Author Topic: CMB24 operating in DMX  (Read 4635 times)

Offline CK57

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
    • View Profile
    • ChristmasKaty
CMB24 operating in DMX
« on: July 15, 2014, 06:22:06 AM »
Does anyone have experience running the CMB24 controllers in DMX mode with X-lights?  Before making the jump into X-lights a lot of questions on whether things work OK.  Additional questions on pre-jump configuration changes to simplify the process.  As I have 8 CCR's and all the addresses for channels I would like to keep all the controllers with their same  unit address to keep from re-programming the ID's or changing the sequence information.  When you migrate the LMS data is there any issue with the order of the controllers that you migrate.  Would it be possible to bring in the 1.31 controller information first if you already have universe numbers assigned, then add the LOR AC controllers, a couple CCR's, a CMB, more AC controllers, and more CCR's?  That you keep all the 1.31 universe information in tack, and just add the LOR units as additional universes as X-lights wants to assign them?  For a CMB how many channels you give X-lights, 24?

Offline flyinverted

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 756
    • View Profile
Re: CMB24 operating in DMX
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2014, 09:39:22 PM »
I got my CMB24 working in DMX mode.  I'm using E.131 to talk to a SanDevice E682, and from there I use one output to DMX.   Yes I assign 24 channels to the CMB24 it's merely a 24 channel controller.

If you keep the LOR usb converter, then Xlights wants to see those channels up first before the E.131 channels.

As for LOR via DMX, I have mine on Universe 9 and it's working just fine. I just configured the E682 that Universe 9 was on the port I have the CMB24 on.

Steve Giron
Maricopa County, AZ
xLights user with a boat-load of channels.

Do not ask to know all the answers, but ask to understand the question.

Offline bullets

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
    • View Profile
Re: CMB24 operating in DMX
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2014, 02:54:17 PM »
flyinverted

I have 3 LOR CMB24's that are currently running on the LOR network.  I ordered crossover cables, because it's my understanding that’s what I have to do in order to get them to work with DMX and xLights/Nutcracker.

I have 4 SanDevice E682's and 2 of the E684's… so I can hook them up the way you described.  Could you please go into better detail with regards to wiring from the E682 to the CMB24? Also, I am using 5 LOR USB-RS485 HS dongles, so if I understand you correctly… out of the dongle would be a cross over cable… then what?

This is only the tip of the iceberg for me.  I have 10 CCR's and 4 CCB's that I have to get running in DMX in order to use xLights\Nutcracker. 

By the way, everything works great in LOR.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Offline flyinverted

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 756
    • View Profile
Re: CMB24 operating in DMX
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2014, 10:48:57 PM »
First off, be very careful using CAT5 ethernet cable with LOR devices. Never plug them into an ethernet switch or other ethernet device.  You're likely to damage something.  A Cat5 crossover cable is usually used for ethernet and won't be of much help.

I did use a CAT 5 cable for the LOR CMB24 connected to the E682.  I cut one end off the CAT 5 cable and wired
the other side as follows:

Orange WT    - Data +
Orange          - Data -
White/Brown - Common
Source: http://www.pathwayconnect.com/content/view/91/26/

This is for standard ethernet cables NOT crossover.

From the E682 Manual  second to the last page:  http://sandevices.com/documents/E682_Operating_Manual.pdf

Normal     With J22 Installed
Data         Data -
Clock        Data +
Ground     Ground

This wiring was set on one of the euro-plugs that comes with the San Device controllers

On the E682 setup page, I set the lighting type on bank 4 to DMX, 24 channels.

With the LOR controllers you have to set the jumpers to the DMX starting address. You'll be able to
get 3 CCR controllers on each universe for your planning.  Just remember that the LOR CCR controllers
have 7 extra channels used for macros. (151-157). You'll have to program around those channels when using DMX.


Having said all that, I believe you can use the LOR USB-485 dongles with XL/NC.

flyinverted

I have 3 LOR CMB24's that are currently running on the LOR network.  I ordered crossover cables, because it's my understanding that’s what I have to do in order to get them to work with DMX and xLights/Nutcracker.

I have 4 SanDevice E682's and 2 of the E684's… so I can hook them up the way you described.  Could you please go into better detail with regards to wiring from the E682 to the CMB24? Also, I am using 5 LOR USB-RS485 HS dongles, so if I understand you correctly… out of the dongle would be a cross over cable… then what?

This is only the tip of the iceberg for me.  I have 10 CCR's and 4 CCB's that I have to get running in DMX in order to use xLights\Nutcracker. 

By the way, everything works great in LOR.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Steve Giron
Maricopa County, AZ
xLights user with a boat-load of channels.

Do not ask to know all the answers, but ask to understand the question.

Offline bullets

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
    • View Profile
Re: CMB24 operating in DMX
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2014, 09:28:38 PM »
Flyinverted...
Thank you sooooo much for the detailed explanation of what needs to be done!  That's exactly what I was looking for.
bullets