This is driving me BONKERS!!!!

[dwbarnett]

I am trying to run 3 CCR's from the RJ45 jack on my Pixlite 16 controller.

I have all the CCR ID's set, to run in DMX mode. I have a crossover cable in the DMX slot 1 on the PL16, running to my CCR controller #1...then daisy chained to  CCR controller 2 then 3.

I have solid red lights on the CCR controllers. I have tested the CCR ribbons and controller individually using the LOR HardwareUtility, everything works. I don't have any Macros, using straight RGB channels. Non in the sequences either.

I hook up as above: Ribbon/controller 1 displays just fine as RGB colors.  I'm using an animation in the sequncer, and selecting color ON for checking the colors. Looks fine for RGB and white.

I notice that when I have all 3 CCR's networked together, the #2CCR ribbon will randomly flash different colors, w/out anything selected in the XL sequncer; just output to lights selected.

When I select CCR #2 and try the RGB ON effects individually this is what I get:

Red shows as Blue
Green shows as Red
Blue shows as Green

ON CCR#3 with same setup:
Red shows as Green
Green shows as Blue
Blue shows as Red

Also noted when testing CCR3, I would get random flashes of color on CCR ribbon 2:
ON CCR#3 with same setup:
Red shows as Green
CCR2 would randomly flash Blue and Red
Green shows as Blue
CCR2 would randomly flash Red and Green
Blue shows as Red
CCR2 would randomly flash Green and Blue

They all seem to show fine on the test tab, ie RGB. Checked my adavatek software, nothing selected to effect RGB output colors. Everything shows RGB on the hardware level.

Even though the Pixlite16 has the RJ45 jacks to do DMX universes, is it really capable of handling them?

3 CCR's daisy chained together is only 450 channels, so why can't one RJ45 jack handle that?

Each CCR has it's own controller and power, so don't think it's a power issue.

However, if I just run one of the ribbon/controllers at a time from the PL16, it runs perfectly. It's only when I daisy chain them, I have the above issues.

Does anyone have a clue?  This has been a setup from hell this year.

I may have to go back to the LOR USB 485 dongles to get this to work.

If I use the FPP, and hook up 3 of these to the FPP USB port, will the FPP have enough power to handle them.

I have a 5v 2a output adapter for the FPP.  Just trying to come up with a plan B to run a show this year!

Please, give me some insight if you can.

Best,
David

[Gilrock]

What exactly are the controller ID's you used for all 3 controllers?  I used to have 3 CCR's daisy chained and unless something has changed I had to still account for the macro channels even though I wasn't using them.  So I had Unit 1 set to ID#1, Unit 2 set to ID#0x0B (starts at channel 161) and Unit 3 set to ID#0x15 (starts at channel 321).  So your models need to start at offsets 1, 161, and 321 from the beginning of that DMX output.  Also make sure the units are correct when setting them.  LOR uses hexadecimal so when you see "15" that doesn't mean fifteen it means twenty-one.  Now I can't remember if their hardware setup uses decimal or hexadecimal so just make sure you know which units the software is using when you set the values.  I know some people have skipped 6 units because they went from "9" to "10" not realizing that it was 0x10 which is sixteen.

[dwbarnett]

Gil, I'm using the same ID's as you.

. I verified everything setup properly on this controller to run in DMX mode.
First controller is in Universe 2. In LOR HWU the ID is set to 01 to run in DMX mode.
Second CCR controller is also Universe 2. LOR HWU this controller was set at 0B to run in DMX
Third CCR controller also Universe 2. LOR HWU this controller set to ID 15 to run in DMX.
 
IN Xlights, my Universe 2 starts on Channel 511.
 
CCR1 Start-511 End-660
CCR2 Start-661 End-810
CCR3 Start-811 End 960

Does this look correct to you?

I have re-tested all the ribbons and controllers in the LOR HWU, everything works perfect. The ID's are set properly.

IN XL/NC  I just created a small animation seq. just to use color ON effect.  I also checked the test tab. All the entries for the CCR's seem to be there in RGB order.

With CCR controller 1 plugged into the PL16 DMX output and crossover cable, CCR Controller 1 plays everything great using color ON effects and or playing a sequence.

As soon as I hook up the second CCR controller with the cat5e(yes, I have tried several other cat5e cables, no difference) I then get the random flashing on Controller 2, Controller 1 still functions normally.

When I add the CCR controller 3 on the network(solid red LED), the #3 CCR's colors are all out of whack, but it will light up with no flashing. However, controller #2 is still randomly flashing.

Got 1 more day to try and figure this out, gotta 3 day starting Tues, or come up with a Plan B.

Might have to just go back to my LOR 485 dongle. I just don't know what to do anymore.  Having the random flash issue on my CMB24D and 10W RGB floods.

Spent many sleepless moments troubleshooting this and other issues this weekend. At my wits end right now.

Thanks for your time. I know this time of year, it's virtually impossible to get any help. I greatly appreciate your time.

EDIT: Wanted to add: My 3 CCR's are created as 2 arches per CCR in my modelsetup. But it looks like the total start and end times jive.

I didn't add the macro stuff. When I set this up in LOR HWU, I selected the RGB channels only. Number 1 CCR works perfect, without the extra macros channels.

How would I add them to the other 2 CCR's. Change their start addresses adding the extra 7 channels?

I'm really perplexed as to what could be happening.

Best,
David

[Gilrock]

No that doesn't look correct.  I told you CCR2 needs to start 160 channels past CCR1 because that's how many channels setting it to "0x0B" is going to space it out.  So you need CCR2 to start at 671 and CCR3 to start at 831 in xLights.

[dwbarnett]

Ok Gill, I'll try it.
Thanks for the kind response.

Best,
David

[dwbarnett]

Hi Gil, believe I zeroed in. Looks like ALL the DMX512 ports on one controller are out.

I thought I had tested them already, but apparently not.

Now I just have to figure out how to set up my CCR's RGB floods and 2 PC16 controllers using the LOR 485 dongle.

Hopefully, I can just reset some stuff in the XL/NC setup tab.  Just not sure which ones right now.

At least I have some mini trees half of a mega tree and my CCB for the eaves. What a great time
Best,
David