLights. To be safe just close xLights, delete the FSEQ files, open xLights and save each sequence and then you'll be sure that the FSEQ files were recreated.
Also for xScheduler make sure the show directory matches xLights.
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That must be it. Yes, changed the layout file because had to change the start channels on all the models and changed the way the tree was set up (now 4 strings of 150 pixels with 3 strands each). I went in and put start channels for each model to match the controller and that helped fix the mega tree and star. It moved the arches and spiral tree channels so that makes sense that it needs to be rendered again. Didn't even think of it, was so happy the tree was working right! :)
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Just wanted to say thank you to everyone that has given advice over the past few days. A BIG THANK YOU TO GILROCK!! Everything is up and running now. I have run a full scheduler playlist through this afternoon and everything is working and appears correctly. I did have to fix a couple of other issues related to the spiral trees but I followed the instructions for the mega tree to resolve the issues with the spiral trees. I went back and deleted the FSEQ files for each sequence and then opened them in Xlights and rendered and saved them again. Now everything is working right. We had an ice storm yesterday and I had some ice fall on the arches and actually broke a wire on the strip inside the arch, pulled the wires right out through the silicon and everything. I took them back into Santa's workshop and soldered extension on them, applied silicon and wire tied them to the arch base so they will not pull out again. Retested and all is working.
Thanks again! Lights will be up and working in time for the big night!
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Ice storms. We had ice yesterday and it stopped my Ferris wheel from spinning. Planning for weather is just another factor in the lighting hobby. Some get heat. I get rain ice snow wind and below freezing temps. When you get a chance how about a pix or two of your setup.
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I am in Maine and we are off to a snowy winter so far. Freezing rain, snow yesterday and another 6-10 inches of snow coming tomorrow. Now that everything is working i will get pics and video and upload tonight or tomorrow. Thank you!
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Once I setup my display I can't wait for the snow . Makes a big difference in looks.
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Here is a link to my facebook page. I have a video of the whole show - only 10 minutes. Just shot from my phone so no real audio but you will get the idea.
https://www.facebook.com/todd.mead.503/videos/1644846148929552/
The A/C lights in the background are actually run by a Mr. Christmas controller that is like 6-8 years old. I just wanted the lights to go on and off since I was not able to get to an SSR relay board this year.
I have attached a couple of pics to.
Merry Christmas to all!!
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Merry Christmas....
So did you catch the Lighting Bug? Once it starts there is no turning back. See once you get it to light up .... Next week you start planning and building for next year. Looks Good. After 3 years of Xlights, what I like here, out of all these people from all over the world we don't compete, we help each other.
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Yes, have the bug ... lol. I am already planning for next season. This year was first year I could make a real display. I got started very late (after Thanksgiving) so kept it simple. Now that I have it figured out a little bit, i am planning to outline the house, increase strings on tree, maybe talking trees or maybe a P10 display, some snowflakes on roof, and a bunch of sequences! 😁. Really appreciate the help from the forum, its been great and supportive!
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Please go to the very first post in this thread and click on modify. Then modify the subject to add the word SOLVED to the front of the title. Only the Original Poster (OP) can modify the subject of the thread.
Thanks